Exuma Powerboat Tour from Nassau with Swimming Pigs

The biggest surprise here is how much of the Exumas you can fit into one long day. From Nassau, you speed across clear Bahamian water to see rock iguanas, nurse sharks, swimming pigs, a sandbar, and the wreck of a plane near Norman’s Cay. It is a fast-moving sampler of the islands, not a slow beach day.

I like the wide mix of stops and the fact that lunch, water, snacks, and beer are included. I also like the small maximum group of 16, which gives the crew a fair chance to help with photos and keep an eye on everyone. The main drawback is the boat ride: you may spend half the day underway, and the open-water trip can be rough, windy, and chilly.

Key points to know

• Allen’s Cay brings you close to Bahamian rock iguanas in their natural setting.
• Compass Cay is the animal highlight for many people, with nurse sharks swimming around the dock.
• Pig Beach is memorable but not gentle, since some large pigs can be pushy and may nip.
• Staniel Cay Yacht Club provides a proper sit-down lunch, a welcome break from the boat.
• The sandbar is one of the prettiest stops, with time for a walk, shells, and photographs.
• The $439 price buys a full day of transport and several major Exuma sights, but only if you are comfortable with a long powerboat ride.

Why this Exuma day trip is worth considering

The Exumas are known for water that shifts from pale turquoise to deep blue around hundreds of small cays. The trouble is getting there from Nassau. A powerboat solves that problem better than a slower boat, letting you reach several well-known sites in one day.

This is not a quiet cruise. The boat moves quickly, and the ride from Paradise Island to the first stop takes about an hour. You then continue between the cays throughout the day. That speed is useful, but the ride can be bumpy, especially when the sea is choppy.

I would think of the experience as a greatest-hits tour of the Exumas. You get wildlife, beaches, food, history, and open-water scenery in one outing. You do not get long, unhurried time at every location.

The tour begins at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive at 8:30 a.m. It returns to the same meeting point after roughly eight hours. Private transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the terminal.

A small boat and a long day on the water

The boat carries no more than 16 people, which is a useful size for a full-day trip with several water-based stops. A smaller group makes boarding easier and gives you a better chance of getting help from the crew when you need a photograph, a hand near the animals, or a reminder about the next stop.

The crew names praised in the supplied information include Captain Rico, Ron, Emilio, Milio, Cam, Neil, LJ, Shay, Elio, Rick, and Tyler. You should not assume a particular captain will operate your departure, but the repeated praise for the crew points to an important part of the experience: the staff help set the tone.

You can expect music, jokes, drinks, and regular offers of water and snacks. The boat has a bathroom, and some stops have facilities as well. Still, you should pack as if you will spend much of the day outside. Bring strong sun protection, a swimsuit, and a light warm layer. The wind can feel cool when the boat is moving quickly, even on a warm day.

The boat has a sunshade, but you will not be covered all day. Seating is described as comfortable enough for the long ride, though comfort depends heavily on the weather and the condition of the sea.

Allen’s Cay and the rock iguanas

Your first stop is Allen’s Cay in the Exuma Cays, where Bahamian rock iguanas live in their natural habitat. You have about an hour here, enough time to watch them, take photographs, and see a side of the Bahamas that is very different from the beaches of Nassau and Paradise Island.

These are not tame zoo animals. You should follow the crew’s instructions and treat the iguanas as wild creatures. The stop is especially worthwhile if you enjoy seeing local wildlife rather than only visiting postcard beaches.

The setting also gives you an early look at the Exumas’ clear water and low, rocky islands. This first visit helps make the rest of the day feel like a trip into a different part of the country, not simply an excursion to another beach.

Compass Cay and the nurse sharks

At Compass Cay Marina, you have about 30 minutes to see nurse sharks from the dock and take close photographs. Depending on the conditions and crew guidance, you may be able to enter the water and get close to them.

For many people, this is the emotional high point of the day. The nurse sharks are large, calm-looking animals, and being near them is far different from viewing wildlife from a distance. The crew’s presence matters here. Listen carefully, move slowly, and do not treat the animals like props.

This stop is short, so you need to make decisions quickly. If you want to get in the water, have your swimwear ready and pay attention as soon as the boat arrives. If you prefer to stay on the dock, you can still get close views and photographs.

Big Major Cay and the reality of Pig Beach

Big Major Cay is better known as Pig Beach, the stop that attracts the most attention online. You have about 45 minutes to see the famous swimming pigs and, if you are comfortable, enter the water with them.

The pigs are not all small, cute piglets. Some are very large, strong, and pushy. A few can nip, especially when food is involved. You may also find pig waste on the beach and in the shallow water. That is the less polished side of this famous stop, and you should be prepared for it.

The youngest pigs can be adorable, and getting close to them is certainly unusual. But I would not make Pig Beach the only reason to book this trip. The nurse sharks, sandbar, scenery, and full Exuma route may prove more rewarding.

Stay alert around the animals. Do not assume that a friendly-looking pig is harmless, and do not crowd one for a photograph. If you feel uneasy, you can watch from a safer position rather than forcing yourself into the water.

One important practical point: keep track of the boat and crew when you go ashore. One person reported being left behind briefly at Pig Beach and having to run after the departing boat. That sounds like an unusual mistake, but it is a good reminder to follow departure instructions and return promptly when called.

Lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club

After the animal stops, the boat takes you to Staniel Cay for about an hour at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club. This is more than a quick sandwich on the boat. You get a proper restaurant break, a table, and time to sit down before returning to the water.

Lunch is included, as are bottled water, snacks, and beer. The exact food experience can vary, but the meal has been praised by several people, while another person found the food disappointing. That makes the best advice simple: value the restaurant stop as a comfortable part of the day, but do not book the tour solely for a gourmet meal.

The lunch stop also breaks up the motion of the boat. After several hours of moving between cays, a solid hour on land can make the second half of the trip more enjoyable.

The sandbar in the Exuma Cays

The sandbar is one of the strongest parts of the itinerary. You have about an hour to relax, walk through shallow water, look for shells and sand dollars, and take photographs of the bright water around you.

This is where the Exumas’ beauty becomes easiest to appreciate. The stop is less about checking off an attraction and more about having room to slow down. Several people wished they had more time here, so do not be surprised if the hour feels short.

Conditions will affect the sandbar. Its appearance and amount of exposed sand can change with the tide and weather. Still, this stop gives you the kind of simple island time that Pig Beach cannot provide.

If you want photographs, the sandbar is likely one of your best chances. Wear footwear you can manage in shallow water, and keep sunscreen nearby because shade may be limited.

Norman’s Cay and the sunken plane

Near Norman’s Cay, the boat stops for roughly 15 minutes to view a sunken plane associated with Pablo Escobar. You do not get a long visit, and this tour does not include snorkeling at the wreck. The boat simply brings you close enough to see the remains underwater.

The stop is brief, but the story and unusual sight make it worthwhile. Even people who expected little from the plane found the close view interesting. Just keep your expectations in check: this is a viewing stop, not an underwater exploration.

The absence of snorkeling is worth noting because some people may expect it from a day built around water. You should book this tour for the combination of wildlife, scenery, swimming, and boat travel, not for a dedicated snorkeling session.

How the $439 price works out

At $439 per person, this is a costly day trip. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: round-trip powerboat transport from Nassau, a full day of crew support, lunch, bottled water, snacks, beer, and entry to the listed sites.

You are also paying for access to several places that are difficult to visit independently in one day. Reaching the Exumas, Compass Cay, Big Major Cay, Staniel Cay, and Norman’s Cay on your own would require careful transport planning and likely more than one day.

The value depends on what you want from a Bahamas holiday. If your main goal is to sit on one beach, $439 is hard to justify. If you have only a few days and want to see the Exumas without arranging several separate transfers, the price becomes easier to defend.

You should also count the physical cost. A long ride, repeated boarding, sun, wind, and choppy water are part of the package. The tour gives you more sights, but it does not give you much quiet time.

Weather, safety, and physical demands

This experience requires good weather. The operator may cancel for poor conditions and offer another date or a full refund. That is a positive policy for an open-water trip, even though a cancellation can be disappointing when you have planned your day around it.

Some departures have been moved because of a bad forecast. The company may contact you about changing dates when weather looks poor. A weather cancellation is frustrating, but it is preferable to pushing ahead in unsafe sea conditions.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. You will board a powerboat, move around docks and beaches, and enter or leave shallow water at several stops. Pregnant people are not permitted on the tour.

The ride can be rough enough to matter. Several people described it as bumpy or choppy, and the return trip may feel long. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan carefully, though the supplied information does not specify whether medication or other remedies are provided.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want variety and do not mind a packed schedule. Families, couples, solo visitors, and small groups can all find something to enjoy, especially if you like animals and boat travel.

It suits you particularly well if you have only a short stay in the Bahamas. Spending one day on this route lets you see parts of the country that look very different from Nassau.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, need long periods of shade, want a relaxed beach day, or feel uncomfortable around large animals. You should also skip it if your main goal is snorkeling, since snorkeling is not part of this experience.

The tour works best for people who can accept that each stop has a different pace. The sharks and pigs involve animal interaction, the sandbar offers quiet beauty, the plane is a quick sight, and lunch gives you a break. You will not spend hours at any single place.

Booking decision: is the Exuma powerboat tour right for you?

Book this tour if you want a big day with the Exumas’ best-known sights and prefer having transport, food, and crew support handled for you. The nurse sharks, sandbar, and changing shades of blue water are the strongest reasons to go, while the iguanas, pigs, lunch, and plane add variety.

Go in with clear expectations. The boat ride is long and can be rough, Pig Beach can be messy and intense, and some stops may feel short. Bring sun protection, a light layer, swimwear, and patience for a full day on the water.

At $439, this is not a casual add-on. But if you have limited time in the Bahamas and want one ambitious day beyond Nassau, it offers a practical way to reach the Exumas and see several memorable sights in one run.

FAQ

How long is the Exuma powerboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending back at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in The Bahamas.

What is included in the price?

Lunch, bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic beverages in the form of beer are included.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $439 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 16 travelers.

Are the swimming pigs included?

Yes. The visit to Pig Beach on Big Major Cay is included in the tour.

Can I see or swim with nurse sharks?

At Compass Cay, you can view nurse sharks from the dock and take close photographs. The supplied information and trip details also describe close contact with the sharks under crew guidance.

Is snorkeling included?

No. The tour includes viewing the sunken plane near Norman’s Cay, but it does not include snorkeling at the wreck.

Can pregnant people join the tour?

No. Pregnant travelers are not permitted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. If you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, you can receive a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.