How much does a swimming pigs tour cost in 2026?

From Great Exuma, half-day speedboat tours start around $190–$250 per person. Full-day tours from Nassau by powerboat usually run $400–$500. Fly-and-boat combos from Nassau via Staniel Cay are typically $650–$750. A private charter for up to ~10 guests ranges from about $1,500 to $3,500 depending on boat size and itinerary.

Where exactly are the swimming pigs?

On Big Major Cay (locally called Pig Beach or Pig Island), an uninhabited cay just north of Staniel Cay in the Exumas. Coordinates: roughly 24.18°N, 76.45°W. The pigs are cared for by residents of Staniel Cay and by tour operators.

Is it safe to swim with the pigs?

Yes, when you follow the rules. The pigs are friendly but they are feral and food-motivated. Don't crouch down with food, don't feed them junk food or alcohol, and watch your fingers. Small children should stay with an adult. Bites do happen — usually when guests squat or hide snacks.

What's the best time of year to visit Pig Beach?

December through April offers the calmest seas and most reliable tours. June through November is Atlantic hurricane season (peak August–October), so trips are more likely to be canceled or rough. Early-morning departures usually mean fewer boats and more pigs in the water.

Where should I stay to visit the swimming pigs?

Closest: Staniel Cay (Staniel Cay Yacht Club, Embrace Resort) — you're a short boat ride from Big Major Cay. Easier flights: Great Exuma / Georgetown (Sandals Emerald Bay, Grand Isle Resort) — half-day tours leave from here. Easiest from the US: Nassau — but it's a long boat day to the pigs and back.

Do I need to pay an Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park fee?

Big Major Cay sits just outside the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park boundary, so most pig tours don't require a park ticket. If your itinerary continues north into the park (Warderick Wells, Shroud Cay), expect a per-person landing fee plus mooring or anchorage charges via the Bahamas National Trust ParkPay system. Tour operators usually fold any required fees into the ticket price — confirm when booking.

Can I feed the iguanas grapes at Allen's Cay?

Conservationists now strongly discourage feeding grapes or any human food to the endangered Allen Cays rock iguanas. Studies have linked sugary tourist food to digestive problems and elevated blood glucose. Reputable operators bring approved leafy greens, or simply visit without feeding. If your tour offers grapes, that's a red flag.

Swimming Pigs Bahamas 2026: Honest Tour Guide

Location	Big Major Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas (~24.18°N, 76.45°W)
Nearest settled island	Staniel Cay (~1 km / 0.6 mi south by boat)
From Nassau by boat	~85 mi (137 km); 2.5–3 h each way by powerboat
From Great Exuma	~40 mi (64 km) north; ~1 h each way by speedboat
Tour price range (2026)	From $190 (Exuma half-day) to $3,500+ (private full charter)
Number of pigs	Roughly 15–25 adults plus piglets; numbers fluctuate
Best months	December–April (calm seas); avoid peak hurricane Aug–Oct
Park status	Outside the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park boundary

The Real Story Behind the Swimming Pigs

Nobody actually knows for sure how the pigs ended up on Big Major Cay. The popular theories: sailors left them as a future food stash, they swam ashore from a nearby shipwreck, or — most plausibly — Staniel Cay residents put them on an uninhabited neighboring island in the 1990s. Whatever the origin, the colony has grown into the Bahamas' most photographed wildlife attraction.

Roughly 15–25 adult pigs plus piglets live on the cay today. Numbers fluctuate — a handful drowned in 2017 after tourists fed them alcohol and food on the beach (where it spoiled in the sun), and Hurricane Dorian shifted populations in 2019. Staniel Cay residents and tour operators bring fresh water and feed daily.

2026 Tour Options: From Budget to Private Charter

Prices below are typical published rates for 2026. Park or landing fees and Bahamas VAT may be charged separately depending on the operator — always confirm what's included before paying.

Cheapest Way In

Half-Day Tours from Great Exuma

🚤 4–5 hour speedboat tour
🐷 Swimming pigs at Big Major Cay
🦎 Allen's Cay iguanas (look, don't feed)
🏖️ Beach stop & snorkeling

Starting from

$190–$250

Full-Day Nassau Tours

🛥️ Powerboat from Nassau (~2.5 h each way)
🐷 Swimming pigs experience
🦈 Nurse sharks at Compass Cay (small dock fee)
🍽️ Bahamian lunch included
🤿 Thunderball Grotto snorkeling

Per person, from

$400–$500

Fastest from Nassau

Fly & Boat Combo

✈️ Charter flight Nassau → Staniel Cay
⏱️ ~45 min flight, no rough seas
🚤 Local boat tour included
🥂 Lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club

All-inclusive, from

$650–$750

Ultimate Flexibility

Private Boat Charter

🛥️ Your own boat & captain
👥 Typically 6–12 passengers
🗺️ Customizable itinerary, no group schedule
🏝️ Multi-cay stops at your pace

Full boat, from

$1,500–$3,500

Swimming pigs of Big Major Cay greeting a small boat in shallow turquoise water

When to Visit (Timing Matters)

Best months: December through April. Calm seas, mild trade winds, reliable departures, comfortable water temps. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs June 1 to November 30, with peak activity August through October — expect more cancellations and rougher rides in those months. Travel insurance is a smart add-on if you book in summer.

On any given day, early-morning departures (7–9 a.m.) tend to be calmer and less crowded than mid-day tours arriving from Nassau. If you're staying on Staniel Cay or chartering, a sunrise visit is the closest you'll get to a "private" pig beach.

Safety: They're Cute, But They're Feral

The pigs are friendly but food-motivated and surprisingly strong. Don't crouch down with food, don't hide snacks behind your back, and don't get between a sow and her piglets. Nips on fingers and shins happen — usually when guests squat or tease. Small children should stay with an adult at all times. Never feed alcohol, bread, or processed food: it has killed pigs here before.

Insider Tips for a Better Visit

Make the Trip Worthwhile

📸

Photo Tips

A waterproof phone case or GoPro is essential — salt water is brutal. For the classic shot, wade into knee-deep water without food and let the pigs swim past. Morning light is softer and the water clearer before tour boats stir up the sand.

🎒

What to Bring

Reef-safe sunscreen, dry bag for electronics, water shoes (the sand has bits of shell), and small bills for crew tips (~$10–$20 per person per crew is customary). Skip jewelry — saltwater corrodes it and curious pigs investigate shiny things.

🐷

Pig Etiquette

Let the pigs come to you. Feed only what your guide provides — the resident pig keepers and operators bring the right food and water. Never give alcohol, junk food, or sugary fruit. Don't chase or pick up piglets; mothers will defend them.

💊

Seasickness

The Nassau crossing is open ocean. Take a non-drowsy motion-sickness tablet the night before and again 30 minutes before boarding, sit toward the back-middle of the boat, and keep your eyes on the horizon. Light breakfast only — see our seasickness prevention guide.

Beyond the Pigs: What Else Tours Cover

Most full-day Exuma tours stack three or four marquee stops. Thunderball Grotto, just off Staniel Cay, is the snorkel cave used in the 1965 James Bond film "Thunderball" — enter at slack tide for the easiest swim through. Compass Cay has a private dock where habituated nurse sharks gather; expect a small per-person dockage fee (typically around $10–$20) paid at the marina.

Allen's Cay (and Leaf Cay) are home to the endangered Cyclura cychlura inornata rock iguana. Tourists have long fed them grapes and lettuce, but conservationists now strongly discourage hand-feeding — the unnatural diet has been linked to digestive problems and elevated blood sugar. Responsible operators bring only approved greens or skip feeding entirely. If your captain offers a bag of grapes, that's a sign to choose a different operator next time.

Other stops worth asking about: the sunken DC-3 cargo plane off Norman's Cay (a relic from the 1980s Carlos Lehder / Medellín-cartel smuggling era), the disappearing sandbar between cays, and the iconic blue holes deeper in the Exumas.

Aerial view of the turquoise waters and sandbanks of the Exuma Cays, Bahamas

What About the Park Fee?

Big Major Cay sits just outside the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park boundary, so a standard pig tour usually doesn't require a park ticket. If your itinerary continues north into the park (Warderick Wells, Shroud Cay, Hawksbill Cay), you'll be subject to per-person landing fees and per-night mooring or anchorage fees through the Bahamas National Trust's ParkPay system, plus 10% Bahamian VAT. Reputable tour operators fold any required fees into their published rate — confirm in writing before paying.

Is It Worth the Hype?

Honest answer: yes, with caveats. It's touristy, it can be crowded mid-day, and the boat ride from Nassau is long. But the moment a pig actually paddles up next to you in waist-deep, glass-clear water is genuinely surreal — and the surrounding Exuma scenery (Thunderball, the cays, the blues you only see in stock photos) is the real reward. If you can build the visit into a longer Exumas stay rather than a same-day Nassau dash, you'll enjoy it far more.

Booking Tips

Book direct with the local operator when possible — cruise-ship excursion desks typically add 20–30% over the boat's own published rate. Peak season (December–April) fills early; reserve at least a week ahead. In shoulder season, holding off until you can see a weather window often pays off.

Always confirm what's included: lunch, snorkel gear, the Compass Cay dock fee, and any park fees can be itemized separately on cheaper tours. If you're staying overnight in the Exumas, see the hotel section below — basing yourself on Staniel Cay or Great Exuma cuts hours off the boat day and makes early-morning pig visits possible.

Swimming with Pigs in the Bahamas

Quick Take — Swimming Pigs of Big Major Cay