Experience The Exumas and the World Famous Swimming Pigs

The headline attraction is only part of the story. From New Providence, you race 78 miles across open water to the Exumas, where swimming pigs, nurse sharks, Rock Iguanas, and a sunken plane fill one long day with very different encounters.

I like the useful mix of wildlife and scenery, and I like that the $439 price includes lunch, snacks, bottled water, towels, beer, and mojitos. The crew, including Captain T and Keyshawn, has earned strong praise for keeping the day moving and helping people feel comfortable around the animals.

The trade-off is the speed boat ride. It gets you to the Exumas in time for several stops, but the ride can be rough and bumpy, especially in poor conditions. You also need to be ready for an early start, a full day outside, and a moderate level of physical activity.

Key points to know before booking

• 78 miles by speed boat: The fast crossing makes a far-off Exumas day possible, but expect motion and spray.
• Five cays in one day: The schedule packs in pigs, sharks, iguanas, a plane wreck, lunch, and beach time.
• Pig Beach for 45 minutes: You meet the famous pigs in their natural setting, with admission included.
• Compass Cay nurse sharks: A 45-minute stop lets you get close to these gentle animals.
• Norman’s Cay plane wreck: Shallow turquoise water makes this sunken aircraft suitable for snorkeling.
• Small group size: The boat holds no more than 22 people, a useful limit for a busy day of stops.

From Paradise Island to the Exumas by 7:30 a.m.

You meet at 1 Cove Blvd on Paradise Island at 7:30 a.m. The early start is not a minor detail. The Exumas are far from Nassau, and the boat needs time to cross the 78-mile stretch, visit several cays, and return the same day.

The ride is on a sleek speed boat rather than a slow ferry. That choice saves time and gives you more hours among the islands, but it also means a firmer ride. One of the main practical lessons here is simple: speed and comfort are in tension. The boat must move quickly if you are going to reach the pigs and sharks on schedule.

If you get motion sick, think carefully before booking. The supplied information does not promise a calm crossing, and one strong account of the day described the ride as bumpy even though the crew handled the outing well. Conditions can change, so the boat may feel quite different from one departure to the next.

The group is limited to 22 people. That is not a private charter, but it is small enough to keep the boat from feeling like a floating crowd. It should also make it easier to hear directions and get help when entering the water.

Pig Beach and the famous swimming pigs

The first major stop is Pig Beach, where you spend about 45 minutes with the original world-famous swimming pigs. Admission is included, so there is no separate fee when you arrive.

The appeal is the setting as much as the animals. You are not visiting a zoo enclosure. The pigs live in their island environment and enter the water around the beach. That gives the stop a playful, unscripted feel, though it also means you should follow the crew’s instructions closely and treat the animals with respect.

Forty-five minutes is enough for an introduction, photographs, and time in the water, but it is not a slow half-day visit. The schedule is built around seeing several places, so you should expect a lively stop rather than unlimited time with the pigs.

This is likely the most important stop for anyone booking specifically because of Pig Beach. If the pigs are your only priority, a shorter or more focused outing might give you more time. If you want the pigs as one part of a full Exumas day, this arrangement makes sense.

Compass Cay and a close look at nurse sharks

At Compass Cay, the focus shifts from comic farm animals to gentle nurse sharks. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and gives you time to learn about and interact with the sharks in their natural environment.

For many people, this is the most memorable wildlife encounter of the day. The experience offers a close look at a species that can seem intimidating at first, while the crew provides direction on how to behave around them. The calm nature of nurse sharks is part of the appeal, but you should still listen carefully and avoid treating wild animals like props.

The water around the cays is exceptionally clear, which makes this stop especially visual. You can see the sharks more easily, and the shallow island setting helps you understand where you are rather than simply standing in a dark aquarium tank.

You should also keep the schedule in mind. Forty-five minutes passes quickly when a group is taking turns, entering the water, and returning to the boat. The small maximum group size helps, but this is still a shared activity, not a one-on-one encounter.

Norman’s Cay and the shallow plane wreck

The Norman’s Cay stop lasts about 30 minutes and centers on a sunken plane wreck. The aircraft dates from the World War II era and later became associated with a major smuggling operation in the 1970s. Today it rests beneath shallow, clear water, where you can snorkel above it.

This is a welcome change of pace after the animal encounters. The wreck gives the day a piece of local history without turning the trip into a formal museum visit. You see the story through the remains themselves, underwater and surrounded by the clear sea.

The short stop means this is best viewed as a focused snorkel, not an extended underwater session. If you want plenty of time to explore reefs or swim at leisure, the schedule may feel brisk. If you like a compact stop with a striking subject, the plane is a strong addition.

The tour information does not specify the full snorkel equipment setup, so confirm any gear questions before departure. It does confirm that the wreck is in shallow water and that snorkeling is part of the stop.

Rock Iguanas, beaches, and Exuma water

The day also includes ancient Rock Iguanas and time on a pristine Exuma beach or sandbar. The exact length and order of these stops are not given, but they form an important part of the outing because they slow the pace after the boat crossing and wildlife visits.

The iguanas offer another chance to see animals in their natural setting. They are very different from the pigs and nurse sharks, which keeps the day from feeling like the same encounter repeated several times.

The beach or sandbar is where the famous Exuma scenery gets its proper turn. Expect bright, clear water and pale sand rather than a developed resort setting. This is the place to stretch out, swim, take photographs, and appreciate why the Exumas are such a popular day-trip destination from Nassau.

The overview describes five cays and one full day, while the detailed stops name Pig Beach, Compass Cay, and Norman’s Cay. One account of the outing described six stops in total. That suggests a packed route, but the precise order and timing of every stop can vary. Keep some flexibility in your expectations.

What the $439 price really covers

At $439 per person, this is an expensive day trip. The price makes more sense when you consider the distance and the number of included elements. You are not paying only for a short boat ride to one beach. The day combines transport deep into the Exumas, multiple wildlife stops, snorkeling, beach time, lunch, drinks, snacks, water, and towels.

Lunch is a Bahamian buffet at Lorraine’s Cafe in Black Point, Exuma. That is a useful break from the boat and gives you a chance to eat a proper meal during a long day. The inclusion of a local-style lunch also makes the outing feel more connected to the islands than a day built entirely around packaged food.

Beer and mojitos are included without a separate charge, along with bottled water and fruit or chips. The alcohol is a nice extra for people who want a relaxed boat day, but it should not distract from the basic need to stay hydrated. You are in the sun, on moving water, and active for much of the day.

Towels are provided, which saves space in your bag. Crew tips are optional and not included. With six or more active stops possible, carrying as little as you can manage is sensible.

The crew and the pace of the day

Captain T and Keyshawn are two crew members named in the feedback supplied for this experience. Their role matters because this is not a simple point-to-point transfer. The crew has to manage a fast boat, changing sea conditions, several water entries, wildlife encounters, food, and a fixed return to Paradise Island.

The strongest praise centers on friendly, helpful crew members and a captain who handles rough weather well. That is important here. You are spending much of the day moving between exposed islands, so calm instructions and good judgment count for more than polished entertainment.

The pace is active. You may move from pigs to sharks to a plane wreck, then on to iguanas, lunch, and a beach or sandbar. I would choose this trip if I like variety and do not mind checking the clock. I would hesitate if I want a quiet, unhurried day with long stretches in one place.

Weather, cancellations, and physical demands

This experience requires good weather. Wind and waves can cancel the trip, and the company states that you will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather prevents departure.

That policy is fair, but communication is worth watching. Some bookings have been affected by late cancellation messages or missed notifications, including people who arrived at the meeting point before learning that the outing was not running. The company has attributed some problems to weather and one case to a calendar syncing error.

For that reason, check your messages and confirm the departure close to the date. Do not rely only on an old booking confirmation. If the trip is important to your schedule, leave some flexibility around it.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. You will board a speed boat, spend time in and around the water, and move through several stops. The activity is not recommended for people over 275 pounds. That restriction is stated directly, so contact the provider before booking if it affects you.

Who will get the most from this Exumas day

I would recommend this tour to someone staying on New Providence who wants to see several signature Exumas sights without arranging separate boats, meals, and transfers. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want pigs, sharks, clear water, a wreck, and a beach all in one day.

Families and groups with mixed interests may also find the format useful. One person can enjoy the animals, another can focus on snorkeling, and everyone gets a beach stop and lunch. The maximum of 22 people keeps the scale manageable.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fast boats, have trouble with rough water, or need long rest periods. The trip is long, and the return crossing can feel tiring after a full day outside.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Since weather can affect the schedule, read those terms carefully and keep your phone available on the day.

Should you book the swimming pigs tour?

Book it if you want a big, varied Exumas day and can accept the price, early start, and bumpy speed boat ride. The combination of Pig Beach, Compass Cay nurse sharks, Norman’s Cay plane wreck, Rock Iguanas, a Bahamian buffet, and beach time gives you far more than a single photo stop.

Skip it if your main goal is a slow beach day or if boat motion is a serious concern. At $439, this is best value for someone who will make full use of the range of stops and included food and drinks. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a strong way to see a wide slice of the Exumas from Nassau.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 1 Cove Blvd on Paradise Island, Bahamas.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 7:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 22 travelers.

What animals will I see?

The experience includes swimming pigs at Pig Beach, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and Rock Iguanas.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Bahamian buffet lunch at Lorraine’s Cafe in Black Point, Exuma, is included.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. The package includes bottled water, fruit and/or chips, unlimited beer and mojitos, and complimentary towel use.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.