Exuma Powerboat Tour from Nassau with Swimming Pigs

The most memorable part of this day is the sheer variety packed into one boat ride: rock iguanas, nurse sharks, swimming pigs, a white sandbar, and a sunken plane. You leave Nassau in the morning and spend about eight hours seeing the Exumas by fast powerboat.

I like the chance to get close to nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and I like that lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club is a real sit-down meal rather than a boxed snack. The main drawback is the long, often bumpy boat ride, with roughly an hour each way and plenty of wind.

Key points to know before you go

• Nurse sharks are the star for many visitors: You can stand by the dock, take photos, and get close to the sharks as they swim around Compass Cay.
• Pig Beach is not a gentle petting zoo: Some pigs are large, forceful, and known to nip, so keep your distance and follow the crew’s instructions.
• The Exumas look far prettier than Nassau: The water shifts through pale blue and green, especially around the sandbars and small cays.
• The boat ride takes up much of the day: You see more by powerboat, but this is not a relaxed cruise with short transfers between stops.
• Lunch, beer, water, and snacks are included: The meal at Staniel Cay Yacht Club gives you a welcome break from the boat.
• This is a small-group outing: The maximum group size is 16, with crew members such as Captain Rico, Ron, Neil, Emilio, Cam, or LJ depending on the departure.

Why this Nassau to Exuma trip packs in so much

At $439 per person, this is an expensive day out. But you are not paying for one beach visit. The price covers round-trip powerboat transport from Nassau, several different Exuma stops, lunch, beer, bottled water, and snacks.

That matters because the Exumas are spread across many islands and cays. Reaching Allen’s Cay, Compass Cay, Big Major Cay, Staniel Cay, the sandbar, and Norman’s Cay in one day would be difficult without organized boat transport. The powerboat lets you cover a large stretch of the area quickly, though you pay for that speed with a rougher ride.

I see this as a sightseeing sampler rather than a slow island escape. You will spend plenty of time seated on the boat, listening to music, watching the water, and moving between stops. The reward is variety. In one day, you see wildlife, beaches, a marina, a restaurant, a sandbar, and an underwater aircraft wreck.

The crew makes a real difference. Captains and guides named in the tour feedback include Rico, Ron, Emilio, Cam, Neil, LJ, Captain Shay, Captain Milio, Elio, and Rick. The strongest praise goes to the crew’s humor, attention, and ability to keep the day moving. You can expect the crew to help with photos, explain the stops, offer drinks and snacks, and keep an eye on the group.

The fast run from Paradise Island to the Exumas

The meeting point is Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive, with an 8:30 am start. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The first run takes about an hour, and the return trip is also long. On calm days, the speed is part of the fun. The boat cuts across open water and gives you a broad view of the scattered Exuma cays. On windy days, the ride can be very choppy and cool, even when the air feels warm on shore.

I would bring a light jacket or warm layer, along with strong sun protection. There is a sunshade on the boat, but you will still spend a lot of time exposed to sun and wind. If you are prone to motion sickness, this is worth considering before paying for the trip. The boat moves fast, and comfort depends heavily on sea conditions.

The boat has a bathroom, and some stops have bathroom facilities too. You should still think of this as an active day on the water, not a polished yacht cruise. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

Allen’s Cay and the Bahamian rock iguanas

The first stop is Allen’s Cay in the Exuma Cays, where you see Bahamian rock iguanas in their natural setting. You have about an hour here.

This is a good opening stop because it gets you off the boat quickly and introduces one of the Exumas’ most distinctive animals. The iguanas are not found in an ordinary Nassau park. You see them on their own cay, surrounded by bright water and low scrub.

You may have the chance to feed them under the crew’s direction. They are interesting to watch, but remember that these are wild animals, not trained performers. Give them room and follow the instructions rather than crowding them for a photo.

The stop also gives you your first taste of the area’s scenery. The Exumas are less about one famous monument and more about the contrast between small rocky islands, shallow water, and open sky. If you like wildlife and unusual places, Allen’s Cay is more rewarding than its short description suggests.

Compass Cay and the nurse sharks

At Compass Cay Marina, you spend about 30 minutes viewing nurse sharks from the dock. This is often the most powerful animal encounter of the day.

The sharks swim around the marina and can come remarkably close. You can take photos and, when permitted by the crew, touch or hold them in the water. The experience feels surprising rather than frightening, but you should pay close attention to the guides and avoid treating the animals like toys.

The stop is brief, so be ready when the boat arrives. Put away anything you do not want splashed, listen to the safety instructions, and take your turn without blocking other people’s photos. The small maximum group size helps, but 16 people still need to share one dock and a short visit.

For many people, this is a better wildlife encounter than the pigs. The nurse sharks are calm, unusual, and genuinely tied to the local marine setting. You are not simply looking at an exhibit. You are standing at the edge of the marina while sharks move through the clear water around you.

Big Major Cay and the reality of Pig Beach

Big Major Cay is better known as Pig Beach, and you get about 45 minutes here. The famous swimming pigs are the headline attraction, but you should arrive with realistic expectations.

Some pigs are cute, especially the young ones. Others are enormous and forceful. Several accounts describe pigs that nip, push, or crowd people, particularly when food is involved. There can also be pig waste on the beach and in the shallow water. This is not a spotless animal encounter, and it is not the right place to assume every pig wants to be held.

You can paddle alongside the pigs and may get close enough for photos. The crew can help you judge the situation, but you remain responsible for keeping your hands and body clear of aggressive animals. Do not turn your back on a large pig, and do not let the novelty of the scene override basic caution.

I like the stop for its oddness. There is something wonderfully Bahamian about arriving by boat at a tiny cay where pigs swim out to meet you. But I would rank it below the nurse sharks and sandbar in terms of natural beauty. If you are uneasy around large animals, you can still enjoy watching from the water’s edge or boat area rather than forcing yourself into the middle of the group.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club and a proper lunch break

After Pig Beach, the boat heads to Staniel Cay for about an hour and a meal at Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Lunch is included, along with beer, bottled water, and snacks during the outing.

This restaurant stop is one of the tour’s practical strengths. After hours in the sun and wind, sitting at a table gives you a chance to dry off, eat properly, and recharge. The meal is ordered at the restaurant rather than served as a simple packed lunch. The available choices and food quality can vary, but the stop is widely praised as a pleasant surprise.

The restaurant also breaks up the day. Without it, the trip would feel like one long sequence of quick shoreline visits. You get a more normal hour to talk with your group, use the facilities, and enjoy Staniel Cay at a slower pace.

Do not expect this stop to turn the excursion into a food tour. The value is the setting and the chance to have a real meal included in the price. If you have dietary concerns, check what can be ordered before you go. One account specifically noted shellfish restrictions, but the provided tour details do not promise a full range of dietary substitutions.

The Exumas Land and Sea Park sandbar

The sandbar stop lasts about an hour and is one of the best uses of your time. You can walk through shallow water, look for shells and sand dollars, and enjoy the open view across the Exuma Cays.

This is where the Exumas’ famous colors make the strongest impression. The water is clear and layered with shades of blue and green, and the sandbar gives you room to spread out after the tighter animal stops. Several people wished they had more time here, which tells you something useful: if the crew offers a choice between extra sandbar time and another photo stop, the sandbar may be the better pick.

Bring footwear that can handle a wet, sandy entry if you have it. The tour details do not specify the exact surface or water depth on the day, so conditions may change with the tide. Still, this is the stop where you can relax, take scenic photos, and feel the pace slow down.

There is no snorkeling included on this experience. That is important if you are comparing it with other Exuma boat trips. You will be in beautiful water, but the planned activities focus on wildlife encounters, beaches, sandbars, and sightseeing rather than reef exploration.

Norman’s Cay and the sunken plane

Near Norman’s Cay, the boat pauses for about 15 minutes to view the sunken drug plane. This is connected to the island’s association with Pablo Escobar, and the wreck has become one of the area’s unusual sights.

You view the plane from the boat rather than getting out to snorkel around it. The stop is short, but the wreck is close enough to make a strong impression. Even people who expect a quick glance may find the aircraft unexpectedly interesting because it adds a darker, stranger note to an otherwise bright day of beaches and animals.

If you are hoping to swim to the wreck, adjust your expectations. This part is a boat-based photo and viewing stop. The trip gives you a look at the plane without adding another water activity to an already full schedule.

What the $439 price really covers

The $439 fare is high, especially for a family. I would not book it simply for Pig Beach, since the pig encounter lasts less than an hour and can be rough around the edges.

The value improves if you want several Exuma highlights in one day and do not have the time or equipment to arrange separate boat trips. Transport from Nassau, the crew, lunch, beer, water, snacks, and access to the listed stops are bundled together. You also avoid spending your trip trying to coordinate boats between distant cays.

The small group limit of 16 is another point in its favor. It does not make the boat private, but it should feel more manageable than a large party vessel. A good crew can give you help at the sharks, pigs, and sandbar without losing track of the group.

The cost is harder to justify if you prefer long beach stays, snorkeling, or a quiet boat ride. You will spend much of the eight-hour day in transit, and the sea can be bumpy. This is a high-energy sightseeing day with many short stops, not a slow luxury cruise.

Who should book this powerboat day

I would recommend it to you if you have only a few days in the Bahamas and want to see the Exumas without arranging several separate excursions. It suits families with older children, couples, solo visitors, and small groups who enjoy wildlife, scenery, and a busy schedule.

The tour is especially good for anyone who considers nurse sharks a bucket-list sight. The crew receives its strongest praise for making people feel safe and included, including solo women and families. You also get a broad introduction to the Exumas in one outing.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, since pregnant people are not permitted on the activity. You should also reconsider if you dislike fast boats, rough water, strong wind, or close contact with large animals.

Weather is another real factor. The operator has canceled departures in poor conditions and offered either a different date or a full refund. That caution is a positive sign for safety, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Nassau plans if possible.

Small details that will improve your day

Wear swimwear and bring a towel, sunblock, sunglasses, and a light jacket. The shade on the boat is limited, and the wind can make the ride chilly.

Keep your phone or camera protected from spray. You will want photos at the iguana cay, shark dock, Pig Beach, sandbar, and plane wreck, but the boat ride can be wet and rough.

Pay attention during every departure. One person reported being left behind at Pig Beach and having to run after the departing boat. That should not happen, but you should still confirm the meeting place and time before walking away from the group.

Do not assume every stop will feel equally long. The schedule gives you about one hour with the iguanas, 30 minutes at the sharks, 45 minutes with the pigs, one hour for lunch, one hour at the sandbar, and 15 minutes for the plane. The sandbar may feel too short if conditions or boat timing change.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is seeing many of the Exumas’ best-known sights in one long day from Nassau. The nurse sharks, sandbar, and broad views are the strongest reasons to go, while the included lunch and drinks help support the high price.

Skip it if you want snorkeling, a quiet beach day, or a smooth, gentle cruise. Also be honest about the pigs: they can be large and pushy, not cuddly props.

For the right person, this is an efficient and memorable introduction to the Exumas. I would book it for the variety, the small group size, and the chance to stand beside nurse sharks in clear Bahamian water. I would treat Pig Beach as one stop among many, not the sole reason to pay $439.

FAQ

How long does the Exuma powerboat tour last?

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

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in the Bahamas. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the tour price?

Lunch, beer, bottled water, and snacks are included. Round-trip powerboat transportation to the Exuma stops is also part of the experience.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 16 travelers.

Can pregnant people join the tour?

No. Pregnant travelers are not permitted on this activity.

Is snorkeling included?

No. The planned stops include iguanas, nurse sharks, swimming pigs, lunch, a sandbar, and the sunken plane near Norman’s Cay. Snorkeling is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.