Exuma Powerboat Tour from Nassau with Swimming Pigs

The main draw here is simple: one fast boat takes you from Nassau to several of the Bahamas’ most famous sights in a single day. You’ll feed rock iguanas at Allen’s Cay, get close to nurse sharks at Compass Cay, meet the famously unruly pigs of Big Major Cay, and finish with a sandbar stop and a look at a sunken plane near Norman’s Cay.

I like the variety and the small maximum group of 16. I also like that lunch, beer, water, and snacks are included, so the $439 price covers much more than a boat ride. The catch is the long, often bumpy time on the water. You may spend about 70 percent of the day aboard the powerboat, and the wind can feel cool even under a warm Bahamian sun.

Key points to know before you book

• Six major stops in about eight hours: Iguanas, nurse sharks, pigs, lunch, a sandbar, and the sunken plane near Norman’s Cay.
• A fast but choppy ride: The boat cuts travel time across the Exumas, but the ocean can make the trip rough.
• Nurse sharks are the standout stop: You can get close to them around the dock at Compass Cay and take photos.
• Pig Beach is not a gentle petting zoo: Some pigs are very large, pushy, and may nip, so follow crew instructions.
• Lunch is served at Staniel Cay Yacht Club: Food, beer, bottled water, and snacks are included in the fare.
• The sandbar may be your favorite stop: It offers clear, shallow water and time to walk, swim, and look for shells.

Why this Exuma day trip covers so much ground

The Exumas are spread across a long chain of islands and cays east of Nassau. Getting from one famous stop to another takes time, and that is where a powerboat helps. You are not spending the day on one beach. Instead, you get a quick tour of several very different Bahamian scenes.

The boat leaves from Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive at 8:30 a.m. The tour lasts about eight hours and returns to the same meeting point. With a maximum of 16 people, the group is small enough for the crew to help with photos, boarding, and questions without the feel of a packed excursion boat.

The ride is also a major part of the experience. You get broad views of small islands and water in shifting shades of blue, but you should not picture a calm, leisurely cruise. Several people found the trip choppy and bumpy, especially on the longer runs at the beginning and end of the day.

I would wear a swimsuit under quick-drying clothes and bring a light layer. The boat has a sunshade, but you will still spend a lot of time in direct sun. The wind from a fast boat can feel surprisingly cold, even on a warm day. Apply plenty of sunblock before departure and bring more for later.

Allen’s Cay and the Bahamian rock iguanas

The first stop is Allen’s Cay in the Exuma Cays, where Bahamian rock iguanas live in their natural setting. You have about an hour here, which gives you time to see the animals, take photos, and enjoy the surrounding water and rocky shoreline.

This is a more interesting start than a standard beach stop. The iguanas are part of the local environment rather than a staged attraction, and feeding them gives you a close look at their size and behavior. Keep your movements calm and follow the crew’s instructions about where and how to feed them.

The setting also gives you your first proper look at the Exumas. The water is the star, with pale shallows near shore and darker blue farther out. If you want the best photographs, have your phone or camera ready as soon as you arrive. The stop is free, and admission is included in the tour.

Compass Cay brings you close to nurse sharks

At Compass Cay, the boat stops near the marina dock for about 30 minutes. Nurse sharks swim around the dock, allowing you to watch them from close range and take photographs.

This is likely the most memorable stop for many people. The sharks are large, calm-looking animals, and the chance to see them so near the dock feels very different from spotting a fin far offshore. Some people get into the water and touch or hold them under crew guidance, but your comfort level matters. You can enjoy this stop without forcing yourself into the water.

The short time limit is practical but can feel tight if everyone wants photos. Listen closely when the crew explains where to stand and how to behave around the sharks. The point is close contact, not careless contact. Stay alert, give the animals room, and let the crew control the pace.

Pig Beach is famous, funny, and a little rough around the edges

Big Major Cay is better known as Pig Beach. You get about 45 minutes to see the swimming pigs and enter the water with them.

This is the stop most people imagine when they first hear about the trip, but it is important to set realistic expectations. The pigs are not all small, cute piglets waiting politely for a photograph. Some are huge, fast-moving, and aggressive around food. They may push against you or nip, and there can be pig waste on the sand and in the water.

I would treat Pig Beach as a wildlife encounter, not a petting zoo. Keep your hands away from a pig’s mouth, do not crowd the animals, and pay attention to the crew. Baby pigs can be adorable, but the larger pigs deserve respect. If you feel uneasy, you can stay near the boat or watch from the edge rather than wading into the busiest area.

The stop can still be fun, especially if you want the classic Exuma photo. Just know that the nurse sharks may offer a calmer and more impressive animal encounter. The pigs are the famous attraction, but they are not necessarily the best part of the day for everyone.

Staniel Cay provides a proper lunch break

After Pig Beach, the boat continues to Staniel Cay Yacht Club for about an hour. Lunch is included, along with beer, bottled water, and snacks during the day.

This pause matters because the tour moves quickly. Sitting at a restaurant gives you a chance to eat at a table, dry off, and get out of the wind for a while. The food has been a strong part of the experience for many people, though expectations should remain sensible for a remote-island lunch.

The yacht club setting also breaks up the boat time. You can order lunch at the restaurant rather than eating a packed meal on board, which makes the $439 fare easier to assess. If you are comparing this with a cheaper boat trip, remember that food and drinks are already part of this package.

The hour may pass quickly if service is busy, so do not wander too far from the group. You still have more stops ahead, including the sandbar and Norman’s Cay.

The Exuma sandbar is the quiet reward

The sandbar stop in the Exuma Cays lasts about an hour. This is where you can relax, walk through shallow water, look for shells and sand dollars, and take in the open scenery.

For me, this is the stop that best explains why the Exumas are worth the long boat ride. The sandbar is simple. There is no major attraction to tick off, no animal to feed, and no dock to crowd around. You are standing in clear, shallow water surrounded by sky and small islands.

Several people wished they had more time here. That is understandable, since an hour can feel short after the long ride and busy animal stops. Still, the stop gives you a chance to slow down before the return journey. Bring waterproof footwear if you have it, since sandbars can contain shells or rough patches.

The water and light are excellent for photographs, but remember that phones can be lost easily in shallow water. Use a secure case or leave valuable gear aboard if you are not confident carrying it.

Norman’s Cay and the sunken plane

The final listed stop is near Norman’s Cay, where you view a sunken drug plane. The stop lasts about 15 minutes.

You do not get a long exploration period here. The boat pauses so you can look at the wreck in the water and take photos from close range. The plane is linked in popular accounts with Pablo Escobar, but the practical appeal is the unusual sight itself: a wreck sitting in clear Bahamian water near the island.

This is a quick stop, so do not expect snorkeling or a full underwater visit. One important point for anyone comparing Exuma excursions: this tour does not include snorkeling. You may get in the water at some animal or sandbar stops, but snorkeling is not part of the advertised program.

How the crew shapes the day

The crew can make a big difference on a fast-moving tour like this. Captains and crew members named in past departures include Rico, Ron, Emilio, Milio, Neal, Cam, Guelly, Shay, LJ, and Neil. Your crew may be different, but the role is the same: keep the boat safe, explain each stop, manage timing, and help you get good photos.

The strongest part of the crew service is the combination of energy and attention. Music is sometimes played during the long boat runs, and the crew keeps drinks and snacks moving. Several accounts also describe the guides as friendly, funny, and careful about making sure everyone gets time at each stop.

Safety matters especially at Compass Cay and Pig Beach. You should listen when the crew gives instructions, even if other people are eager to rush into the water. The company has canceled departures for bad weather and has contacted people about moving a trip to a safer date. That is a positive sign for an outing that travels far from Nassau.

The boat has a bathroom, and some stops have facilities too. You still should not count on every stop having one, so use the bathroom before leaving the terminal.

Is $439 a fair price?

At $439 per person, this is not a budget day at the beach. You are paying for round-trip powerboat transport from Nassau, a full day of fuel and crew time, several remote-island stops, lunch, beer, bottled water, and snacks.

The value depends on what you want. If you only want a quiet beach and a short boat ride, the price will feel high. If you want to see several signature Exuma sights in one day and do not have time to arrange separate transport, the package makes more sense.

You should also count the travel time as part of the cost. The speedboat lets you reach far more places than a slower vessel, but you will spend much of the day sitting on the boat. This is an active sightseeing day, not eight hours of swimming.

A group maximum of 16 improves the value. You are not paying for a private charter, but you also are not joining a huge crowd. The inclusion of lunch and drinks removes some common extra costs, and the six-part route would be difficult to reproduce independently in one day from Nassau.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This tour suits you if you have only a few days in the Bahamas and want a broad sample of the Exumas. It is also a good fit for families and groups who enjoy variety, fast boat rides, animal encounters, and beach time in the same outing.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. You will board and leave a powerboat, walk on sand and docks, and spend time in the water if you choose to participate. Pregnant people are not permitted on this activity.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you get seasick, dislike bumpy rides, or want long, unhurried time at one beach. I would also think twice if your main goal is snorkeling, since snorkeling is not included.

Weather is a real factor. The company may cancel for poor conditions and offer another date or a full refund. That is better than forcing a long powerboat trip into unsafe seas, but it means you should avoid scheduling this as the only important activity on the final day of your holiday.

Should you book the Exuma powerboat tour?

Book it if you want the biggest possible taste of the Exumas in one day. The nurse sharks, sandbar, iguanas, and wide-open water make the trip more than a simple Pig Beach run. Lunch and drinks help justify the cost, while the small group keeps the day manageable.

Go in knowing that the ride is long and can be rough. Treat the pigs with caution, bring sunblock and a light layer, and do not expect snorkeling or leisurely hours at each stop.

For a short Nassau stay, this is a strong choice for an all-in-one adventure. For a quiet beach day, choose something slower and closer to shore.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal on Paradise Beach Drive in the Bahamas.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

Lunch, beer, bottled water, and snacks are included.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 16 people.

Which animals will I see?

You will see Bahamian rock iguanas at Allen’s Cay, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and swimming pigs at Big Major Cay.

Is snorkeling included?

No. Snorkeling is not included in this tour.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

Private transportation is not included. You must make your way to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.

Can pregnant people join the tour?

No. Pregnant people are not permitted on this activity.

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.