Exuma Day Away – Original Swimming Pigs Excursion

The main draw is a full day among the Exumas’ famous animals: swimming pigs, nurse sharks, and rock iguanas. You also get wide water views, a sandbar stop, a look at the Pablo Escobar plane wreck, lunch, drinks, and round-trip transport from Nassau. It is a lot of Bahamas in one outing.

I like the unusual mix of wildlife and scenery, and I like that the lunch stop at Black Point Yacht Club brings you to a local setting instead of keeping the whole day on the boat. The catch is clear: the ride is long and can be rough, with about five hours of the eight-and-a-half-hour day spent traveling between stops.

The six details that shape the day

• The original Pig Beach: You visit Big Major Cay, the Exuma site famous for its free-swimming pigs.
• Nurse sharks at Compass Cay: The shark stop is in shallow and deeper water, with close contact in clear sea.
• A fast, bumpy power boat: The boat covers a great distance, so comfort depends heavily on the weather.
• Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club: A buffet lunch and drinks are included, with a vegetarian option available by request.
• Five distinct island stops: Iguanas, sharks, pigs, sandbars, and the Norman’s Cay plane wreck give the day variety.
• A weather-sensitive outing: Rough seas can force a cancellation, with a new date or full refund offered.

What you are really paying for on this Exuma day trip

At $438 per person, this is not a cheap beach excursion. The price makes more sense when you look at the distance and the number of separate experiences packed into one day. You are not simply paying to see pigs. You are paying for a power boat to carry you from Nassau to the Exumas and back, several island landings, guides, facility fees, lunch, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, and access to animal encounters that are difficult to arrange independently in a single day.

I see this as a high-cost, high-output tour. If your goal is to visit one quiet beach and swim for several hours, this is poor value. If you have only one free day and want to sample several signature sights around the Exumas, the price is easier to justify.

The boat covers more than 200 miles according to the operating information shared with passengers. That explains the schedule, but it also sets expectations. This is an active sightseeing day with substantial transit time, not five leisurely island visits. You may get only 15 to 45 minutes at some stops, so bring the right mindset: quick encounters, quick photos, then back aboard.

The tour leaves at 8:00 a.m. from Montagu Beach in Nassau and returns to that meeting point. Pickup details depend on where you are staying, so provide your accommodation information when booking. The maximum listed capacity is 36 people, but actual boat loads can feel full. One account described tight seating, while another found a group of around 20 larger than expected for a small-group experience. If personal space matters to you, ask about group size or consider the private option mentioned by the operator.

The power boat ride from Nassau to the Exumas

The ride is both the transportation and a major part of the experience. You get open views of Bahamian water, changing shades of blue, and a fast way to cover the distance between New Providence and the Exuma Cays. Music may be played during the ride, and the crew provides drinks and snacks.

The tradeoff is motion. The boat can be bumpy, and wind on the open water can make the ride tiring. Some people found the trip comfortable and fun, while others reported sore backs afterward or felt that five hours on the boat was too much. I would not book this casually if you dislike speedboat motion, rough water, or sitting for long stretches.

Wear your swimsuit before you arrive. There is no changing room. Pack a light outer layer too, even in warm weather, because wind and changing conditions can make the ride surprisingly cool. Bring a towel and plenty of sunscreen. Towels are not supplied.

The boat appears to carry refreshments through the day, including bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic drinks. The minimum drinking age is 18. Still, pace yourself. You have several water activities ahead, and the sun can be strong.

Great Guana Cay and its wild rock iguanas

The first stop is Great Guana Cay, where you see Bahamian rock iguanas in a protected natural setting. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, and feeding is included.

This is a brief introduction rather than a long wildlife walk. The iguanas can be shy, so you may need patience as they come out from rocky areas. The short stop works well as a first look at the islands’ land animals, but it can feel rushed if you want time for photos or careful observation.

I like this stop because it adds something different from the water activities. The pigs and sharks are the headline encounters, but the iguanas give you a better sense of the native wildlife. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a quick feeding visit, not a full nature tour.

Compass Cay and the nurse shark encounter

Compass Cay is the most adventurous stop for many people. You spend about 30 minutes in the water with nurse sharks, with shallow and deeper water areas available. The setting is open water, and the clear shallows let you see the animals close by.

This is the moment to consider your comfort around large marine animals. You do not need to be an expert swimmer, but the tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and you should be ready to enter the water and follow crew directions. The direct contact is the point, so this is not simply a distant wildlife viewing stop.

The shark encounter earned some of the strongest praise in the supplied feedback. I can understand why. It is a rare chance to be near nurse sharks in their natural marine setting, and the clear water makes the experience especially memorable. Several people ranked the sharks above the pigs and iguanas.

The stop is also short. Thirty minutes can be enough for a swim and photographs, but not for a slow, private-feeling experience. If many people are in the water, you will need to share the space and follow the crew’s timing. Bring a secure way to carry your phone, but remember that one phone was left behind at the shark stop and had to be recovered later.

Big Major Cay and the famous swimming pigs

Pig Beach at Big Major Cay is the main attraction. This is the original swimming pig site in the central Exumas, and the stop lasts about 45 minutes.

The pigs come into the water around people, which creates the unusual sight most visitors have come to see. You can feed and photograph them, and the encounter is particularly appealing if you love animals or are looking for something that feels distinctively Bahamian.

Use common sense around the pigs. One piece of practical advice from the day is to speak firmly if an animal gets too close. The pigs are accustomed to people, but they are still animals, not trained performers. Listen to the crew and keep food handling under control.

Pig Beach can be busy and active, so do not expect a quiet beach afternoon. The stop is designed for contact, photos, and a swim, not for sitting alone on the sand. With only 45 minutes, you will want your camera ready before you step off the boat.

I like that the pig stop is only one part of the day. If pigs are your sole reason for booking, the cost may feel steep for less than an hour at the beach. If you see it as one piece of a larger Exuma circuit, it earns its place.

Sandbars and the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

During the water tour, the captain selects a sandbar in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, depending on the tide and conditions. The stop lasts around 20 minutes.

This is where the Exumas’ famous shallow water makes its strongest impression. Sandbars appear as the tide falls, and their exact location changes. That variation is part of the appeal, but it also means the stop is not a fixed beach visit with a guaranteed named location.

You can expect striking views across shallow water and a chance to stand or swim in a setting that looks almost unreal. The stop is short, so think of it as a scenic pause rather than a full beach stay. One person wished for more time at a beautiful beach, and I think that is a fair criticism if you prefer fewer stops with longer stays.

The Pablo Escobar plane wreck near Norman’s Cay

The boat also passes the famous Pablo Escobar plane wreck off Norman’s Cay. This is a sightseeing view from the water rather than a separate long stop.

The wreck adds a bit of unusual history and mystery to an already varied day. It is also one reason the schedule can feel packed. The tour keeps moving to fit in the wreck, the sandbar, the animals, and lunch. If you would happily skip the plane to spend more time on a beach, this part may feel less important.

Still, I appreciate the variety. The day is not built around one theme. You get wildlife, open-water scenery, a cultural lunch stop, and a piece of modern island lore.

Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club

Lunch is served at Black Point Yacht Club and is included in the price. It is a buffet-style meal with Bahamian food, and a vegetarian choice is available if you request it in advance.

This is more than a practical feeding stop. After several hours around salt water and sun, a real meal gives the day a useful pause. The local setting also helps break up the boat time and gives you a taste of food beyond standard resort fare.

Food quality was praised repeatedly, with special appreciation for the variety and home-style Bahamian dishes. Drinks are included as well, and the crew keeps water and refreshments available during the day. If you have dietary needs beyond the stated vegetarian option, ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet can handle them.

The crew and how the day is managed

The crew is an important part of this excursion because the schedule is tight and the animal stops need careful handling. Captains and crew members named in the feedback include Captain Seymour, Captain Joe, Calvin, Cameo, and Andrew. Names and crew assignments may vary by departure.

The strongest praise goes to the staff’s friendliness, energy, and attention to safety. The crew explains the stops, helps with the water activities, keeps drinks moving, and manages a large group through several locations. That matters when you are boarding and reboarding quickly.

The same group-management strength has a downside. A boat that works well for a full schedule may not feel intimate. The listed capacity is up to 36, and actual numbers can vary. If you want quiet time, extra room, or a slower pace, a private outing is likely a better match.

What to pack for the 8:00 a.m. departure

I would pack lightly but carefully:

• Swimsuit worn under your clothes
• Towel, since none is provided
• Strong sunscreen and a way to reapply it
• Light outer layer for wind and cooler weather
• Waterproof phone protection
• Comfortable clothing for a full day in the sun
• Any needed vegetarian or dietary request made in advance

Do not underestimate the sun simply because you spend much of the day on a boat. Sunscreen was the most repeated practical warning, and you will have several chances to get wet and sunburned without noticing.

The boat ride can feel cold in December and January, especially with wind. One person specifically advised against those months because of cool conditions. Weather varies, but a layer costs little and can make the return ride much more pleasant.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most to first-time visitors to Nassau who want to see several famous Exuma sights in one day. Families with children aged three and up can book, but children must be accompanied by an adult, and parents should decide if their children can manage a long, bumpy boat day.

It also suits animal lovers, couples marking a special occasion, and active adults who want a packed schedule. The shark encounter, in particular, can be a big hit with older children and young adults.

I would hesitate if you need lots of personal space, dislike rough water, or want long stretches on one beach. I would also think twice if your budget is tight. At $438, this is a major excursion expense, even with lunch and drinks included.

Weather matters. The experience requires good conditions, and rough seas can lead to a same-day cancellation. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. For your own planning, do not place this tour on the last possible day of your Bahamas stay.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Exuma Day Away?

Book it if you want maximum variety and accept that the boat ride is half the story. The combination of nurse sharks, swimming pigs, rock iguanas, sandbars, local lunch, and open-water views is hard to match in one Nassau day.

Skip it if your ideal Bahamas outing means a quiet beach, a small private group, or minimal time in transit. The cost is high, the stops are brief, and the boat can be bumpy.

My practical call: book this as a once-in-a-trip splurge, especially if the Exumas are high on your list and you have only one day to reach them. Wear your swimsuit, bring a towel and sunscreen, pack a light layer, and treat the long ride as part of the adventure rather than an annoying gap between attractions.

FAQ

Where does the Exuma day trip start and end?

It starts and ends at Montagu Beach in Nassau, The Bahamas. The listed departure time is 8:00 a.m., and pickup information depends on where you are staying.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

What animals can I see?

You can feed Bahamian rock iguanas at Great Guana Cay, swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and visit the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club is included, along with bottled water and alcoholic beverages. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sun block. Wear your swimsuit before departure because there is no changing room. A light outer layer is also useful because the power boat can be windy and cool.

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. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and the same options apply if that minimum is not met.