You've seen the photos. Everyone has. A group of pink and spotted swine paddling through turquoise water, ears flopping, snouts aimed toward a tourist boat in search of a snack. It looks like a fever dream or a very clever Photoshop job, but Big Major Cay—the official name for the island with pigs in Bahamas—is very real. It’s also kinda chaotic.
People think it’s a petting zoo. It isn't.
Big Major Cay is an uninhabited island in the Exuma Cays, a string of 365 islands and cays that look like shattered emeralds dropped onto a blue silk sheet. The pigs are feral. They aren't native. They’ve just been there long enough that they’ve basically claimed the beach as their own private resort, and they expect a "resort fee" in the form of carrots or pitted fruit.
Where Did the Pigs Actually Come From?
There are a lot of myths floating around the docks in Staniel Cay about how these guys got here. One popular story says sailors left them there, intending to come back and cook them later, but never returned. Another claims there was a shipwreck and the pigs swam to safety.
Honestly? The truth is a bit more "local farm" and a bit less "Pirates of the Caribbean."
According to Wayde Nixon, a local who has spoken extensively about the colony’s origins, he and his business partner brought the first pigs to the island in the 1990s. At the time, they were worried about a potential food shortage or global instability (Y2K was a big deal, remember?), and Big Major Cay provided a natural enclosure with a fresh water source. The pigs thrived. They multiplied. Eventually, they realized that the sound of boat engines meant people, and people meant easy food. A tourism phenomenon was born.
Today, the population fluctuates, usually hovering around 20 to 30 pigs and piglets. They share the island with a few stray cats and some goats, but let's be real—nobody is flying a Cessna into Staniel Cay to go swimming with a goat.
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The Reality of Swimming with Pigs
If you're expecting a serene, soulful connection with nature, you might be in for a shock. These pigs are big. Some of them weigh over 200 pounds, and they are extremely motivated by hunger. When your boat pulls up to the island with pigs in Bahamas, the largest pigs will swim out to meet you. They can be aggressive if they see you have food and aren't sharing it fast enough.
It’s loud. There’s a lot of splashing.
There have been reports of "pig bites," though usually, it's just a nip because a tourist was teasing them or holding food too close to their fingers. The Bahamian government has had to implement stricter guidelines over the years to protect both the animals and the visitors.
One major turning point occurred in 2017 when several pigs died suddenly. Initial rumors suggested they were poisoned or given alcohol by rowdy tourists. However, an investigation by the Bahamas Humane Society and the Ministry of Agriculture found a much grimmer reality: the pigs had ingested too much sand while eating food thrown onto the beach. This, combined with a dry spell that limited their fresh water supply, led to fatal complications.
Now, visitors are strongly encouraged to feed the pigs only in the water to prevent sand ingestion. Stick to pitted fruits and vegetables. Don't even think about bringing processed snacks or bread.
Logistics: Getting to Big Major Cay
Getting to this specific spot isn't as simple as hopping on a ferry from Nassau. Well, you can, but it’s a long haul.
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Most people fly into Staniel Cay. It’s a tiny airport where the "terminal" is basically a room with a fan. From there, you hire a boat or join a tour. Big Major Cay is just a 10-minute boat ride from Staniel Cay. If you’re staying in Great Exuma (the main hub), it’s about a two-hour powerboat ride north.
- From Nassau: You’re looking at a 35-minute flight or a 3-hour high-speed ferry.
- From Staniel Cay: Rent a 13-foot Boston Whaler if you have boat experience. It's the best way to see the pigs on your own schedule.
- The Cost: Expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $500 per person for a full-day tour. It ain't cheap.
The timing matters more than the money. If you show up at noon, you’ll be sharing the beach with twenty other boats and a hundred people trying to get the same Instagram shot. Go early. 8:00 AM is the sweet spot. The pigs are hungry, the sun isn't punishingly hot yet, and the water is glass.
Why the Pigs are Sunburned (And Why It Matters)
Pigs aren't built for the Caribbean sun. They don't have fur to protect them. You’ll often see the larger white or pink pigs with red, peeling skin. It’s actually quite sad if you think about it too much. They spend a lot of time under the shrubs and trees in the center of the island to hide from the UV rays.
Local caretakers and tour operators have started being more proactive about their health. There’s a dedicated "Pig Officer" and various non-profits that ensure the pigs have access to fresh water troughs hidden in the brush. Without that human intervention, the colony probably wouldn't survive the harsher summer months.
This highlights a weird paradox of the island with pigs in Bahamas. It’s billed as "wild," but it’s essentially a managed outdoor exhibit. The pigs are dependent on us.
Beyond the Pigs: What Else is Nearby?
If you travel all that way just for the pigs, you’re missing the best parts of the Exumas. Just around the corner is Thunderball Grotto. It’s an underwater cave system named after the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball, which was filmed there. At low tide, you can snorkel right into the center of the rock. Sunlight streams through holes in the ceiling, lighting up schools of yellowtail snapper and angelfish.
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Then there’s Compass Cay.
Compass Cay is famous for its nurse sharks. These aren't the "Jaws" kind of sharks; they’re bottom-feeders that are basically the labradors of the ocean. They huddle around the docks at the marina, waiting for scraps. You can get in the water and float right next to them. Their skin feels like sandpaper, and they’re surprisingly heavy if one happens to brush against your leg.
The Ethical Dilemma
Is it ethical to visit the island with pigs in Bahamas? It’s a question that pops up a lot in travel forums.
On one hand, the pigs live a life of total freedom on a beautiful beach. They aren't being raised for slaughter. They are protected by the government and loved by locals. On the other hand, they are an invasive species living in an environment they aren't adapted for. They are prone to skin cancer and digestive issues from sand and improper diets.
If you decide to go, be a responsible guest.
- Never feed them on the sand.
- Bring fresh water to pour into their troughs if they look empty.
- Don't try to ride them (yes, people actually try this).
- Respect their space. If a pig walks away, let it go.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
Don't just book the first tour you see on a flashy website. If you want the best experience at the island with pigs in Bahamas, follow these specific steps:
- Book a "Land and Sea" package from Nassau if you're short on time. Companies like Staniel Cay Flyer offer flights that include the boat tour. It saves you six hours of sitting on a bumpy boat.
- Pack "Pig-Friendly" snacks. Buy a bag of carrots or apples before you leave the mainland. Most tour operators provide food, but it's usually just cheap bread, which isn't great for the pigs' stomachs.
- Check the tide charts. The beach at Big Major Cay is much larger at low tide, giving the piglets more room to run around without getting overwhelmed by the big guys in the water.
- Bring a GoPro. Using a phone is risky—the pigs have been known to knock phones out of hands, and salt water is a phone killer. An underwater camera lets you get those "swimming pig" shots safely.
- Stay in Staniel Cay if you can afford it. Staying at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club gives you the ability to rent your own boat. Being the only person on the pig beach at 7:30 AM is a completely different experience than being there with the crowds at 2:00 PM.
The Exumas are one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The pigs are just one weird, sandy, adorable part of the story. Treat them with respect, watch your fingers, and enjoy the ridiculousness of it all.