You’ve seen the Instagram photos. A turquoise ocean so clear it looks like glass, white sand, and a massive sow paddling toward a boat like a Labrador retriever. It looks surreal. Honestly, it looks fake. But Pig Beach Bahamas is very real, located on an uninhabited cay called Big Major Cay in the Exuma district. People fly from all over the world just to swim with feral pigs. It sounds weird because it is.
But here’s the thing: most people just show up without a plan and end up disappointed or, worse, nipped. These aren't pets. They are large, powerful animals that have figured out that humans equal snacks. If you want to see the "real" Exuma experience without the chaos, you have to understand the logistics of the cays.
Big Major Cay is roughly 80 miles southeast of Nassau. You can't just walk there. You need a boat, a plane, or a very expensive day-trip package that usually leaves from Staniel Cay or Great Exuma.
The Weird History of How They Got There
Nobody actually knows for sure how the pigs arrived on Big Major Cay. It’s one of those local mysteries that has three or four different versions depending on which captain you ask.
One popular legend says sailors left them there with the intent of coming back to cook them, but the sailors never returned. Another theory suggests they swam over from a nearby shipwreck. The most likely, albeit less "piratey" explanation, is that residents from nearby Staniel Cay moved them there in the 1990s because the smell of the pigsties was getting too intense for the village.
Basically, the pigs became a tourist attraction by accident. Once they realized that passing boats threw food into the water, they started swimming out to meet them. Evolution in action, fueled by scraps.
Way before social media made this place a bucket-list staple, the pigs were just a local quirk. Now, the colony is managed with more oversight. Following a series of tragic pig deaths in 2017—where several animals died after consuming sand and being given alcohol by tourists—the Bahamian government and the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources had to step in. Now, there are wardens, and the pigs have a dedicated water source on the island to keep them hydrated and healthy.
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Reality Check: What It’s Actually Like on the Sand
The water is breathtaking. It’s that neon-blue Exuma water that doesn't need a filter.
When your boat pulls up, the pigs start swimming. It’s hilarious. They are surprisingly fast. However, if you are expecting tiny, cute piglets, you might be in for a shock. The "Big" in Big Major Cay applies to the pigs too. Some of these hogs weigh several hundred pounds.
They can be pushy. If you have food in your hand, they will come for it.
Essential Safety for Humans (and Pigs)
- Thumb up, palms flat. If you’re feeding them, keep your fingers out of the way. They don't have great depth perception and your finger looks a lot like a baby carrot.
- Don’t feed them on the sand. This is huge. When pigs eat off the sand, they ingest too much of it, which leads to sand impaction and death. Only feed them in the water.
- Keep your bags high. They will root through your backpack if you leave it on the beach.
- Respect the piglets. The moms are protective. Don't try to snatch up a piglet for a selfie unless you want a very angry 300-pound sow charging you.
How to Get to Pig Beach Without Breaking the Bank
There are two main ways to do this. You can do the "Nassau Powerboat" route or the "Staniel Cay" route.
If you’re staying in Nassau, expect a long, bumpy ride. It’s about two or three hours each way across open water. It’s exhausting and usually costs around $400 to $600 per person. Honestly? It’s often better to take a short Flamingo Air or Bahamasair flight from Nassau to Staniel Cay.
Staniel Cay is only about ten minutes away from Pig Beach by boat. You can stay at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, which is legendary in its own right (Sean Connery hung out there during the filming of Thunderball). From Staniel, you can rent your own 17-foot Whaler and drive yourself to see the pigs. It’s way more intimate than being on a tour boat with 30 other people.
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If you go early, like 8:00 AM, you’ll have the beach to yourself. By 11:00 AM, the big tour boats from Nassau and Georgetown arrive, and it becomes a zoo. Literally.
The Best Time to Visit
The Bahamas is great year-round, but Pig Beach has seasons.
June to November is hurricane season. While the water is warm, you risk trip cancellations. The "sweet spot" is usually April or May. The weather is stable, the water is warm enough to swim in comfortably, and the winter crowds have thinned out.
Don't go in January if you hate chilly water. The "Northers" (cold fronts) can make the boat rides pretty rough and the water temp can drop into the low 70s.
Beyond the Pigs: What Else is Nearby?
You shouldn't go all that way just for the pigs. The Exuma Cays are packed with better, less crowded spots.
- Compass Cay: This is where you swim with nurse sharks. They are bottom-feeders and generally very docile. You can pet them as they lounge on the submerged docks. It’s actually more thrilling than the pigs.
- Thunderball Grotto: A hollow island you can snorkel into. It was used in the James Bond film Thunderball and Never Say Never Again. At low tide, the sunlight streams through the ceiling, making the water glow.
- Bitter Guana Cay: Home to the northern Bahamian rock iguanas. They look like miniature dinosaurs and are endemic to this specific chain of islands.
- The Sandbar at Pipe Creek: Only visible at low tide. It’s a mile-long stretch of pure white sand in the middle of the ocean.
Logistics and Planning Your Visit
Planning is everything. If you book a tour, check if it includes lunch. Most stops at Staniel Cay Yacht Club for lunch are a highlight, but you usually have to order your food before you head out to the cays so it’s ready when you get back.
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What to pack:
- Reef-safe sunscreen. The Bahamian sun is brutal, and the reflection off the white sand doubles the burn risk.
- Cash. Many of the smaller cays and stops like Compass Cay charge a landing fee (usually around $10-$20).
- Waterproof phone case. You will be in the water with the pigs.
- Pitted fruits or vegetables. If the tour allows feeding, stick to apples or carrots. Never feed them bread, starch, or anything processed.
The pigs are a spectacle, but the Exumas are the real star. The color of the water there—often called "Exuma Blue"—is a result of the shallow depth and the purity of the calcium carbonate sand. It’s one of the few places on Earth where the geography creates such a vivid, saturated palette.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
If you are serious about visiting Pig Beach Bahamas, skip the massive group tours from Nassau. Instead, book a flight to Staniel Cay. Stay for at least two nights. This allows you to rent a boat and visit Big Major Cay at sunrise before the "cruise ship" crowds arrive.
Check the tide charts before you go. The pigs are more active and the water is clearer at mid-tide. High tide can make the beach area small, and low tide might make it harder for the pigs to swim out to you.
Support the local economy by eating at the local spots on Staniel or Black Point. The "Pig Beach" phenomenon has brought a lot of attention to the area, but the small communities nearby are what keep the spirit of the out-islands alive. Keep your distance, keep the pigs fed only in the water, and don't forget that these are wild animals in a delicate ecosystem.