You can’t visit Exuma in the Bahamas without paying a visit to the lovely swimming pigs. These now famous pigs are wild, but are also now sustained by the visiting tourists. They love the affection received, and know when boats arrive that it’s meal time. Swimming with pigs in Exuma is a must-do activity – don’t forget to bring your waterproof camera for some memorable piggy moments!
Where can you swim with pigs?
Pig Beaches in Exuma
Big Major Cay and White Bay Cay are the two main cays on which the swimming pigs live. Major Cay, the home of Pig Beach, is said to be the original home of the swimming pigs, and is located further north of Great Exuma. In the past several years, the pigs on White Bay Cay have helped to make the swimming excursion increasingly popular on social media. White Bay Cay is a considerably shorter boat ride from the main islands of the Exumas.
Swimming with Pigs in the Bahamas
How to get there
The quickest and easiest way to go swimming with the pigs in Exuma is by booking a tour. These excursions usually take in other interesting hotspots along the way, and ensure you see the best of the islands.
You can choose from half day or full day tours. Flight and boat combination tours. Or longer excursions that take in other areas too. You can also choose small group or private tours – depending on your preference and budget.
We booked our half day tour with Exuma Water Sports through Island Routes at Sandals Emerald Bay.
Pig Etiquette
When we approached White Bay Cay, the piggies certainly knew it. Once they heard the boat, they quickly became visible because they knew food was quickly approaching. After we were given instructions on how to feed the pigs, everyone received some carrots and the pigs received their snack, along with a little bit of love.
For the smaller pigs, our guides gave us bottles so that we could give them a drink. It wasn’t difficult to attract their attention. Then, all we had to do was bend down and scoop them up, and they were ready to drink.
Dos & Don’ts
Allow the pigs to approach you. Hold the carrot out to your side and give them the opportunity to swim by you and take it. The reason that you shouldn’t hold the snack out in front of you is because the pigs could hurt you with their hooves if they are swimming up in front of you. When holding the babes, it’s better to hold them by your side, again, so their hooves don’t scratch you.
Taking the swimming with pigs excursion from Sandals Emerald Bay
The morning of our tour, we met in the front lobby of the resort. Once our bus arrived, everyone hopped on and enjoyed the short ride to the dock to meet our tour guides.
Since Island Routes offers incredible excursions at each Sandals and Beaches Resorts, booking the excursion was super easy. I had already browsed the tour choices in Great Exuma and knew that swimming with the pigs was a must. I didn’t want to risk the chance of the tour being filled when I got on property, so I reserved our spot in advance.
If you book your Sandals vacation through our full service Travel Agency, we can book these for you.
Let us help you plan your trip to Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma,
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