On this article, study every part you’ll want to find out about pig seashore and tips on how to swim with pigs within the Bahamas.
We lately joined a day tour with 3N’s Exuma Holidays to see the swimming piggies with our personal eyes, and the expertise actually did stay as much as our expectations. If you go to the Bahamas, you should see the well-known swimming pigs — it’s fairly the spectacle!
Crystal-clear water, blue sky, pigs that not solely stay on a abandoned cay but additionally swim…what’s to not love?
The setting of Pig Seashore is beautiful, the piggies had been pleasant, and the entire scenario was the proper mixture of weird and superior!
Why are there swimming pigs within the Bahamas? What island do you swim with pigs? How a lot does it price to swim with pigs within the Bahamas? I’ll cowl all of those questions and extra on this full information.
Right here’s every part you’ll want to find out about swimming with pigs within the Bahamas.
Select Your Tour Operator
Initially, it’s best to know that there are some imposter pigs within the Bahamas! The unique, well-known pigs are discovered on Large Main Cay, only a 5-minute boat experience from Staniel Cay within the Exumas.
There are just a few tour operators to select from, however we loved our day with the highly-rated (#1 on TripAdvisor) 3N’s Exuma Holidays, which affords small group excursions (12-15 folks solely), with a extra personalised really feel.
What I really like most about this firm, nonetheless, is the truth that it’s 100% regionally owned and operated.
The “N” in 3N’s stands for the names of the relations: Nellie (grandmother), Nikki (mom), and Natajia (daughter). Supporting the female-owned, locally-operated enterprise is without doubt one of the many advantages of becoming a member of this tour.
Except you’ve got your individual boat, the very best methods to see the swimming pigs are to both keep on Staniel Cay and be part of a day tour, or go to the swimming pigs from Nassau on a day journey by aircraft.
Go to the Swimming Pigs from Nassau
When you’re primarily based in Nassau, it’s straightforward to see the swimming pigs of the Bahamas.
At the present time journey whisks you away within the morning by aircraft from Nassau to Staniel Cay, and again within the late afternoon in time for a sundowner. That is essentially the most luxurious, secure, and comfy technique to go to the swimming pigs from Nassau!
First, you hop on a constitution flight from Nassau to Staniel Cay (which is included within the tour package deal). On the airport on Staniel Cay, a consultant from 3N’s Exuma Holidays will likely be ready so that you can take you to the pier — which is simply steps from the airport.
Board the well-maintained speedboat, get briefed on the day by the captain, and head off to expertise the swimming pigs.
In fact, the day journey will embody different main highlights of the realm. You’ll see the Thunderball Grotto, the nurse sharks at Compass Cay, the Bahamian rock iguanas, a postcard-perfect sandbar, a sunken aircraft, and a cease for lunch. Study extra about visiting the swimming pigs from Nassau and reserve your spot right here.
Go to the Swimming Pigs from Staniel Cay
That is the swimming pigs tour that we joined and extremely advocate for those who plan on basing your self on Staniel Cay. It’s the very same because the tour from Nassau, minus the flight. Study extra about it right here.
Get up, take pleasure in a lazy morning espresso and be prepared for the tour round 9:00am. I say “round” as a result of issues actually do work on island time right here.
As soon as the aircraft lands from Nassau, you’ll meet up with that group and head to the pier — which is simply steps from the airport and Embrace Resort (which is owned by 3N’s and is the place we stayed).
Hop on the speedboat, get a briefing from the captain, after which sit again, calm down and benefit from the day!
The itinerary of this journey is similar as for those who joined from Nassau. Swimming with the pigs is the spotlight after all, plus Compass Cay (with nurse sharks), Bitter Guana Cay (with Bahamian rock iguanas), the Thunderball Grotto, the attractive Pipe Cay sandbar, and a sunken aircraft.
Throughout our journey, I appreciated how we got the liberty to go off and do our personal factor if we wished (images, movies, and so on.). The order through which we visited the highlights was considerably as much as us as nicely.
If we didn’t wish to be part of a selected exercise corresponding to snorkelling, that was no downside, we might simply keep on the boat. If there was a selection between swimming underwater and thru a cave, or maintaining our head above water, we had been capable of talk about which possibility we most well-liked. It was good to have a say and provides our enter!
To search out out extra about today tour from Staniel Cay and to order your spot, click on right here or the button under.
The place to Keep to Swim With Pigs
The 2 greatest locations to base your self to go swimming with the well-known pigs within the Bahamas are Nassau and Staniel Cay.
The place to Keep in Nassau
In Nassau, there are quite a few lodging choices to select from.
When you e-book the Gold/All-Inclusive swimming pigs package deal with 3N’s Exuma Holidays, you’ll obtain return transportation out of your resort in Nassau to the airport. When you don’t select the Gold tour package deal, you merely meet on the airport in Nassau.
When you’re staying on Paradise Island in Nassau, your pick-up time will likely be round 6:00 AM – 6:30AM and Cable Seashore space is 6:30AM – 6:45AM.
The place to Keep in Staniel Cay
We stayed at Embrace Resort on Staniel Cay, which has fairly probably essentially the most pleasant employees anyplace we’ve stayed! Nikki is the proprietor and Natajia, Gracie and Dexi are the three girls within the workplace who’re so useful and welcoming.
There are 7 vibrant villas right here providing balconies and pool views.
Embrace is positioned proper by the airport and the pier, which suggests you may sleep in on the morning of the pig tour and be able to go round 9:00AM. Click on right here to study extra and to e-book your room.
Professional Tip: Embrace Resort affords their friends 30% off the swimming with pigs within the Bahamas excursions.
☞ See Additionally: 10 Finest Seashores within the Caribbean
Price of Swimming With Pigs in The Bahamas
The price of the enjoyable day journey with 3N’s Exuma Holidays is $750 from Nassau for adults (together with flights), or $300 for adults for those who’re staying on Staniel Cay. Listed here are some extra particulars:
Price of Swimming with Pigs from Nassau
Adults: $750
What’s Included:
Spherical-trip flights from Nassau
Airport greeting in Staniel Cay
All entrance charges, taxes, and gas surcharges
Bottled water
Complimentary WiFi on board
Meals for the swimming pigs
Snorkel gear
Storage within the workplace
Towels
Transfers to lunch
WiFi on the workplace
Limitless delicate drinks
Assorted snacks & chips
Price of Swimming with Pigs from Staniel Cay
Adults: $300
What’s Included:
All entrance charges and taxes
Bottled water
Assorted snacks and chips
Meals for the swimming pigs
Snorkel gear
Storage within the workplace
Towels
Transfers to and from Staniel Cay Yacht Membership or Staniel Cay Airport
WiFi on the workplace
Professional Tip: Embrace Resort friends obtain a 30% low cost on the tour. Study extra about visiting the pigs from Staniel Cay right here.
Why Are There Swimming Pigs in The Bahamas?
That is in all probability essentially the most steadily requested query. It’s not usually that you just see pigs on tropical seashores!
There are just a few people tales surrounding why the pigs on are the seashore, however since Captain Dave with 3N’s Exuma Holidays and the proprietor of Embrace Resort are each born and raised on Staniel Cay, we obtained the true story.
Mainly, the locals of Staniel Cay had been maintaining their pigs in pens. As you may think about, for the reason that cay is lower than 2 sq. miles, the scent turned a little bit of an issue.
Fortunately, there was a abandoned cay subsequent door, in order that they determined to maneuver the pigs there. When it got here time to feed them, the farmers would merely hop of their boat and make their technique to Large Main Cay.
The pigs began associating the sound of the boat motor with meals and determined to swim out to greet their house owners.
Yachties and sailors began noticing that pigs had been swimming out to greet them as nicely, somebody took a photograph of the situation and posted it on-line…and the remainder is historical past.
Now, the swimming pigs within the Bahamas are one of the in style sights in the Exumas.
The place is Pig Seashore?
The island the place pigs swim is usually known as “Pig Seashore”. However, that’s simply the nickname given to the seashore that the swimming pigs stay on.
The island (cay) itself known as Large Main Cay and it’s positioned within the Exumas, proper subsequent to Staniel Cay. Discover it on the map right here, and take a look at the picture under.
Can You Swim With the Pigs?
Sure, you may positively swim with the pigs!
When the boat arrives at Pig Seashore, it should idle offshore. The pigs will likely be excited to see you and are available swimming out to the boat. It’s advisable to swim earlier than the boat moors up on the sand, because the water will likely be cleaner the deeper it’s.
Can You Feed the Pigs?
Sure, you may feed the pigs. If the pigs come swimming out to your boat and also you don’t feed them, they’ll be fairly dissatisfied! Throughout the pig tour, you’ll have the ability to feed them bread.
Is it Secure to Swim With Pigs in The Bahamas?
Quick reply: sure, it’s secure to swim with the pigs. Nonetheless, these are animals that roam free on the island, and there are some issues to remember.
Captain Dave gave us directions on tips on how to feed, tips on how to swim, and tips on how to work together with the pigs in order that we had an pleasant expertise. Listed here are my high ideas for having a secure go to with the pigs.
1. Don’t feed them on the seashore
The pigs must be fed whereas they’re swimming within the water for 2 causes. The primary is in order that they don’t ingest a bunch of sand whereas attempting to eat the meals you’ve given them, which is able to make them actually sick.
The second motive is if in case you have meals on you when you’re on land, the pigs could develop into forceful and attempt to get it from you. Don’t feed the pigs on the seashore, or have any meals on you whereas on the seashore.
2. Don’t run
If one of many pigs comes over to you when you’re on the seashore and also you’re getting freaked out, don’t run! All that may occur is a bunch of pigs will begin chasing you. All the time stroll, don’t run.
3. Put your palms within the air
When you haven’t any extra meals to present the pigs, put your palms up and present them there’s nothing left. They may then depart you alone and swim or stroll away to seek out somebody who does have meals.
4. Swim away from shore
The pigs defecate on the seashore and within the water by the shore. Nonetheless, we didn’t see any poop on the sand, however whereas within the water, we might see the pigs relieving themselves…however, fish got here round to promptly care for the waste!
Regardless, it’s not essentially the most sanitary factor to place your head underwater proper on the shore with pigs throughout you. Go for a swim with the pigs in deeper, clear water.
5. Don’t decide them up
In some circumstances, it’s okay to choose up the piglets and you may even bottle-feed them if you’d like.
However, I counsel leaving the babes alone so that you don’t upset the mom. Plus, pig hair is kind of coarse and you could find yourself with a rash in your abdomen or chest for those who’re not carrying a shirt.
6. Give stomach rubs
The pigs like to get their bellies rubbed! It’s the funniest factor. Be at liberty to present them a rubdown.
Caring for the Swimming Pigs within the Bahamas
After we came upon that pigs had been dwelling on an island, with vacationers coming to swim and feed them, I’ll admit we had been a bit skeptical about their wellbeing.
Nonetheless, since seeing the swimming pigs firsthand and talking with a member of the pig affiliation, we noticed and discovered that they’re very nicely taken care of.
Certain, vacationers feed them bread, however in addition they have a veterinarian who does frequent check-ups, they obtain vaccines, they’re fed “pig meals”, and (right here’s the kicker), they get coconut oil massages to assist their pores and skin and hair!
Swimming Pigs Video
Conclusion
When you’re searching for one thing enjoyable and distinctive to do throughout your journey, then swimming with pigs within the Bahamas must be in your record — or on the very least, seeing them.
We had such a good time on the tour and couldn’t cease laughing when the pigs got here swimming in the direction of our boat for meals! It actually was fairly the sight.
On high of seeing swimming pigs, we cherished how the tour took in lots of the unbelievable highlights of the Exumas. Whether or not you’re staying on Staniel Cay or in Nassau, spend certainly one of your trip days with 3N’s and the swimming pigs — you gained’t remorse it.
Thanks to 3N’s for a wonderful day on the water! Ebook your swimming pigs journey right here.
