Exuma Day Away – Original Swimming Pigs Excursion

Animals and turquoise water make a powerful combination. This full-day power boat trip from Nassau lets you see several Exuma Cays in one outing, with stops to feed rock iguanas, swim with nurse sharks, visit the original swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay, walk a sandbar, and view the Pablo Escobar plane wreck. I especially like the excellent mix of wildlife and scenery, plus the included Bahamian lunch at Black Point Yacht Club.

The main tradeoff is the boat time. You may spend about five hours traveling between Nassau and the Exumas and between stops, so this suits you if you enjoy a fast, bumpy ride as part of the adventure. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and an extra layer, since wind and changing weather can make the open-water ride feel cool.

Key points to know before booking

• The original Pig Beach: You visit Big Majors Cay, the first and best-known swimming-pig attraction in the Exumas.
• Open-water nurse sharks: Compass Cay offers shallow- and deep-water shark interactions in clear water.
• A full wildlife lineup: Great Guana Cay brings rock iguanas, while the Exumas add pigs, sharks, and young piglets.
• Long power boat day: The trip lasts about 8 hours and 30 minutes, with long stretches on the water.
• Local lunch included: A buffet meal at Black Point Yacht Club gives the day a useful taste of Bahamian cooking.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can force a cancellation, with a new date or full refund offered.

What this Exuma day trip really offers

For a first visit to the Bahamas, this is an efficient way to see far more than Nassau’s beaches. The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. at Montagu Beach and returns to the same meeting point. You cruise by power boat across the open ocean, then move through the Exuma Cays, an archipelago made up of 365 islands and small cays.

That geography explains both the appeal and the cost. You are not simply being taken to one nearby beach. The boat covers a large area, with one review estimating more than 200 miles of travel during the day. You get a broad sample of the Exumas, but each stop has a firm time limit.

The advertised group maximum is 36 people. The actual feel can vary, and a full boat may mean close seating for long periods. If personal space matters greatly to you, ask about a private option before booking. This is an active group outing, not a quiet yacht cruise.

The operator supplies bottled water, snacks and alcoholic beverages, along with lunch. The included food helps soften the $438 per-person price, but the value depends on how much you want to see in one day. If you prefer to linger at one beach or swim for hours, this schedule may feel rushed. If you want a greatest-hits tour of the Exumas, it makes more sense.

Leaving Nassau by power boat

The first major part of the day is the boat ride itself. Expect wind, spray, changing weather, and a ride that can get bumpy. Several people found the journey enjoyable and exciting, while others felt sore afterward or thought too much of the day was spent seated on the boat.

I would treat the crossing as part of the attraction, but not pretend it is a minor detail. You may spend an hour to an hour and 10 minutes reaching the Exumas, depending on the current, and similar stretches occur later. Wear your swimsuit before you arrive because there is no changing room, and pack a light outer layer for the ride.

A phone or camera is useful, but protect it carefully around every stop. One person left a phone at the shark encounter, though the crew managed to return it. Bring a waterproof case if you have one, and keep track of small items when moving quickly between boat, beach, and shallow water.

The crew helps set the mood. Captains and guides named in the feedback include Cameo, Andrew, Seymour, Joe, and Calvin. Their role is important on a long day, and the strongest praise goes to the friendly, lively service and the attention to safety.

Great Guana Cay and the rock iguanas

The first listed stop is Great Guana Cay, where you visit a protected wildlife area and feed Bahamian rock iguanas. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, so think of it as a short wildlife encounter rather than a long nature walk.

The iguanas live among the rocks and can be shy. They may not appear instantly, but they often come out when food is offered. This is one of the more unusual parts of the day because you are seeing an animal in its natural setting rather than at a conventional attraction.

The short timing is the main limitation. You will have enough time to see the animals and take photographs, but not enough time for a slow exploration of the cay. Keep your expectations sensible and pay attention to the guide’s instructions around feeding and handling food.

For many people, the iguanas become one of the day’s favorite stops. They also provide a calmer start before the more active shark and pig encounters.

Compass Cay and the nurse sharks

At Compass Cay, the wildlife encounter becomes more intense. You can enter shallow or deeper water with nurse sharks, an experience that many people rate as the best part of the entire outing.

The stop lasts around 30 minutes. That is enough time to get into the water, see the sharks, and take photographs, but you should not expect a long snorkeling session. Clear water and the close presence of the sharks create the memorable moment, while the short schedule keeps the group moving.

You need to listen closely to the crew here. The encounter is in open water, and the staff controls how the interaction works. If you feel nervous, the shallow-water option gives you a more comfortable way to take part. If you already enjoy unusual wildlife encounters, this may be the highlight you remember longest.

There is a practical point about clothing and confidence. You should be comfortable getting wet, moving in and out of the water, and following instructions promptly. The boat does not provide towels, so the one item you must pack yourself is easy to forget.

Pig Beach at Big Majors Cay

Pig Beach is the main reason many people book this trip. The boat visits Big Majors Cay in central Exuma, home to the original swimming-pig attraction. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, making it the longest wildlife visit on the schedule.

You can expect pigs to enter the shallow water near shore, with some coming close to people. The setting is photogenic, and the combination of pale sand, clear water, and curious animals explains the attraction’s fame. Young piglets may also be present, adding another memorable sight.

The pigs are still animals, not trained performers. You should follow the crew’s instructions, avoid sudden behavior, and use a firm voice if a pig comes too close. One helpful tip from the day’s practical advice is not to act frightened around them. Calm behavior makes the encounter easier to manage.

Forty-five minutes goes quickly. You will have time to enjoy the water and take photos, but you may wish you could stay longer. If your main goal is an extended beach visit, this tour’s schedule may disappoint. If you want to combine Pig Beach with sharks, iguanas, lunch, and the Exuma boat route, the short visit is a fair compromise.

Sandbars, the sea park, and a famous wreck

The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park brings a change of pace. Depending on the tide and conditions, the captain chooses one of the sandbars that appear during low tide. The exact sandbar changes from trip to trip, so do not expect a fixed beach with a guaranteed location.

This stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough to step onto the sand, enjoy the shallow water, and take in the clean, open views. It is also one of the moments when the journey itself feels worthwhile. The Exumas are famous for their changing shades of water and low sandbars, and seeing them from the boat gives you a better sense of how scattered these cays really are.

During transit, the boat also passes the sunken plane wreck off Norman’s Cay, commonly linked with Pablo Escobar. It is a sightseeing moment rather than a separate stop. You will view the wreck from the water, so keep your camera ready and listen for the guide’s explanation.

These short scenic stops can feel too brief if the water is perfect. Still, they break up the longer rides and give the day more variety than a simple Pig Beach transfer.

Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club

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

This meal matters for more than convenience. After several hours around salt water and sun, a proper lunch gives you a break from snacks and bottled drinks. The local setting also adds a useful connection to island life, rather than keeping the entire day inside a tour bubble.

The food received strong praise for both quality and variety. You should still remember that this is an excursion meal, not a restaurant-focused food tour. The main purpose is to refuel before the rest of the route.

If you need vegetarian food, tell the operator when booking. Do not assume a last-minute request can be handled easily on a remote island.

Price, group size, and overall value

At $438 per person, this is an expensive day. The price includes the boat trip, local guide, landing and facility fees, bottled water, snacks, lunch, alcoholic beverages, rock iguana feeding, the shark interaction, Pig Beach, and the Exuma sightseeing route.

That package has real value if you want several headline Bahamian activities in one day. Paying separately for boat transportation, wildlife encounters, food, and access fees could become complicated. The tour also saves you from arranging transport between scattered cays.

Still, value depends heavily on your tolerance for boat time. Some of the day’s most critical feedback came from people who felt they had only three hours of active stops and five or more hours of bouncing across the water. The operator explains that the route includes roughly an hour to reach Exuma, about five hours among the stops, and an hour to return.

I would book this for variety, not relaxation. You are paying for access to remote places and a packed schedule. A quieter beach day in Nassau will be cheaper and less tiring, but it will not give you sharks, iguanas, pigs, sandbars, and the Exuma Cays in one outing.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the Bahamas beyond Nassau. It also fits animal lovers, active couples, families with older children, and anyone who sees the nurse sharks or Pig Beach as a personal must-do.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum age is three. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness, since the day involves boat movement, getting into shallow water, and walking around island stops.

I would hesitate if you get seasick, dislike speed boats, need lots of legroom, or want long, unhurried time at one beach. The boat can be bumpy, seats may feel tight when the vessel is full, and wind can make cooler months uncomfortable. December and January may be less appealing if the weather turns cool.

Weather is not a minor concern. This trip requires good conditions, and rough seas can lead to a last-minute cancellation. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Practical preparation for the 8:00 a.m. departure

Tell the operator where you are staying so pickup arrangements can be discussed. The listed meeting point is Montagu Beach in Nassau, and the tour returns there after about 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Wear your swimsuit from the start. Pack a towel, plenty of sunblock, and a light outer layer. Sunscreen is especially important because you spend much of the day exposed to sun and wind, even while seated on the boat.

Keep your phone, camera, and personal items secure around the water. A waterproof pouch is sensible, though it is not supplied. If you plan to drink alcohol, remember that the minimum drinking age is 18.

The tour is booked, on average, about eight days ahead. That is not a guarantee of availability, but it is a useful signal that you should not wait until the last morning if this is central to your Nassau plans.

Should you book the Exuma Day Away?

Book it if you want a full, active day built around the Bahamas’ most famous animal encounters. The nurse sharks at Compass Cay, the original Pig Beach at Big Majors Cay, the rock iguanas, the local lunch, and the sandbars make this a memorable package.

Skip it if you want comfort, privacy, or long stretches on a beach. The boat ride is long and can be rough, and $438 is a serious price for a day with limited time at each stop.

My call: if your schedule allows only one Exuma outing from Nassau, this gives you an impressive amount in one day. Pack for the water, accept the bumpy ride, and book it for the range of experiences rather than for a lazy day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour starts at Montagu Beach in Nassau, Bahamas, at 8:00 a.m. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the Exuma Day Away last?

The excursion lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a local guide, bottled water, lunch at Black Point Yacht Club, landing and facility fees, rock iguana feeding, sightseeing through the Exuma Cays, swimming with pigs at Big Majors Cay, swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and alcoholic beverages.

Are towels provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel, along with sunblock.

What is the minimum age for this tour?

The minimum age is three years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Is a vegetarian lunch available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you should request it when booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum listed capacity is 36 people.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The excursion requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.