On this article, study every thing you want to learn about pig seaside and find out how to swim with pigs within the Bahamas.
We not too long ago joined a day tour with 3N’s Exuma Holidays to see the swimming piggies with our personal eyes, and the expertise actually did reside as much as our expectations. Once 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 reside on a abandoned cay but additionally swim…what’s to not love?
The setting of Pig Seaside is beautiful, the piggies have 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 thing you want to learn about swimming with pigs within the Bahamas.
Select Your Tour Operator
To begin with, it’s best to know that there are some imposter pigs within the Bahamas! The unique, well-known pigs are discovered on Massive Main Cay, only a 5-minute boat trip 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 provides small group excursions (12-15 folks solely), with a extra personalised really feel.
What I really like most about this firm, nevertheless, is the truth that it’s 100% domestically owned and operated.
The “N” in 3N’s stands for the names of the members of the family: Nellie (grandmother), Nikki (mom), and Natajia (daughter). Supporting the female-owned, locally-operated enterprise is likely one of the many advantages of becoming a member of this tour.
Until you’ve your personal boat, one of the best methods to see the swimming pigs are to both keep on Staniel Cay and be a 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
Should you’re based mostly in Nassau, it’s simple to see the swimming pigs of the Bahamas.
This present day 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 probably 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 bundle). On the airport on Staniel Cay, a consultant from 3N’s Exuma Holidays might 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. Be taught 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 suggest if you happen to plan on basing your self on Staniel Cay. It’s the very same because the tour from Nassau, minus the flight. Be taught extra about it right here.
Get up, get pleasure from 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, chill out and benefit from the day!
The itinerary of this journey is identical as if you happen to 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 needed (photographs, movies, and many others.). The order through which we visited the highlights was considerably as much as us as properly.
If we didn’t need to be a part of a selected exercise reminiscent of snorkelling, that was no drawback, we may simply keep on the boat. If there was a alternative between swimming underwater and thru a cave, or maintaining our head above water, we have been in a position to talk about which possibility we most popular. It was good to have a say and provides our enter!
To seek out out extra about this present day tour from Staniel Cay and to order your spot, click on right here or the button beneath.
The place to Keep to Swim With Pigs
The 2 finest 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.
Should you e-book the Gold/All-Inclusive swimming pigs bundle with 3N’s Exuma Holidays, you’ll obtain return transportation out of your resort in Nassau to the airport. Should you don’t select the Gold tour bundle, you merely meet on the airport in Nassau.
Should you’re staying on Paradise Island in Nassau, your pick-up time might be round 6:00 AM – 6:30AM and Cable Seaside 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 probably 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’ll be able to 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 provides 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 if you happen to’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 comfortable 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. Be taught extra about visiting the pigs from Staniel Cay right here.
Why Are There Swimming Pigs in The Bahamas?
That is in all probability probably the most regularly 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 seaside, however since Captain Dave with 3N’s Exuma Holidays and the proprietor of Embrace Resort are each born and raised on Staniel Cay, we bought the actual story.
Mainly, the locals of Staniel Cay have been maintaining their pigs in pens. As you’ll be able to think about, for the reason that cay is lower than 2 sq. miles, the odor turned a little bit of an issue.
Fortunately, there was a abandoned cay subsequent door, so 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 Massive 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 have been swimming out to greet them as properly, somebody took a photograph of the state of affairs and posted it on-line…and the remainder is historical past.
Now, the swimming pigs within the Bahamas are one of the standard sights in the Exumas.
The place is Pig Seaside?
The island the place pigs swim is usually known as “Pig Seaside”. However, that’s simply the nickname given to the seaside that the swimming pigs reside on.
The island (cay) itself known as Massive 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 beneath.
Can You Swim With the Pigs?
Sure, you’ll be able to undoubtedly swim with the pigs!
When the boat arrives at Pig Seaside, it would idle offshore. The pigs might 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 might be cleaner the deeper it’s.
Can You Feed the Pigs?
Sure, you’ll be able to feed the pigs. If the pigs come swimming out to your boat and also you don’t feed them, they’ll be fairly upset! In the course of the pig tour, you’ll be capable to feed them bread.
Is it Protected to Swim With Pigs in The Bahamas?
Brief 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 find out how to feed, find out how to swim, and find out how to work together with the pigs in order that we had an pleasurable expertise. Listed here are my high suggestions for having a secure go to with the pigs.
1. Don’t feed them on the seaside
The pigs ought to be fed whereas they’re swimming within the water for 2 causes. The primary is so 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 purpose is when you’ve got meals on you when you’re on land, the pigs could turn into forceful and attempt to get it from you. Don’t feed the pigs on the seaside, or have any meals on you whereas on the seaside.
2. Don’t run
If one of many pigs comes over to you when you’re on the seaside and also you’re getting freaked out, don’t run! All that may occur is a bunch of pigs will begin chasing you. At all times stroll, don’t run.
3. Put your arms within the air
When you haven’t any extra meals to provide the pigs, put your arms up and present them there’s nothing left. They’ll 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 seaside and within the water by the shore. Nonetheless, we didn’t see any poop on the sand, however whereas within the water, we may see the pigs relieving themselves…however, fish got here round to promptly maintain the waste!
Regardless, it’s not probably 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 instances, it’s okay to select up the piglets and you’ll even bottle-feed them in order for you.
However, I counsel leaving the babes alone so that you don’t upset the mom. Plus, pig hair is sort of coarse and you might find yourself with a rash in your abdomen or chest if you happen to’re not sporting a shirt.
6. Give stomach rubs
The pigs like to get their bellies rubbed! It’s the funniest factor. Be at liberty to provide them a rubdown.
Caring for the Swimming Pigs within the Bahamas
Once we came upon that pigs have been dwelling on an island, with vacationers coming to swim and feed them, I’ll admit we have 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 properly taken care of.
Positive, vacationers feed them bread, however additionally 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
Should you’re searching for one thing enjoyable and distinctive to do throughout your journey, then swimming with pigs within the Bahamas ought to be in your listing — 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 unimaginable 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! E book your swimming pigs journey right here.
