On this article, be taught every part that you must learn about pig seashore and easy methods 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 stay as much as our expectations. Whenever 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 gorgeous, the piggies had been pleasant, and the entire state of affairs was the right 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 value 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 that you must learn about swimming with pigs within the Bahamas.
Select Your Tour Operator
To start with, it is 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 journey from Staniel Cay in the Exumas.
There are a number of tour operators to select from, however we loved our day with the highly-rated (#1 on TripAdvisor) 3N’s Exuma Holidays, which presents small group excursions (12-15 folks solely), with a extra personalised really feel.
What I 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 without doubt one of the many advantages of becoming a member of this tour.
Until you might have your personal boat, the most effective 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 airplane.
Go to the Swimming Pigs from Nassau
If you happen to’re based mostly in Nassau, it’s simple to see the swimming pigs of the Bahamas.
This day trip whisks you away within the morning by airplane from Nassau to Staniel Cay, and again within the late afternoon in time for a sundowner. That is probably the most luxurious, protected, and comfy option 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 shall 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 world. You’ll see the Thunderball Grotto, the nurse sharks at Compass Cay, the Bahamian rock iguanas, a postcard-perfect sandbar, a sunken airplane, and a cease for lunch. Study extra about visiting the swimming pigs from Nassau and reserve your spot 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. Study extra about it 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 airplane 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 identical as if you happen to joined from Nassau. Swimming with the pigs is the spotlight in fact, plus Compass Cay (with nurse sharks), Bitter Guana Cay (with Bahamian rock iguanas), the Thunderball Grotto, the beautiful Pipe Cay sandbar, and a sunken airplane.
Throughout our journey, I appreciated how we got the liberty to go off and do our personal factor if we wished (pictures, movies, and many others.). The order through which we visited the highlights was considerably as much as us as nicely.
If we didn’t wish to be a part of a selected exercise corresponding to snorkelling, that was no downside, we might simply keep on the boat. If there was a alternative between swimming underwater and thru a cave, or holding our head above water, we had been in a position to focus on which possibility we most well-liked. It was good to have a say and provides our enter!
To seek out out extra about today tour from Staniel Cay and to order your spot, click 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.
If you happen to e book the Gold/All-Inclusive swimming pigs package deal with 3N’s Exuma Holidays, you’ll obtain return transportation out of your lodge in Nassau to the airport. If you happen to don’t select the Gold tour package deal, you merely meet on the airport in Nassau.
If you happen to’re staying on Paradise Island in Nassau, your pick-up time shall 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 presumably probably the most pleasant workers wherever 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 situated proper by the airport and the pier, which implies you may sleep in on the morning of the pig tour and be able to go round 9:00AM. Click here to be taught extra and to e book your room.
Professional Tip: Embrace Resort presents their visitors 30% off the swimming with pigs within the Bahamas excursions.
☞ See Additionally: 10 Best Beaches in the Caribbean
Value 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 below are some extra particulars:
Value 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 gasoline 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 smooth drinks
Assorted snacks & chips
Value 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 visitors obtain a 30% low cost on the tour. Study extra about visiting the pigs from Staniel Cay here.
Why Are There Swimming Pigs in The Bahamas?
That is in all probability probably the most ceaselessly requested query. It’s not usually that you simply see pigs on tropical seashores!
There are a number of folks 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 received the true story.
Principally, the locals of Staniel Cay had been holding their pigs in pens. As you may think about, because the 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 option 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 had been swimming out to greet them as nicely, 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 widespread sights in the Exumas.
The place is Pig Seashore?
The island the place pigs swim is commonly referred to 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 Massive Main Cay and it’s situated within the Exumas, proper subsequent to Staniel Cay. Discover it on the map here, and take a look at the picture beneath.
Can You Swim With the Pigs?
Sure, you may undoubtedly swim with the pigs!
When the boat arrives at Pig Seashore, it is going to idle offshore. The pigs shall be excited to see you and are available swimming out to the boat. It’s really useful to swim earlier than the boat moors up on the sand, because the water shall 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 disillusioned! Throughout the pig tour, you’ll be capable of feed them bread.
Is it Secure to Swim With Pigs in The Bahamas?
Quick reply: sure, it’s protected to swim with the pigs. Nonetheless, these are animals that roam free on the island, and there are some issues to bear in mind.
Captain Dave gave us directions on easy methods to feed, easy methods to swim, and easy methods to work together with the pigs in order that we had an gratifying expertise. Listed below are my prime ideas for having a protected go to with the pigs.
1. Don’t feed them on the seashore
The pigs ought to 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 purpose is in case you have meals on you when you’re on land, the pigs could grow to be 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 offer the pigs, put your palms up and present them there’s nothing left. They are going to then depart you alone and swim or stroll away to search 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 deal with 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 choose up the piglets and you may even bottle-feed them if you need.
However, I counsel leaving the babes alone so that you don’t upset the mom. Plus, pig hair is sort of coarse and you could 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 offer them a rubdown.
Caring for the Swimming Pigs within the Bahamas
After we discovered 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 realized that they’re very nicely taken care of.
Positive, 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
If you happen to’re in search of one thing enjoyable and distinctive to do throughout your journey, then swimming with pigs within the Bahamas ought to be in your checklist — 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 direction of our boat for meals! It actually was fairly the sight.
On prime of seeing swimming pigs, we liked how the tour took in most 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 superb day on the water! Book your swimming pigs trip here.
