Antisocial Tourist

Swimming with pigs in the open ocean is both weird and wonderful. And a little gross – but more on that below. The swimming pigs took Instagram by storm in recent years and now it’s a bucket list destination for many travelers. We were able to cross this off our own bucket lists last year and we can assure you, it’s worth the hype.

We snagged a quick flight from Miami to Great Exuma and spent three amazing days soaking up tropical vibes and exploring the different islands throughout The Bahamas by boat. There were plenty of boat tours to choose from that included all the stops on our wish list, and we even discovered a few unknown gems along the way.

So if swimming with the pigs is on your bucket list, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn how to get to the pigs, where to stay nearby, and what it’s really like in the water with them. We assure you it’s worth the journey, but there are some things you should know before you go.

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Where are the Swimming Pigs Located?

The original swimming pigs can be found at Big Major Cay, which is located in a district of The Bahamas called Exuma. Big Major Cay (often called Pig Beach) can only be reached by boat. Unless you’re sailing a private boat, you’ll need to join a tour to get there.

It’s worth noting that in recent years, most likely as a tourist ploy, pigs have also been brought to several other islands throughout The Bahamas. These places are ethically questionable and should be avoided, so be sure that your tour boat is taking you to the original swimming pigs found on Big Major Cay.

You can get to Big Major Cay from Great Exuma, Staniel Cay, Nassau, and even Miami or Fort Lauderdale, although coming from Exuma by boat is the quickest and easiest option. Just remember that swimming with the pigs is just one of the many things to do in Exuma, so be sure your tour includes some other highlights.

The boat tour we took included snorkeling Thunderball Grotto and Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane, swimming with pigs and sharks, feeding iguanas, spending time at a sand bar, and a lot more.

Where did the Swimming Pigs Come From?

The swimming pigs are not native to The Bahamas. There’s a lot of mystery around how the pigs came to be on Big Major Cay. Some say they were left on the island by pirates who planned to return for them later to feast. Some say the pigs are survivors of a nearby shipwreck. Some even say that a doomsday prepper from the 90s brought the pigs to the island in preparation for Y2K.

No matter how the pigs got there, they clearly settled in and made the island their home. The pigs only started becoming popular with the rise of smartphones, but now they’re full-blown celebrities. They were even featured in The Bachelor.

They actually used to forage for food in the center of the island, but they slowly made their way to shore as the tourism to the island grew. Now they spend all their time on the beaches waiting for tourists to arrive with food.

Which Island Should You Stay On to Visit the Swimming Pigs?

It’s important to remember that the swimming pigs live on an uninhabited island, so you’ll need to stay somewhere nearby and take a boat to reach them. The Bahamas is a collection of nearly 700 islands though, so it can be difficult to figure out where to stay.

Most tourists stay on New Providence Island, where the capital city of Nassau is located. More than a million people actually visit Nassau each year — likely because it’s home to the popular Atlantis Resort and it’s a common stop for many cruise ships. But if you’re traveling to The Bahamas specifically to see the pigs, Nassau is pretty far from them. So we recommend staying in Exuma instead.

Exuma is a district of The Bahamas made up of hundreds of islands called cays. Here you’ll find turquoise-blue water that is so bright in color it can actually be seen from space. To this day, Exuma is still the most incredible water we’ve ever seen. It also has a really low-key tourism scene, so if you like to get off the beaten path, don’t overlook Exuma.

There are several inhabited islands to choose from in Exuma, but the island of Great Exuma is the most accessible. Flights regularly fly into the Georgetown International Airport (GGT) in Great Exuma from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Nassau. Great Exuma also offers the best selection of boat tours that include swimming with the pigs, so it’s the perfect home base for your trip.

Where to Stay in Exuma

We chose to base ourselves on Great Exuma, where we stayed at Paradise Bay, which we highly recommend! It was budget-friendly, right on the ocean, and centrally located on the island. Paradise Bay is a short 15-minute drive from the airport, just outside of the capital city of Georgetown. Each villa offers an ocean view or garden view, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a TV.

▶︎ Want to see more Exuma hotels? Head here to Booking.com

It is also possible to stay in Staniel Cay, which is the second most accessible island in Exuma. Staniel Cay has a small airstrip though, so no major airlines will fly here — you’ll need to take a puddle jumper from Nassau or Fort Lauderdale. In our opinion, the extra time and effort it takes to stay in Staniel Cay is not worth it when Great Exuma is already a great option.

How Do You Choose the Right Tour to Swim with the Pigs?

There are a ton of tours to choose from so it’s easier than ever to get to the swimming pigs! Your choices will greatly depend on where you are staying.

If you’re staying in Great Exuma like we did, you’ll be able to join a boat tour. We chose a tour company based on positive customer reviews and stops included in the tour. We did the “Ultimate Day-A-Way” Boat Tour with Aquaquest Escapes, and it was amazing! We highly recommend it. Most tours even offer a shuttle service to pick you up from your hotel and transport you to the docks where the tour will depart.

Not all boat tours include the same stops, so be sure you find one that clearly includes swimming with the pigs. Most of the tours will also include swimming with nurse sharks, feeding iguanas, stopping at a sand bar, and snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto. These are all activities located near Pig Beach.

If you’re staying in Nassau, we suggest booking an Air Tour to get to the pigs, otherwise, you’ll spend hours traveling on a high-speed boat to get there. This highly-rated Air Tour includes swimming with the pigs and several other notable stops. If you want to do a day trip from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, your best bet is to book an Air Tour with Bahamas Air Tours. All Air Tours will land at the small airstrip at Staniel Cay and you’ll be transported to a boat that will take you to the pigs.

What’s it Really Like to Swim with the Pigs?

So what’s it really like to swim with the pigs? As you slowly approach the shore, you’ll notice the pigs swimming in your direction. These guys know the routine: tour boats = food. Your tour guide will likely give you apple slices to toss to them, and you can take a few moments to snap some pictures of the pigs before you get in the water with them.

Your boat will stop at the shoreline, pigs in tow, and you can hop out into about 3 feet of water to greet them up close. The pigs will follow you around, so you can swim out into deeper water with them or head up to the shore. But you’ll notice most visitors will head to the shore. It’s much easier to get photos with them and feed them on the shore. It can actually be a bit scary trying to swim in deep water with them since they’re only interested in food.

The whole experience is really awesome — as long as you can overlook one rather disgusting fact that most bloggers seem to leave out. Are you ready for this? The pigs defecate in the water constantly… abundantly… and aggressively. It was a nonstop 💩 show if we’re being honest. Admittedly, it does disappear quickly into the water, but it’s still cringe-worthy.

But don’t let this fact deter you from checking this off your bucket list! The further up on the shore you go, the less the pigs will relieve themselves. It was really easy to hop in and out of the boat away from them, too, so it’s easy to avoid if you know to look out for it.

What Should You Know Before Swimming with the Pigs?

There are two very important things to know about swimming with the pigs!

First, the pigs have a specific diet that is unique to their lifestyle and should only be fed fruits and vegetables. Most tour companies will come prepared with food to feed the pigs, so you won’t have to worry about bringing the wrong food. But if you’re traveling to the island on your own, please be aware that any other food items are strictly prohibited and could cause harm to the pigs.

Second, the pigs can be aggressive at times. The hungrier they are, the more aggressive they can be. If you’re arriving early in the day, you’re more likely to see their feisty side, so keep this in mind. Don’t let this scare you though, they are generally very friendly (especially the piglets)! Just avoid feeding them directly from your hand, and instead toss your fruits and veggies into the water for them to scoop up.

As the day goes on, and their bellies get full, they tend to be more chill. We arrived at Pig Beach in the early afternoon and didn’t experience any aggressive pigs at all. They were very approachable and we were even able to pet them!

Final Thoughts: Swimming With the Pigs

If swimming with the pigs is on your bucket list, don’t hesitate to book the trip — it’s worth the journey! Just be sure to manage your expectations a bit. The reality of actually swimming with the pigs isn’t the fairytale you have in your head (yeah, because of the 💩). This experience is more about being on the beach with the pigs, where you’ll feed and pet them.

Any boat tour you join should spend about 30 minutes to an hour at Pig Beach and should supply you with plenty of food for the pigs. The boat will pull up to the shore, where you can hop out and wade through the water with the pigs, or walk up on the shore with them. If the pigs are in the right mood, you can even put them and rub their bellies. It’s just a weird and unique experience that really shouldn’t be missed.

Thank you for reading our post! We hope it helps you plan the perfect trip! Check out our other guides here and follow us on Instagram (@AntisocialTourist) or on Facebook to see our latest adventures!