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Swimming with the pigs is one of the most popular day excursions for people visiting the Bahamas. The island is 89 miles from the main Bahaman city of Nassau, and it takes around two hours to reach by speed boat. There are also plenty of tour operators offering tours to Big Beach from Great Exuma and Staniel Cay.

The Bahamas is not the cheapest destination to explore, so visitors need to keep an eye on the budget. Exploring the Exuma Cays and the unique attractions there (like swimming with the pigs) really is an expense worth splurging on. So how much does it cost to visit Pig Beach and to go swimming with the pigs?

The Background Of The Pigs & Swimming With The Pigs

One of the most unusual and iconic attractions in the island nation of the Bahamas is Pig Beach, where visitors can go swimming with the pigs. It is located on an uninhabited island in Exuma of the Bahamas. It is inhabited by a population of feral pigs and has become one of the leading tourist attractions in the tropical islands.

No one really knows how the feral pigs managed to get on the island (although there are plenty of theories and folklore about it - including tales that involve pirates).

  • Population: 50 to 60 Pigs
  • Island: Big Major Cay

Regardless of how they got on the island, they are now fed by residents from neighboring islands and by tourists. The population of the pigs on the island is estimated to be between around 50 and 60 pigs (there are also cats and goats on the island).

Related: Yes, You Can Island-Hop In The Bahamas & Here's How And To Where

Half-Day Swimming With The Pigs From Staniel Cay, Exuma

How much it costs to visit Pig Beach really depends on a number of factors. It depends on where one is staying in the Bahamas and how one chooses to get there. The easiest way to get there is from Staniel Cay, which is only around 15 minutes away. Often the excursions to Pigs Beach are combined with other activities like seeing stingrays, endangered Bahamian Rock Iguanas, starfish, and a unique blow hole.

Exuma Water Sports offers a half-day tour to swim with the pigs from Great Exuma. The tour includes swimming with pigs, touching stingrays, seeing endangered Bahamian Rock Iguanas, swimming in a blow hole, and reef snorkeling.

  • Cost: $190.00 Per Person
  • Departure Flight: 8.00 am
  • Return Flight: 5.00 pm

The tour includes beer, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, and pig food. It is cheaper to get to Pig Bay from Staniel Cay than from Nassau or Miami.

Full-Day Swimming Pigs Excursion From Nassau

Nassau is much further away than Exuma, and so tours to swim with the pigs are much more expensive. From Nassau, visitors need to take a three-hour boat journey or take a short flight to Exuma.

The Staniel Cay Adventures offers the swimming with the pigs excursion from Nassau for $510.00. It includes a quick flight.

  • Cost: $510.00 (Return Flight From Nassau)
  • Private Tour: $1,420 for up to 2 people (5max)

Like other tours, the tour includes swimming with the pigs, swimming with the sharks, visiting the iguanas, snorkeling, and more.

  • Cost: Approx. $400 (Return Speed Boat Ride From Nassau)

From Nassau, people can choose between getting to Pig Beach by airplane or speed boat. The airplane option means people get there quicker and get to spend a couple more hours at the beach. Going by speed boat saves around $100 off the tour. Some may also find island hopping between the islands by speed boat part of the experience of discovering the Bahamas.

Related: 10 Of The Most Beautiful Islands In The Bahamas To See Before You Die

Full-Day Swimming With The Pigs Tour From Miami

Bahamas Air Tour is the first company to offer a day tour from Miami to the Bahamas' Staniel Cay and the Exuma Cays. It is one of the few ways to explore the Bahamas Out Islands on a day trip from the USA.

  • Departs: Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport
  • Check-In: 6.45 am (Departs 7.30 am)
  • Flight Duration: 1 Hour
  • Cost: $849 Per Person

The tour hits up all the key activities that go along with swimming with the pigs. Swim with the sharks and stingrays, go scuba diving, visit different islands, and more.