Just south of the tip of Florida are the stunning islands of the Bahamas. The Caribbean nation calls 700 islands home and has some of the most pristine waters in the world. And while millions of people travel to the islands to visit Atlantis, the Exuma Islands are getting more play these days thanks to one oinky reason: Pig Beach.
Pig Beach is officially named Major Cay but has been given the nickname due to the wild pigs that took over the island. These pigs swim in the Atlantic Ocean and rest on the island's white sand while tourists swim with them in delight.
While there are plenty of gorgeous all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas, taking a trip to the Exuma Islands is worth the travel. For years, Pig Beach was one of Exuma's best-kept secrets but has now become one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. To learn more about what to expect when visiting Major Cay, keep scrolling!
10 Pig Beach Is Farther From Nassau Than Tourists Expect
Lynden Pindling International Airport is one of the bigger airports in the Bahamas and is easily accessible for North Americans traveling from Florida. However, if going to the Exuma islands to see Pig Beach is a traveler's goal, be prepared to travel. The quickest way to get to Pig Beach is by plane because it's 75 miles away from Nassau; however, there are also ferries and speedboats that can assist as well.
9 And You Can Get There From Staniel Cay Within The Bahamas
If flying from Nassau, the best bet is to fly into the small ports of Staniel Cay Airport or George Town. From there, boats and tours are provided to get travelers safely to Pig Beach. If pig-lovers are flying from Miami, they too can fly into George Town since it's the capital of the Exumas. Even if you're staying at a pricey all-inclusive resort on one of Bahama's many islands, taking an extra flight to see Pig Beach is well worth it.
8 Pig Beach Is A Part Of Over 300 Other Islands To Explore
Yes, the Exuma Islands are apart of Bahama's 700 islands but there are 365 islands within Exuma! If travelers are hoping to see more of the Exumas, they have their work cut out for them.
After spending an entire day swimming and hanging out with the Exuma pigs, tourists can take a boat to back to Staniel Cay (the closest Exuma island) for a night on the island, they can go fishing off the coast of Sampson Cay, or see the beach iguanas at Bitter Island Cay!
7 Taking A Tour Is Your Best Chance For The Full Experience
If you're not sure where to start with Pig Beach and getting the most out of your experience, booking a tour erases all the planning and annoying questions that keep you up in the middle of the night. Due to the popularity of the island, there are plenty of tours to choose from on Trip Advisor. Some of the highest-rating tours are Exuma Escapes, 3N's Vacation Services, Harbour Safaris, and Tour Daddy! Be sure to plan accordingly with where you're flying in to.
6 It's Not Just Pigs You Can Swim With
Big Major Cay has obviously been nicknamed Pig Beach due to the swimming piggies but there are many tours in the Exumas that let tourists swim with much more.
When you're done swimming with pigs on Pig Beach, you can head to the nearby island of Compass Cay to swim with sharks! If sharks are too scary, take a boat to Stocking Island to swim and feed stingrays!
5 How Much Are You Willing To Pay To See These Swimming Pigs?
Planning an extended vacation can be pricey, and adding different excursions to a trip can make it even more expensive. It really comes down to one question: how much would swimming with wild pigs mean to you? There numerous flights that go to the Exumas but range a couple of hundred dollars. Once you've made it to the Exumas, booking a tour is gonna cost another couple hundred dollars, depending on the experience.
4 You'll Be Able To Stay Nearby At These Top Rated Places
If seeing the swimming pigs is the only reason a tourist is traveling to the Bahamas, it's a good idea to stay around the Exumas rather then heading up to Nassau.
Fowl Cay is an island nearby Big Major Cay and has great resorts to stay at. Fowl Cay Villas are popular for giving travelers the private island experience, whereas Staniel Cay has more hotels and restaurants to enjoy as well. George Town is the larger of the islands has may have more to see and do than smaller Exuma Islands, however.
3 The Pigs Are Not Native To The Island
So, how exactly did swimming pigs make a name for themselves on Big Major Cay? The real answer isn't known. Some theorize a few pigs were able to escape a shipwreck nearby and wandered on to Big Major Cay as it was the closest island. Wild pigs are not native to the Exumas but they have made Big Major Cay their home and continue to thrive on the beaches as it's not inhabited by many humans.
2 And There's Not As Many Pigs There As You'd Think
With the wild pigs not being native to the Exumas, there was only a handful in the beginning. The Bahamas website claims the island only has 20 pigs these days but are well taken care of on the island.
Sadly, due to the amount of food tourists feed the wild pigs, some pigs eat more sand than food and end up dying of natural causes. When pigs die off, more pigs are brought in to replace them as they seem happy to be there.
1 You're Going To Work Up An Appetite
Depending on the tour travelers choose, they'll be working up an appetite. An entire day spent in the sun can be draining. Eating snacks and staying hydrated is important to having a safe and fun trip while exploring Pig Beach. Some tours will supply drinks and snacks, where others may want to visit neighboring islands for some authentic food. Da Smoke Pot is just one cafe on the neighboring island of Cat Island that can whip up refreshing meals after a long, exciting day on Pig Beach.