Calling all animal lovers! Take a stroll on the wild aspect and uncover essentially the most memorable excursions that await in your Bahamas cruise — up-close animal encounters. Whether or not you’re out there for a singular wildlife picture alternative or a full hands-on animal expertise, a Bahamas cruise trip offers you the chance to fulfill 5 of the Caribbean’s most celebrated inhabitants: swimming pigs, nurse sharks, rock iguanas, stingrays, and reef sharks.
Swimming Pigs at Large Main Cay
The world-famous wading pigs made their tv debut in the course of the 2016 season of “The Bachelor,” and have been a preferred Bahamas cruise attraction ever since. Upon arrival to Pig Seaside, which is barely accessible by boat, guests are greeted by a wholesome inhabitants of jolly piggy-paddling swine.
Understand that the swimming pigs usually are not shy and they’re going to assume you include meals in hand, so use your finest judgment when approaching Pig Seaside. Put together to feed them pure meals, like vegetables and fruit, and keep away from issues like pop-tarts, sizzling canine, and particularly alcohol. Be sort, watch out, and be sure you seize a photograph together with your new four-legged oinking mates earlier than bidding farewell to those animal encounters at Large Main Cay.
Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay
Compass Cay is situated within the Exumas, a distant island district within the Bahamas, the place the water is remarkably blue and the resident nurse sharks are delightfully pleasant. The non-threatening nurse sharks, which have additionally grow to be a widely known Bahamas cruise attraction, are pets of the native proprietor, Mr. Tibbs, who has been working Compass Cay Marina for nearly 20 years.
For these not solely gung-ho about leaping into shark-infested waters, relaxation assured — the nurse sharks’ appetites are tended to repeatedly, and over time they’ve confirmed to not thoughts the corporate of people. They even have names like Herman, Hook, Lefty, Scar, Squirt, and Woody. So long as you comply with the posted guidelines and respect the nurse sharks that decision Compass Cay residence, there isn’t a cause to not get within the water and luxuriate in these actually one-of-a-kind animal encounters throughout a Bahamas cruise trip.
Iguanas at Allen’s Cay
Make your means out of your Bahamas cruise to a different Exumas island, Allen’s Cay, to fulfill and greet the locals — a docile group of enormous scurrying lizards. Sadly, these northern Bahamian rock iguanas are endangered, and Allen’s Cay is only one of two areas the place they are often discovered.
These long-tailed reptiles are sometimes very energetic on the island from dawn to sundown and they’re fully unafraid of individuals. As with the pigs and nurse sharks discovered on different islands, use frequent sense when interacting with the iguanas, which might attain as much as 24 kilos.
Insider tip: Don’t be alarmed — the iguanas could soar or try and crawl on you, offering the last word Insta-worthy picture memento!
Stingrays at Nice Harbour Cay
Plan a go to to the personal island of Stingray Metropolis to make mates with the locals — affectionate stingrays in shallow crystal-clear water. Put together for sensory overload as you benefit from the tremendous easy texture of the rays’ expansive flowing fins and expertise the distinctive suction feeling you get when feeding them. Relaxation assured, these southern stingrays have been de-barbed, so this wild animal encounter is 100% protected and 110% worthwhile.
Insider tip: Stingray Metropolis is a part of the Berry Islands, that are additionally residence to Norwegian’s Nice Stirrup Cay and Royal Caribbean’s Good Day at CocoCay, making it an idyllic day tour when your cruise ship docks right here.
Reef Sharks in Freeport
For these inquisitive about up-close, however not-so-personal animal encounters, glass backside boat excursions out of Freeport permit passengers to stay dry whereas getting a spectacular view of reef sharks, vibrant coral, and varied marine life beneath. The spotlight of this tour comes throughout feeding time, when the captain drops a tasty deal with into the ocean for the hungry reef sharks.
Whether or not you might be crusing together with your partner, finest friends, or complete fam, Bahamas cruises usually are not full with out at the very least one among these up-close animal encounters. To seize unforgettable tour reminiscences of your personal, go to Cruises.com for the biggest collection of cruise line offers. We might help you ebook the sensible means! We provide you with our unique bonus provides and all qualifying cruise line provides, plus the entire cruise line loyalty program advantages. E-book on-line at Cruises.com or name 800-288-6006 right now.
Writer: Kaitlyn Nakagoshi
