On this article, be taught every part you should learn about pig seashore and methods to swim with pigs within the Bahamas.
We lately joined a day tour with 3N’s Exuma Holidays to see the swimming piggies with our personal eyes, and the expertise actually did reside as much as our expectations. If 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 reside on a abandoned cay but additionally swim…what’s to not love?
The setting of Pig Seaside is beautiful, the piggies had been pleasant, and the entire scenario 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 you should 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 experience from Staniel Cay within the Exumas.
There are just a few tour operators to select from, however we loved our day with the highly-rated (#1 on TripAdvisor) 3N’s Exuma Holidays, which provides small group excursions (12-15 individuals solely), with a extra personalised really feel.
What I like most about this firm, nevertheless, is the truth that it’s 100% regionally owned and operated.
The “N” in 3N’s stands for the names of the relations: Nellie (grandmother), Nikki (mom), and Natajia (daughter). Supporting the female-owned, locally-operated enterprise is among the many advantages of becoming a member of this tour.
Until you could have your personal boat, one of the best 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 aircraft.
Go to the Swimming Pigs from Nassau
If you happen to’re primarily based in Nassau, it’s straightforward to see the swimming pigs of the Bahamas.
This present day journey whisks you away within the morning by aircraft from Nassau to Staniel Cay, and again within the late afternoon in time for a sundowner. That is essentially the most luxurious, protected, and comfy approach 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 bundle). On the airport on Staniel Cay, a consultant from 3N’s Exuma Holidays can 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.
After all, the day journey will embrace different main highlights of the realm. You’ll see the Thunderball Grotto, the nurse sharks at Compass Cay, the Bahamian rock iguanas, a postcard-perfect sandbar, a sunken aircraft, and a cease for lunch. Be taught extra about visiting the swimming pigs from Nassau and reserve your spot right 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. Be taught extra about it right 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 aircraft 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 similar as if you happen to joined from Nassau. Swimming with the pigs is the spotlight after all, plus Compass Cay (with nurse sharks), Bitter Guana Cay (with Bahamian rock iguanas), the Thunderball Grotto, the beautiful Pipe Cay sandbar, and a sunken aircraft.
Throughout our journey, I appreciated how we got the liberty to go off and do our personal factor if we wished (photographs, movies, and many others.). The order through which we visited the highlights was considerably as much as us as properly.
If we didn’t wish to be a part of a specific exercise similar to snorkelling, that was no downside, we may simply keep on the boat. If there was a alternative between swimming underwater and thru a cave, or preserving our head above water, we had been capable of talk about which choice we most popular. It was good to have a say and provides our enter!
To seek out out extra about this present day tour from Staniel Cay and to order your spot, click on right here or the button under.
The place to Keep to Swim With Pigs
The 2 greatest 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 guide the Gold/All-Inclusive swimming pigs bundle with 3N’s Exuma Holidays, you’ll obtain return transportation out of your resort in Nassau to the airport. If you happen to don’t select the Gold tour bundle, you merely meet on the airport in Nassau.
If you happen to’re staying on Paradise Island in Nassau, your pick-up time can be round 6:00 AM – 6:30AM and Cable Seaside space is 6:30AM – 6:45AM.
The place to Keep in Staniel Cay
We stayed at Embrace Resort on Staniel Cay, which has fairly probably essentially the most pleasant workers anyplace 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 possibly can sleep in on the morning of the pig tour and be able to go round 9:00AM. Click on right here to be taught extra and to guide your room.
Professional Tip: Embrace Resort provides their visitors 30% off the swimming with pigs within the Bahamas excursions.
☞ See Additionally: 10 Greatest Seashores within the Caribbean
Price 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 here are some extra particulars:
Price 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 gas 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 gentle drinks
Assorted snacks & chips
Price 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. Be taught extra about visiting the pigs from Staniel Cay right here.
Why Are There Swimming Pigs in The Bahamas?
That is in all probability essentially the most regularly requested query. It’s not usually that you simply see pigs on tropical seashores!
There are just a few 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 obtained the actual story.
Principally, the locals of Staniel Cay had been preserving their pigs in pens. As you possibly can think about, because the cay is lower than 2 sq. miles, the odor 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 approach 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 properly, 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 vital well-liked points of interest in the Exumas.
The place is Pig Seaside?
The island the place pigs swim is usually referred to as “Pig Seaside”. However, that’s simply the nickname given to the seashore that the swimming pigs reside 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 right here, and take a look at the picture under.
Can You Swim With the Pigs?
Sure, you possibly can undoubtedly swim with the pigs!
When the boat arrives at Pig Seaside, it is going to idle offshore. The pigs can be excited to see you and are available swimming out to the boat. It’s really helpful to swim earlier than the boat moors up on the sand, because the water can be cleaner the deeper it’s.
Can You Feed the Pigs?
Sure, you possibly can feed the pigs. If the pigs come swimming out to your boat and also you don’t feed them, they’ll be fairly disenchanted! In the course of the pig tour, you’ll be capable to feed them bread.
Is it Protected 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 remember.
Captain Dave gave us directions on methods to feed, methods to swim, and methods to work together with the pigs in order that we had an gratifying expertise. Listed here are my high suggestions for having a protected go to with the pigs.
1. Don’t feed them on the seashore
The pigs needs 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 cause is in case you have meals on you when you’re on land, the pigs might develop into 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 can occur is a bunch of pigs will begin chasing you. At all times stroll, don’t run.
3. Put your arms within the air
When you don’t have any extra meals to provide the pigs, put your arms up and present them there’s nothing left. They are going to then go away 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 may see the pigs relieving themselves…however, fish got here round to promptly handle the waste!
Regardless, it’s not essentially 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 choose them up
In some instances, it’s okay to select up the piglets and you’ll even bottle-feed them if you need.
However, I recommend leaving the babes alone so that you don’t upset the mom. Plus, pig hair is kind 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 happy to provide them a rubdown.
Caring for the Swimming Pigs within the Bahamas
After we came upon that pigs had been residing 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 properly taken care of.
Certain, 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 searching for one thing enjoyable and distinctive to do throughout your journey, then swimming with pigs within the Bahamas needs 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 the direction of our boat for meals! It actually was fairly the sight.
On high of seeing swimming pigs, we beloved how the tour took in lots 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! E book your swimming pigs journey right here.
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