Is the 2025 Exuma Island Hopping & Swimming Pigs Tour Worth It? My Honest Review

Okay, so let’s be honest, you’ve definitely seen the pictures all over your feed. I mean, you know, the ones with people grinning in some unbelievably blue water right next to a paddling porker. That image is pretty much the reason a whole lot of us book a plane ticket to the Bahamas, right? The Exuma Island Hopping & Swimming Pigs Tour is kind of the holy grail of Nassau excursions, a day-long jaunt that promises you that exact, picture-perfect moment. Still, the pictures on social media don’t really tell the entire story, to be honest. You see the glory, but not, you know, the getting-up-before-the-sun part or the super long boat ride. So, I went on the trip myself, and really, I’m here to give you the full scoop, like the sort of behind-the-scenes look at what the 2025 version of this famous tour actually feels like. Honestly, it’s a bit of a whirlwind of a day, and you just have to decide if that sort of thing is your kind of adventure.

The Morning: Pickup, Check-In, and the Powerboat Ride

Frankly, the day starts pretty early, so you really need to be prepared for that. We got a pickup from our hotel when it was honestly still dark outside, and that’s a bit of a shock to the system on vacation, you know? The bus was sort of full of other sleepy-eyed people, all basically wondering if it was going to be worth it. The check-in process at the dock was actually pretty organized and moved along fairly quickly, which was a nice surprise. They literally have you sign a waiver, give you a wristband, and then pretty much point you towards a huge powerboat. At the end of the day, finding your spot on the vessel is when the excitement kind of starts to build up a little. The trip itself, as a matter of fact, is a major part of the day’s events. You’re on this boat for, like, a good chunk of time, but you really don’t want to just fall asleep. Seriously, you should stay awake for the ride because watching the water change colors is just incredible. It goes from a kind of normal deep blue near Nassau to this absolutely unreal, glowing turquoise that the Exumas are known for, and you sort of see little islands popping up everywhere. The wind is whipping through your hair, the sun is coming up, and honestly, the music is usually playing, so it has this real feeling of starting an epic quest. Just be sure to, like, hold onto your hat!

First Stop: Allan’s Cay and the Rock Iguanas

So, the first place you actually set foot on solid ground after leaving Nassau is typically Allan’s Cay, and it’s almost like stepping back in time. This isn’t the pig island, but honestly, it’s a showstopper in its own way. The second the boat’s nose touches the sand, you just see them. They’re these very large Bahamian Rock Iguanas, and they are, you know, everywhere. Apparently, they are a type of creature that is at risk, so it’s pretty special to see so many of them in one spot. These things are basically like little dinosaurs, with their scaly skin and spiky backs, and they just sort of own the place completely. The tour guides give you a pretty quick but clear talk on how to act around them—obviously, no touching and just be mindful of their space. You actually get some grapes on a little stick to offer them, and they come right up to you, which is frankly a little intimidating but also super cool. They move pretty slowly and just sort of look at you with these ancient-looking eyes. It’s a very different vibe from the rest of the day’s activities, more or less a natural and quiet sort of moment before all the pig-related craziness starts.

The Main Event: Pig Beach and the Swimming Swine

Alright, this is seriously what everyone comes for. As your boat gets closer to Big Major Cay, or as literally everyone calls it, Pig Beach, you start to hear them. I mean, you can actually hear the oinks from the water, and then you spot them—these little (and some not-so-little) shapes moving along the shoreline. It’s a pretty surreal sight, to be honest. The story of how they got here is sort of up for debate; some people say sailors left them and meant to come back, and others have different tales. Whatever the real story is, they’re now the absolute stars of the show. Your guides usually give you some bread or carrots, and as soon as you get off the boat into the knee-deep water, the pigs just start swimming out to greet you. They are really just focused on one thing: the food in your hands. It’s pretty chaotic, very funny, and honestly, a bit overwhelming at first. You’ll find yourself laughing as a piglet paddles right past you, or maybe side-stepping a much bigger hog that has its eye on your snack. It’s this completely strange and wonderful happening that you can’t really compare to anything else, you know?

What it’s Really Like Swimming with Pigs

So, let’s get down to the actual experience of being in the water with these famous animals. The water is just so wonderfully warm and almost impossibly clear, which is definitely a huge plus. The feeling of being there is, in a way, magical. But you should know, it’s not a serene, one-on-one communion with nature, okay? There are typically other tour boats there, so it can be pretty crowded with people, all just trying to get that perfect photo. The pigs themselves are actually great swimmers, using their little snouts like snorkels. The smaller ones are obviously really cute, but some of the bigger boars are seriously huge and can be a little pushy if they think you’re holding out on the food. You’re supposed to feed them in a specific way, like holding your hand flat and keeping it in the water, so they don’t accidentally nip a finger. It is a very sensory experience; you have the bright sun, the incredibly blue water, the sounds of happy people and oinking pigs, and the weird feeling of a pig’s snout bumping your leg. You’ll probably swallow a little bit of salty water from laughing so hard. Honestly, it’s just pure, messy fun.

Tips for the Best Pig Beach Photos

Of course, you’re going to want proof that you actually swam with pigs, so getting a good photo is basically on everyone’s mind. First, if you have a waterproof camera or a good waterproof case for your phone, that is obviously a must. The action happens right there in the water. One of the best things you can do is, like, try to get into the water before the big rush from your boat, if that’s even possible. Getting some shots with just you, a pig, and that beautiful background before everyone else jumps in is pretty much the goal. Another good tip is to have your friend or family member be the designated picture-taker while you’re the one holding the food; it’s honestly really hard to do both at the same time. Try to get down to their level, you know, crouching in the water so the picture is more personal and less like you’re just standing above them. And frankly, just be patient. Let a pig swim past you and then turn to the camera. The candid shots, the ones where you are genuinely laughing at the absurdity of it all, often turn out to be the very best ones anyway.

Compass Cay: Swimming with Nurse Sharks

Just when you think the day can’t get any wilder, the boat pulls up to the marina at Compass Cay, and you literally see them circling in the water below. And by “them,” I mean sharks. Now, don’t freak out; these are nurse sharks, and they are more or less like the lazy dogs of the ocean. They just hang out at the bottom of the marina, used to people, and are pretty much harmless. Still, getting into the water with dozens of them swimming around is a totally heart-pounding moment, right? The guides give you another little safety briefing, and then you just sort of lower yourself from a floating dock into this area of shockingly clear water. The sharks are incredibly graceful, and they just sort of glide right by you, sometimes even brushing against your legs. You are actually allowed to gently touch their backs, and their skin feels like rough, wet sandpaper, which is a really weird feeling. It’s a very different sort of thrill from the pigs; it’s quieter and, in a way, more awe-inspiring. You’re just a guest in their world for a few minutes, and it’s something you definitely will not forget anytime soon. For many people on our boat, this was actually their favorite part of the entire day.

Lunch and a Stop at a Bahamian Sandbar

By this point in the day, you are probably getting pretty hungry, so the lunch stop is a very welcome sight. The tour usually stops at a small local yacht club or restaurant on one of the cays. You can pretty much expect a buffet of authentic Bahamian food. Think things like grilled chicken, peas ‘n’ rice, coleslaw, and maybe some fresh fish. It’s simple but really tasty, and you eat at picnic tables looking out over that crazy blue water, so the view is just first-class. It’s also a nice chance to, like, chat with the other people on your tour and just relax for a minute after all the animal-filled excitement. After lunch, if the tide is right, the tour makes what might be the most beautiful stop of the whole trip: a secluded sandbar. It’s basically this strip of pure white, powdery sand that appears out of nowhere in the middle of the ocean. Stepping off the boat onto it feels like you’ve found your own private slice of paradise. The water is shallow and warm, and it’s honestly the perfect place to just wade around, look for sand dollars, and take pictures that look like they belong on a postcard. It’s just so peaceful and unbelievably pretty, a perfect little break in the action.

The Long Ride Home and Final Thoughts

After the sandbar, you eventually have to get back on the boat for the long ride back to Nassau, and you will definitely be feeling the day at this point. You’re sort of salty, sunburned (hopefully not too much!), and just a little bit tired from all the sun and fun. The powerboat ride back can feel, you know, pretty long. A lot of people just sort of zone out or even take a nap, which is totally understandable. The vibe on the boat is much quieter now, just the sound of the engines and the water. As a matter of fact, the crew often turns up the music again to keep the energy up, and they pass around drinks, which is a nice touch. Watching the sunset from the boat as you get closer to Nassau is honestly a beautiful way to cap things off. The sky just lights up with all these amazing colors. You finally pull back into the dock well after the sun has gone down, feeling completely exhausted but also, like, totally full of these incredible memories. It’s a seriously long and expensive day, no doubt about it, but you pack in so many unique experiences that you basically get a week’s worth of vacation stories in about ten hours. So, you just have to ask yourself if that kind of packed day is what you’re looking for.

Key Ideas from the Day

The tour is a full, long-day experience starting very early from Nassau and returning after sunset. The day is packed with several unique animal encounters and stunning natural sights. The powerboat ride itself is a significant part of the experience, offering amazing views of the Exuma Cays’ turquoise waters. Major stops include Allan’s Cay for iguanas, Big Major Cay for the famous swimming pigs, Compass Cay to swim with nurse sharks, and a lunch stop, often followed by a visit to a pristine sandbar if tides permit. While incredibly fun, the day can be physically tiring due to the sun, salt water, and long boat travel times.

Quick Takeaways

• Be ready for an early start: This is a very long day, so rest up the night before.
• Manage your expectations for Pig Beach: It’s super fun but can be crowded and chaotic. Listen to the guides.
• The nurse sharks are a highlight: For many, swimming with the sharks at Compass Cay is surprisingly the best part.
• The boat ride is part of the fun: Don’t just sleep; enjoy the incredible scenery of the Exuma Cays.
• Protect yourself from the sun: Bring high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as you are exposed for most of the day.
• It’s more than just pigs: You also get to see iguanas, sharks, and one of the most beautiful sandbars in the world.

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Read our full review: Exuma Swimming Pigs Tour 2025 Full Review and Details

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