Swimming With Pigs—and Everything Else You Should Do in the Exumas

After a day of boating through blue water and tropical islands, I didn’t think my day could get any better – until I saw smiling pigs swimming toward my boat. I sat there with my windblown hair and it hit me – this was the exact moment I had planned this trip around. Even before I got in the water to play with these unexpected Caribbean critters, that moment made it all worth it. As the pigs approached us, pedaling their little legs through the crystalline water, I realized this experience far exceeded what I expected. Few experiences can compete with swimming with pigs in the Bahamas. 

When I took my first cruise that stopped in Nassau, Bahamas, I first heard the folklore of these swimming pigs that lived on a tropical island. Obviously, I decided I had to meet them. That’s when I learned more about the geography of the Bahamas and saw that it wasn’t going to happen for me on that trip due to my cruise itinerary. I was super bummed. Technically, you can reach the pigs from Nassau, but it involves either a plane or long boat ride to the Exumas. 

I was intrigued by what awaited me at these other islands and felt it was definitely worth a visit to see these water-loving farm animals. A quick visit to see the pigs isn’t enough. If you want to swim with pigs and explore some of the less-touristy vibes in the Bahamas, book a few days in The Exumas.

The Bahamas actually consist of many islands, so the geography can be a little challenging. Many travelers are familiar with the islands of Nassau and Grand Bahama, partly because these serve as popular cruise ports. The Exumas are located southeast of those well-known locations, and that cluster consists of more than 300 islands and cays. There may not be as many flight options to get there, but it is possible to fly into Exuma International Airport (GGT), located in George Town. 

Staying in George Town gives you an additional bonus. Flying or boating in for the day to swim with the pigs doesn’t give you the full experience of these charming islands. By staying a few days, you can take a tour that gives you a full day on the water, revealing several highlights along the way. When my friends and I visited, our full-day tour with Exuma Watersports took us to several fun spots, including the famous swimming pigs. 

I was fixated on the pigs, but once we boarded the boat, I set my narrowly focused mind at ease. The cool breeze relaxed me. Maybe the free rum punch did, too. The package included drinks, snacks, and even lunch at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club. Just being on a speedboat zipping through the crystal-blue waters of the Caribbean was undeniably cool. 

Our guides were fun and pointed out interesting spots along the way, like many of the private islands that are owned by celebrities. Prior to swimming with pigs, we stopped at two other notable spots. Thunderball Grotto was one of the most unique snorkeling experiences. It felt similar to being in an open-air cave. We could see the sky through an opening, but were surrounded by stone walls. The clear water allowed us to see an array of tropical fish and it was such a surreal experience. 

Our next stop was Leaf Cay. Since we were able to see our share of marine life at the grotto, we moved on to the reptiles at this stop. Our fun-loving guide turned up the theme song for Jurassic Park as we approached, and we soon saw why. The island was full of Bahamian Rock Iguanas. This species is listed as endangered and can’t be found everywhere in the Bahamas, but these beautiful creatures were abundant here. Making a stop to see these prehistoric-looking creatures was a meaningful experience, and we really enjoyed that part as well. 

After lingering there for a bit, we then made our way to the main attraction – the swimming pigs. We were so excited to be there, and it was apparent that the pigs were, too. They started swimming toward our boat as soon as they saw us approaching. The scene before me defied all I thought I knew. I had grown up thinking that pigs were animals that lived on a farm, but these pigs were living their best lives on their own tropical island. They seemed so blissfully happy, and as we drifted toward shore, their anticipation grew even more. 

Once we jumped in, they came right up to us. I’m sure they were happy to have company, but perhaps it brought even more joy that we also had one of their favorite treats. A stash of carrots was included in our package, too, and we made friends with the pigs quickly. We splashed, played, fed them by hand, took selfies together, and walked the shoreline with the little piglets. One particularly flashy swine was a show-off.  I literally saw this pig stand on two feet while dancing for a treat. It was an exceptional experience and although I’ve seen and done a lot in the Caribbean, I don’t think anything can compare to swimming with the pigs.

After some memorable moments with the swimming pigs, we boarded our boat and set forth on another swimming experience – this time, with sharks. While sharks are far more common in the water than pigs, it’s still not every day that you get to swim with them. Once we arrived at Compass Cay, I was surprised to find just how many sharks were there. 

I know that swimming with sharks can sound a little intimidating at first. The sharks that hang out dockside at this spot are docile nurse sharks, though. They seemed to welcome us as the pigs did, and we jumped in for a swim. At one point, I looked around and saw that I was entirely surrounded by these majestic creatures. It was a fun addition to the excursion, and we then headed over to the yacht club. We reminisced about our eventful day over a nice meal, and then stopped at a serene sandbar to lounge around for a bit before heading back. 

PRO TIP: Since swimming with the pigs in the Bahamas is likely your main reason for visiting, book your tour for your first full day there – especially if you are there for only a few days. I’m so glad I did this because there was some wind and rain forecast for the day I had originally booked. Out of safety precautions, our boat operator decided to cancel that day’s tour. Since we had an additional day to spare, we were able to easily move it to our second day. Having that back up day was so helpful. 

Although you technically can come over for a day from Nassau and swim with the pigs, there’s plenty more to do in the Exumas. By booking a long weekend in George Town, you have time to enjoy some other things while visiting this Caribbean paradise. 

A quick boat ride will take you to this little island where there’s a fun beach club. You can sip pina coladas while lounging on a hammock by the ocean’s edge, but there’s also a swing in the water, paddleboards, and more to keep you busy. 

You may also hear some of the locals call this Turtle Beach, and for good reason. This secluded stretch of coastline is such a peaceful retreat. The day my friends and I visited, we only saw two other people on the beach. We actually saw more sea turtles swimming in the water than we did people. 

This is actually a few small restaurants that are clustered together. The locals love this spot, too, and it has a very casual and authentic feel to it. If you happen to visit on the weekends, you’ll often find a DJ or live music. 

When my friends and I visited, we opted to stay at Peace & Plenty Resort in George Town. We didn’t have a car, so this location really worked well with the itinerary we had built for our long weekend. Our room was located at the hotel on the mainland, but they also have private cottages available on nearby Stocking Island. Our room was spacious enough for three girls and had huge glass doors that opened up to the pool deck and overlooked the ocean.

Even better, we still had easy access to Stocking Island. Since we were staying at the resort, we were able to enjoy free ferry rides. The beach club has a playful, yet laid-back vibe, and we had a great time there, too. Although we came for the swimming pigs, we were determined to make the most of our time in the Exumas. Spending a few days in George Town made that possible, and it was the perfect girls’ trip.