Exuma Day Away – Original Swimming Pigs Excursion

The Bahamas saves its best surprises offshore. This full-day power boat trip from Nassau packs the Exumas’ biggest attractions into one ambitious outing: swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay and close encounters with nurse sharks at Compass Cay. I also like the chance to feed wild rock iguanas and see shifting sandbars, all with lunch, drinks, and a local guide included.

The main caution is the boat time. You may spend roughly five hours on the water during the eight-and-a-half-hour day, and the ride can be bumpy and windy. If you want several famous Exuma sights without arranging flights or private boats, this is a strong all-in-one choice. If you dislike long speedboat rides, it may feel like a lot of sitting for a few short stops.

The day begins at 8:00 a.m. at Montagu Beach in Nassau and returns there. The price is $438 per person, which is a serious charge, but it covers a remarkable amount: round-trip boat transportation, island stops, lunch at Black Point Yacht Club, landing fees, water, alcoholic drinks, and the main animal encounters.

Five things to know before you book

• Big Majors Cay is the headline stop: You will visit the original Exuma swimming pigs attraction, with about 45 minutes to enjoy the pigs and take photographs.
• Compass Cay offers the boldest encounter: Nurse sharks gather in shallow and deeper water, giving you a memorable but active stop.
• The speedboat ride is part of the experience: The route covers more than 200 miles according to the tour information, so expect wind, spray, and a firm seat.
• Lunch is included at Black Point Yacht Club: A Bahamian buffet gives the day a welcome taste of local cooking, not just scenery.
• Weather can change the plan: Open-ocean conditions sometimes make cancellation the sensible choice, with a new date or full refund offered.
• Pack for the water: Wear your swimsuit from the start, bring a towel and sun block, and carry an outer layer for changing weather.

Why this Exuma day trip is such a big day

The Exumas are an archipelago of 365 islands and cays spread southeast of Nassau. Their fame comes from startlingly clear water, pale sand, small settlements, unusual wildlife, and the feeling that the built world has mostly been left behind.

This tour lets you sample several parts of that setting in one day. You are not simply riding to Pig Beach, taking a photograph, and returning. The route adds iguanas, sharks, a sandbar, a local lunch, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, and a view of the Pablo Escobar sunken plane near Norman’s Cay.

That variety is the best reason to choose it. You get a broad introduction to the Exumas without booking separate excursions. The tradeoff is time. The islands are not close to Nassau, and the boat must cover a large stretch of open water before the fun stops begin.

The vessel is a power boat, not a quiet sightseeing ferry. Reviews describe the ride as fast, fun, and sometimes quite bumpy. You might enjoy the spray and music, or you might spend much of the journey holding your hat and wishing for a cushion. The operator allows music through Bluetooth, so bringing a playlist may help pass the longer stretches.

The activity allows up to 36 people. That is smaller than a large cruise ship excursion, but it does not mean a private outing. Seats can feel tight on an eight-hour day, especially when the ocean is rough. If personal space matters most, ask about a private option before paying.

From Montagu Beach to the outer cays

Pickup information is handled around your Nassau Paradise Island accommodation, but the listed meeting point is Montagu Beach. The scheduled start is 8:00 a.m., and confirmation arrives when you book.

Start the day dressed for the water. There is no changing room at the stops, so wearing your swimsuit under an outer layer is the practical move. Bring a towel, sun block, and a light jacket or cover-up. Wind on the open boat can feel surprisingly cool, even in a warm-weather destination.

The crew supplies bottled water, and alcoholic beverages are included. Lunch is also included, along with landing and facility fees. Some tour accounts describe cold drinks and snacks during the day, but you should still bring any personal food or medication you need.

The ride itself gives you the first look at the Exumas. The water color changes with depth and sand, and the views are best enjoyed from the boat because the route passes many cays that are not part of a landing. Keep your phone secure. Spray, wind, and excitement are a poor combination for loose electronics.

Great Guana Cay and its rock iguanas

The first scheduled stop is Great Guana Cay, where you visit a wildlife reserve and see Bahamian rock iguanas in their natural setting. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, and feeding the iguanas is included.

This is a quick introduction rather than a full nature walk. The animals can be shy and may remain among the rocks before coming out. That uncertainty is part of seeing wildlife in a natural place, but it also means you should not expect a guaranteed close-up encounter with every animal.

The iguanas give the tour more substance than a simple animal-photo circuit. They are native wildlife, not a staged attraction, and the stop offers a glimpse of the islands’ dry, rocky side. Listen to the guide’s instructions when feeding them, and give the animals room to move.

Because the stop is short, have your camera ready before stepping off the boat. You will not want to spend the entire 15 minutes searching through bags and phone menus.

Compass Cay and the nurse sharks

Compass Cay is often the most thrilling stop. Here, you can enter the water near nurse sharks, with shallow-water and deeper-water interactions available. The scheduled time is about 30 minutes.

Nurse sharks are generally slow-moving animals, but this is still a wild-animal encounter in open water. Pay close attention to the crew, enter only where directed, and avoid sudden handling or crowding. The guides are there to make the experience enjoyable while keeping the interaction controlled.

For many people, this becomes the emotional high point of the day. You may find the pigs more famous, but the shark encounter is more unusual and more personal. Several tour accounts praise the clear water and the chance to hold or touch nurse sharks under supervision.

The stop requires a reasonable level of comfort in the water. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age is three, but a young child’s enjoyment will depend heavily on confidence, swimming ability, and comfort around large animals.

Bring a waterproof phone case if you want pictures. You will have limited time, so decide in advance whether you want to focus on photographs or simply enjoy the encounter.

Pig Beach at Big Majors Cay

Pig Beach is the main event, and the tour visits the original swimming pig attraction at Big Majors Cay in the central Exumas. The stop lasts around 45 minutes, giving you more time here than at the iguana or shark stop.

The pigs come into the shallow water, often moving directly toward visitors who have food. That makes for memorable photographs, but it also means you should stay alert. Keep your belongings secure, follow feeding instructions, and do not assume every pig is gentle just because it is accustomed to people.

The most practical tip is to speak firmly and calmly if a pig gets too close. The animals are enthusiastic around food. A little confidence helps you avoid being pushed or surprised.

This stop can feel crowded when several people are in the water at once. Your best photographs may come early, before everyone spreads out, or from the side rather than directly behind the animals. You will also want to protect your phone from splashes and muddy noses.

The pigs are the reason many people book this excursion, and the visit delivers the recognizable Exuma experience. Still, I would not choose the tour solely for Pig Beach. The long journey makes more sense when you value the entire mix of wildlife, sand, water, and island scenery.

Sandbars, the Land and Sea Park, and a famous wreck

During the route through the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the captain selects one of the sandbars exposed by low tide. The exact sandbar changes from trip to trip, since tides and conditions determine which one is practical.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for photographs, a short walk in shallow water, and a quick look at the remarkable contrast between white sand and clear sea. It is not a long beach stay, so keep your expectations realistic.

This is also where the tour’s sightseeing side earns its place. The Exumas are not only about animals. The shifting sandbars and scattered cays show why the area is so popular with boaters and photographers.

The boat also passes the Pablo Escobar sunken plane wreck just off Norman’s Cay. You view it from the water rather than making a full stop. It is an unusual piece of modern history, though not everyone will find it worth sacrificing time at a beach or sandbar. If you would rather linger in the water, this is one of the tour’s less essential sights.

Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club

Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club breaks up the day and gives you a taste of Bahamian cooking. The meal is served buffet-style, and the food receives especially warm praise for both variety and quality.

This matters because a long boat excursion can feel like a string of rushed activities. Sitting down for a proper meal gives you time to dry off, recharge, and talk with the crew and other people on the boat. The local setting also adds a more grounded stop to a day otherwise focused on famous attractions.

Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it when booking. Do not wait until lunchtime if you have dietary needs.

The lunch stop also helps explain the price. You are paying not only for a boat ride, but for a full day of transportation, staff, access fees, water activities, food, and drinks across multiple islands.

Crew, music, and the size of the group

The crew is a major part of the experience. Specific tour accounts praise Captain Seymour, Captain Joe, Captain Cameo, and guides such as Calvin and Andrew for being friendly, lively, accommodating, and safety-minded.

That mix is important on a day this long. A cheerful captain can make a rough ride easier, while clear instructions matter at the sharks and pigs. The best experience depends on the crew managing the schedule without making every stop feel hurried.

Music is part of the atmosphere, and you may be allowed to connect your own playlist by Bluetooth. That can be a nice touch on a long ride, but keep the volume reasonable so you can hear safety instructions.

The group size deserves an honest warning. The activity lists a maximum of 36 people, and some outings may feel full, with tight seating for several hours. This is not the right choice if you expect a quiet, private boat or plenty of room to stretch out.

Is $438 a fair price?

At $438 per person, this is not a cheap day at the beach. You should compare it with the cost and effort of arranging separate transport to the Exumas, a Pig Beach visit, a shark encounter, lunch, and a guide.

The price includes round-trip transportation from Nassau Paradise Island, landing and facility fees, bottled water, lunch, alcoholic beverages, the iguana feeding, the shark encounter, Pig Beach, and water sightseeing around the cays. That package makes the cost easier to justify for a first visit when you want to see many signature sights in one day.

The weak point is the ratio of boat time to activity time. You may spend about five hours aboard the power boat, while the named stops add up to roughly two hours. The remainder includes transit, the plane viewing, lunch, and schedule changes.

I would call it fair value for an active first-time visitor who wants convenience and variety. I would call it poor value for someone who wants long, slow beach time or a relaxed day on one island. A private charter may offer more flexibility, but it will likely cost more, and a flight-based Exuma outing could reduce the time spent on the water.

Weather, comfort, and who should book

The open ocean controls this excursion. If weather turns poor or the minimum number of people is not met, the operator may cancel and offer another date or a full refund. One cancellation account describes rough conditions that made crossing unsafe, so a weather decision is not a minor inconvenience. It can prevent a genuinely unpleasant ride.

You should be comfortable with sun, salt water, wind, and a moving boat. A moderate fitness level is required, and you will need to manage boarding, swimming, and short stops without much downtime.

I think the tour suits:

• First-time visitors to Nassau who want a broad Exuma introduction
• Animal lovers interested in pigs, iguanas, and nurse sharks
• Couples celebrating a special occasion
• Families with older children who can handle a long day
• People who value seeing several famous sights in one outing

I would hesitate if you get seasick, have back trouble, dislike crowded boats, or want a slow beach day. The ride can leave you sore, and December or January may feel cold on the water when wind and weather turn cool.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so check the local weather and your plans before the deadline.

Should you book the Exuma Day Away?

Book it if you want the big Exuma sampler: pigs, nurse sharks, iguanas, sandbars, island views, lunch, and a famous wreck, all in one long day from Nassau. The crew, food, animal encounters, and beautiful water are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you want comfort and unhurried time. The boat ride is long, the seats may feel tight, and the stops move quickly. My practical advice is to book with realistic expectations, wear your swimsuit, pack a towel and sun block, bring an outer layer, and treat the boat ride as a major part of the adventure rather than a short transfer.

FAQ

Where does the Exuma Day Away tour start?

The listed meeting point is Montagu Beach in Nassau, The Bahamas. The activity begins at 8:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the excursion last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

What animals will I see?

You can see and feed Bahamian rock iguanas at Great Guana Cay, swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and visit the swimming pigs at Big Majors Cay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club is included, along with bottled water and alcoholic beverages.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sun block. Wearing your swimsuit before the tour is wise because there is no changing room. An outer layer can help during windy or changing weather.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If bad weather or an insufficient minimum number of people causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.