From Nassau: Exuma Powerboat Tour and Pig Beach with Lunch

Pig Beach is only part of the story. This full-day boat trip from Nassau brings you to Allen’s Cay for rock iguanas, Compass Cay for nurse sharks, and Big Major Cay for the famous swimming pigs. I like the range of the day: you get wildlife, open-water cruising, beaches, lunch, and time to relax rather than one quick photo stop.

I also like that the tour includes snacks, bottled water, soda, and beer, which matters on an eight-hour boat outing. The main consideration is the $515 price, plus the fact that you must reach Paradise Island Ferry Terminal yourself. The ride can also be a poor fit for anyone with back problems, pregnant women, and children under two.

Key points before you book

• Three very different animal stops: Feed native rock iguanas at Allen’s Cay, wade among nurse sharks at Compass Cay, then meet the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay.
• Eight hours on the water: The long day gives you time for Exuma’s islands, beaches, lunch, and a sandbar stop, but it requires comfort with a full boat schedule.
• The meeting point is easy to identify: Check in at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal and look for the boat marked Aquashores.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Snacks, bottled water, soda, and beer are provided, while hotel pickup and drop-off are not.
• The final beach stop depends on the tide: You may spend time on a beautiful sandbar or an idyllic beach.
• The tour is highly praised but lightly documented: The recorded score is 5 out of 5 from one verified booking, with the simple verdict that the guest loved everything.

Leaving Nassau for the Exuma Cays

Your day begins at the Ferry Terminal on Paradise Island in Nassau. You will need to make your own way there, check in, and find the boat marked Aquashores. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow enough time to reach the terminal without rushing.

Once aboard the guided powerboat, the Nassau coastline gives way to open water. The appeal here is not just getting from one island to another. The boat ride lets you watch the Exuma Cays appear in pieces: white sand, low green islands, bright water, and long stretches of sea where the sound of the waves takes over.

The exact starting time depends on availability, but the total outing lasts about eight hours. That makes this more than a quick excursion to Pig Beach. You are signing up for a full day outside, with several stops and a substantial amount of time spent cruising.

I would bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a way to protect your phone. A passport or ID card and a credit card are also listed among the items to bring. Bottled water and snacks are supplied, along with soda and beer, but you should still arrive prepared for sun and saltwater.

Allen’s Cay and the rock iguanas

The first stop is Allen’s Cay, where you step onto the beach and meet the native rock iguanas. These animals often warm themselves near the shore, making this a close and memorable introduction to the wildlife of Exuma.

The feeding element gives the stop a clear purpose. You are not simply looking across the water and hoping to spot an animal. You have the chance to watch the iguanas move near the beach and respond as food is offered.

This is also a good first pause after leaving Nassau. You can get your bearings, feel the sand under your feet, and enjoy the sound of the waves before the day’s swimming stops begin. The beach setting keeps the experience relaxed, even though the schedule still has several stops ahead.

I would keep your movements calm around the iguanas and follow the guide’s instructions. The tour description says you can feed them, but it does not list the type or amount of food provided. Do not assume you should bring your own food.

Cruising through the Exuma islands

After Allen’s Cay, the boat continues through the Exuma Cays toward Compass Cay. This stretch is one of the tour’s quiet rewards. The activity is not always about an animal encounter or a formal stop. Sometimes it is simply the view from the water.

You will pass picturesque coastlines, white sandy beaches, and clear turquoise water. The changing scenery gives the boat ride real value, especially if you enjoy island geography and wide views more than crowded attractions.

A powerboat also helps connect several places in one day. Reaching Exuma from Nassau, then visiting Allen’s Cay, Compass Cay, and Big Major Cay, would be difficult to arrange as separate stops on your own. The tradeoff is that the day stays active. You should not expect a slow beach holiday with hours in one place.

The peaceful rise and fall of the waves may be part of the charm, but the open-water ride is still a major part of the experience. If you are prone to discomfort on boats, take that seriously when deciding. The information provided does not specify the boat’s size, seating arrangement, or sea conditions.

Swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay

Compass Cay brings a different kind of wildlife encounter. Here, you wade into the water among friendly nurse sharks. The setting is unusual: rather than viewing sharks from behind glass or from a boat, you enter their shallow-water environment.

Nurse sharks are known for their generally calm nature, but you should still treat this as a real animal encounter. Listen closely to the English-speaking guide, move as instructed, and avoid turning the stop into a free-for-all around the animals.

The stop may be exciting for strong swimmers, yet it is worth considering your own comfort before booking. The provided details do not state how deep the water is, how long you remain there, or whether flotation equipment is available. If you are not confident in the water, ask the operator about those details before paying.

This stop also gives the day a good rhythm. Allen’s Cay is a land-based wildlife visit, the cruise offers changing views, and Compass Cay puts you directly into the sea. Each stop feels different rather than like three versions of the same beach visit.

Meeting the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay

The main attraction is Pig Beach on Big Major Cay. The pigs here are famous for swimming in the surrounding water and living among the sand and sun of a Bahamian island.

The appeal is easy to understand. You get a close look at animals that are comfortable around the shore, and the setting is far more memorable than an ordinary farm visit. Seeing a pig paddle through clear island water is the sort of odd, cheerful scene you will remember long after the boat ride ends.

Still, you should keep expectations sensible. These are animals, not trained performers. Their behavior can change, and the description does not promise that every pig will swim up to you or pose for a perfect photograph. Follow the guide’s directions and give the animals room.

Pig Beach is also one of the reasons the price is high. You are not paying only for a short stop at Big Major Cay. The cost covers a guided powerboat day from Nassau to Exuma, several stops, drinks and snacks, lunch, and the return trip. At $515 per person, the value depends on how much you want all those pieces together.

If the pigs are your only goal, the price may feel steep. If you want a full day that combines Pig Beach with iguanas, sharks, island views, lunch, and a sandbar, the package makes more sense.

Lunch, sand, and a change of pace

After Pig Beach, the day moves toward food and rest. A hot lunch is served at a local restaurant, giving you a proper break after the boat rides and water stops.

The meal is included, but no menu is provided. I would treat it as a welcome practical feature rather than book the tour for a specific dish. The included lunch means you do not need to arrange another meal during an already packed day.

The final outdoor stop depends on the tide. You may spend time on a beautiful sandbar or an idyllic beach. This detail matters because the setting can change with the water level. A sandbar offers a particularly bright, open place to sit in the sun, while a beach may provide a more familiar stretch of sand.

This is your chance to slow down. After three wildlife-focused stops, the sandbar or beach gives you time to swim, lie in the sun, and enjoy the water without needing to hurry toward the next animal encounter.

Bring a towel and swimwear for this part of the day, even if you have already used them earlier. The information does not specify changing facilities, so I would wear practical clothing from the start and keep dry items protected.

What the $515 cost really covers

At $515 per person, this is a premium excursion. The price is easier to justify if you value convenience and variety. One guided outing links Nassau with several Exuma locations that are spread across the cays, and the tour handles the boat transportation between them.

The inclusions help:

• Guided powerboat trip
• Snacks on board
• Bottled water
• Soda and beer
• Hot lunch at a local restaurant
• Stops at Allen’s Cay, Compass Cay, Big Major Cay, and a sandbar or beach

You still need to pay for your own route to Paradise Island Ferry Terminal. The tour also does not list personal purchases, extra meals, or other optional costs, so keep your credit card handy as requested.

I would compare this with the cost of arranging separate boat transport, meals, and visits to the three wildlife areas. The tour may offer good value for someone who wants the whole Exuma day organized. It offers less value to someone who wants a quiet beach day or has little interest in iguanas and nurse sharks.

The available rating is a perfect 5 out of 5 from one verified booking, with the guest saying they loved everything. That is a strong sign of satisfaction, but it is based on a very small amount of feedback. I would treat it as encouraging rather than as proof that every departure will feel identical.

Who will enjoy this day most

I think this tour suits you best if you want a big, active day on the water and like the idea of several distinct experiences in one outing. Families with older children may enjoy the mix of animals and swimming, although children under two cannot join.

It is also a good match for people who do not want to plan several boat connections themselves. You meet at one terminal, board a guided powerboat, and follow a clear route through the Exuma Cays before returning to Nassau.

The tour is less suitable if you have back problems or are pregnant. The listing also does not provide details about boat seating, water depth, or group size, so anyone with mobility or medical concerns should ask Aqua Shores Luxury Powerboat Tours before booking.

You should also be comfortable with a long day that includes boat travel, beach walks, swimming, sun, and changing conditions at the final stop. The tide decides whether that last break is on a sandbar or a beach, and the open-water ride is central to the experience.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Arrive at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal with your identification, credit card, towel, and swimwear ready. Look for Aquashores, the name printed on the boat.

Keep your phone in a waterproof case or sealed bag. The tour includes striking animal and beach encounters, but saltwater and wet hands are not kind to electronics.

Use the included water and snacks wisely. An eight-hour outing with sun, swimming, and boat travel can wear you down, even when lunch is included. Soda and beer are available, but water should be your main drink during the day.

Follow the guide’s instructions around the iguanas and nurse sharks. The English-language guide is there to help you understand how to approach the animals and move safely through each stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility while your Nassau plans take shape. Check the available starting times before you commit, since the tour lasts a full eight hours.

Should you book the Exuma Pig Beach tour?

Book it if you want more than a single Pig Beach photo stop. The combination of Allen’s Cay, Compass Cay, Big Major Cay, lunch, island views, and time on a sandbar or beach gives you a full picture of the Exuma day.

Think twice if $515 feels uncomfortable, if you dislike long boat rides, or if your main goal is simply to sit on a beach. The tour is active, and the price makes the most sense when you plan to use every part of it.

For an animal-loving visitor who wants to see several sides of Exuma without arranging separate transport, I think this is a strong choice. Just arrive ready for sun, water, and a full schedule, and remember that the pigs, iguanas, sharks, and tide all have their own plans.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Nassau?

You meet and check in at Ferry Terminal Paradise Island Nassau N.P. Look for the boat marked Aquashores.

How long does the Exuma powerboat tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including the boat trip from Nassau, the island stops, lunch, beach or sandbar time, and the return journey.

What animals will I see?

You can feed native rock iguanas at Allen’s Cay, swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and meet the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A hot lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Are drinks and snacks provided?

Yes. The tour includes snacks on board, bottled water, soda, and beer.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal in Nassau.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and a credit card. The tour information also recommends arriving prepared for a full day around water and sun.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.