Swimming with the Pigs
Have you ever been swimming with pigs? This is definitely a unique experience that you can have in the Bahamas! We love the Bahamas for many reasons and this is another one of them. The pigs have their own island that is not shared with people, but frequented by boats!
Where to swim with pigs in the Bahamas
The Exumas are a chain of about 365 tiny islands in the Bahamas. These islands are mostly uninhabited. You may be more likely to see Iguanas than people. One such island is Big Major Cay. Big Major Cay is about 82 miles south east of Nassau. It is accessible only by boat, but there are some options to get there. You can rent your own boat, either sail or speed, and navigate your own way over. Or you can join an excursion that will take you to the island and maybe even a few other key spots to make a day trip. However you get there, swimming with the pigs is an experience you do not want to miss.
How did the pigs get there?
How the pigs came onto the island is under some debate. There are tales that they washed ashore after an old pirate ship was overturned in a storm long ago. The most recent origin story is a two individuals decided to start a pig farm on one of the islands, but soon found it was too difficult and left the pigs. These pigs were once wild and foraged for food and water through the island. With the popularity of the experience of swimming with the pigs, they tend to wait for people now.
When should you swim with the pigs?
The pigs will be hungriest in the morning and swim out to meet the boats. They will follow you around on the beaches if you have food with you, so if you wish to be left alone then do not carry food! They tend to get quite a few visitors during the day, so by the afternoon they lay more on the beaches. There have been some issues with the health of the pigs due to sand ingestion, so try to feed them in the water to reduce it!
Have you gone swimming with the pigs? What other activities have you done in the Bahamas? Leave us a comment and tell us about your trip! Or comment on on our Facebook Page!