Exuma Day Away – Original Swimming Pigs Excursion

The Exumas are the kind of place that makes your phone camera look slow. This day trip rolls up swimming pigs, nurse sharks, rock iguanas, and nonstop Exuma Cay views into one powerboat outing. I especially like how the day mixes “hands-on” animal moments with the simple thrill of cruising the cays by boat, but you should know it is a long, bumpy day at speedboat pace.

I also like that lunch and the key site fees are wrapped in, so you are not piecing the day together on the fly. You get a local guide, bottled water, and a buffet-style lunch at Black Point Yacht Club, plus alcoholic beverages are included. The main drawback is time pressure at each stop, and weather can be a factor because this is open-water riding.

If you want a single day that feels like you saw a lot of Exuma without changing hotels, this is a strong fit. It runs about 8 hours 30 minutes, starts at 8:00am from Montagu Beach, and uses a mobile ticket. Just plan your body and packing for wind, sun, and limited time in and out of the water.

Key tour highlights worth your attention

• Original swimming pigs at Big Major Cay (Pig Beach), the classic stop people plan Exuma around
• Nurse shark interaction at Compass Cay, with both shallow and deeper water options
• Rock iguana viewing at Great Guana Cay, including rock iguana feeding
• Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park sandbars at low tide, and the captain chooses which sandbar you get
• Unforgettable sightseeing by boat, including an off-ship look at the sunken plane wreck near Norman’s Cay
• Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club, with bottled water and snacks included, plus alcohol for adults

Why the Exumas feel like a different planet from Nassau

Most Bahamas trips from Nassau are either beachy and easy, or they focus on one island. This one does a smart third thing: it treats the Exumas like a moving viewpoint. You cruise off Nassau, hop across cays, then spend your day on the water looking at that surreal patchwork of sand, shallow flats, and deep blue.

And yes, the animal stops are the reason most people book. But the real bonus is that the tour does not just drop you on a beach and leave you there. You get multiple “scenes” in a single day, which is exactly what first-timers tend to want.

Price and what you actually get for $438

At $438 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The value comes from what the day includes: round-trip transport from the Nassau Paradise Island area, lunch, bottled water, facility and landing fees, rock iguana feeding, and the pig and shark encounters. It also includes a water sightseeing tour through and around the Exuma Cays, which matters because the Exumas are spread out.

So you are paying for three things at once:

• Access to the specific animal experiences at set locations
• Time-saving logistics, since it is one organized day instead of DIY boats and schedules
• A full day’s operation, with a crew and boat that handle travel and safety

If you are the type who wants long free time on one perfect beach, you may feel the price is high because each stop is timed. If you want variety and a packed itinerary, the cost starts to make more sense.

Meeting at Montagu Beach and how the day really runs

The tour meets at Montagu Beach, Nassau and starts at 8:00am. It ends back at the meeting point, and you will use a mobile ticket.

This is also a powerboat day, which changes the vibe. Expect wind and waves, and plan for the fact that seat comfort is not the main event. One review described the seats as tight for an 8-hour trip, and another noted cold weather in December and January, so I would not treat warm-air packing as automatic.

Practical tip that matters: bring outer layers even if the forecast looks sunny. High winds can make you feel colder than you expect once you are underway.

Great Guana Cay: rock iguanas, feeding, and a quick nature stop

Great Guana Cay is your first wildlife hit, and it is short, around 15 minutes. The goal is to visit a wildlife reserve area and observe reptilian rock iguanas in their natural habitat. The timing is tight, so the best strategy is to be ready the moment you step off, not waiting to play catch-up.

You should also know these animals can be shy. That means the time you do have is best spent calmly watching and letting them come to you. If you want photos, keep your movements slow and your lens steady.

The nice part of this stop is that it is not only “look from a distance.” It includes rock iguana feeding, which gives you a more interactive sense of the animals and how they behave when people are present.

Compass Cay: nurse shark interaction in open water

Compass Cay is the stop built for true animal lovers, and it runs about 30 minutes. This is where you do a shark interaction in open water, and the experience includes the option for shallow and deeper water interactions.

This is one of those moments where following the crew’s instructions matters more than nerves. The reviews I saw praised the staff for keeping things organized and safety-minded, and one person specifically talked about interacting confidently around the pigs, which is a similar theme with the animal encounters: listen first, then act calmly.

If you are worried about getting uncomfortable in the water, this is the moment to decide if you are truly game. The upside is that people describe it as a standout highlight, especially when they get to see nurse sharks up close in clear water.

Pig Beach on Big Major Cay: the swimming pigs moment

Your main event is Pig Beach at Big Major Cay in the central Exumas, and this stop runs about 45 minutes. This is described as the original swimming pigs attraction, and it is the reason many people book the whole day.

What I like about the way this is handled is the structure: you get a defined window, you get a guide-led setup, and you get enough time to relax into the moment instead of feeling rushed off a dock. But it is still timed, so you should come ready to be in swimsuit mode and ready to move.

One practical tip from the experience style here: you do not want to treat it like a frantic photo shoot. There was advice to interact with pigs with calm confidence, and that tracks with how most animal-based encounters go. Let the crew guide the pace, and your pictures will improve because you will stay present.

Also, the tour note says towels are not included. That is not a small detail. Pack a towel or you will end the day damp and annoyed.

Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park: shifting sandbars at low tide

Next up is Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park for about 20 minutes. The star here is the shifting sandbars that appear at low tide. The captain picks a sandbar during transit, so the exact view can vary from day to day.

This stop is worth it even if you are not snorkeling obsessively. It is a chance to see Exuma in a different way, from the water level where those sandbars and shallow edges look almost unreal. It is also a good reset between animal stops, because it leans visual instead of hands-on.

If you love photos of water textures, this is a moment to keep your camera ready and your body settled.

The sunken plane wreck near Norman’s Cay: Pablo Escobar’s airplane

You also get a view of the world-famous sunken plane wreck just off Norman’s Cay. The itinerary does not list a fixed minute count for the plane wreck moment, but it is a recognized sight pulled into the day.

Why it can be worth your time: it adds a storyline to the geography. Exuma is famous for natural scenes, but this gives you a pop of pop-culture intrigue tied to the water and the wreck’s location offshore.

One caveat: if you are the type who would rather skip extra stops and spend more time on a single beach, you might feel this is a tradeoff. Still, it is included in the flow of the day, and you will get to see it from the boat without having to do a separate outing.

Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club, snacks, drinks, and timing

Lunch is included at Black Point Yacht Club, and it is described as a “delicious lunch” with a buffet-style feel. Reviewers praised the lunch, including the chance to taste home-made Bahamian food, and they also highlighted the overall variety and quality.

The tour also includes bottled water plus snacks, and adults get alcoholic beverages included. That is a thoughtful touch on a long day where you will be in and out of sun and salt water.

Timing is the only thing to watch. This is not a sit-down, slow lunch. It is a break in a day that is built around set windows at each stop, so try to eat like you mean it, then get back in the sun ready to go.

Comfort and packing: swimsuit now, towel and sunblock forever

If you take only one packing lesson from this kind of tour, make it this: bring towels and sunblock. The notes explicitly say towels are not included, and reviews reinforce the reality that the day is outdoors with limited time to change and reset.

Even better: consider wearing your swimsuit under your clothes before you arrive. One review noted there is no changing room, so you will want to minimize how much you rely on changing on site.

Now the other big comfort factor is weather and wind. Reviews mention high winds and changing conditions on the speedboat, plus that cold weather can make the day less pleasant in winter months. That is why I recommend outer layers even if you are planning for sunshine.

Also, plan for the ride itself. People described the boat as fast but also bumpy, with some soreness the next day. If you are sensitive to rough water, bring a little extra patience and keep your posture stable during travel.

The big tradeoff: long boat hours versus big variety

This tour lasts about 8 hours 30 minutes. You are on the boat a lot, and the day is built around multiple stops plus travel time between the cays. Some people love that structure because it gives them a full sampler platter of Exuma sights and animal encounters.

But others felt the balance was off, with too much time “bouncing” on the boat and not enough time at a preferred beach scene. One review even summed it up as more fun than boat time, and another noted several rides felt long with about an hour to an hour and a half each.

My advice is simple: decide what you came for.

• If you came for pigs, sharks, and iguanas, you will likely feel the day is worth it.
• If you came for slow beach time, you might wish the itinerary gave more breathing room.

Who should book this Exuma Day Away and who should think twice

This is best for:

• First-time visitors to the Exumas who want a lot in one day
• Animal lovers who want hands-on encounters with swimming pigs and nurse sharks
• People who are comfortable in open water and can follow safety instructions
• Families and couples, as long as kids are with an adult (minimum age is 3 years)

It may be less ideal if:

• You hate rough water or long speedboat rides
• You want longer stretches at one beach instead of timed stops
• You strongly prefer smaller groups, since the tour has a maximum of 36 travelers

One helpful note: there is a private option available if you want a more intimate experience, and that can solve the “large group” feeling.

Also, alcohol is included for adults, with a minimum drinking age of 18. If that does not matter to you, you still get lunch and water, so the value does not depend on drinking.

Should you book this tour?

If you want one day that hits the classic Exuma checklist in a single outing, I think this is a smart booking. The strongest reasons to say yes are the swimming pigs at Pig Beach, the nurse shark interaction at Compass Cay, and the fact that the day also gives you meaningful scenery like Exuma sandbars and a sunken plane view.

I would only hesitate if you know you cannot handle speedboat bumps, you are planning winter travel when it can feel cold and windy, or you are hoping for lots of free time on a single beach. If that is you, look for a version with a slower pace or more flexibility.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Montagu Beach, Nassau, The Bahamas.

What time does the tour begin?

It starts at 8:00am.

How long is the excursion?

The duration is about 8 hours 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included at Black Point Yacht Club.

What animal experiences are included?

You get rock iguana feeding, swimming with pigs at Big Major Cay (Pig Beach), and a swim with sharks at Compass Cay.

What is not included?

Towels are not included. The tour notes also say to bring towels and sunscreen.

Is a vegetarian option available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you advise at booking.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

Who can go?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum age is 3 years.

What’s the cancellation rule if weather ruins the plan?

The tour can be canceled due to weather. It offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and if it is canceled due to poor weather you will be offered another date or a full refund.