Exuma Powerboat Tour from Nassau with Swimming Pigs

The most interesting part of this day trip is how much Exuma you pack into one fast route. You get a wildlife-and-water itinerary that starts with the Exuma Cays and finishes with wide-open sandbar time, all run by crews like Captain Rico and Emilio who keep the pace moving.

I love the variety built into the stops. Nurse sharks up close, rock iguanas on Allen’s Cay, and the famous swimming pigs at Big Major Cay mean you are not just looking from a cruise window all day.

One thing to plan for: it is a long powerboat day, and the ride can feel choppy and windy, especially on the return. Bring sun protection, plus something warm for the boat.

Key things you’ll notice on this Exuma powerboat day

• Allen’s Cay rock iguanas in their natural setting, with time to watch closely
• Compass Cay nurse sharks viewed from the dock, with lots of photo time
• Pig Beach at Big Major Cay for paddling and swimming with pigs in shallow water
• Staniel Cay Yacht Club lunch included, a real sit-down break from the boat
• Exuma Land and Sea Park sandbar included, great for shell hunting and relaxing
• Norman’s Cay sunken plane wreck stop for quick sightseeing before you head back

Why this Exuma powerboat day feels efficient

This tour works because it is built around transit. A round-trip powerboat ride lets you hit multiple islands and landmarks in one day without losing hours to slow travel.

You can also tell the day is designed to keep you moving. Between stops, you are usually not stuck waiting around with nothing to do, and the crew keeps feeding the day with water, beer, and snacks.

If you want a one-day Exuma crash course, this format makes sense. You will trade the slow and scenic feel of a ferry for speed and variety.

Price and value: what $439 buys you

At $439 per person, this is not a budget excursion. But it is not just paying for scenery from a seat either.

Here is what is included in the tour cost:

• Lunch plus snacks
• Alcoholic beverages (beer) and bottled water
• Time at the main Exuma stops that revolve around animals, beaches, and sandbars

That matters because so many Nassau day tours charge extra for meals or skip the more hands-on parts. You are getting a full day itinerary with food onboard and a proper lunch stop on Staniel Cay.

That said, balance your expectations. One review called the lunch good but not amazing, so if you are picky, plan to enjoy the setting and the break rather than assume a gourmet meal.

Meeting at Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, then jumping into the Exuma rhythm

The tour starts at 8:30 am from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal near Paradise Beach Dr. The good news is that it ends back at the same meeting point, so you are not juggling a separate return arrangement.

What helps most is thinking of this as an all-day outing. Expect a big chunk of time on the boat, then concentrated bursts at each stop for swimming, viewing, and photos.

Also note the small group size. The maximum is 16 travelers, so you are not fighting a crowd at the dock or on the beach the way you sometimes do with larger tours.

Stop 1: Allen’s Cay and the rock iguanas you can actually see

Allen’s Cay is where the day kicks off with rock iguanas in their natural habitat. You get about an hour here, which is enough time to watch behavior, not just snap one quick photo and move on.

One nice thing about iguana stops is that they do not require gear or long instruction. You can keep it simple:

• Stay alert for where the iguanas are moving
• Bring a phone or camera you can access quickly
• Watch your footing around wildlife areas

If feeding is available during your visit, follow what the crew says and keep your hands clean after. Even when animals look calm, they are still wild.

Stop 2: Compass Cay nurse sharks from the dock

At Compass Cay Marina, the focus is nurse sharks. You spend about 30 minutes here, and the setup is designed for close viewing from the dock, with the sharks swimming around you for photo opportunities.

This is one of the stops that hits hard if you have a wildlife bucket list. Reviews highlight the chance to get hands-on, including touching and holding during the experience when conditions allow, so be ready for a real encounter rather than a distant look.

Practical tips:

• Wear swim shoes or footwear with grip if you have it, since docks and water edges can be slick.
• Keep your movements controlled and follow crew signals quickly.
• If you are worried about animal contact, you can still observe from the safer edge and watch for a slower moment.

Stop 3: Big Major Cay, Pig Beach, and the reality of swimming pigs

Pig Beach is the headline. Big Major Cay is where you paddle alongside and swim with the swimming pigs, with about 45 minutes at this stop.

Now for the real talk part. Some people leave impressed and some leave with a raised eyebrow. Pigs can be huge and bold. One review mentioned pigs nipping and being aggressive, plus pig poop on land and in the water.

So I suggest a mindset shift:

• Treat this as a wildlife interaction, not a cuddly photo op
• Expect pigs to move like they own the beach
• Do not try to outsmart them or play chase

If your priority is safety and comfort, you do not have to be in the middle of the action the whole time. You can still enjoy the scene from the edge of the water and focus on photos and calm paddling.

Also, be ready for the stop to feel chaotic for a moment. There is a lot happening at once: pigs, swimmers, photos, and people entering and leaving the water. Build in a little extra time for your own reboarding.

A key caution from a review: one person was left at Pig Beach and had to run to catch up after the boat departed. That is not a reason to avoid the tour, but it is a strong reason to be mentally on schedule and ready to return when the crew calls it.

Stop 4: Staniel Cay Yacht Club lunch break that actually changes the tone

Between the wildlife stops, Staniel Cay gives you a reset. You get about an hour for lunch at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, and lunch is included.

What makes this stop valuable is how it changes your day. After a morning built on animal encounters, you get food, a place to sit, and a breather while boats and water noises keep rolling around you.

One review praised the lunch spot as surprisingly great, and another said the lunch was nice but the food itself was not the best point of the tour. Either way, the meal works as fuel for a long afternoon.

If you have shellfish allergies, the tour notes shellfish is excluded from lunch choices due to allergies, so you should be fine if that applies to you. If you have any other dietary needs, it is worth checking in advance, since the tour includes menu-based lunch rather than a single prepackaged option.

Stop 5: Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park sandbar, where time slows down

This is where the day pays you back for the boat time. At the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, you get about an hour to relax on a sandbar and enjoy the color of the water.

Reviews repeatedly mention how stunning the sandbanks look, with green-blue water that you simply do not get in Nassau. People also bring a “walk and hunt” mindset here, checking out shells and sand dollars while they soak up sun and quiet.

What you should expect:

• You will likely spend a meaningful part of this segment out of the boat
• You can slow down and move at your own speed
• You will want reef-safe level habits and basic shoreline care

This stop is also a nice “recovery moment” if you felt tired from the morning’s water and wildlife. Even if you loved everything, you will appreciate being off the boat for a bit.

Stop 6: Norman’s Cay and the sunken plane wreck stop

The Norman’s Cay stop is shorter, about 15 minutes, and it is focused on seeing the sunken drug plane near Norman’s Cay. Reviews mention Pablo Escobar’s plane, and the emphasis seems to be on viewing the wreck rather than a full on-foot or snorkeling excursion.

So plan it as a quick sightseeing moment. You might get close looks, but do not assume you will get a long, involved activity here.

If you are a pop-culture history fan, this is a fun contrast to the wildlife stops. It adds a different kind of Exuma story without derailing the day.

On the boat: comfort, wind, bathrooms, and what “choppy” really means

This tour spends a lot of time on the water. Some reviewers describe the ride as brutal, choppy, and bumpy. That is ocean weather, not poor planning, but you should still take it seriously.

A few comfort notes that matter:

• Seats can be comfortable, but you will be exposed to wind.
• Several reviewers said bring warm clothing because it can feel chilly on the boat, even in warm weather.
• Sun is intense when the boat is moving, so pack sunblock and reapply.
• There is a bathroom on the boat, and some stops may have bathrooms available too, which helps a lot on a long day.

If you get motion sick easily, consider medication ahead of time. The boat is fast, and the water can throw you around even when the crew does everything right.

How the crew keeps the day safe and fun

The tour company Aqua Shores runs this with a smaller group, and the crew tends to work like a team. Reviews mention frequent energy, humor, and attentiveness, plus guidance on animal interactions so everyone gets time without chaos taking over.

You will notice how they manage stop timing. They aim to give people enough time for photos and water activities, while still keeping the schedule so you do not miss the next leg.

Still, your best strategy is simple: listen at each stop, then move decisively when it is time to head back.

Who should book this tour, and who should think twice

This is a great match if you:

• Want multiple Exuma icons in one day (iguanas, sharks, pigs, sandbar)
• Like active sightseeing, not slow beach hopping
• Enjoy wildlife encounters and following crew instructions closely

It is not a good fit if you:

• Are pregnant, because pregnant travelers are not permitted
• Have a condition that makes a moderate physical activity day hard, since the tour is built around swimming, paddling, and getting on and off the boat
• Hate rough boat rides, since you should expect choppy water at times

Also, if you imagined a snorkeling tour, calibrate your expectations. This itinerary is about viewing and swimming/paddling with the main attractions, and snorkeling is not part of what is listed.

Weather risk and what happens if things change

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the tour can be canceled, and you will usually be offered a different date or a full refund.

That is a good system for peace of mind. It also means you should keep your day flexible if you can, because Exuma weather can shift quickly.

If you are booking near the start of your trip, you might have more options for rebooking than if you are on a tight schedule.

Should you book Aqua Shores Exuma Powerboat with Swimming Pigs?

I think you should book this tour if you want the most “Exuma in one day” experience with a realistic mix of wildlife and water time. The variety is the selling point, and the included lunch plus onboard drinks make the long day feel manageable.

I would hesitate if you are easily bothered by rough rides, or if pig interactions sound stressful. Pig Beach is not small and gentle. It can be intense, and you need to be comfortable following safety rules around bold animals.

My practical bottom line: if you pack smart for the boat, stay alert at each reboarding moment, and treat Pig Beach as a real wildlife encounter, this is the kind of tour that can genuinely anchor your Bahamas trip.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

What time does it start, and where do we meet?

It starts at 8:30 am at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, Paradise Beach Dr, The Bahamas. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

Lunch is included, along with beer, bottled water, and snacks.

What wildlife stops are part of the day?

You will visit Allen’s Cay for rock iguanas, Compass Cay for nurse sharks, and Big Major Cay, also known as Pig Beach, for swimming pigs. There is also a stop near Norman’s Cay to view a sunken plane wreck.

Is snorkeling included?

No snorkeling is listed as part of the tour stops.

Are pregnant travelers allowed?

No. Pregnant travelers are not permitted.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 16 travelers.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to bad weather or if I cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. For cancellations by you, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.