Nassau: Discover Exuma Island Hopping and Swimming Pigs Tour

Exuma island hopping from Nassau is the kind of day that feels like several trips in one. In about 8 hours, you bounce between different cays for wildlife encounters, ocean swims, snorkeling, and beach time, all run from a high speed boat.

I love how the plan keeps moving without feeling rushed, and you get variety you would not normally stitch together on your own. Two standouts for me are the chance to see Exuma’s rare rock iguanas on Allen’s Cay and the photo-friendly chaos of swimming and feeding the pigs at Big Major’s Cay.

One consideration: this is a shared, packed day, and beach time can feel a bit short if you were hoping for hours of nothing but sand. Also, the tour is not a fit for everyone due to water time and mobility restrictions.

Quick hits before you go

• Allen’s Cay rock iguanas: a lizard species found only on three small islands in Exuma
• Compass Cay nurse sharks: a guided swim under the docks where sharks hang out
• Big Major’s Cay swimming pigs: feed and get in the water with pigs made famous by TV and social media
• Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane: snorkel a wreck off Norman’s Cay, linked to the late 1970s era of drug smuggling activity
• Lunch plus drinks included: buffet lunch, local beer, sodas, bottled water, and light snacks
• Group size up to 24: shared tour, and the captain can adjust the order for conditions

Exuma island hopping from Paradise Island, and why it works as a full day

This tour is interesting because Exuma does not do one thing well, it does many things well in a small area. In one day you can shift from reptiles on land to sharks under docks, then to pigs in shallow water, then to snorkeling over a dramatic plane wreck, and finally to a calmer sand-and-swim finish.

What makes it click is the pacing. You spend meaningful chunks at each stop, but you still keep the momentum of island hopping. That means you get more “wow” moments per hour than you would with a slower ferry plus multiple separate bookings.

The flip side is that you are trading long beach lounging for a full schedule. If your dream day is 4 to 5 hours of uninterrupted sand, you may feel the day is busy. If your dream day is seeing several iconic Exuma moments, you will probably love how efficiently it’s put together.

Where you meet in Nassau and how the boat day is set up

You check in at the Born Free Charters desk at Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island. The meeting point matters because the whole day is built around getting you out on the water quickly.

A few practical things to know up front:

• This is a shared tour, up to 24 guests.
• Transportation to the check-in location is not included.
• The captain can change the order of stops, depending on conditions.

The ride itself is on a high speed power boat. That is great for getting to Exuma quickly, but it also means you should expect a fast, boat-day feel. If you are sensitive to motion or you do not like being on the water for long stretches, this is one you should think through before booking.

You also do not need to pack snorkeling gear. Snorkel gear is included, along with landing fees and food for the pigs, so the money and hassle stay low once you arrive.

Allen’s Cay: the rare rock iguanas you cannot see anywhere else

Allen’s Cay is the first wildlife stop, with a shorter on-island window to keep the day moving. Here you interact with Bahamian Rock Iguanas, a species that lives only on three small islands in Exuma. That narrow range is the point. You are not just spotting another lizard, you are seeing one of the most location-specific animals in the Bahamas.

The experience is described as an interaction, so you are not just looking from far away. In practice, that means you’ll be close enough to appreciate the animals and learn how they live on this small island. Because the stop is wildlife focused, expect a slower rhythm than the boat segments.

Possible drawback: since the stop is limited to about 25 minutes, it is not the place for a long, deep birding-style amble. If you really want extended animal time, you may wish you had more, but you do get multiple other highlights later.

Compass Cay nurse sharks under the docks: what it’s like and who it suits

Next the tour heads to Compass Cay, where the marine life viewing centers on nurse sharks. These are not shy in this spot, and they often hang out under docks at Compass Cay Marina. Your swim is guided, and you get a set time block to be in the water.

This is one of those experiences that feels both thrilling and practical. You get the thrill because it’s a shark encounter in open water, but it also feels grounded because nurse sharks are typically calm compared with the fear stories people bring to the idea.

What to consider:

• This is still a water activity, so you need to be comfortable swimming.
• The time on this stop is scheduled (about 35 minutes for marine viewing), so you are there to do the swim experience, not to leisurely lounge.

If you like animals but also like structure and safety guidance, this stop is a strong match. If you hate surprises and you want zero “water time,” you should probably skip the tour.

Big Major’s Cay swimming pigs: feeding, photos, and the real fun

Then you hit the stop that most people talk about first: Big Major’s Cay, home to the famous swimming pigs. You’ll have time to feed and swim with the pigs, plus there’s plenty of photo time because this is one of those scenes people never get bored of.

Why this stop is worth the hype: the pigs are not just a staged photo moment. You get to be in the water with them, and the feeding interaction makes it feel personal instead of distant.

Timing here is generous enough to matter. You get about 40 minutes at the pig beach area, which is important because pigs are quick to steal the show and slow enough for you to get a feel for the interaction. If your goal is to swim with them and not just see them from the edge, this time window is a good sign.

One consideration: with a shared tour, you may not have the whole cove to yourself. The experience is still fun, but your photo angles and movement will depend on how many people are in the water at once.

Lunch at an Exuma restaurant: what’s included and how it keeps the day enjoyable

After the pigs, you ride over for lunch. This part of the day is not an afterthought. You get a buffet lunch, plus drinks: local beer, sodas, and bottled water. Light snacks are included too, which helps because you are burning energy all day, with multiple swim and snorkel periods.

If you’ve done boat tours before, you know the risk: lunch can be a rushed sandwich with no real rhythm. Here, the lunch time is about an hour, which gives you enough space to eat, reset your camera batteries, and decide whether you want to keep your salty swim scent in check with a quick rinse if the setup allows it.

Food and beverages being included also makes the overall day feel more “complete,” especially at a premium per-person price. You are not hit with surprise costs for basic needs.

Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane wreck: snorkeling a story made of metal and coral

Snorkeling is the next big moment, at a plane wreck famously known as Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane, located just off Norman’s Cay. The plane crashed here in the late 1970s, and it is tied to the period when Pablo Escobar controlled Norman’s Cay and used it as a base and refueling point for planes moving cocaine from Mexico to the U.S.

Even if you are not into the criminal history angle, the wreck is a compelling snorkeling target. A plane creates a clear structure underwater, and that means you often get a more interesting snorkel path than on flat sandy bottoms.

You get about 30 minutes for the snorkeling itself, with snorkel gear included. That’s enough time to find your comfort zone in the water, look around, and enjoy the wreck without feeling like you missed the whole thing.

One thing to keep expectations realistic: wreck snorkeling is about scanning and exploring, not about spending an hour drifting in one spot. Plan to move, look, and keep the rhythm your guide sets.

Final swim and beach time on Exuma: sand, photos, and a chance to slow down

The last part of the day is a beautiful sandbar or beach stop for swimming, sunbathing, and more photos. Your time here is about 30 minutes, and then you head back to Nassau on the boat.

This is where expectations can make or break your enjoyment. One review note suggested an improvement for beach time, maybe a more isolated sandbar. That lines up with what many people hope for at the end of a packed wildlife-heavy day, a place that feels quiet and slow.

So here’s the fair way to think about it: you will get a scenic ending and a chance to cool off in clear water, but you should not plan on the beach being your main activity. This tour is built for variety, not for long beach lounging.

If you want the best of both worlds, do your photo and swim first, then try to soak in a little sun after you’ve burned off the excitement.

Price and value: what $489 gets you, and what you’ll still pay

At $489 per person for an 8-hour Nassau to Exuma adventure, this is not a budget trip. The value case is mostly about what’s included.

Here’s what you get that saves money and reduces planning stress:

• Snorkel gear included
• Landing fees included
• Buffet lunch included
• Local beer, sodas, and bottled water included
• Light snacks included
• Food for the pigs included

What you still need to budget for:

• Crew gratuity, left to your discretion
• Transportation to the check-in location is not included

If you compare to the cost of piecing together separate boat, snorkeling gear rental, and paid animal encounters, the “all-in-one” structure becomes the point. You are paying for time, access, and coordination, not just a ride.

Who should book, and who should skip this Nassau to Exuma day

This tour is best if you want a packed day with multiple iconic Exuma experiences. It is also a good fit if you like guided activities, clear pacing, and wildlife you can actually interact with during short, well-timed stops.

It is not suitable for:

• Children under 2 years
• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with mobility impairments
• Wheelchair users
• People with heart problems
• Cruise ship guests

It also has “not allowed” rules that matter for families and accessibility planning:

• No baby strollers
• No baby carriages
• No electric wheelchairs

If you’re fit, comfortable in and around the water, and excited by a schedule that moves, you’ll likely feel this tour is a strong use of time. If your needs require slow, easy pacing, or you cannot handle the physical demands of boat travel and water activities, this one may feel like the wrong choice.

What to bring, and the small rules that keep the day smooth

Packing is simple. Bring:

• Towel
• Sunscreen

And keep in mind:

• You are joining a shared tour, so you’ll want to be ready to listen, follow guide direction, and move at the pace of the group.
• The tour includes snorkel gear, so you do not need to bring that.

Also, the order can change based on the captain’s decisions. That flexibility is useful because water conditions and timing sometimes matter, and you get a plan that adjusts in real time.

Should you book the Nassau to Exuma island hopping and swimming pigs tour?

Book it if you want a single day that hits several Exuma icons back-to-back, including rare rock iguanas, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and the must-do swimming pigs at Big Major’s Cay. I also think it’s a strong match if you like structure and you value getting multiple experiences without juggling separate vendors.

Skip it if you’re chasing the longest beach day possible, or if accessibility needs, health concerns, or mobility limitations make boat and water time difficult. This is a real activity day, not a sit-and-watch cruise.

If you like your travel days with variety, you’ll probably walk away feeling like you got your money’s worth in experiences, not just transportation.

FAQ

How long is the Exuma island hopping and swimming pigs tour?

The tour duration is 8 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour on Paradise Island?

Meet at the Born Free Charters desk at Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island.

What’s included in the price?

Included are a buffet lunch at a restaurant, local beer, sodas, bottled water, light snacks, snorkel gear, landing fees, and food for the pigs.

What snorkeling and water activities are included?

You get snorkeling at Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane wreck. You also swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay and swim with and feed the pigs at Big Major’s Cay.

What should I bring, and what can’t I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. Baby strollers, baby carriages, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

Is it a shared tour, and is gratuity included?

Yes, it is a shared tour with up to 24 guests. Crew gratuity is not included and is left to your discretion.