Exuma Cays: Swimming Pigs, Nurse Sharks & Iguanas Day Trip

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/12

Duration8h

GroupUp to 25

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Swim with Exuma’s famous pigs, nurse sharks and iguanas on a full day boat trip from Nassau

You’ll hop between Exuma islands by powerboat from Nassau—feeding iguanas, swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, then meeting those famous swimming pigs at Big Major’s Cay. Snorkel over a sunken plane wreck and relax on a sandbar before heading back. It’s loud and lively one minute, peaceful the next—you might find yourself grinning for no reason at all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Exuma Island Hopping and Swimming Pigs

Visit Bahamian Rock Iguanas island
Swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay
Enjoy Bahamian buffet lunch
Feed and swim with pigs at Big Major’s Cay
Snorkel at Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane
Relax at sandbar or beach

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the color—Exuma’s water isn’t just blue, it’s some wild electric turquoise that almost looks fake until you’re skimming right over it. We left Nassau early (I was still clutching my coffee), and our guide, Marcus, cracked jokes about “pig selfies” before we’d even hit the first island. The boat ride itself felt fast but smooth—wind in your face, salt on your lips, and that bright sun already warming up my shoulders. I didn’t expect to see iguanas first; they scuttled out from the brush when Marcus shook a bag of grapes. Their claws looked prehistoric but honestly? They just wanted snacks.

Compass Cay was next—a little marina where nurse sharks drift around like sleepy cats. I hesitated before getting in (they’re bigger than you think), but Marcus swore they were harmless. He pointed out which ones liked belly rubs (seriously), and one brushed past my leg so gently I barely felt it. Lunch came at this tiny spot on another cay—rice and peas, grilled fish, fried plantains. It tasted like someone’s grandma had made it, which is probably true. The main keyword for this tour is swimming pigs Exuma day trip, but honestly by then I’d almost forgotten that was still coming.

Big Major’s Cay was chaos in the best way—pigs everywhere, snorting and splashing straight into the water as soon as they saw our boat. I tried feeding one a carrot; she snatched it right out of my hand with these surprisingly soft lips. Someone else lost their GoPro to a curious piglet (we all laughed). There’s something weirdly joyful about swimming alongside farm animals in crystal-clear water—you can’t help but grin like an idiot.

We stopped at Norman’s Cay to snorkel above an old plane wreck—Marcus told us stories about Pablo Escobar using this place as a base in the ‘70s. The plane looked ghostly down there; fish darted through broken windows while we floated above. Last stop was a sandbar so white it hurt my eyes—I just lay back in the shallow water for a minute listening to nothing but waves and distant laughter. Even now, sometimes I’ll close my eyes and try to hear that quiet again.

What’s included

Your day covers all landing fees and facility charges plus use of snorkeling gear along the way; you’ll have bottled water, sodas and light snacks on board as you cruise between cays. Lunch comes as a proper Bahamian buffet at a local restaurant mid-tour—with local beer available if you’re over 18—before heading back after beach time or sandbar lounging.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Born Free Charters