Exuma Full Day Swimming Pigs Group Boat Tour

Start early, expect a wet ride. I like this tour for its remarkable mix of swimming pigs, nurse sharks, rock iguanas, and a sunken plane, plus the friendly crew, drinks, snacks, lunch, and music that keep the long day lively. The Exuma sandbar is another major draw, giving you time to swim and relax far from Nassau’s busy shore.

The main drawback is the boat journey. You may spend hours on a fast, open speedboat, and the return trip can be rough, windy, and soaking wet. I also would not assume the advertised six-person group size is guaranteed, since some departures have had around 20 people and the published maximum is 30.

The day in six useful points

• A full Exuma day from Nassau: You visit several famous Bahamian sights without arranging separate boats, taxis, or island transfers.
• The ride is part of the challenge: The total route is long, with one report estimating roughly 180 miles and about two hours on the return boat alone.
• Three animal encounters: You can see rock iguanas at Allen Cay, swim near nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and walk or paddle among pigs at Pig Beach.
• Lorraine’s lunch matters: The buffet at Black Point includes Bahamian dishes and was one of the most praised parts of the day.
• The Pablo Escobar plane adds something different: This underwater wreck breaks up the animal stops with an unusual piece of modern history.
• Pack for spray, not just sunshine: Bring clothes that can get wet. Ponchos may be supplied, but an open speedboat offers limited shelter.

From Paradise Island to the Exumas

The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas, located at Marina Drive on Paradise Island. You need to make your own way to the marina because private transportation is not included.

That detail is easy to miss when you are staying at a resort outside the downtown area. One couple arranged a transfer through a Sandals concierge, and public transportation is available near the meeting point. I would confirm your route the day before, then arrive early enough to avoid starting an eight-hour outing in a rush.

The boat ride takes you away from Nassau and toward the Exuma Cays. This is not a gentle harbor cruise. You should expect speed, wind, salt spray, and plenty of movement. Some people love the music and island-party feel, while others find the ride tiring, especially on rough water.

The crew has received strong praise for keeping people supplied with bottled water, soda, snacks, and alcoholic drinks for anyone aged 21 or older. Guides including Captain Ryan and Tahj have been singled out for friendly service, photographs, safety, and good energy. That hospitality matters here because the boat ride is long, and the crew helps turn transit time into part of the day rather than dead time.

Allen Cay and its ancient iguanas

The first scheduled stop is Allen Cay, where you spend about 30 minutes around the famous rock iguanas. These are not the small lizards you might spot around a resort. They are large, ancient-looking reptiles that gather near the shore and among the trees.

You can see them up close, but the right approach is calm and respectful. Do not chase, grab, or disturb them. The area also has friendly local birds, adding more life to what is otherwise a short stop.

Thirty minutes goes quickly. If you want photographs, keep your phone ready before you leave the boat, and pay attention to the trees as well as the beach. The iguanas are not confined to one obvious patch of sand.

This stop is best for you if you enjoy wildlife but do not need a long nature walk. It is less satisfying if you expect a quiet, private island visit. Other boats can be present, and your time on shore is limited.

Swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay

At Compass Cay, you can enter the water near nurse sharks. The stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes, so you get enough time to see the animals and, if comfortable, swim among them.

Nurse sharks are generally slow-moving bottom feeders, but they are still large wild animals. Listen closely to the crew, move carefully, and follow the instructions about entering the water and interacting with them. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to appreciate the sight, since you can choose to stay near the boat if that feels better.

I consider this one of the strongest parts of the tour because it offers a real wildlife encounter rather than a simple photo stop. It also gives you a chance to cool off after the speedboat ride.

Bring a swimsuit you can move in and avoid carrying loose valuables into the water. The itinerary allows only half an hour, so you should not expect a long snorkeling session or extended free swimming.

Pig Beach and the famous swimming pigs

Pig Beach is the stop many people book the tour to see. Once the boat reaches shore, you can get off and walk or swim near the free-roaming pigs. The pigs paddle through the shallow water, wander along the beach, and often come close to visitors.

This is fun, but it is also a busy and unpredictable animal encounter. Pigs are not props. Keep food handling under control, listen to the guides, and give the animals room. Piglets are especially appealing, but you should resist crowding them for a photograph.

The scheduled visit is about 30 minutes. That is enough for pictures and a short swim, but it may feel brief if the pigs are your main reason for paying $499. You also need to accept that the animals decide where they go. You cannot order a pig to pose beside you.

I like the way this stop fits into the wider day. You get the postcard moment, but you also see islands, wildlife, open water, and local food instead of spending the entire outing at one beach.

A Bahamian buffet at Black Point

After the animal stops, the boat heads to Black Point for a one-hour buffet lunch at Lorraine’s, a local cafe. The meal includes a choice of dishes, including local flavors, and lunch is part of the tour price.

This is more important than it may sound. A full day on the water requires a proper meal, not only chips and fruit from a cooler. The Bahamian food at Lorraine’s has been praised as one of the best parts of the outing, with enough variety to suit different appetites.

You also get a break from the boat. After short stops at Allen Cay, Compass Cay, and Pig Beach, an hour on land gives you time to sit, eat, and dry off before the second half of the route.

Drinks and snacks are included throughout the day, and alcoholic beverages are available to people aged 21 and over. I would still bring practical sun protection and clothing that dries reasonably fast. The heat, spray, and swimming can leave you more tired than expected.

The underwater plane wreck

On the way to the sandbar, the boat passes the wreck of Pablo Escobar’s underwater plane. The aircraft is associated with the notorious Colombian drug trafficker and has become one of the Exumas’ more unusual sightseeing stops.

This is not presented as a long shore visit. The boat pauses so you can explore the wreck from the water, and the exact amount of time may depend on conditions. You should think of it as a brief viewing stop rather than a full museum-style experience.

I like this part because it changes the pace. After iguanas, sharks, and pigs, the plane gives you something strange and unexpected to look at. If you are fascinated by aviation, shipwrecks, or unusual local stories, it may be a highlight. If your priority is beach time, it will probably feel less important than the sandbar.

Relaxing at the Exuma sandbar

The final major stop is an Exuma sandbar in the middle of the ocean. You can get off the boat, swim, sit in the shallow water, relax, and enjoy drinks in a remote setting.

This is where the day slows down. The earlier stops are short and active, while the sandbar gives you an hour to enjoy the scenery without chasing an animal or checking the clock every few minutes.

Sandbars change with tide and weather, so the exact appearance can vary. The appeal is the setting itself: pale sand, clear water, and open sea in every direction. You may find this is the most peaceful stop of the day.

I would save some energy for it. A common mistake is treating the sandbar as an afterthought after the pigs and sharks. It is one of the few places on the route where you can simply float, sit, and take in the Exuma setting.

The $499 price and what you receive

At $499 per person, this is an expensive day out. You are paying for a long round-trip boat journey from Nassau, several island stops, crew service, lunch, snacks, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks for adults.

The price makes more sense if you want to see several Exuma highlights in one day and value convenience. Booking separate transport to Allen Cay, Compass Cay, Pig Beach, Black Point, the plane wreck, and a sandbar would be difficult and could cost more once boat hire is added.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to see pigs. A cheaper, shorter Pig Beach trip may suit you better. This outing asks you to pay for the whole route, including the long ride and stops that may interest you less.

The tour is often booked about 46 days ahead, which tells you that you should not leave it until the last minute during a busy travel period. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can receive another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

Comfort, weather, and safety concerns

The biggest practical issue is the return journey. The boat may be fast and open, with sea spray hitting you hard when the water turns choppy. One person described a rough ride back through heavy rain and lightning, while another called the return wet but still felt the full day was worth the cost.

That contrast is important. Weather can change the experience completely. On a calm day, the speed and spray may feel exciting. In rough conditions, the same boat can feel uncomfortable and exhausting.

Pack:

• A swimsuit and a full change of clothes
• A towel
• Waterproof protection for your phone
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A light cover-up or long-sleeved layer
• Shoes that can handle wet sand and boat spray

Ponchos have been supplied on some departures, but I would not rely on them as your only protection. The boat apparently has limited shelter from the spray, so waterproof storage is especially useful.

The experience is described as suitable for most people, but the itinerary includes swimming near sharks, getting on and off a boat, and spending long periods underway. If you are uncomfortable in rough seas, ask the operator about the boat and weather outlook before committing.

Who should book this Exuma day?

I would recommend it to you if you want a packed day and have several Exuma sights on your list. Families, couples, and first-time visitors can get a lot from the combination of animals, food, swimming, and scenery.

It is especially appealing for a honeymoon or special occasion. The crew’s upbeat attitude, music, drinks, and help with photographs can give the day a celebratory feel. The included lunch also means you do not need to organize food while moving between remote islands.

You may want another option if you need a quiet boat, lots of personal space, or long stretches at each stop. The advertised small group is capped at six, but another account described a group of about 20, and the stated maximum is 30. Confirm the expected group size if that point affects your decision.

You should also skip it if a long speedboat ride sounds miserable. The wildlife and beaches are excellent reasons to go, but they do not erase the journey. This is a full-day sea outing, not a quick transfer with a few photographs.

Should you book the swimming pigs tour?

I would book this tour if you want the full package: Pig Beach, nurse sharks, iguanas, lunch at Lorraine’s, the underwater plane, and a sandbar in one long day from Nassau. The strongest parts are the crew, the variety, the Bahamian meal, and the chance to swim in remarkable places.

I would hesitate if you are sensitive to rough water or expect a genuinely private six-person trip. The $499 price is fair only when you plan to use the whole day. Bring dry clothes, protect your phone, verify the meeting details, and ask about group size and weather before departure.

For the right person, this is a big, busy, wet Bahamian adventure. Just know what you are buying: not only pigs and perfect beaches, but also a long ride across open water.

FAQ

Where does the Exuma swimming pigs tour begin?

The tour begins at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas, at Marina Drive on Paradise Island, New Providence Island.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours and ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Private transportation is not included. You need to make your own way to the marina.

What places do you visit during the tour?

The route includes Allen Cay, Compass Cay, Pig Beach, Black Point, the Pablo Escobar plane wreck, and an Exuma sandbar.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet-style lunch at Lorraine’s cafe in Black Point is included.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, snacks, and alcoholic beverages are included. Alcohol is served only to people aged 21 and older.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.