Exuma Full Day Swimming Pigs Group Boat Tour

Pig Beach is the headline act, but this full-day speedboat trip from Nassau packs in far more: rock iguanas on Allen Cay, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, lunch at Lorraine’s, and a remote Exuma sandbar. The sunken plane linked to Pablo Escobar adds an odd bit of intrigue to an already busy day.

I like the range of stops and the easy all-in setup, with lunch, snacks, soft drinks, water, and alcohol for adults included. The crew, including guides such as Captain Ryan, Tahj, and DiDi, receives especially warm praise for friendly service and good energy. The catch is the boat ride: it can be long, loud, wet, and rough, especially on the way back.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• Pig Beach is only one part of a packed day: You also visit iguanas, nurse sharks, a plane wreck site, and a sandbar.
• The return ride can be punishing: The trip covers a long stretch by speedboat, and some departures have taken about two hours to get back.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: Lorraine’s in Black Point serves a buffet with Bahamian choices and receives strong praise.
• You may get soaked: Bring clothes that can handle spray, swimming, and rain. Ponchos may be supplied, but do not count on staying dry.
• The group-size information needs clarification: The tour is promoted as a small-group trip capped at six, while the general operating limit says up to 30, and one account describes about 20 people.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can alter the plan or cancel the tour, with a new date or refund offered in that case.

Why This Exuma Day Trip Costs $499

At $499 per person, this is not a casual beach outing. You are paying for a long boat transfer from New Providence to several Exuma sites in one day, plus food, drinks, equipment, crew time, and the chance to reach places that are difficult to visit independently.

The value depends on how much you want to see. If your main goal is a quick photograph with pigs, the price may feel steep. If you want the pigs, sharks, iguanas, lunch, a sandbar, and the plane wreck in one organized outing, the cost becomes easier to justify.

I would think of this as a major splurge day rather than a standard excursion. It is particularly suited to a honeymoon, a special family outing, or a first Bahamas trip when you want several famous sights handled in one go.

The tour is booked an average of 46 days ahead, which tells you something useful about demand. I would not leave this until the last minute if your Nassau dates are fixed. At the same time, read the cancellation terms carefully. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but weather and minimum-participant issues can also affect the schedule.

The Speedboat Ride From Nassau Sets the Tone

The meeting point is at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas, at Marina Drive on Paradise Island. Departure is scheduled for 8:00 a.m., and the activity ends back there.

The ride is part of the adventure, but it is also the day’s biggest physical challenge. Accounts describe a very long speedboat journey, with around two hours on the return leg in some cases. On calm water, you get sea air, open views, and a lively island mood with music. On rough water, spray can hit hard and the ride can become tiring.

Bring a swimsuit, a towel if you have one, a hat that will not blow away, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes. A waterproof phone pouch is a sensible addition. I would also protect sunglasses and anything else you do not want soaked.

This is not the boat trip for you if you strongly dislike choppy water or want a quiet, gentle cruise. The crew has been praised for keeping drinks and snacks moving, helping with photographs, and making the ride fun. Still, good service does not make rough seas smooth.

Transportation to the marina is not included. You need to make your own way to the start point, although public transportation is nearby. One booking party arranged the trip downtown through a Sandals concierge, so hotel guests should confirm the best route well before the morning departure.

Allen Cay: Rock Iguanas and Friendly Birds

The first stop is Allen Cay, where you can see ancient rock iguanas at close range. The animals are wild, so the right approach is to watch without chasing, grabbing, or disturbing them.

The stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes, which gives you time to look around and take photographs, though not an extended nature walk. The cay is also known for friendly local birds, adding another layer to this short visit.

A useful tip is to look up into the trees rather than keeping your eyes only on the ground. Iguanas may be easier to spot there. You may also find this stop less polished than a zoo or managed wildlife park, which is precisely why you should follow the crew’s instructions and keep your movements calm.

Compass Cay: Swimming With Nurse Sharks

At Compass Cay, you can enter the water near nurse sharks. The sharks are the main attraction, and this is one of the most memorable stops for many people who want a close look at marine life without booking a separate shark excursion.

You get roughly 30 minutes here. That sounds short, and it is. Time can pass quickly while people take turns entering the water, taking pictures, and getting comfortable around the animals.

Follow the crew’s directions closely. The tour description presents this as a supervised opportunity to swim among the sharks, not as permission to handle wildlife however you wish. If you prefer to stay on the boat, you can still watch the action, but the stop is most rewarding for people willing to get in.

This is also where the boat’s group size matters. A small group would mean more personal time and less waiting. Yet the supplied information gives conflicting numbers: the highlights describe a maximum of six, while the general limit says up to 30, and one account describes a group of about 20. Ask Tour Daddy to confirm the expected group size before paying, especially if the small-group promise is important to you.

Pig Beach: The Famous Half-Hour

At Pig Beach, you can step ashore and walk or swim near free-roaming pigs. Piglets, shallow water, and the sight of pigs paddling toward people make this the stop most likely to dominate your camera roll.

The scheduled visit is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a memorable encounter, but it is not an afternoon at the beach. You may spend part of the time getting from the boat to shore, taking photographs, and waiting for a clear moment with the pigs.

Wear a swimsuit and expect muddy or wet conditions. Keep your phone secure, and listen to the crew when they explain how to behave around the animals. The pigs are the attraction, but they are still animals, not trained performers.

If Pig Beach is your sole reason for booking, check your expectations. This day includes several short stops rather than one long, relaxed beach visit. The payoff is variety. In a single outing, you get pigs, sharks, iguanas, food, a sandbar, and a wreck site.

Lorraine’s at Black Point Brings a Proper Lunch Break

After the morning wildlife stops, the tour heads to Black Point for a buffet lunch at Lorraine’s. The meal lasts about one hour, giving you a chance to eat, dry off, and slow the pace for a while.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day because it adds local food to what could otherwise feel like a string of photo stops. The buffet offers several choices, including dishes with local flavor. Food preferences vary, of course, but the lunch receives repeated praise for taste and quantity.

Lunch is included, as are snacks, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks for those aged 21 and over. That matters on a long day in the sun. You do not need to budget for every drink or carry enough food for eight hours.

Still, this is a group excursion, so the lunch stop follows the tour’s schedule. You will not have unlimited time to linger at the café. I would treat it as a welcome meal and rest period, not a full restaurant experience.

The Pablo Escobar Plane Wreck Adds a Strange Detail

During the second half of the day, the boat passes the underwater wreck of a plane associated with Pablo Escobar. The site is viewed from the boat, and the description does not promise that you will enter the water or explore the wreck directly.

This stop works because it breaks up the animal encounters. After iguanas, sharks, and pigs, a partially submerged aircraft gives the day an unexpected change of subject. The story connected to the wreck also makes it a memorable talking point.

Keep your expectations practical. Visibility, weather, boat position, and water conditions can affect how much you see. It is a viewing stop, not a full wreck tour.

Exuma Sandbar: The Day’s Quietest Hour

The final major stop is an Exuma sandbar, where you can get off the boat to swim, rest, play in the shallow water, and enjoy drinks. The scheduled time is about one hour, making this the longest leisure stop of the itinerary.

This is where the day finally loosens its grip. Instead of watching for an animal or rushing to the next site, you can simply enjoy the water and open surroundings. The remote setting is the point. There may be little shade or shelter, so bring sun protection and keep an eye on your belongings.

The sandbar is also a good reason to pack clothes that dry quickly. The boat ride may already have soaked you, and the stop gives you another chance to swim. If the sea is rough, conditions at the sandbar can change, and the crew may need to adjust the plan for safety.

Service, Communication, and Group Size

The strongest praise goes to the crew’s attitude. Guides are described as friendly, attentive, entertaining, and willing to help with photographs. Names that appear in the operating team’s praise include DiDi, Captain Ryan, and Tahj, though you should not assume a particular person will be on your departure.

The boat has an island-party feel, with music and drinks helping create a social mood. That can be a plus for couples and families who want a lively day. It may be less appealing if you prefer quiet interpretation and long periods of calm.

Communication is another important point. Some bookings received pickup or confirmation messages in advance and found the check-in smooth. But there are also serious reports of a same-day cancellation after people waited at the meeting point, and of a reservation not being recognized at the dock.

Those complaints are not a reason to dismiss the entire experience, especially with a 93 percent recommendation rate and a 4.7 rating from 175 reviews. They are a reason to confirm your booking, meeting point, departure time, and operator contact details the day before. Keep screenshots of your confirmation and do not assume a hotel pickup is included.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want a big, active Bahamas day and can handle a long ride. It suits people who value variety more than leisurely pacing.

It is a good match for:

• Couples marking a honeymoon or special occasion
• Families with members comfortable swimming and spending a full day on a boat
• First-time visitors who want several famous Exuma sights at once
• People who enjoy wildlife encounters, swimming, and a social boat atmosphere
• Anyone willing to pay more for an organized day with meals and drinks included

I would hesitate if you have motion sensitivity, dislike getting wet, need a lot of shade, or want long visits at each stop. The itinerary is ambitious. Most locations receive about 30 minutes, so the day can feel fast even though it lasts about eight hours.

Should You Book the Exuma Pig Tour?

Book it if you see the pigs, nurse sharks, and Exuma sandbar as must-do experiences and you want them bundled into one demanding day from Nassau. The included lunch, drinks, snacks, and lively crew improve the value, while the variety keeps the day from resting on Pig Beach alone.

Before booking, confirm the expected group size and ask about the current departure arrangements. Then prepare for a wet, windy speedboat ride rather than a smooth cruise. If you can accept that tradeoff, this is a memorable way to reach several far-flung Bahamian sights without arranging separate boats and meals.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas, Marina Drive, Paradise Island, New Providence. The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately eight hours.

What is included in the price?

Lunch, alcoholic beverages for people aged 21 and over, snacks, bottled water, soda, and admission to the listed stops are included. Private transportation to the meeting point is not included.

Can I swim with the nurse sharks?

Yes. At Compass Cay, the tour provides an opportunity to enter the water and swim among nurse sharks.

How much time is spent at Pig Beach?

The scheduled stop at Pig Beach is approximately 30 minutes. You can walk or swim near the free-roaming pigs after the boat docks.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.