Swimming with Pigs
Welcome to Pig Island…
These swimming pigs appeared upon Big Major Cay mysteriously. Although they are now hot to trot, no one seems to know how these hungry hogs made their way to Pig beach, Bahamas in the first place. It’s thought they may have been the sole survivors of a nearby pirate shipwreck, whereas legend has it that they were dropped off on the island by passing sailors, who planned to come back and cook them but when they didn’t return, the pigs survived by eating scraps from passing boats. Either way, these delightful inhabitants arrived and settled quite comfortably in their new digs, and have started a new life for themselves. Not a bad spot to find “refuge!”
While the pigs look right at home along Big Major Cay’s beach, originally they roamed around the forest in the centre of the island, foraging for food. But thanks to the growing interest in tourism to the island, the pigs slowly started to make their way to the shore. They mostly spend their days beaching, awaiting the arrival of tourist, and ultimately a snack! While the swimming pigs are feral, they are incredibly friendly. They’ll let you swim right up to them if they don’t get to you first. Gently touching and petting the pigs is acceptable, but as a general rule treat the pigs with respect and they will do the same. The pigs are wonderful, intelligent creatures and they’re used to human company, despite their island having no full-time human inhabitants.
When is the best time to visit the pigs?
The months of November to mid-December are the best times to visit the luxury islands of the Bahamas. The weather is fantastic, and the islands are relatively quieter. Peak season is during the months of December to Mid-April. During this time the islands are swarming with tourists and your time with the pigs could be somewhat sparse. The summer months from June to August (also known as the rainy season) from June to November will likely guarantee you a more personable interaction with the pigs, due to fewer crowds. That said, when a dangerous storm is brewing, the pigs are usually taken to shelter by a local water sports company. How do I get to see the pigs? There’s only one way to reach the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay and that is by boat. As the pigs are world famous, nearby all-inclusive resorts such as the Sandals Resorts Bahamas arrange trips to see the delightful swimming piggies.
Exuma is the only place in the world which offers this unique experience, and Pig Beach is the go-to hot-spot for this unusual vacation activity - it’s definitely one you’ll remember for a long time to come.
Get in touch if you fancy a trip to Pig Beach?
