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The Bahamas🇧🇸 | beachesPig BeachSwimming pigs, Big Major Cay, boat-only access, Exuma shallows | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Pig Beach
👌 Worth visitingbeach ranked #7
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

The pigs of Pig Beach are the only residents of Big Major Cay, and the island has no hotel, no shop and no restaurant, so a visit means arriving by boat and leaving the same way. It sits in the Exuma Cays of Bahamas, just off Staniel Cay. The sand is clean, the water is shallow and clear, and the pigs wade out to greet you. Surf and reef diving are not the draw, though snorkeling nearby is excellent. Swimming is easy, but crowds from tour boats can thicken the shore at midday. Skip an afternoon stay and go early, when the beach is quiet and the pigs are hungry and friendly. Budget food and beds are in Staniel Cay village. A first day could be a morning pig visit, then lunch ashore at Staniel Cay.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #7 beach in The BahamasWhat sets this place apart

Pig Beach is the one place in the Exumas where the animals come to you, and that alone pulls backpackers off the main island chain. Pigs swim out from the shore of Big Major Cay to meet arriving boats, which makes it a goofy, free-feeling wildlife encounter that needs no guide and no ticket booth. It is a bright, easy stop that gets your photos and your laughs out of the way early in the day.

The second reason is geography. Pig Beach sits within easy reach of Staniel Cay, the small settlement that serves as the practical hub for the area, with a few guesthouses, a government dock and a modest supply of groceries. That lets you pair the pigs with nearby snorkeling spots like Thunderball Grotto and move along the Exuma chain without planning a whole expedition. Stay on Staniel, hop out in the … read more 👉
Pig Beach is the one place in the Exumas where the animals come to you, and that alone pulls backpackers off the main island chain. Pigs swim out from the shore of Big Major Cay to meet arriving boats, which makes it a goofy, free-feeling wildlife encounter that needs no guide and no ticket booth. It is a bright, easy stop that gets your photos and your laughs out of the way early in the day.

The second reason is geography. Pig Beach sits within easy reach of Staniel Cay, the small settlement that serves as the practical hub for the area, with a few guesthouses, a government dock and a modest supply of groceries. That lets you pair the pigs with nearby snorkeling spots like Thunderball Grotto and move along the Exuma chain without planning a whole expedition. Stay on Staniel, hop out in the morning, and you have a loose, flexible base for the cays.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Swimming with the pigs at Pig Beach: The headline act. Pigs of all sizes paddle into the shallows as boats anchor, and they will root around your feet for scraps. Bring only approved feed such as vegetable scraps or fruit, and keep your hands low, because they get pushy.
  2. Thunderball Grotto: A short boat ride away, this sea cave on Staniel Cay is lit by shafts of sunlight through holes in the roof. It was used in the James Bond films Thunderball and Never Say Never Again. Go at slack tide, when the current is gentle and the fish are easiest to see.
  3. Big Major Cay shallows: The water around the island is waist-deep, pale turquoise and calm. Walk the sandy flats beyond the pig crowd for quiet floating and good photographs of the cay.
  4. Compass Cay nurse sharks: A marina on neighboring Compass Cay is
… read more 👉
  1. Swimming with the pigs at Pig Beach: The headline act. Pigs of all sizes paddle into the shallows as boats anchor, and they will root around your feet for scraps. Bring only approved feed such as vegetable scraps or fruit, and keep your hands low, because they get pushy.
  2. Thunderball Grotto: A short boat ride away, this sea cave on Staniel Cay is lit by shafts of sunlight through holes in the roof. It was used in the James Bond films Thunderball and Never Say Never Again. Go at slack tide, when the current is gentle and the fish are easiest to see.
  3. Big Major Cay shallows: The water around the island is waist-deep, pale turquoise and calm. Walk the sandy flats beyond the pig crowd for quiet floating and good photographs of the cay.
  4. Compass Cay nurse sharks: A marina on neighboring Compass Cay is known for tame nurse sharks that glide around the dock. They are docile and you can stand in the shallows beside them, which makes the visit a fine second stop after the pigs.
  5. Fowl Cay Reef: Protected reef with colorful coral heads and plenty of reef fish, good for easy snorkeling in clear water close to the cays. It is a calmer, more natural contrast to the pigs.
For a first visit, the pigs themselves are the best choice, ideally at the start of the day before other boats arrive, because Pig Beach is at its most relaxed and photogenic with only a handful of people on the sand.
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Things to do near Pig Beach

Exuma Island and Cays Tour

Exuma Island and Cays Tour

4.9(109) 7h 30m
From €299
per personViator
3 Hours Guided Great Exuma ATV Tour

3 Hours Guided Great Exuma ATV Tour

4.9(96) 3h
From €158
per personViator
Exuma,Bahamas: 6 Seater Buggy/Jeep Rental with Bluetooth speakers

Exuma,Bahamas: 6 Seater Buggy/Jeep Rental with Bluetooth speakers

5.0(37) 24h
From €272
per personViator
Crystal Bay Exuma Private Boat Tours & Fishing Charters

Crystal Bay Exuma Private Boat Tours & Fishing Charters

4.7(13)
From €913
per personViator
Great Exuma: Private Island-Hopping Boat Tour with Swimming Pigs

Great Exuma: Private Island-Hopping Boat Tour with Swimming Pigs

4.9(11) 8h
From €5,445
per personViator
Bahamas Bash Scavenger Hunt (Exumas)

Bahamas Bash Scavenger Hunt (Exumas)

3.7(3) 2h
From €21
per personViator
Bahamas Local Water Tours to George Town and Exuma

Bahamas Local Water Tours to George Town and Exuma

3.3(3)
From €159
per personViator
Bahamas Airport(GGT) to Island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer

Bahamas Airport(GGT) to Island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer

5.0(1) 2h
From €130
per personViator
George Town to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Transfer

George Town to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Transfer

0.0(0) 15m
From €127
per personViator
Private Vacation Photoshoot with Photographer Georgetown Bahamas

Private Vacation Photoshoot with Photographer Georgetown Bahamas

0.0(0) 1h
From €149
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

Pig Beach at Staniel Cay in the Exumas is best from December to April, when highs run 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F) and the sea is calm enough for the short boat ride out.
  • Dry Season (December to April): Mornings start around 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F), winds are light to moderate, and days are about 10.5 to 12 hours long. Expect the most boats and the highest prices for rooms and charters.
  • Shoulder (May and November): Highs of 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F), fewer day-trip boats, and softer rates. Early May is usually settled, while November can still be showery.
  • Wet and Hurricane Season (June to October): Highs of 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F), heavy humidity, sudden downpours, and storm risk peaking August to October. Some places on Staniel Cay close, and trips get canceled in rough weather.
Go early in the morning, … read more 👉
Pig Beach at Staniel Cay in the Exumas is best from December to April, when highs run 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F) and the sea is calm enough for the short boat ride out.
  • Dry Season (December to April): Mornings start around 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F), winds are light to moderate, and days are about 10.5 to 12 hours long. Expect the most boats and the highest prices for rooms and charters.
  • Shoulder (May and November): Highs of 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F), fewer day-trip boats, and softer rates. Early May is usually settled, while November can still be showery.
  • Wet and Hurricane Season (June to October): Highs of 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F), heavy humidity, sudden downpours, and storm risk peaking August to October. Some places on Staniel Cay close, and trips get canceled in rough weather.
Go early in the morning, before the tour boats arrive from the Staniel Cay docks.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
bahamas-beach-pig-beach
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in The Bahamas

Staniel Cay village is the best place to stay, because the pigs sit a few minutes away by boat and it has the only real services in the area.
The settlement has a small cluster of guesthouses, cottages and a couple of waterfront inns, with simple rooms from roughly US$150 to 300 a night. Nothing here is a true dorm hostel, so solo backpackers should expect to meet people at the dock, the bar and restaurant, and on shared boat trips rather than in common rooms. Staying in the village lets you walk to the grocery, the airstrip and the boat operators, and you can often join a shared tour to the pigs, … read more 👉
Staniel Cay village is the best place to stay, because the pigs sit a few minutes away by boat and it has the only real services in the area.
The settlement has a small cluster of guesthouses, cottages and a couple of waterfront inns, with simple rooms from roughly US$150 to 300 a night. Nothing here is a true dorm hostel, so solo backpackers should expect to meet people at the dock, the bar and restaurant, and on shared boat trips rather than in common rooms. Staying in the village lets you walk to the grocery, the airstrip and the boat operators, and you can often join a shared tour to the pigs, swimming nurse sharks and Thunderball Grotto for less than a private charter.
Cheaper options are limited. Some travelers anchor a sailboat in the sheltered harbor, or stay on nearby Great Exuma and take a boat or flight north. Book well ahead from December to April, since the island has few beds.
Best hostels in The Bahamas


Best quality hotels in The Bahamas

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Pig Beach

Pig Beach is a calm, shallow, sheltered cove, and the main thing to manage is the pigs, not the sea.
The water is usually gentle with no meaningful rips, and you can wade in comfortably, though wind can raise chop and make the boat landing wet. The pigs are used to visitors but can be pushy around food, and they bite and shove, so keep snacks sealed and never feed them anything except what your guide supplies. Give them space in the water, since they swim out to boats. Nurse sharks sometimes cruise nearby and are generally docile, but don’t touch or chase them.
The sun is strong, with almost no shade on the sand, so bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water. Keep valuables with your boat captain or in a dry bag, as there are no facilities on the beach.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Pig Beach

Pig Beach is reached by boat from Staniel Cay, a ride of about 10 to 15 minutes, after you fly or sail to the island. Charter flights run from Nassau (roughly 45 minutes) and Fort Lauderdale, while the mailboat from Nassau takes about a day. Most people book a shared or private tour from Staniel Cay for roughly US$150 to 400 depending on group size, or rent a small boat if experienced.
Pig Beach is good for wading and shallow swimming, and the water is calm and clear with no surf to speak of. Snorkeling is better elsewhere nearby, especially at Thunderball Grotto, a short boat ride away, which is best at slack tide. Swimming with the pigs is a popular draw, but stay alert to their size and bite, and avoid feeding them yourself.
Pig Beach has no entrance fee, but you pay to reach it because it is only accessible by boat. Shared tours from Staniel Cay typically cost around US$150 to 250 per person on a longer excursion, and private charters run higher. Bring cash for tips and pig food supplied by the operator, since there are no shops or ATMs at the beach itself.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Bahamian beaches near Pig Beach

Explore more nearby:

  • French Leave Beach—Flat sheltered bay, casuarina path, rocky-end snorkeling, Governor’s Harbour nearby| 116 km away
  • Tropic of Cancer Beach—Tropic of Cancer marker, Atlantic shells, east-facing sunrise, Little Exuma track| 120 km away
  • Cabbage Beach—Two-mile pale sand, bodysurfing shore break, quiet east end, Atlantis marina views| 133 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Pig Beach is best early in the morning, when the sand is nearly empty and the pigs are hungry enough to swim straight out to you. I would skip the midday rush, bring a bag of vegetable scraps, and keep your snacks sealed. Winter and early spring bring the calmest, clearest water.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in The Bahamas. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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