The pigs live and thrive autonomously, and are restricted to a diet of fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, grapes, watermelon, apples and lettuce, according to The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. They forage for food in the forest on the island.
Can you feed the pigs on Pig Island Bahamas?
As the pigs of Pig Island Bahamas swim up to you, they will have their snouts raised hopefully, expecting a treat of some kind. While feeding these creatures is entirely encouraged, they are still wild animals, and should be treated with caution.
What is swimming pigs Beach in the Bahamas?
Swimming Pigs Beach is a main attraction of the Bahamas. Take a Bahamas Day Trip to the exotic Big Major Cay island in the Exuma Cays Bahamas. We will visit the famous Exuma Pig Beach to see the Exuma pigs and float in the paradisaical waters of one of the most gorgeous places on the planet.
What do you feed the pigs at the swimming pigs?
Quick tips for visiting the swimming pigs. If you’d like to feed the pigs, stick to natural, unprocessed foods provided by your tour guide. Produce is your best bet: carrots, grapes, watermelon, apples, and lettuce are good choices. Avoid bread, starchy foods, or processed foods.
What do you feed wild pigs on Isle of Wight?
If on land, you can however feed them fresh water as there is a shortage on the island. Insider tip: Recommended foods to feed the pigs are carrots, lettuce, watermelon and apples. If you scare easily, it’s best not to keep food on your person as the pigs are likely to chase you, no matter their size.
Where can you feed pigs in the Bahamas?
To feed the pigs, villagers would have to travel from Staniel Cay to Big Major Cay (about a ten minute boat ride) with food for the Exuma pigs. As time evolved, the Bahamas swimming pigs started equating the villagers boat to their daily feed.
Are the pigs in the Bahamas OK?
Bottom line—the pigs are not living out long lives of freedom on a deserted island in the Bahamas. Sure, it's better than a factory farm, but Pig Island is no paradise for pigs.
What type of pig lives in the Bahamas?
The Exuma pigs are a highlight of a day trip to Bahamas.
Do the pigs in Bahamas bite?
0:001:38Model Gets Bitten by Pig in Bahamas - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThree years ago but the group date took a turn when the pig started going after the ladies. Now thisMoreThree years ago but the group date took a turn when the pig started going after the ladies. Now this model is nursing a painful bite from of all things a pig.
What to do if a pig bites you?
What to DoWash the bite area with soap and water. If the bite is bleeding, put pressure on it using sterile gauze or a clean cloth.If the bleeding has stopped, put antibiotic ointment on the area.Cover the area with a bandage or sterile gauze.If your child has pain, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Can you swim with the pigs in the Bahamas?
Pigs May Not Fly, But They Can Swim! If you're ready to see the swimming pigs of the Bahamas, look no further than Big Major Cay, Abaco, Rose Island, and Freeport. Each locale offers excellent nearby accommodations, delicious dining and cocktails, and crystal-clear Caribbean water to die for.
Can you swim with pigs from Nassau?
It has become even easier over the past five years to travel from Nassau to Pig Beach where you can go swimming with pigs in paradisiacal turquoise waters and play with the piglets on the white sand beach of Big Major Cay.
Why do people swim with pigs in Bahamas?
The pigs that live at Rose Island were born and raised there or were rescued from local farms. By swimming with them, you are supporting the establishment that rescues them and helps to give the pigs the best care. Your money goes into their food and royal treatment so they can feel like the kings and queens they are.
What do Beach pigs eat?
The swimming pigs diet mainly consists of food fed to them by tourists, such as fruits, vegetables, and plain bread. Their water supply is limited, so fresh water is welcome too. Do not feed them food with sand on it. Ingesting sand can be dangerous and deadly for them.
Do pigs cut their throats when swimming?
It is good to note that pigs do not cut their throats as they swim. Most people believe that pigs cut their throats when swimming, but this is just an urban myth.
Do pigs eat humans?
6. And when they're not either squealing or talking, pigs will eat almost anything – including human bones. In 2012, a farmer in Oregon, America, was eaten by his pigs after having a heart attack and falling into their enclosure.
How much does it cost to swim with the pigs in the Bahamas?
Exuma Water Sports is a highly rated tour operator that offers half day- and full-day swimming with pigs tours. Tours with this outfitter cost $168 per person for a half-day excursion and $350 per person for a full-day trip.
Are sand piggies harmful?
They are an important food source for shore birds. Sand hoppers are sometimes referred to as sand fleas. This refers only to their jumping abilities - don't confuse them with the bitey sand fly, sand hoppers don't bite people.
Can you swim with pigs in Nassau?
If you're staying in Nassau or The Exumas, you can easily book a day trip to see the swimming pigs. Your adventure includes a boat tour through The Exuma Cays.
Should you swim with pigs?
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.
Do you have to pay to swim with the pigs in the Bahamas?
If you want the pigs all to yourself, you'll have to pay for a private tour. Expect to be in or on the water pretty much all day. If you can't swim, don't worry – there are usually life vests on board which you can wear to feel safe in the water.
Where do the Beach Babes come from?
These lovable mammals happened upon Big Major Cay mysteriously, the truth of their arrival obscured, as if buried by pirates. Some say they were deserted on the island by sailors, with the intention to return and feast on the pigs. Others are of the belief that the pigs are survivors of an old nearby shipwreck.
Celebrity pigs of the Bahamas: How they became famous
Initially, the swimming pigs were far from an instant sensation. It was only in the 2000’s, with the rise of smartphones, that the pigs would blow up the world-wide-web, putting the Exuma’s on the map. The pigs went from humble island dwellers to celebrity status in no time.
Can you pet the pigs?
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. 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.
They love a good snack
Feeding of our porcine friends is permitted, but tourists are urged to think twice about what, how and where they feed them. In the past ingestion of too much sand due to being fed on the beach has been harmful to the pigs. Pigs being pigs, they’ll eat anything.
What to do when being chased by one of the hogs
If you scare easily, it’s best not to keep food on your person as the pigs are likely to chase you, no matter their size. An open palm in front of the pigs will assure them that there is nothing in your hand and they will quickly move on to more fruitful prospects. Don’t worry.
What else is there to do on the island?
Don’t forget to really take the time to enjoy the natural surroundings of the untouched and completely uninhabited cay, apart from the pigs. After all, you’re still floating around the crystal-clear waters of the Exumas. Not a moment should be missed to take it all in. Take a walk through the forest or sunbathe on the white sandy beaches.
When is the best time to visit the pigs?
The pigs are happy to welcome visitors to their humble abode all year round. 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.
Pig Island Bahamas (Big Major Cay)
Big Major Cay is the official name for Exuma Pig Island Bahamas, however almost everyone calls it Pig Island, or at the very least will know exactly where you’re talking about. Big Major Cay is located just to the north of Staniel Cay in the Exuma Cays and welcomes thousands upon thousands of visitors to its shore every year.
Staniel Cay Day Tours to the Swimming Pigs
The swimming pigs island is not the only attraction worth visiting from Staniel Cay. In fact, there are so many incredible things to see and do in this area, that it really would be worth spending a couple nights here so that you can soak in all the excitement.
Get our FREE Bahamas Guidebook
With beautifully illustrated maps and informative destination guides. Download the Guidebook
About The Exuma Islands
The Exuma Islands are known for their translucent aquamarine waters. Bordering the endless shades of blue were the powder-white sand beachfronts of the crescent-shaped shallow islands. There are 365 of these cays along this section of the Bahamas, covering 130 brilliantly turquoise miles.
Pig Beach: The Swimming Pigs of Exuma
That’s right, you heard me correctly. You can go to Exuma to feed swimming pigs, something that the isles are now known for. Even the show the Bachelor visited with his bachelorettes. These piggy residents is why I had come, another check off my bucket list.
Check it Off Your Bucket List
The Bahamian Island of Exuma lies 35 miles southeast of Nassau and is divided into three major sections; Great Exuma, Little Exuma and the Exuma Cays. There are over 350 cays, small low islands, many of which are privately owned.
Where did the swimming pigs come from?
There are a few theories about where the pigs came from, although nobody knows their origin for sure. One popular theory is that pigs were left on the beach by a group of sailors who planned to use them for food. The sailors left and never returned, and the lucky pigs were left to their own devices.
Where do the swimming pigs live today?
The island of Big Major Cay is uninhabited…by people, that is. Today, about 20 pigs and piglets call the island home.
How can I see the swimming pigs?
If you’re staying in Nassau Paradise Island, set aside a full day to visit the swimming pigs. Book a full-day excursion with Harbour Safaris or Exuma Escapes. Both of these excursions depart Nassau at 8:00 a.m. sharp and return from The Exumas between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Quick tips for visiting the swimming pigs
Stick to taking photos from afar instead of selfies. Pigs have very poor eyesight, and they’re always hungry – it wouldn’t be out of the question for one of the pigs to mistake your camera or smartphone for lunch!
