Exuma Powerboat Tour from Nassau with Swimming Pigs

Speed over Exuma means you sample the Bahamas fast. This all-in-one powerboat day packs wildlife stops and iconic cays into one 8-hour loop from Nassau. I love the round-trip transit—it buys you more sights in less time—and I also love that lunch plus drinks are built into the price.

Just know the trade-off: you spend a good chunk of the day on a fast boat. Expect a choppy, windy ride at times, plus long stretches in the open air—easy if you’re ready for it, less fun if you hate getting splashed.

Key moments worth planning around

• Multiple Exuma hotspots in one day instead of one slow island at a time
• Nurse sharks from the dock with a close, hands-on feel (with proper rules from the crew)
• Big Major Cay Pig Beach where you can paddle right alongside the pigs
• Lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club with beer, water, and snacks included
• Exuma sandbar time in green-blue shallows you’ll remember

First step: leaving Nassau from Paradise Island with a plan

This tour starts at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal area (Paradise Beach Dr). The scheduled start time is 8:30am, and you’ll end back where you started, so you’re not juggling extra transport across the island-hopping route.

The big idea here is speed plus structure. You’re not waiting around for ferries, and you’re not choosing between wildlife or beaches—you get both. The boat moves you from cay to cay with enough tempo that the day feels like one connected circuit rather than a bunch of separate mini-tours.

Also, this is a small-boat outing with a maximum of 16 travelers. That matters. With fewer people, you tend to get quicker help at the stops, and it’s easier for the crew to keep everyone oriented when you’re floating, boarding, and regrouping.

Allen’s Cay rock iguanas: the easy wildlife stop

Your morning begins in the Exuma Cays area with rock iguanas at Allen’s Cay. The stop is about an hour, and it’s a straightforward chance to see these lizards in their natural habitat.

I like this first wildlife stop because it’s low-pressure compared to the more famous swimming moments later. There’s time to take photos, watch behavior, and get a feel for the Exuma setting—thin strips of sand, scrubby vegetation, and that Caribbean light that makes everything look crisp.

One practical note: many people end up doing a bit of hands-on interaction here, like feeding (if the crew offers it and you’re comfortable). If you’re hoping for a quiet, no-rules nature walk, you may find the experience a little more active than that. But if you want the Bahamas to feel real fast, this stop does the job.

Compass Cay nurse sharks: close photos from the dock

Next up is Compass Cay, a quick 30-minute stop focused on wild nurse sharks. You watch them swimming around at the dock and get the chance for close-up photos.

What makes this stop special is the way it’s set up. You’re not far out in open water looking for movement. The sharks come to you. In multiple days’ worth of feedback, the nurse sharks are repeatedly labeled a highlight—because you can actually see them clearly and, for many participants, you can interact with them as the crew guides you.

A realism check: this is still wildlife. You shouldn’t treat it like a petting zoo with unlimited freedom. Follow the crew’s instructions on where to stand, when to step in, and how to handle yourself around the water. When you do that, the experience can feel thrilling in a controlled way.

Pig Beach at Big Major Cay: fun, famous, and sometimes chaotic

Then comes the main event: Pig Beach at Big Major Cay. You get about 45 minutes here, with the focus on the swimming pigs. This is the stop people come for, and it’s also the stop where you should manage expectations.

The pigs are typically described as huge and bold—so big that you’ll notice their weight and speed in the water. Some participants love the spectacle and paddle alongside them. Others find the whole thing more funny than magical, and a few point out that pig behavior can be… intense. There are also real safety details to take seriously: pigs may nip, and pig activity creates plenty of mess on land and in water.

My advice is simple:

• Keep your distance when you need to. You don’t have to chase the moment.
• Pay attention to where you’re stepping. The ground can be slippery and busy.
• If you’re squeamish about animals being animals, consider staying with the group or keeping it to viewing and light interaction.

One more timing tip: boat days run on schedules. If you linger too long at Pig Beach, you risk getting left behind during boarding. The crew does a regrouping dance to keep everyone safe, but you should still treat the return call seriously and be ready when they’re ready.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club lunch: a proper break on the water

After wildlife and swimming time, you get a breather at Staniel Cay. Lunch is around an hour at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

This is one reason the day feels worth the cost to many people. You’re not eating random gas-station food while you’re travel-tired. You get an actual restaurant-style lunch stop, and your tour includes lunch plus drinks like beer, bottled water, and snacks.

The vibe here is a welcome shift from boat life. You can sit, cool down, and reset your body before the later sandbar and plane-wreck sightings. If you’re the kind of traveler who hates packing snacks but also hates wasting time hungry, this lunch stop hits a sweet spot.

Exuma Land and Sea Park sandbar: the calm moment you’ll crave

One of the most relaxing parts of the day is the sandbar stop in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park area. You’ll have about an hour here to relax in the shallows.

This is where the Exumas look like they’re photoshopped—blue-green water, pale sand, and the feeling that the ocean is held in place by islands. If you’ve only seen the Bahamas from cruise ports, this stop can be a reality check in the best way.

That said, it’s also where you can wish for more time. An hour sounds long until you’re standing barefoot in water and trying to decide whether to swim, wade, or just stare. The good news: even if you want extra beach minutes, the rest of the day gives you plenty of action to keep your energy up.

Norman’s Cay and the sunken plane: the strange, fascinating side of Exuma

A quick 15-minute stop at Norman’s Cay brings you to the sunken drug plane wreck—often associated with Pablo Escobar’s story. You’ll view the plane underwater near the cay.

This isn’t a long history lesson or a guided museum stop. It’s a quick sighting, and it works best if you go in ready for a creepy-cool photo moment. From the experience style here, you likely see it from the boat rather than getting a full down-to-ground walkthrough.

The boat ride itself: fast, fun, and occasionally brutal

Let’s talk honestly about the ride. This is a powerboat day, which means speed and water spray. More than one person describes the ride as choppy or even rough at times, but also says it’s part of the adventure.

Expect:

• You’ll spend a lot of time aboard between stops.
• Wind can feel cold even when the sun is warm.
• The boat can get bumpy, so motion sickness should be on your radar.

The good news is that the crew runs the day with a lot of attention. Many reviews highlight captains and first mates with names like Rico, Milio, Ron, Neal, Cam, Emilio, Shay, Tyler, Elio, and LJ. You won’t necessarily get those exact people, but you can assume you’ll be traveling with an experienced team that knows how to keep a group together across multiple stops.

Also: there is a bathroom on the boat, and some stops offer bathroom access. That’s not glamorous, but it’s genuinely helpful on an 8-hour schedule.

Price and value: what $439 buys you in the real world

At $439 per person, this isn’t a cheap excursion. The value comes from two things: density of experiences and what’s included.

You’re not paying extra for each separate activity. Lunch is included, and so are drinks like beer, bottled water, and snacks. Add in the fact that you’re getting wildlife viewing at Allen’s Cay, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, pig swimming at Big Major Cay, a restaurant lunch stop at Staniel Cay, sandbar time in Exuma Land and Sea Park, plus the quick Norman’s Cay plane-wreck look.

If you only have a short time in the Bahamas and you want Exuma to feel like more than just a photo, the price can make sense. If you hate boats, hate rules around wildlife, or want deep, slow exploration rather than a packed circuit, you may feel like you’re paying for motion.

For me, this tour is most defensible when your goal is breadth: you want the icons—sharks, pigs, sandbars—stacked into one day without juggling schedules.

Who should book this Exuma powerboat day

This is a great match if you:

• Want a high-activity day and you’re comfortable with time on a boat
• Care about seeing multiple Exuma highlights in one outing
• Like hands-on wildlife experiences with a crew guiding safety
• Want lunch and drinks included so the day stays smooth

It’s a tougher fit if you:

• Have very limited tolerance for bumps and wind-chill
• Want long beach stretches with zero boarding calls
• Are sensitive to animal mess and close encounters (Pig Beach can be very real, not cute-and-clean)

One important constraint: pregnant travelers aren’t permitted. The day also calls for a moderate physical fitness level, which makes sense with boarding, reboarding, and moving at each stop.

Should you book this tour?

If you want the Bahamas highlights in one shot, I’d say yes—especially if nurse sharks and sandbar time are high on your list. The included lunch, drinks, and snacks help offset the cost, and the stop variety is the main reason this tour gets such strong ratings.

Book it with eyes open, though. Pig Beach is famous but also intense, and the boat ride can be rough. If you prepare for the pace and the conditions—sun protection, a warm layer for wind, and a plan to stay close to your crew at boarding calls—you’ll likely leave with a stack of memories that feel uniquely Exuma.

If your dream day is slow, calm, and beach-first, you might choose a different style of outing. But if you’re craving a fast, wild, iconic day, this is a strong contender.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and where does it begin?

It starts at 8:30am from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal area (Paradise Beach Dr, The Bahamas).

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 8 hours.

What is included in the tour price?

Lunch, alcoholic beverages (beer), bottled water, and snacks are included.

Do you get drinks during the day?

Yes. Beer, bottled water, and snacks are included throughout the outing.

Where do the stops happen during the day?

You visit several Exuma locations, including Allen’s Cay, Compass Cay Marina, Big Major Cay (Pig Beach), Staniel Cay (for lunch), an Exuma Land and Sea Park sandbar stop, and Norman’s Cay for the sunken plane.

Do you swim with the pigs and see the nurse sharks up close?

You visit Pig Beach at Big Major Cay for swimming pigs, and you also see nurse sharks around the dock at Compass Cay.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling isn’t listed as part of the tour experience, so you shouldn’t count on a snorkeling stop.

Is there a bathroom on the boat?

Yes, there is a bathroom on the boat, and some stops may have bathroom access as well.

How many people are on the tour?

There’s a maximum of 16 travelers.

Are pregnant travelers allowed?

No. Pregnant travelers are not permitted.

What happens if weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.