Five stops in one fast Exuma day. This Nassau-to-Exuma power-boat tour strings together the big-ticket sights, from Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane snorkeling to swimming pigs at Big Major’s Cay, plus iguanas and nurse sharks. It’s the kind of day that keeps moving, yet still leaves room to actually enjoy the water.

Two things I really like: the tight pacing (you don’t spend hours staring at the same dock), and the variety of animal encounters, not just one photo op. One consideration: the day is boat-heavy, so if you dream of a long, empty beach afternoon, the final stop may feel more like a great break than a full beach day, and the order can shift based on the captain.

Key points

• Allen’s Cay rock iguanas: a rare species found only on a few Exuma islands
• Compass Cay nurse sharks: swim under the docks in a dedicated marine stop
• Big Major’s Cay pig time: feed and swim with the famous swimming pigs
• Plane-wreck snorkeling: Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane is a standout underwater stop
• Sandbar or beach finish: a last water-and-sun window to close the day

Getting to Exuma: the Paradise Island start and 8-hour rhythm

The tour meets at Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island, at the Born Free Charters desk. From there, you’re on a high-speed power boat heading southeast toward the Exuma Cays. The whole experience is built around momentum: short, focused stops, then back on the boat to the next spot.

Your day is scheduled for about 8 hours, in a shared group that can run up to 24 people. That shared format matters. It helps keep the price in reach compared to private charters, but it also means you’ll follow the group pace—boarding, disembarking, and water time are coordinated rather than flexible.

One more practical thing: transportation to the check-in location is not included. So plan how you’ll get to Paradise Island and arrive with enough buffer to check in and be ready to go.

Allen’s Cay: rock iguanas and a small-island feel

The first wildlife stop is Allen’s Cay. You get about 25 minutes for a wildlife viewing moment—enough time to see the Bahaman Rock Iguanas without turning it into a long hike or a rushed photo sprint.

Here’s what makes this stop special: this iguana species is found nowhere else in the world except three small islands in Exuma. That means you’re not just checking another beachy animal box. You’re seeing a very local, very specific species that’s tightly tied to the Exuma islands.

Also, Allen’s Cay is a reminder of why this tour works. You’re not only chasing water action. You’re getting wildlife variety early, before the day heats up with swimming and snorkeling.

Compass Cay nurse shark swim: water beneath the docks

Next comes Compass Cay, with a 35-minute marine life viewing portion and a nurse shark swim under the docks of Compass Cay Marina. The sharks here aren’t shy—this location regularly welcomes lots of visitors, and the sharks have learned that docks mean food opportunities.

What to expect is straightforward: you’ll be in the water near the marina structure while the sharks do their thing below. This is the kind of experience that feels more personal than seeing wildlife from shore, because you’re right in the same water environment.

The timing is also important. The stop is short enough to keep energy up, but long enough that you’ll actually get a proper shark encounter rather than a quick dip-and-go. If you’re someone who gets nervous about water activities, this is still a water-based stop, so you’ll want to be comfortable getting in and out of the boat smoothly.

Big Major’s Cay: swimming pigs and pig-feeding time

If you came for one thing, it’s likely Big Major’s Cay. This is the star stop on the schedule, giving you about 40 minutes for pig beach fun: feeding and swimming with the famous swimming pigs.

This is where the Exuma hype becomes real. The pigs became world-famous through TV and social media, and that attention is exactly why this stop draws crowds. But once you’re there, it turns into something simpler than internet fame: you’re standing in the water with animals that act curious, not performative, and you get that classic pig-and-water photoscape in real life.

A practical note: you’ll want to use the time efficiently. This is one of the only stops where the fun is hands-on—feeding and getting close—so don’t spend the first five minutes only adjusting your phone.

Good news: the tour includes the food for the pigs, so you’re not hunting for supplies once you arrive.

Lunch break that actually refuels you

After the pig stop, you get a quick ride to lunch, followed by about 1 hour for a buffet at a local Exuma restaurant, plus a cold drink. In terms of value, this is a key inclusion. A lot of “boat + attraction” days try to save money by skipping a real meal. Here you get a real lunch break, not just a snack.

Your included drinks and basics are part of what makes the day feel smooth:

• Buffet lunch
• Local beer
• Sodas
• Bottled water
• Light snacks

This matters because snorkeling and swimming build up hunger fast, and you still have a couple major water stops after lunch. Eating while you can also helps avoid that late-day energy dip that can make snorkeling feel harder than it should.

Snorkeling Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane: what the wreck stop means

One of the most distinctive stops is the snorkeling at the plane wreck known as Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane, off Norman’s Cay. The plane crashed there in the late 1970s, and the story goes that it was allegedly connected to cocaine operations. During that era, Pablo Escobar had control of Norman’s Cay and its runway, using it as a base for planes in the region.

You get about 30 minutes for this snorkeling stop. So the goal here isn’t a slow, leisurely reef stroll. It’s a focused window to see the wreck underwater and get your bearings before moving on.

A quick reality check: because wreck snorkeling is centered on one specific spot, visibility and conditions can shape what you actually see. Still, even when conditions are merely average, a plane wreck has a built-in “wow” factor because it’s a human-made structure sitting underwater.

If you like your day with a mix of nature and something totally unexpected, this is your middle-of-the-trip left turn.

Final Exuma swim or sandbar time: the last reset for the day

After the plane wreck snorkeling, you head to your last main water stop on Exuma—either a beautiful sandbar or beach for swimming and sunbathing. You’ll have about 30 minutes here, then the return ride takes around 70 minutes back to Carnivale Bahamas.

This final stop is where you decide whether the tour matches your idea of a perfect beach day. The time is real, and you’ll get water time, but it’s not designed as a long beach picnic with hours to spread out. One improvement request I’d take seriously if you’re very beach-focused: the destination for beach time could feel better if it were more isolated for longer lounging.

That said, the closing stop still gives you a way to shift gears. After iguanas, sharks, pigs, and a wreck snorkel, this is your chance to come up for air—literally and figuratively—then finish with a calm swim before heading home.

Price and value: what 489 per person includes (and why it matters)

At $489 per person for an 8-hour outing, you’re paying for time on a power boat, multiple premium wildlife and snorkeling stops, and the items that keep the day from turning into an add-on carnival.

Here’s what’s included:

• Snorkel gear
• Landing fees
• Buffet lunch
• Local beer, sodas, bottled water
• Light snacks
• Food for the pigs

What you’re not paying for:

• Crew gratuity (left to your discretion)

When I look at value here, I don’t think only about the headline price. I think about how much of the day would cost separately if you pieced it together: boat transport between multiple islands, structured stops for animals, snorkel access with gear, and lunch with drinks. This tour bundles all of that into one ticket, so you spend your energy enjoying the cays instead of managing logistics.

Still, it’s not the cheapest way to do Exuma. It’s a “pay for convenience and variety” option. If you want one or two stops only, you might find other formats cheaper. If you want many iconic moments in one day, this is the kind of pricing that starts to look fair.

Who this tour fits best, and who should skip it

This tour is ideal if you want a high-energy Exuma island hopping day without wasting time. It works well for:

• People who enjoy snorkeling and don’t mind short time windows
• Anyone who wants multiple signature moments in one day: iguanas, nurse sharks, pig swim, and plane wreck snorkeling
• People who like structured activity with a clear schedule rather than long, unplanned beach wandering

It’s not suitable for:

• Children under 2
• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with mobility impairments
• People with heart problems
• Wheelchair users
• Cruise ship guests

Also, it’s a shared tour with up to 24 people, and the day includes getting on and off a boat. If that’s a challenge for you physically, don’t force it.

One more note: the tour runs under the captain’s plan, and the order of the itinerary can change at the captain’s discretion. That’s normal in open-water island hopping. It also means you should stay flexible if your favorite stop isn’t first.

What to bring and quick rules that keep the day smooth

You only need a couple essentials:

• Towel
• Sunscreen

Snorkel gear is provided, so you don’t have to pack it. You also won’t have to purchase pig food on-site because it’s included.

There are also restrictions:

• Baby strollers and baby carriages are not allowed
• Electric wheelchairs are not allowed

If you’re traveling light, this is a good day for that. The includes cover most of the things you’d otherwise buy.

Should you book this Exuma island-hopping day from Nassau?

Book it if you want the Exuma highlights packed into one 8-hour power-boat day: endemic iguanas on Allen’s Cay, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, pig swimming at Big Major’s Cay, plus snorkeling at the plane wreck. The best part of this style of tour is the pacing: you don’t get stuck at one stop forever, and you leave with a stack of different memories, not one.

Skip it if you’re chasing a long, slow beach day. The itinerary is built for movement, not for lounging for hours. Also skip if you fall into the listed health and mobility categories, since the tour involves boat travel and water activities.

If your perfect vacation day is a mix of animals and water, with lunch and snacks handled, this tour is a strong match.

FAQ

How long is the Nassau: Discover Exuma Island Hopping and Swimming Pigs Tour?

The tour lasts 8 hours.

Where is the meeting point on Paradise Island?

Meet at Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island at the Born Free Charters desk.

Is snorkel gear included?

Yes. Snorkel gear is included.

What’s included in the price of $489 per person?

Included are buffet lunch, local beer, sodas, bottled water, light snacks, snorkel gear, landing fees, and food for the pigs.

What’s not included?

Crew gratuity is not included and is left to your discretion.

How large is the group?

It’s a shared tour and can have up to 24 guests.

Where do you swim and snorkel during the day?

You’ll have a chance to swim with the pigs at Big Major’s Cay, do a nurse shark swim at Compass Cay, snorkel Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane, and then have swimming time at a beach or sandbar in Exuma.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen.

Who should not book this tour?

It is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, and cruise ship guests.