You'll get the impression that you're the first person to discover this amazing region of the earth as soon as you set foot on the white-sand beaches of the Exumas, a chain of more than 365 tiny Bahamian islands and peaceful cays.
Here, the only tracks in the sand are left by iguana tails rather than human feet and seeing a dazzling pink conch shell the size of your head is as normal as noticing a different hue of blue each time you look out over the surrounding waters.
However, when your boat approaches Big Major Cay, you are startled out of your daydream by some very rude locals: loud, snorting pigs paddling out to welcome you like a merry band of golden retrievers racing to the door when their owner finally gets home from a long day of work.
Like many of the locals you'll encounter, the beach pigs in the Bahamas are transplants rather than native islanders. The benefits of celebrity (read: free food) have come at a price, even if they have adapted to their tropical homes and burgeoning fame, which has been sparked in part by a dramatic appearance on "The Bachelor" and numerous well-liked Instagram photos.
At least seven pigs were discovered dead in February, and although numerous accounts said drunken visitors were to blame, government officials eventually assigned sand consumption as the cause after learning the results of the autopsy.
The pigs have mostly given up foraging in the forest in favor of consuming the food that is thrown to them from boats and on the shore since human visitors have established themselves as a regular presence on the island. The real cause of death was probably swallowing sand during the feeding frenzy, along with a dry January that reduced their already scant supply of fresh drinking water, a Humane Society inspector told National Geographic. To replace their deceased compatriots, healthy pigs have been brought in, but the amicable sunbathers are still making their way onto the trip wish lists of animal-loving tourists worldwide.
What we discovered while visiting Pig Beach in the Bahamas is detailed below, along with information on how to get there, what to anticipate, where to stay, and, of course, how to behave around the animals.
Where are the pigs swimming?
Big Major Cay, one of the more than 365 islands in the Bahamas' Exuma region, is home to the beach pigs. The island, often known as Pig Beach (for obvious reasons), is located roughly 50 miles northwest of George Town and 82 miles southeast of Nassau. It is completely devoid of human habitation.
How can one access Pig Beach?
You must either lease a boat or go on a guided excursion if you want to get to Pig Beach.
Exuma Water Tours, a well-known tour provider in the region, charges $240 for an adult full-day tour that includes seeing the pigs, snorkeling in the well-known Thunderball Grotto (a picturesque location that has appeared in two James Bond movies), swimming with nurse sharks, meeting iguanas, and a picnic on a sandbar.
You can rent a boat from exumavacation.com for as little as $275 for a full day if you're ready to venture out on your own (or include a guide for an additional fee).
Additionally, you might want to discuss your alternatives with your hotel. Daily boat rentals are included in the cost of your stay at the neighboring Fowl Cay Resort (as is an orientation for novice skippers).
How did the pigs get to the shore?
Even their neighbors don't know what the swimming pigs are. There are numerous local stories, including ones involving shipwrecks and hungry pirates who abandoned them and never returned for their meal. But a man by the name of Wayde Nixon asserts that he and his business partner Don Rolle imported the first pigs to the island to build a pig farm in the late 1990s. In anticipation of the dreaded Y2K computer disaster, Nixon said on the Today show that he was putting together a sustainable food supply. If his account is accurate, the pigs could have felt more relief than we did when the displays didn't go dark on January 1st, 2000.
Do you have some pig food?
Although V. Alfred Gray, minister of agriculture and marine resources, assured the Nassau Guardian that regulations would be put in place after tourists were suspected of being responsible for the pigs' tragic deaths, you can still feed the beach pigs in the Bahamas for the time being. In February, Nixon and Rolle also declared that they were collaborating with the government on new rules.
The fatalities, however, serve as a somber warning to pause before you eat. If you do decide to feed the pigs, stick to pitted fruits and veggies and put them in the water rather than the sand to reduce their exposure to more sand. Since there isn't much of it on the island, feeding them fresh water would be a suitable substitute for food.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the pigs will chase you if you have food on you, and some of them are rather big. If you get easily startled, you may want to avoid the beach if you have food on you.
What time is ideal for visiting them?
According to a local tour operator, most boat trips to the island depart between 9 a.m. and sunset; thus, if you're taking your boat, leave early in the morning to give the pigs the most undivided attention. By late afternoon, you'll typically find them exhausted and stuffed, preferring to relax on the beach instead of going paddling with you.
You can go there any time of year, but keep in mind that June through November is considered hurricane season. When a storm that could be dangerous is approaching, a nearby water sports business will frequently remove the pigs to safety.
The Exumas: How do you get there?
You should fly into the teeny airports on Staniel Cay, Black Point, or Farmer's Cay if Pig Beach is your desired destination.
From Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport to Staniel Cay, Makers Air offers per-seat prices starting at $369 one-way with hassle-free private jet luxuries including avoiding security lines, unwinding in a quiet lounge with refreshments and beverages before taking off, and flying in a nine-seat aircraft. (However, a passport is necessary.)
The cost of a one-way flight with FlamingoAir to any of the aforementioned locations starts at roughly $110 if you take a significant U.S. airline to Nassau first. Daily boat cruises to Pig Beach are available from Nassau and Great Exuma, although they need a full day of travel.
What hotel should you book?
Fowl Cay Resort is located on its private tiny island just minutes from Pig Beach and is ideal for a romantic, intimate hideaway or a memorable family holiday. The waterfront villas at the resort have first-rate amenities and magnificent views, but what draws people in is the relaxed, authentic island atmosphere that permeates the entire property, from the helpful staff to the frequent guests conversing over drinks and karaoke. Starting at $1,657 per night, villas include all meals, drinks, private boat transports to and from the airport, as well as daily bicycle and boat rentals. If you are unable to afford a few nights at a villa, stop by the Hill House restaurant for a sunset cocktail and delectable seafood meals made with fresh ingredients from the nearby waters.
The pigs are within a short distance from nearby Staniel Cay, which is the most accessible choice due to its airport. There are a few different lodging alternatives, but the private bungalows at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club are by far the most well-liked. The vibrant retreats are positioned above the harbor just a few steps from Jimmy Buffett's favorite beach bar at the yacht club. The Isles Inn, located above the Isles General Store, offers rooms starting at $150 per night and free use of a golf cart, the island's favorite form of transportation if you'd prefer to experience life as a local (and save some money).
What additional creatures can you encounter?
Despite being the most well-known, beach pigs are not the only animals in the Bahamas that can be encountered up close. Bitter Guana Cay is home to the endangered Exuma Island iguanas, though it may seem like there are many of them as they come sprinting towards you across the sand. Compass Cay is home to nurse sharks who are eager to swim with brave humans.
Sand dollars are a specialty of Cocoplum Beach and are frequently simple to locate on its sand bars during low tide. At Farmer's Cay, you may snorkel with a variety of fish while swimming with sea turtles, feeding them conch, and visiting renowned locations like the Thunderball Grotto and The Aquarium.