JS
Joshua S.
2 hours ago
Amazing yacht rental experience. Ben was great on board, helpful, friendly and on top of everything. Everything went perfect, and the jet skis were superior. Will definitely be back.
Exuma Swimming Pigs Tour from South Florida
Swimming Pigs Tour
A private swimming pigs tour to Big Major Cay in the Exuma Bahamas, with Thunderball Grotto at Staniel Cay and the clearest water in the Atlantic. Departing Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Captain and crew on every voyage. Customs coordination included.
AS SEEN IN
PRIVATE SWIMMING PIGS TOURS FROM SOUTH FLORIDA
Swim With the Pigs by Private Yacht Charter
The famous swimming pigs live on Big Major Cay, known to everyone as Pig Beach, an uninhabited island in the central Exumas. A swimming pigs tour is a private crewed voyage from South Florida to Pig Beach, Thunderball Grotto at Staniel Cay, and anchorages in the clearest water in the Atlantic. The pigs are wild animals with no road or dock to reach them, so the only way there is by boat. Every booking is completely private, fully crewed, and managed from first inquiry to the final anchorage.
Because Big Major Cay sits roughly 230 miles from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, a swim with the pigs Exuma trip is a multi-day voyage rather than a day run. Crown Yachts Miami operates a fleet of offshore-rated vessels cleared for the Atlantic crossing and the shallow Exuma banks. The captain manages the route, the weather windows, customs clearance at the Bahamian port of entry, and all navigation. You arrive with nothing left to arrange. A Staniel Cay swimming pigs loop, an Exuma snorkeling itinerary, and a longer run through the cays are all available on the right vessel and timeline.
Swimming pigs tour pricing is built around your specific voyage. The vessel, the number of guests, the length of the trip, and add-on services including a private chef, DJ, and open bar all factor in. Share your dates and itinerary via WhatsApp and we build the quote. Start planning on the Bahamas charter hub.
Swimming Pigs Fleet
Offshore Vessels for the Swimming Pigs
Offshore-rated yachts available for the Atlantic crossing and the Exuma cays. Captain and crew on every booking. Vessel eligibility confirmed for your route and group size before the charter date is locked.
WHAT TO EXPECT
How a Swimming Pigs Yacht Charter Works
A swimming pigs tour is a multi-day crewed voyage, not a day charter on the bay. Here is what every trip includes from first contact to your arrival at Big Major Cay and Staniel Cay.
PLAN YOUR VOYAGETHE SWIMMING PIGS
Wild Pigs on an Uninhabited Cay, Reached Only by Boat
The swimming pigs live on Big Major Cay, better known as Pig Beach, an uninhabited island in the central Exumas. They are wild animals, not a petting zoo, and they roam the beach and wade into the shallows on their own terms. There is no road, no airstrip, and no dock. A swimming pigs tour anchors in the sheltered bay, and you tender ashore to meet them on the sand. Give them space, follow the crew's guidance, and it becomes the most memorable morning of the trip.
MORE THAN THE PIGS
Thunderball Grotto, Nurse Sharks, and Iguanas in One Loop
A pig beach boat tour rarely stops at the pigs alone. The same cluster of cays holds Thunderball Grotto at Staniel Cay, the snorkel cave from the James Bond films, the friendly nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and the rock iguanas at Allen's Cay. A crewed charter links all four within a short cruise of one another, so a single trip covers the wildlife, the grotto, and the clearest water in the Atlantic on one island-hopping route through the Exumas.
MULTI-DAY CREWED CHARTER
Roughly 230 Miles from South Florida, So This Is a Voyage
Big Major Cay sits about 230 nautical miles from South Florida, well beyond Bimini and Nassau. That distance makes a swim with the pigs Exuma trip a multi-day crewed voyage on the full Miami to Bahamas crossing, not a day run. Most itineraries stage through Nassau or an intermediate anchorage before working down the cays to Staniel Cay and the pigs. Plan on a minimum of 5 days, with 7 or more giving a relaxed pace across the wildlife stops and the sandbars.
COMPLETELY PRIVATE
One Group, One Vessel, No Other Passengers
Every swimming pigs tour with Crown is a fully private booking. No shared passengers, no group tour format, no other guests on board. Your group has the entire vessel, the captain, and the full crew from the South Florida departure marina to Pig Beach and every other Exuma anchorage. You set the daily pace and choose how long to linger at each cay.
CAPTAIN HANDLES EVERYTHING
Customs, Cruising Permit, and Navigation Managed by the Crew
Passengers carry only a valid passport. The captain handles the Bahamian cruising permit, vessel documentation, customs clearance at the official port of entry, and every mile of navigation through the cays. The shifting sandbanks and coral heads of the Exuma banks call for local knowledge at the helm, and the crew handles all of it while you enjoy the water.
FULL PROVISIONING PRE-LOADED
Every Meal, Drink, and Supply Loaded Before Departure
A multi-day charter to the swimming pigs runs far from resupply, so everything is loaded before leaving the dock. Crown Yachts Miami coordinates full trip provisioning through the onboard catering team and private chef service. All meals, beverages, ice, and daily supplies for the entire voyage are sourced before departure. An open bar package and custom decoration for milestone trips are also available.
DEPARTURE POINTS
South Florida Marinas for the Crossing
Crown Yachts swimming pigs tours depart from deep-water marinas in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. We assign the departure point closest to where your group is staying.
Select a marina to see the location
Miami Beach Marina
South Beach, Miami
A primary departure point for the run to the swimming pigs, at the southern tip of Miami Beach beside Government Cut and the open Atlantic. Vessels clear the Cut within minutes and head east to stage through Nassau before the cruise down to Big Major Cay. The most requested Miami marina for long Exuma voyages.
A Watson Island deep-water marina on the MacArthur Causeway between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. It accommodates the large offshore yachts best suited to a swimming pigs expedition, with deep berths and direct access to Government Cut for the Atlantic crossing.
The best-known marina in Fort Lauderdale, on Seabreeze Boulevard at Fort Lauderdale Beach and home of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. A popular deep-water departure for guests staying north of Miami who want the shortest transit to the Atlantic before the crossing to the pigs.
A deep-water mega-yacht marina on the Intracoastal at the 17th Street Causeway, between the beach and Port Everglades. Pier Sixty-Six berths the larger vessels used for extended Exuma charters and sits minutes from the ocean inlet for an early departure to the Bahamas.
A landmark full-service marina near the 17th Street Causeway beside the Las Olas district, with immediate access to Port Everglades and the ocean inlet. A convenient Fort Lauderdale departure for guests combining the swimming pigs voyage with a South Florida stay.
View Miami Beach yacht charters- Miami Beach MarinaSouth Beach, MiamiA primary departure point for the run to the swimming pigs, at the southern tip of Miami Beach beside Government Cut and the open Atlantic. Vessels clear the Cut within minutes and head east to stage through Nassau before the cruise down to Big Major Cay. The most requested Miami marina for long Exuma voyages.Miami Beach yacht charters
- Island Gardens Deep HarbourWatson Island, MiamiA Watson Island deep-water marina on the MacArthur Causeway between downtown Miami and Miami Beach. It accommodates the large offshore yachts best suited to a swimming pigs expedition, with deep berths and direct access to Government Cut for the Atlantic crossing.Downtown Miami yacht charters
- Bahia Mar Yachting CenterFort Lauderdale BeachThe best-known marina in Fort Lauderdale, on Seabreeze Boulevard at Fort Lauderdale Beach and home of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. A popular deep-water departure for guests staying north of Miami who want the shortest transit to the Atlantic before the crossing to the pigs.Harbor Beach yacht charters
- Pier Sixty-Six Marina17th Street, Fort LauderdaleA deep-water mega-yacht marina on the Intracoastal at the 17th Street Causeway, between the beach and Port Everglades. Pier Sixty-Six berths the larger vessels used for extended Exuma charters and sits minutes from the ocean inlet for an early departure to the Bahamas.Harbor Beach / 17th Street yacht charters
- Lauderdale MarinaRio Vista, Fort LauderdaleA landmark full-service marina near the 17th Street Causeway beside the Las Olas district, with immediate access to Port Everglades and the ocean inlet. A convenient Fort Lauderdale departure for guests combining the swimming pigs voyage with a South Florida stay.Las Olas yacht charters
BOOKING PROCESS
How to Plan a Swimming Pigs Yacht Charter
01
Share Your Dates, Route, and Group Size
Contact us via WhatsApp with your preferred travel window, the length of trip you have in mind, and how many guests will be on board. We respond with available offshore vessels and a swimming pigs route recommendation tailored to your group and timeline.
02
Receive an Offshore Vessel Shortlist
We send a curated list of vessels cleared for the Bahamas crossing and matched to your group size. Options range from the Lazzara LSX 75 and Azimut 105 to the Azimut 116 and Pershing GTX 116. Each option includes offshore range, speed, and passenger capacity.
03
Choose Your Cays, Route, and Departure Marina
We confirm the South Florida marina closest to where your group is staying and finalize the itinerary. A classic loop covers the swimming pigs, Staniel Cay, and Compass Cay, while a longer cruise adds Allen's Cay and the Exuma Land and Sea Park. Depart from Miami Beach Marina or a Fort Lauderdale marina depending on your stay and vessel assignment.
04
Arrange Provisioning, Add-Ons, and Documentation
A multi-day swimming pigs tour requires full trip provisioning loaded before departure. We coordinate with the private chef on menus and dietary needs, confirm the beverage package, and arrange any celebration setup. Every passenger receives the passport and documentation checklist at this stage.
05
Confirm with a Deposit and Receive Your Charter Agreement
Secure the vessel and dates with a deposit. You receive a full charter agreement covering the marina address, boarding time, captain contact, provisioning confirmation, and a complete checklist of everything included. The captain monitors the marine forecast and confirms the exact departure window ahead of the crossing.
06
Board, Cross, and Meet the Pigs
The captain and crew are on board before you arrive, with every provision, add-on, and decoration in place. The vessel clears the inlet, stages toward the Bahamas through Nassau and the Exuma cays, and drops anchor off Big Major Cay. You tender ashore to the swimming pigs and wake up each morning at a new anchorage in the clearest water in the Atlantic.
ON THE ITINERARY
The Swimming Pigs and the Cays Around Them
The swimming pigs at Big Major Cay are the headline, but they anchor a wildlife loop through the central Exumas. Every itinerary is built around which cays you want to reach and how long you have.
Select a stop to see where it is
Big Major Cay (Pig Beach)
The Swimming PigsThe headline stop. Big Major Cay, known to everyone as Pig Beach, is an uninhabited island where a colony of wild pigs roams the sand and wades into the shallows. Anchor in the sheltered bay, tender ashore, and spend the morning on a white-sand beach with no road access at all. The pigs are wild animals, so the crew briefs you on keeping a respectful distance. It is the signature image of any swimming pigs Bahamas charter.
Staniel Cay is the hub of the central Exumas and the anchor point for the Staniel Cay swimming pigs run, just across the water from Big Major Cay. Offshore lies Thunderball Grotto, the snorkel cave used in the James Bond films, where shafts of light pour through the roof onto clouds of tropical fish. Snorkel the grotto at slack tide, then visit the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and the nearby sandbars.
Compass Cay Marina is famous for the friendly nurse sharks that gather at the docks and let visitors wade in among them in waist-deep water. It is one of the most memorable stops on the route and a favorite with families. The cay also offers quiet trails and beaches for an afternoon ashore between anchorages.
At the northern end of the chain, Allen's Cay is home to the endangered Bahamian rock iguanas that come down to the beach when boats arrive. It is often the first Exuma stop on a charter running south from Nassau, an easy introduction to the wildlife and the water clarity before the swimming pigs and Staniel Cay.
Centered on Warderick Wells, the Exuma Land and Sea Park is a 176-square-mile marine reserve with some of the healthiest reefs and clearest water in the Bahamas. Mooring balls protect the sea floor, hiking trails climb to panoramic overlooks, and the no-take protection means abundant fish and coral for snorkeling straight off the yacht.
Nassau on New Providence Island is the usual staging point on the way to the swimming pigs, roughly 185 nautical miles from South Florida and the official port of entry for most crossings. Charters clear customs here, then run south down the Exuma chain to Allen's Cay, Staniel Cay, and Big Major Cay. It is a practical overnight stop rather than the destination itself.
- Big Major Cay (Pig Beach)The Swimming PigsThe headline stop. Big Major Cay, known to everyone as Pig Beach, is an uninhabited island where a colony of wild pigs roams the sand and wades into the shallows. Anchor in the sheltered bay, tender ashore, and spend the morning on a white-sand beach with no road access at all. The pigs are wild animals, so the crew briefs you on keeping a respectful distance. It is the signature image of any swimming pigs Bahamas charter.
- Staniel Cay & Thunderball GrottoJames Bond Snorkel CaveStaniel Cay is the hub of the central Exumas and the anchor point for the Staniel Cay swimming pigs run, just across the water from Big Major Cay. Offshore lies Thunderball Grotto, the snorkel cave used in the James Bond films, where shafts of light pour through the roof onto clouds of tropical fish. Snorkel the grotto at slack tide, then visit the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and the nearby sandbars.
- Compass CaySwim With Nurse SharksCompass Cay Marina is famous for the friendly nurse sharks that gather at the docks and let visitors wade in among them in waist-deep water. It is one of the most memorable stops on the route and a favorite with families. The cay also offers quiet trails and beaches for an afternoon ashore between anchorages.
- Allen's CayRock IguanasAt the northern end of the chain, Allen's Cay is home to the endangered Bahamian rock iguanas that come down to the beach when boats arrive. It is often the first Exuma stop on a charter running south from Nassau, an easy introduction to the wildlife and the water clarity before the swimming pigs and Staniel Cay.
- Exuma Land and Sea ParkProtected AnchoragesCentered on Warderick Wells, the Exuma Land and Sea Park is a 176-square-mile marine reserve with some of the healthiest reefs and clearest water in the Bahamas. Mooring balls protect the sea floor, hiking trails climb to panoramic overlooks, and the no-take protection means abundant fish and coral for snorkeling straight off the yacht.
- NassauStaging PointNassau on New Providence Island is the usual staging point on the way to the swimming pigs, roughly 185 nautical miles from South Florida and the official port of entry for most crossings. Charters clear customs here, then run south down the Exuma chain to Allen's Cay, Staniel Cay, and Big Major Cay. It is a practical overnight stop rather than the destination itself.
PLAN YOUR SWIMMING PIGS VOYAGE
Ready to Charter a Yacht to the Swimming Pigs?
Tell us your dates, how many guests, and how long you have. We recommend a vessel, build the itinerary around Big Major Cay and Staniel Cay, and quote the voyage. Everything from the South Florida marina to Pig Beach is handled.
MESSAGE ON WHATSAPPSWIMMING PIGS TOUR
Pig Beach, Staniel Cay, and the Wildlife of the Exumas
Crown Yachts Miami runs private crewed swimming pigs tours from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Every booking is fully private, fully crewed, and managed from first inquiry to the final anchorage off Big Major Cay.
Swimming Pigs Tour: Pig Beach at Big Major Cay
Wild pigs on an uninhabited cay, reached only by sea
The heart of the trip is the morning at Big Major Cay, where wild pigs wade into the shallows to greet arriving boats. They live freely on an uninhabited island, so the crew briefs every group on keeping a respectful distance. Anchor in the sheltered bay, tender ashore, and see the pigs on a white-sand beach with no road access at all. Crown Yachts Miami operates offshore-rated vessels from 75 to 116 feet with the range to reach the cays and the shallow draft to anchor close in.
Pig Beach Boat Tour: A Multi-Day Voyage, Fully Provisioned
Roughly 230 miles from South Florida, staged through Nassau
Because Big Major Cay sits about 230 miles from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, a pig beach boat tour is a multi-day trip, usually staging through Nassau and the Exuma cays before the anchorage off the pigs. A minimum of 5 days covers the crossing and the central wildlife stops, while 7 or more adds Allen's Cay and the Exuma Land and Sea Park. Multi-day charters include full provisioning, a private chef, and open bar service loaded before departure. See the full multi-day Bahamas charter format.
Private Charter: Captain Handles Customs and Navigation
A valid passport is all guests carry
International entry into the Bahamas requires a cruising permit, vessel documentation, a passenger manifest, and customs clearance at an official port of entry. On every Crown Yachts Miami swimming pigs tour, the captain handles all of it, and the crew manages the shifting sandbanks and coral heads of the Exuma banks. Passengers carry only a valid US passport with six months of validity remaining. Crown is a South Florida operator running the full voyage from your departure marina, with no local base in the Bahamas. See the related Miami to Exuma yacht charter route.
Beyond the Pigs: Grotto, Sharks, and Iguanas
A full wildlife loop through the central Exuma cays
The swimming pigs anchor a wider loop through the cays. Snorkel Thunderball Grotto off Staniel Cay, wade with the nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and meet the rock iguanas at Allen's Cay, all within a short cruise. For milestone birthdays, bachelorette trips, a family yacht charter in the Bahamas, or a proposal with a sandbar as the backdrop, Crown Yachts Miami coordinates the vessel, the route, the provisioning, the decoration setup, and the crew service at every anchorage. It pairs naturally with a Bahamas snorkeling charter through the reefs of the cays.
What Our Clients Say
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FAQ
Swimming Pigs Tour FAQ
- Where are the swimming pigs in the Bahamas?
- The famous Big Major Cay swimming pigs live on Big Major Cay, also called Pig Beach, an uninhabited island in the central Exumas near Staniel Cay. People often ask where are the swimming pigs in Bahamas, and the answer is right here. There is no road, airstrip, or dock, so the only way to reach the swimming pigs Exuma travelers come for is by boat. On a swimming pigs tour the vessel anchors in the sheltered bay and you tender ashore to meet the pigs on the beach.
- How far are the swimming pigs from Miami and Fort Lauderdale?
- Big Major Cay sits roughly 230 nautical miles from South Florida, well beyond Bimini and Nassau. That distance makes a swimming pigs tour a multi-day crewed voyage rather than a day trip. Most itineraries stage through Nassau or an intermediate anchorage before working down the cays to Staniel Cay and the pigs.
- Is it safe and ethical to swim with the pigs?
- The pigs are wild animals living freely on an uninhabited cay, not a captive attraction. The safest and most respectful approach is to keep a reasonable distance, let them come to you in the shallows, and follow the crew's guidance rather than crowding or chasing them. Our captains brief every group before going ashore so the visit is calm for both guests and the animals. We do not encourage any behavior that would put the pigs at risk.
- Do I need a passport for a swimming pigs tour?
- Yes. Every guest needs a valid passport to enter the Bahamas by private vessel, and we recommend at least six months of validity remaining beyond your travel dates. US citizens do not require a visa for a standard visit. The captain handles the vessel's Bahamian cruising permit and coordinates customs clearance at the official port of entry, where all passengers present passports.
- How many days do I need to see the swimming pigs?
- Because Big Major Cay sits around 230 miles from South Florida, a minimum of 5 days is realistic, and 7 or more days is ideal. Five days covers the crossing plus the swimming pigs, Staniel Cay, and Compass Cay at a brisk pace. Seven to ten days adds Allen's Cay, the Exuma Land and Sea Park, and more time to relax at anchor between the wildlife stops.
- What is a swimming pigs excursion in the Bahamas like?
- A swimming pigs excursion Bahamas guests book with us is a private, crewed day at Big Major Cay, not a crowded group boat. On this swimming pigs Bahamas tour the captain anchors off Pig Beach, and you swim and wade with the friendly pigs, then snorkel Thunderball Grotto and swim with the nurse sharks at Compass Cay nearby. The whole swimming pigs tour is built around your group and your pace.
- What else is there to do besides the swimming pigs?
- Plenty. A pig beach boat tour usually pairs the pigs with Thunderball Grotto at Staniel Cay, the nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and the rock iguanas at Allen's Cay, all within a short cruise. Add the protected reefs of the Exuma Land and Sea Park, endless sandbars, and beach bars along the chain. A private charter can combine snorkeling and multi-day island hopping across the Exumas.
- Where do swimming pigs tours depart from?
- Crown Yachts Miami runs private crewed swimming pigs tours departing from deep-water marinas in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, including Miami Beach Marina, Island Gardens Deep Harbour, Bahia Mar, and Pier Sixty-Six. We are a South Florida operator, so the voyage begins at your chosen departure marina and the captain manages the full crossing. We do not run a local base in the Bahamas. See related routes on the Miami to Exuma yacht charter page and the Bahamas charter hub.
- What size yacht do I need for a swimming pigs tour?
- The Atlantic crossing to the Exumas calls for an offshore-rated vessel with the range, stability, and navigation equipment for open water and the shallow Exuma banks. Crown Yachts Miami maintains a dedicated list of offshore-capable yachts, including the Pershing GTX 116, Azimut 116, Princess 88, and San Lorenzo 97. We confirm vessel eligibility for your route and group size at booking.
- What is the best time of year to visit the swimming pigs?
- November through May is the most popular window for a swimming pigs Bahamas charter, with steady trade winds, warm water, and settled conditions for the crossing. December through March can bring occasional cold fronts that the captain times the passage around. Summer offers the calmest seas but falls within hurricane season, so trips are planned with close attention to the forecast.
- How much does a swimming pigs tour cost?
- Swimming pigs tour pricing is built around your specific voyage. The vessel, the number of guests, the length of the trip, and add-on services including provisioning, a private chef, and a beverage package all factor into the total. We do not publish fixed rates because no two charters use the same vessel for the same route over the same number of days. Share your dates, route, and group size via WhatsApp and we build a quote tailored to your itinerary. Browse the offshore fleet.
Ready to Charter a Private Yacht to the Swimming Pigs?
Tell us your dates, how many guests, and how long you have. We recommend an offshore vessel, build the itinerary, and handle everything from the South Florida marina to Big Major Cay.
Captain and crew on every voyage Offshore fleet 75 to 116 feet Multi-day crewed expeditions 5.0 Google rating
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