Exuma Full Day Tour: Swimming with Pigs and More!

After returning from the Exuma Full Day Tour with 4C’s, I had to come back and share my experience on the blog. If you’re cheap like me, you’re probably contemplating the price tag, which doesn’t include the buffet lunch and/or swimming with the sharks in the Compass Cay marina. So, by the time it’s all said and done the price is about $200++ per person + optional tip. You should note that they do not take payment in advance. You will pay when you get there.

Being someone who is tight with my money I still decided to move forward with this tour and see what the fuss was about. I can honestly say I’m glad I did. Especially because my time in Exuma was limited. I only had 3 nights on this beautiful island. This tour allowed me to see all of the Insta worthy places in one day. Here’s how the full day tour went if you’re interested in going.

Pick up

Transportation was right on time – arriving at my hotel right at 7:30a as promised. The van was comfy with air conditioning. After a drive of about 45 minutes to an hour, I made it to the marina. Boats were lined up and ready for passengers. There was a check in counter where I paid in the quaint little shop. After you left the shop, you walk out back and they have merchants selling souvenirs and goodies. There was an assortment of hats, necklaces, handbags and more.

The group of about 12 of us boarded the boat and chose our seat. The music got bumping, and we were off to paradise. We stopped at a few private islands that offered rentals to the tune of $34,000 per week. We drove by a few celebrities’ homes such as Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

Sunken Drug Plane

Our first stop was to see a sunken drug plane. The story behind this is pretty interesting. It’s a wreck of a drug smuggler’s plane that ditched here during the Pablo Escobar drug running empire in the 1970’s.

The famous Staniel Cay Plane Wreck is one of the most accessible in the world because of its location in shallow sea water. The wreck happened just a half of a mile away from the busy Staniel Cay Yacht Club making it a heavily toured spot in Exuma today.

Thunderball Grotto Snorkeling

Next up on our Full Day Exuma Cays Adventure, we headed to Thunder Ball Grotto for some snorkeling in a cave. The snorkeling gear was provided for everyone on board. They gave everyone pieces of bread to feed the fish and there were so many fish swarming around us. Beautiful colors and all different sizes. After 35-45 minutes at this stop, it was time to head to Staniel Cay, the major Cay where the famous Swimming Pigs live.

Pig Beach

Pig Beach located on Big Major Cay is a beach on an uninhabited island located in Exuma. The island takes its unofficial name from the fact that it is populated by a colony of feral pigs which live on the island.

Wondering how the pigs got to Pig Beach? We don’t know for sure. Big Major Cay is uninhabited and the pigs are not native to the island. Some say they were left by a group of sailors, who planned to come back and cook them. Or that the pigs swam over from a shipwreck nearby. Wherever they came from, there are now about 20 pigs and piglets living the easy life. Enjoying daily visits from Bahamians and tourists. This is one experience you definitely CANNOT miss while you’re visiting Exuma.

One of my biggest regrets was coming to this island with not much food for the piggies. I wish I had brought more fresh fruit and bottled water with me for the little cutie pies. Pulling up to the island was a magical feeling. All of the piggies could hear the boats coming so they rush to the waters to greet us, or more accurately greet the food. There were some baby pigs roaming the island as well and following in the footsteps of their elders, joining in on the fun. Tourists get a bad rep here due to reports of mistreated piggies.

Compass Cay

After feeding and petting the piggies, it was off to the nurse sharks. The famous Bahamas nurse sharks normally roam the turquoise water of Compass Cay Marina – a protected harbor located in Compass Cay Island where dozens of boats dock each day. The nurse sharks can be easily spotted as your boat approaches the marina.

Bahamas Nurse Sharks are commonly known as Compass Cay sharks too, thanks to the island they inhabit. Compass Cay is one of the quaint islands of Exuma Cays that boast around 360 cays, islands, and islets. Aside from the famous swim with the sharks Bahamas experience, you can also find other exciting adventures here such as swimming with the pigs, exploring a sunken plane, snorkeling in James Bond’s cave, and many more. Compass Cay is located 75 miles south of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, and 350 miles away from Miami.

Lunch

After swimming with the sharks, we stopped at a local Bahamian restaurant for lunch. We feasted on barbecue ribs, fried fish nuggets, chicken, macaroni and cheese, rice and peas, french fries, cole slaw and a brownie for dessert. The price of lunch is $20 per person and additional for drinks. Swimming definitely works up an appetite and the food was mighty tasty and filling. There was plenty where you could have seconds.

Exuma Sandbar

After lunch, the sandbar awaited us. I will admit I thought a “sandbar” included a bartender and mixed cocktails. Boy was I in for a surprise. The sandbar is one of the largest in the Caribbean. It’s a beautiful place for a photo shoot. The water is incredible and the soft, clean sand was easy to walk on. No rocks or anything. I felt like I was in a dream while I was there. So beautiful.

Endangered Pink Iguanas

After our glamour shoot at the sandbar, it was time to visit the endangered pink iguanas. On a small island in the Bahamas called Bitter Guana Cay, an endangered species of Bahamian Rock Iguanas roam the land. Visit these prehistoric animals on a day trip to the Exuma Cays and Staniel Cay. The iguana island in the Bahamas (Bitter Guana Cay) is home to the only remaining Bahamian Rock Iguanas in the world.

The Bahamian Rock Iguanas that live on Iguana Island are an endangered species of reptiles. Known as ‘Cyclura’ in the scientific community. The name can be translated from Greek to mean circular tail — probably because of its distinct thick-ringed tail. Scientists believe this species has evolved over the course of 3 million years into three different subspecies. The Andros Island iguana, the Allen’s Cay iguana, and the Exuma Island iguana.

Starfish Bay

After laying eyes on the pink beauties, we had one last stop at Starfish Bay. Guests did not get in this time, only the captain and crew. They grabbed starfish for us to pose for pictures with. Then we promptly returned them to their home. Overall, it was a great day and I recommend it even thought it comes with a $200 price tag. It’s well worth it. If you have any questions about Exuma, give me a shout: cassandra@accent-on-travel.net.

Heading to Exuma?