Swimming pigs excursion

[welshrich]

Hi there.

 

Visiting Nassau in a couple of weeks, been a few times so want to try something different.  Has anyone done this excursion or can advise the best way to do it?  I find it a bit off putting when we get off the ship there and are bombarded with offers for tours so would like to sort something out before we go.

 

ria.

[Rothko1]

The famous (or infamous) swimming pigs are down in the Exumas.  I suppose there are ways to get down there from Nassau to see them, but that's got to be a long day.  I'd be careful unless the excursion is through your cruise line.  Otherwise you might not make it back in time.

 

I've never been, but have had lots of friends who have gone.  They say that the pigs are quite aggressive.  You'd better have some food to give them, or they are going to start taking bites out of you.

 

I've never understood why the sharks down there haven't figured out there are huge delicious floating masses of pork at that island, and wiped out the swimming pigs.

[mjkacmom]

1 hour ago, Rothko1 said:

The famous (or infamous) swimming pigs are down in the Exumas.  I suppose there are ways to get down there from Nassau to see them, but that's got to be a long day.  I'd be careful unless the excursion is through your cruise line.  Otherwise you might not make it back in time.

 

I've never been, but have had lots of friends who have gone.  They say that the pigs are quite aggressive.  You'd better have some food to give them, or they are going to start taking bites out of you.

 

I've never understood why the sharks down there haven't figured out there are huge delicious floating masses of pork at that island, and wiped out the swimming pigs.

Most cruisers aren’t referring to the real swimming pigs of exuma, too far for a cruise excursion, but private islands where excursion vendors have brought over pigs to mimick exuma feral pigs. 

[welshrich]

Thanks each.  I have seen an excursion but now am wondering if it's the genuine thing.   Been to Nassau several times so was just looking for something different.

 

Other thing we've never done is gone over to Atlantis so might try that.

 

[mjkacmom]

It’s definitely not the real deal. Atlantis passes were running around $200 pp, but they might’ve gone up. You can’t really see much without a wristband.

[Rothko1]

6 hours ago, welshrich said:

Thanks each.  I have seen an excursion but now am wondering if it's the genuine thing.   Been to Nassau several times so was just looking for something different.

 

Other thing we've never done is gone over to Atlantis so might try that.

 

 

The $200 passes get you into the pool area, where the rides, lounge chairs, aquarium, etc. are.  In my opinion, it's not worth the money.

 

However, there are things you can do and see at Atlantis that don't require paying for a pass.  The entrance area, with a large aquarium view, is nice.  You can go through the casino, eat and drink in the casino restaurants or bars, and there is an ersatz Bahamian village with shops and restaurants down along the harbor which is nice to walk through.  Plus looking at all the big yachts.

 

If it were me, I'd go over and do the free stuff at Atlantis, and then head back to the cruise ship for some relaxation while everyone else is off.

[geenafeena]

On 3/15/2023 at 2:11 PM, Rothko1 said:

 

The $200 passes get you into the pool area, where the rides, lounge chairs, aquarium, etc. are.  In my opinion, it's not worth the money.

 

However, there are things you can do and see at Atlantis that don't require paying for a pass.  The entrance area, with a large aquarium view, is nice.  You can go through the casino, eat and drink in the casino restaurants or bars, and there is an ersatz Bahamian village with shops and restaurants down along the harbor which is nice to walk through.  Plus looking at all the big yachts.

 

If it were me, I'd go over and do the free stuff at Atlantis, and then head back to the cruise ship for some relaxation while everyone else is off.

We were there last year on our way to the beach but we got rained out, so not worth it for the $200 pass.  We have walked around Atlantis many years ago, but last year they had guards at all the exit doors leading to the outside beach area.  They ask for your room key.  I simply wanted to check out the view, with no luck.  The shopping area right next to it is kinda small in my opinion.  If you have never been there at all before I guess it is something to do, otherwise, I would pass.  We took the boat shuttle and then had to walk to Atlantis which wasn't the safests (as it lots of traffic).  You can get it when you get out of the port and make a right, although there was lots of construction on the new pier last year.  

[mjkacmom]

4 hours ago, geenafeena said:

We were there last year on our way to the beach but we got rained out, so not worth it for the $200 pass.  We have walked around Atlantis many years ago, but last year they had guards at all the exit doors leading to the outside beach area.  They ask for your room key.  I simply wanted to check out the view, with no luck.  The shopping area right next to it is kinda small in my opinion.  If you have never been there at all before I guess it is something to do, otherwise, I would pass.  We took the boat shuttle and then had to walk to Atlantis which wasn't the safests (as it lots of traffic).  You can get it when you get out of the port and make a right, although there was lots of construction on the new pier last year.  

A taxi will get you much closer.

[jean87510]

The swimming pigs is near to Eleuthera and Spanish wells on an island.  We actually did a private tour there in December 2020 when we were staying in Spanish Wells.  I had always wanted to see it and glad I got it out of my system. The pigs are happy and cute but pretty aggressive when you are feeding them to make them swim.  

[blue_water]

You can swim with the pigs on either Pearl Island or Rose Island. Pigs are pigs, IMHO, no need to meet the pigs on Exuma…lol
 

For Atlantis, 5 or 6 years ago we enjoyed a tour of the Dig and enjoyed the casino and lunch through the cruise line excursion.. We were also able to walk around the property, not sure if that is still an option…

 

some excursions and reviews (some are not geared for day visitors) - 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g147416-Activities-c42-Nassau_New_Providence_Island_Bahamas.html

Edited April 11, 2023 by blue_water

[Candleonwater]

Was just at Atlantis, and without a wristband, there are limits to where you are allowed to walk. Not sure exactly what those limits are, but I definitely saw guards.

 

As far as swimming with pigs, it is a MUST do at least once. We did it on Coco Cay and absolutely loved it. So much so that Exuma is on our bucket list.  I looked into it, as a cruise ship passenger, and most cruise ships don't seem to be in port long enough to really do this excisions well.  It seems better as a day trip for people who are staying in the Bahamas.

[Rothko1]

So I guess a bunch of Bahamian islands wanted to mimic the swimming pigs of the Exumas and now have their own pig islands.  I'm still waiting for the sharks to figure this out.

 

There's actually a BBQ restaurant near me called Pig Beach, that has some great pulled pork and brisket!

[blue_water]

On 4/12/2023 at 2:17 PM, Candleonwater said:

Was just at Atlantis, and without a wristband, there are limits to where you are allowed to walk. Not sure exactly what those limits are, but I definitely saw guards.

 

As far as swimming with pigs, it is a MUST do at least once. We did it on Coco Cay and absolutely loved it. So much so that Exuma is on our bucket list.  I looked into it, as a cruise ship passenger, and most cruise ships don't seem to be in port long enough to really do this excisions well.  It seems better as a day trip for people who are staying in the Bahamas.

Yes there are several excursions departing from Nassau to Exuma, I haven’t checked to see if any cater to day visitors…

[mjkacmom]

2 hours ago, blue_water said:

Yes there are several excursions departing from Nassau to Exuma, I haven’t checked to see if any cater to day visitors…

I don’t think so, it’s too far.

[Rothko1]

30 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

I don’t think so, it’s too far.

 

At one point I thought there was a company that had high-speed cigarette boats that you could take down to the Exumas.  Perhaps they are no longer in business.

[blue_water]

22 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

I don’t think so, it’s too far.

Checking quickly I do see excursion options from Nassau to Exuma for cruise ship passengers. One includes a 30 min flight each way and 4 hours in a boat.

 

The excursions to Pearl Island are just 4 and 5 hour excursions so those are definitely doable for day visitors in port for 8 hours just wanting the experience.

[1kaper]

On 4/11/2023 at 11:08 AM, blue_water said:

Pigs are pigs, IMHO, no need to meet the pigs on Exuma…lol

 

I would never do the excursion except the one Exuma.  Those pigs are there on their own.  The copycat versions are pigs that are purchased and kept just to cater to tourists.  Their living situation and treatment is questionable.  

[blue_water]

3 hours ago, 1kaper said:

 

I would never do the excursion except the one Exuma.  Those pigs are there on their own.  The copycat versions are pigs that are purchased and kept just to cater to tourists.  Their living situation and treatment is questionable.  

That sounds good but you will want to do more research…

[Rothko1]

As far as I am aware, the ones in the Exumas are real feral pigs, that were left on the island and learned to swim out to the boats that stopped by in order to get food.

 

I don't know anything about any of the other "copy cat' islands where you can also swim with pigs.  I wasn't even aware of that until this Thread.