You Can Swim With Wild Pigs At This Picturesque Beach In The Caribbean

While shuffling through the beautiful clear waters of the Caribbean, you expect to come across some amazing experiences. White sands, palm trees, blue skies, and seashells are all expected. But a visit to one small beach brings several large added bonuses. Pig Beach in the Bahamas is where wild pigs join locals and tourists in the surf for a dip in the sun-drenched waters.

How the pigs got to this island is unclear. Were they survivors of a shipwreck? Perhaps they were left behind by sailors who planned to return later but failed to do so. Whatever their origin, nearly two dozen of these wild and friendly animals live their best life on the island of Big Major Cay, part of the chain of 365 islands that make up the Exumas. Pig Beach, as it's called, is only accessible by boat. The beach is closest to the human-inhabited Staniel Cay. From here, private boat tours regularly visit Pig Beach each morning. However, local fishermen may also provide passage at a negotiated rate.

Either way, the trip to this porcine paradise is only 15 minutes or so from Staniel Cay. The pigs (and piglets) will be happy to greet you, especially if you have some fresh fruits and vegetables ready to share. Unfortunately, Florida's beloved airline with routes to the Caribbean islands has shut down for good, but there are still plenty of other ways to find your way to Pig Beach.

If your travels take you to the Bahamas, Nassau is likely one of the destinations on the route. There is a plane route from Nassau to Staniel Cay, which takes about 30 minutes. To make things more convenient, you can also book a full-day tour from Nassau that includes multiple Exuma sites, including Pig Beach, and a prepared lunch.

A few other options are available for those looking to swim with the pigs in the Caribbean. From Nassau, home to Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), speedboats are available for hire to transport tourists to Pig Beach. These trips, however, can be much rougher and less leisurely than the steady trips from Staniel Cay. There is also a ferry that is available to transport guests to the beach from Nassau. While it's a more tame and relaxed experience, it may leave less time for exploring the island. However you plan to arrive, booking tours to Pig Island in advance is recommended when possible. While truly a unique experience, swimming with pigs is just one of several experiences you can only have in the Caribbean.

Winter and spring are the high season in the Bahamas, with cruise ships and tourists looking to escape the cold weather of the north. June and July typically see smaller crowds, especially in Nassau. But summer is also the hurricane season, so checking the forecast beforehand is advisable before heading to this paradise. For an entirely different experience, check out the island of Bimini, which may not have a direct route to the pigs, but it does tend to be less crowded than Nassau and is full of water sports.