--- title: "Swimming With Pigs in the Bahamas: Exuma or Rose Island?" url: https://floridasfinestyachts.com/swimming-pigs-bahamas-exuma-rose-island/ type: post date: 2026-09-28 modified: 2026-10-05 markdown_url: https://floridasfinestyachts.com/swimming-pigs-bahamas-exuma-rose-island.md author: "Florida's Finest Yachts" --- # Swimming With Pigs in the Bahamas: Exuma or Rose Island? Florida’s Finest Yachts • The island comparison You picture clear water, a sandy island and a very unexpected swimming companion. Before building a yacht trip around that photograph, check which island it actually shows. Exuma and Rose Island offer different experiences—and choosing the right one starts with where your trip begins. [Talk Through My Bahamas Plans](/contact-floridas-finest-yachts/) ## Where can you swim with pigs in the Bahamas? The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism identifies Big Major Cay, also known as Pig Beach, in the Exumas as the famous home of the swimming pigs. Sandy Toes operates a separate swimming-pig experience on Rose Island. These are two distinct places, not two names for one attraction. That distinction matters when reviewing an excursion or asking about a yacht itinerary. “Swimming with pigs” alone does not tell you the departure point, destination, operator, transfer arrangement or time on the island. ## Two islands. Two different plans. ### Big Major Cay: the Exuma setting If the original Exuma Pig Beach is your must-see, name Big Major Cay in your inquiry. The official tourism site confirms access by boat. Explore our [private Exumas yacht charters](/exumas-yacht-charters/) for a sample island itinerary that includes the Big Major Cay area, rather than assuming a stop can be added to any Bahamas charter. Ask exactly where the trip starts and how you reach the pigs from there. ### Rose Island: a separate operator-led visit Sandy Toes identifies its pigs as the swimming pigs of Rose Island. Check the operator’s current booking options and access rules for your travel date. Do not assume arriving on a private yacht grants entry to an organized experience or that a charter fee includes admission. ## Already in Nassau—or starting in Miami? Those are different planning conversations. If you are staying in Nassau, ask the excursion operator about the actual departure point, transfers, check-in and return arrangements. A listing described as a Nassau excursion does not mean every attraction is on Nassau itself. If you are considering a yacht from Miami, first discuss a feasible Bahamas route and duration with the charter team. Do not add an Exuma or Rose Island experience to a Miami–Bimini plan by name alone. The locations, travel involved and arrangements need to be evaluated together. Florida’s Finest Yachts must confirm service availability for the requested route, any Nassau-based departure and any third-party experience. This guide does not promise access, a partnership with Sandy Toes or that every yacht can make the journey. ## Five questions before you book the pig visit - **Which island and operator?** Get the actual destination in writing. - **Where does the experience begin?** Separate your hotel or yacht location from the excursion departure point. - **What is included?** Confirm transfers, admission, food, equipment and any extra charges. - **What happens in unsuitable conditions?** Read the operator’s current cancellation and rescheduling terms. - **What are the participation rules?** Check age, mobility, swimming and animal-interaction requirements directly. ![Watercolor illustration of pigs resting in shade beside a tropical shoreline](https://floridasfinestyachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/pigs-shore-illustration.png) ## Let the animals set the pace Follow the on-site team’s instructions and posted rules. Do not chase, lift or crowd the pigs for a photograph. Ask staff before offering any food, and give an animal room to move away. Children need close adult supervision. An appealing travel photo should never depend on forcing an interaction. The illustration in this guide is a travel concept, not a photograph documenting either operator’s facilities or animals. ## Build a day you will enjoy beyond one photograph Decide what else matters: time on the beach, a relaxed lunch, a swim or simply a less hurried schedule. Then ask whether those priorities fit the actual excursion. More stops are not automatically better when your real goal is to enjoy being on the water. If you are still choosing the destination, read [Bimini versus Nassau](/bimini-vs-nassau-yacht-charter/). For a departure from South Florida, start with our [Miami to Bahamas charter planning](/miami-to-bahamas-yacht-charters/) and tell us that visiting the pigs is a priority, so availability and routing can be discussed before you commit. ## Sources and booking checks Location facts checked September 28, 2026: [The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism: swimming pigs at Big Major Cay](https://www.bahamas.com/experiences/official-home-swimming-pigs) and [Sandy Toes: Rose Island swimming pigs](https://www.sandytoesbahamas.com/piggy-profiles/). Confirm current access and arrangements with the operator before booking. ## Which island belongs in your trip? Tell us where you will be staying or departing from and whether visiting the pigs is a must. We can discuss what may fit, with route and experience availability confirmed separately. [Talk Through My Bahamas Plans](/contact-floridas-finest-yachts/)[Call (305) 998-0238](tel:+13059980238)