exuma pig island tour from nassau

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WELCOME TO EXUMA EXCURSIONS

• THE SWIMMING PIGS
• WILD STINGRAYS
• BAHAMIAN ROCK IGUANAS
• EXOTIC BEACHES
• SIGHTSEEING 
• THE SCENIC ROUTE
• FRIENDLIEST SERVICE

(242)357-0770 or (242) 355-5001

 We are the No. 1 Swimming Pigs excursion in the Bahamas! We proudly aim to give you the best boat tours in Exuma. Fun, professional, amazing, and in a premium setting with all the frills. Get to know us better, learn about the history of our company.   In 1978 Ray Lightbourn opened a water ski business on Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas.  By 1981 the business expanded to parasailing and became Paradise Parasail Ltd. The company grew and became a full fledged water sports operation with parasailing, jet skis, sailboats, windsurfer rentals and instruction, snorkeling and sightseeing tours and excursions to the Exuma Cays. Rebecca and Justin, (his kids), started really early!  In 2006 Ray and his son Justin who was practically born on a reef, launched Exuma Water Sports now Exuma Excursions.  

 Over the years, they have taken out a wide variety of celebrities. Some of our favorites were Taylor Swift, super model Irina Shayk, Tyra Banks, AC/DC, Allan Thicke, Joan Jett, Nascar Ryan Newman, Muhammed Ali, Michelle Pfeiffer, Brooks Koepka, AJ Burnett, Patrick Ewing, the Globe Trotters,  N Sync, Dave Winfield, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Sean Paul, New Kids on the Block, the Royal Family of Qatar, the 2010 Miss Universe contestants, the Portuguese National Football Team, Canadian Gold Medalist – Jon Montgomery, Motley Crue, and hip-hop-metal band “Dope”. Exuma Excursions has also been featured on NBC Extra, the Today Show, City TV Breakfast Television, The Big Break, HDTV Caribbean Life, The Bachelor, Miss Universe 2010, CNN-Travel, The O'Reilly Factor, Fishing Impossible, Mansions & Millionaires, A Taste of History and numerous Bahamas Ministry of Tourism projects. Everyone however is a celebrity to us and we hope you will enjoy our professional, friendly service and our great boats.   

Just get ready for the best excursion in the Bahamas!  

(1/2 day) Swimming Pig Excursion

007 thunderball excursion (full day).

Swim with The Swimming Pigs and stingrays, cruise in and out of some 35 of the most beautiful islands and cays in Exuma, stopping at several of the prettiest beaches for exploring, swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing.

Visit the famous Swimming Pigs, endangered Rock Iguanas, swim with the sharks, snorkel in Thunderball Cave. Island hopping James Bond style with lots of stops at scenic beaches, sandbars, and view points. 

Castaway Excursion

Farmer's cay excursion (full day).

Get dropped off on a deserted islandwith a perfect beach to explore, swim and snorkel. Umbrella, cooler, beach chairs all included.

An amazing and scenic cruise to a quaint and tiny Bahamian island - Farmer's Cay, include ding the Swimming Pigs, iguanas, sandbars, snorkeling and many interesting view points and stops.

Private & Custom Excursions

Private and custom excursions, weddings, beach parties, film scouting, we do it all.

Large and small groups welcomed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring, and various info on our excursions and Exuma.

Copyright © 2023 Exuma Excursions - All Rights Reserved.

Swimming Pig Excursion From Nassau

Children 6 Years Old and Under Tour Free! Flight Not Included

Avoid the weather cancellations and long ride from Nassau, come direct to Pig's Beach on our quick 30-minute flight!

Swimming Pigs Excursion from Nassau Only $597 Including Quick Flight

Small-Group Tours! Depending on the boat, you will never be with more than 12 people ( including yourself) on our biggest boat and 5 on our smallest. We only offer luxury group tours that feel private.

Children 6 and Under Tour Free, Flight Not Included $234

In 3 Simple Steps

Skip the three hour ride from Nassau spend more time at each of the seven stops

1. Swim With The Pigs

Pigs can’t fly but they sure can swim; join us as we embark on this magical Swimming Pigs Tour adventure! Swim with friendly sharks at compass cay, feed the swimming pigs and get a close look at the endangered Bahamian Rock Iguanas all while cruising in the pristine waters of the Exuma Cays.

The Swimming Pigs

In the middle of paradise, with billionaires and celebrities for neighbors, is an island populated only by swimming pigs . For decades, this archipelago of 365 islands would remain largely unknown to the world. It would not be a ruthless pirate, pioneering loyalists, a notorious drug kingpin, or the infamous Fyre Festival that would unveil Exuma to the world, but rather the most unlikely of creatures. Appearing in magazines, videos, newspapers, commercials, TV shows, and countless selfies, the Swimming Pigs of Exuma, in the Bahamas, have become a bucket-list sensation and have been named one of the marvels of the universe.

Big Major Cay, is a daydream when you meet the inhabitants: loud, snorting pigs paddling out to greet you like a jolly bunch of golden retrievers rushing to the door when their owner finally gets home from a long day of work.

The locals at Big Major’s “Pig Beach” are transplants rather than native islanders, just like many of the people you’ll meet in the area. And though they’ve clearly taken to their tropical digs and rising popularity — spurred in part by a dramatic appearance on “The Bachelor” and more than a few well-liked Instagram posts — the rewards of fame are free food. Most tours to the island start at 9 a.m. It’s best to go early in the morning for the most uninterrupted attention from the pigs. By late afternoon, you’ll usually find them tuckered out with full bellies, and they’re more likely to lounge in the sand than to paddle through the water with you.

2. Swimming With The Sharks On Compass Cay

with Staniel Cay Adventures

Does swimming with the sharks sound dangerous? This part of a tour can be loads of fun! Nurse sharks, the bottom-dwelling sharks that live in warm, shallow waters of the Bahamas are a friendly bunch. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get up close at Compass Cay just north of Staniel Cay

The nurse sharks are – for the most part – harmless to swimmers and snorkelers.

Nurse sharks may have the ominous dorsal fin of a predator but they are much more easygoing than your average shark. These sharks are greyish-brown in appearance, reach 7.5 to 9.75 feet long, and weigh up to 300 pounds! Young nurse sharks can be identified by their spots. Nurse sharks feed on the fish, squid, and crabs of shallow ocean floors, and use their strong jaws to crush and eat shellfish, and even coral.

Is it safe to swim with nurse sharks?

A human fear of sharks is not without reason, but it just so happens that nurse sharks are laid-back and mostly harmless. That is why many divers and snorkelers visit the Bahamas to swim with sharks. Nurse sharks that live near marinas are fed by local fisherman and have grown accustomed to the presence of humans. This makes them much more friendly. Having your own day tour with Staniel Cay Adventures allows you to take advantage of every opportunity to swim with the nurse sharks.

3. Visit The Iguanas On Bitter Guana Cay

With Staniel Cay Adventures

The Exuma Island Iguana is a critically endangered subspecies of northern Bahamian rock iguana that is found on the Exuma island chain in the Bahamas with a wild population of 1,300 animals, it is listed on the IUCN Red List. Iguanas of Bitter Guana Cay is a must stop to visit with amazing coral rock formations hand over a picture perfect little sandy beach. The Exuma Island iguana is the smallest of the three subspecies of C. cychlura . It attains a total length of close to 3.3 ft. Its coloration is dark-gray to black, with white or orange tinged scales on the head and snout depending upon which cay the iguana is from. As soon as you step on Bitter Guana Cay, you will notice the island is filled with iguanas. These iguanas are endangered species, with the population being less than 5,000.

If you just pass by, you will not notice the dozen of iguanas on the island; they won’t move or scurry or even blink. When you pull up in the boat and hit the sandy beach they will run out to greet to you like a long lost friend. They hang around like puppy dogs, basking in the sun & playing with the visitors. Just like the other islands in The Exumas that are inhabited by wildlife, these are accustomed to people visiting them. As you walk the beach, you will notice some stay in hiding; they are super friendly, although they will only let you get so close.

Due to their isolation to the rest of the world, the iguanas are indigenous to this island & are not found anywhere else. This subspecies is found on at least seven small cays throughout the central and southern Exuma island chain of the B ahamas: Bitter Guana Cay, Gaulin Cay, White Bay Cay, Noddy Cay, North Adderly Cay, Leaf Cay, and Guana Cay. The entire population on Leaf Cay was translocated to Pasture Cay in 2002.The Exuma Island iguana utilizes a variety of habitats from sandy beaches and xeric limestone devoid of vegetation to dry forests. The iguanas use limestone crevices or sand burrows for retreats at night and in adverse weather conditions The Exuma Island iguana, like most Cyclura species is primarily herbivorous, consuming leaves, flowers, berries, and fruits from over 100 plant species. Favored food plants include seaside rock shrub , darling plum , pride of big pine , joewood , black torch , seagrape silver thatch palm, white stopper , bay cedar , and the rotting fruit of seven-year apple . The Exuma Island iguana is also an important means of distributing these seeds to new areas (particularly when females migrate to their nesting areas) and, as the largest native herbivores of their island’s ecosystem, they are essential for maintaining the balance between climate and vegetation. The longevity record in captivity for an Exuma Island iguana is twenty-three years, six months.

The iguanas live in large social colonies with a lack of social structure; typically not aggressive towards each other. They bask in the sun, relax & greet with visitors to their own private island.

4. Snorkel Thunderball Grotto

Retrace 007’s swim-finned steps with an unforgettable excursion to this famous turquoise grotto.

Cue the martinis, bombshells in bikinis, and MI6 secret weapons. Thunderball Grotto, an underwater cave that’s been featured in two James Bond movies, also happens to be one of the most spectacular places to snorkel in the Bahamas.

A short boat ride from the northwest coast of Staniel Cay in the Exumas, Thunderball Grotto has played host to several silver screen gems, including Bond flicks Thunderball (1965) and Never Say Never Again (1983), Splash (yes, the one where Daryl Hannah plays a mermaid), and Into the Blue , starring Jessica Alba.

In Thunderball , Sean Connery’s James Bond heads to the Bahamas to recover two nuclear warheads stolen by global terrorist organization SPECTRE.

Thunderball Grotto

Thunderball Grotto is located two minutes from Staniel Cay Exuma, offering an incredible underwater cave system is great for snorkeling and wading. You will experience a variety of friendly marine life along with brilliantly colored coral reefs and Sergeant Majors ,Yellow-tail snappers and Angel fish. We provide professionally maintained snorkeling equipment from our certified PADI Dive Master .

5. Staniel Cay Yacht Club

The centerpiece of the Staniel Cay community is the famous and historic Staniel Cay Yacht Club ; a luxury boutique hotel with over water bungalows, marina, restaurant and bar. With close proximity to Staniel Cay Yacht Club is known by some as the gateway to the Exumas. Staniel Cay Yacht Club is the perfect place to lunch and people watch.

6. Exuma's Famous Sandbars

With sapphire-blue water everywhere, The Exumas are an exotic collection of dream destinations. The white sand exquisiteness and tropical waters make for an excellent destination on any Bahamas day trip to the Exumas. It is just one of many attractions within the vicinity of Staniel Cay. Staniel Cay Adventures stops at one of the most spectacular in the Bahamas. Enjoy the incredible shallow and narrow channels of crystal clear blues and stunning white sand beach that peek out of the water at low tide. You will see exotic life under the sea and experience quiet seclusion like you can’t get in other parts of the Bahamas. The Exuma sandbars are the definition of an oasis deep in the Bahamas!

7. Snorkel a Sunken Plane

The wreckage of one of Pablo and Carlos’ plane, lies just off of Staniel Cay in shallow water. We will anchor the boat and snorkel the most famous plane crash in the Bahamas.

Private Tour Options

Experience the magical adventure of the exuma cays.

Join us for a magical Staniel Cay Adventure and you will have an experience like no other! Are you looking for something new and exciting? Then look no further than our list of unique tours that are not offered by anyone else. We at Staniel Cay Adventures have curated a list of activities for you that will surely get you excited.

Follow these simple steps to join the Swimming Pigs Excursion from Nassau

Step One: Call or email us to let us know your arrival date and time so we can check availability on our swimming pig tour from Nassau [email protected]   Call (242) 524-8062  or What’s App

Step Two:   Take a taxi to the airport for your flight to Staniel Cay, Please arrive at the airport and be checked in no later than 7 am. Have your camera ready as we believe that the flight is an experience in itself!

Step Three: When you land in Staniel Cay our professional tour guide and  luxury boat  service will greet you and whisk you away to start making memories on the swimming pig tour that will  last a life time. “It’s Da Ting To Do!”

The Original Swimming Pig Excursion from Nassau to Staniel Cay

In the middle of paradise, with billionaires and celebrities as neighbors, is an island populated only by swimming pigs. This archipelago of 365 islands would remain largely unknown to the world for decades. It would not be a ruthless pirate, pioneering loyalists, a notorious drug kingpin, or the infamous Fyre Festival that would unveil Exuma to the world, but rather the most unlikely of creatures. Appearing in magazines, videos, newspapers, commercials, TV shows, and countless selfies, the Swimming Pigs of Staniel Cay Exuma in the Bahamas have become a bucket-list sensation and have been named one of the marvels of the universe.

Meet the wildlife of Euxma by boat

Explore over 10 miles of diverse land and sea ecosystems

Feed the turtles, visit the original swimming pigs, swim with the sharks, and feed the iguanas.

Journey to see the sandbars or snorkel the shallow reefs

Group Tour $597  Per person From Nassau

 Children 6 and Under Flight is $234.

All prices exclude 10% VAT and a Credit Card Processing Fee of 5%

Looking for more? We also offer Private Tours , Fishing Trips.

Private Tours and Charters  Pricing Please Click Here

Swimming Pig Group Tour from Nassau

$ 597.00

Swimming Pigs Tour includes: Swimming Pigs, Pet Sharks on Compass Cay, Iguanas, Thunderball Grotto, Stop for Lunch at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and swimming on an incredible sandbar. Or if you would like a custom private tour we are happy to show you around are beautiful cays.

Children under 6 Flight:  $234 Children under 6 Tour: (free) Adults Flight and Tour:  $597

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Operator-Participant Agreement for Reservation

Terms and Conditions

This Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions under which Staniel Cay Adventures, (henceforth “Operator”, “us”, “we”) in return for a payment in the amount indicated as the total cost for service, agrees to provide you (“passenger” “you”, “your”) with services.

1.   RESPONSIBILITY: The operator provides services only and is therefore responsible only for the persons tour. The Operator does not offer or provide any other services. If you purchase other services (hotel, rental, etc.) in connection with your tour, those other services are the responsibility of the provider of those services and/or their agent(s). Neither Operator, nor its agents, servants, employees, management, owners, or your travel agent, assumes any responsibility for any claim, cause of action, injuries, losses, or damages arising from the acts or omissions of any third- parties involved with your tour, or quarantine, disturbances, government restrictions or regulations, damage, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, loss of pay, disappointment, mechanical breakdown, government actions, strike, lockouts, war, terrorism, weather, acts of God, force Majeure, or other factors of causes beyond our control.

2.  RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT: Full payment and acceptance of this Agreement are required to secure the tour. Reservations may be made directly online at our website www.StanielCayAdventures.com or by calling 242 524 8062. Passenger has a right to request a copy of this Agreement prior to making payment. For bookings made by calling 242 524 8062 or via our website, Staniel Cay Adventures accepts American Express, MasterCard, and Visa.

3.    ITINERARY CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS: The right to a refund if the Passenger changes or cancels a reservation is limited. ALL PAYMENTS (i.e. “tours”) ARE NON- REFUNDABLE AND NON- TRANSFERABLE. Reservations may be changed or canceled up to 48 hours prior to the tour with a payment of a $75.00 Administrative Fee per person. The particular tour will then be flagged in our system and must be used within 12 months of the date of cancellation. Tours flagged in this manner are not transferable. The net amount of the credit will remain in escrow until it is either used or expires. Upon expiration (12 months), all monies are forfeited by the Passenger. Extensions beyond one year are not possible. Passengers who do not notify Staniel Cay Adventures at least 48 hours in advance of their cancellation or change request for a future tour voucher forfeit their right to a refund or credit for future tours. Changes and cancellations can only be made by calling our Reservations Office at 242 524 8062, or emailing [email protected] The time stamp on your email to us must reflect the 48-hour cutoff or no credit will be preserved. No credit will be issued for a cancellation or schedule change made less than 48 hours prior to departure. In this instance, the entire airfare price is forfeited.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Staniel Cay Adventures is committed to quality service. In the unlikely event that you have cause for dissatisfaction during your tour, please call 242 524 8062 to discuss the issue with a Customer Service Representative.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Swimming Pigs From Nassau

Compass Cay Sharks

This part of the Swimming Pigs Tour from Nassau can be loads of fun!

Swimming Pigs

Nassau Swim With The Sharks Compass Cay

Thunderball & Nassau Swimming Pigs Tour

Nassau Swimming Pigs Tour

Thunderball

Nassau Swimming Pigs Tour includes: Swimming Pigs, Pet Sharks on Compass Cay, Iguanas, Thunderball Grotto, Stop for Lunch at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and swimming on an incredible sandbar. Or if you would like a custom private tour we are happy to show you around are beautiful cays.

Swimming Pigs Excursion From Nassau to Staniel Cay Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance do you need to book a nassau swimming pigs day tour.

The further out you book, the better chance of booking your preferred date. Nassua Day Tours get booked fast make your booking in advance if you can’t then email or call us and we will try to accommodate your schedule.

What is Provided For The Swimimng Pigs Tour?

• Fluffy Towels
• Water and soft drinks with lots of ice for those hot days
• Fish and Pig Snacks
• Sunscreen if needed
• Snorkeling gear that is professionally maintained
• Beach chairs and floats
• Phone Chargers and power supply
• Digital photos for download
• Local and experienced Boat Captain

You provide:

• Camera or smart phone
• Swim suit, hat and cover up for sun protection
• Cash for lunch, tips and $10 per person to swim with the pet sharks

Can I book Staniel Cay Swimming Pigs Day Tours by phone?

Yes! Call 1.242.524.8062

Can I book a private trip?

Yes, we offer private charter trips. Please see the chart below.

Does the tour still go out if it rains?

We go out as long as the weather permits, depending on the water condition and how heavy the rainfall is we will try to make it out rain or shine. We do have rain protection if needed. It is rare to have a full day of rain.

Who Should Not Go On The Nassau Swimming Pigs Tour

• Not recommended for pregnant women
• Not accessible for the physically challenged
• Not recommended for people with back problems or who have had a recent back surgery
• Not recommended for people with respiratory or heart problems
• Not recommended for people with a recent arm/hand surgery
• Not handicapped accessible

What Do We to Bring on The Nassau Swimming Pigs Tour

• Change of Clothes
• Water Shoes
• Insect Repellent

Who will our tour guides be?

We have licensed local captains that have all grown up in the Exuma Cays and have many years of experience.

Do we have to tip our Nassau Swimming Pigs Tour Guides?

Tips are not required but are much appreciated; more than often, people provide tips to our captains.

How much cash should we take and do they accept U.S. currency?

Yes, every island accepts U.S. currency and Bahamian Currency. Bring enough money for souvenirs and $10.00 for swimming with the Compass Cay Pet Sharks.

How much tip do you think we should give?

Tips can vary depending on how many people are in your group.

Will there be somewhere to leave our personal items while on the swimming pigs tour?

Our boats have dry areas that we can stash your personal belongings during the tour.

What should we wear for the Nassau Swimming Pigs Tour?

Wear appropriate weather gear and always have a swimsuit on underneath!

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included on the Swimming Pigs Staniel Cay Day Tour. We offer snacks, water, and soda.

Where do we meet for pick up?

When you land on Staniel Cay, we will be right there to greet you.

Can I give a tour as a gift?

Of course, you can! Email us or give us a call, and we can help if you want it to be a surprise.

Swimming Pigs Excursion from Nassau

Swimming pig excursion from nassua with staniel cay adventures.

How to Get from Nassau to Pig Beach, Bahamas: Best Tours & Costs

If you’re wondering where to swim with pigs and how to get from Nassau to Pig Beach, Bahamas, wonder no more. You will find all the information you need below.

I remember seeing the first pictures and videos of pigs swimming in the crystal-clear turquoise water of Exuma, an archipelago comprising more than 365 islands in the Bahamas.

A few months later, I had the opportunity to visit the Bahamas and went swimming not only with pigs but also with sharks in Exuma and had an unforgettable time!

If you want to know how to get to Pig Island from Nassau to have one of the most unique experiences in the Caribbean, how to book a Pig Beach tour, how much the tours cost, and also the cheapest way to swim with pigs in the Bahamas, do not worry because I’m covering everything in this post.

Are you planning a last-minute trip to the Bahamas?

If you’re booking your trip to the Bahamas last minute, I have you covered. Below are some of the best tours, hotels and more!

🇧🇸 Popular tours/activities in Nassau (and nearby):

• Exuma Full-day Experience (top-selling tour)
• ATV Island Tour with Beach Break and Lunch (free pickup and drop-off included)
• Nassau Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour (top-rated tour)
• Nassau Rum Tasting and Culinary Walking Tour (likely to sell out)

🛌 Best places to stay in Nassau:

• Budget : Hillcrest  (a hostel located in Downtown Nassau offering mixed and female dormitories)
• Mid-range : Sandyport Beach Resort  (pastel-coloured villas surrounded by palm trees with a private beach area)
• Luxury : Grand Hyatt Baha Mar (5-star hotel with 6 outdoor pools, a private beach, a golfing course and family-friendly activities)

🛫 Want to get from Nassau Airport to the city centre? Find the best hassle-free transfer options here!

Table of Contents

Where is Pig Beach, Bahamas?

The world-famous and super cute swimming pigs of Exuma live at Big Major Cay, also known as Pig Beach, an island entirely uninhabited by humans, located around 82 mi southeast of Nassau, Bahama’s capital, and 50 mi northwest of George Town, Exuma’s capital.

How the pigs got to Big Major Cay nobody knows, but the fact is that they live in a piece of paradise.

How to get to Pig Beach from Nassau

There are only two ways to get from Nassau to Pig Island, by boat or plane.

Traveling from the Bahamas’s capital you can fly directly to Staniel Cay, just a 30-minute ride, or book a swim-with-pigs tour from Nassau by powerboat. Below you find the details about these two options available and many tips to plan your trip.

1 – Book a Pig Beach Tour with Flight included

If you’ve been dreaming about swimming with pigs in the original Pig Beach in the Bahamas, my recommendation is to book a day trip from Nassau with everything included. It’s much easier, cheaper and stress-free.

If you book this Intimate Pig Beach Excursion to Exuma Swimming Pigs & Flight Options with Viator, a Trip Advisor company, you’ll pay US$ 750 /per person. Including roundtrip to the airport .

Excluded : lunch.

The tour has seven stops and apart from swimming with the pigs, you’ll also get the chance to feed iguanas, pet the sharks and snorkel in one of the best snorkelling spots in the world, Thunderball Grotto (where the James Bond homonym movie was filmed).

The flight has only a few seats, so booking your ticket in advance is highly recommended. Check out the reviews and tour details here .

Another seven-stop tour with flights included that might interest you is this one that departs at 8:00 AM from a private and hassle-free airport in Nassau, which can be much more convenient. The tour includes roundtrip airport transfers, soft drinks, light snacks and lunch .

Book your tour online in advance

P.S.1: These tours are currently available only for two or more travelers . If you are travelling alone or put only one person , it’ll say that the tour is unavailable .

P.S.2: You can reserve any of these two tours now, pay it later and get a full refund up to 24h before the activity starts in case you need to cancel it.

• Don’t miss: 15 Best Things to Do in Nassau

2 – Book a Pig Beach Tour from Nassau by Powerboat

The cheapest way to visit Pig Beach and swim with the famous swimming pigs of Exuma is to book a Pig Beach tour from Nassau by powerboat.

You can book this Exuma Island Hopping & Swimming Pigs Tour with Lunch from Nassau for approximately US$ 438 , or this Exuma full-day Experience , which includes a stop at Pablo Escobar’s plane crash, pick up & drop off, food and beverage for US$ 468 .

Both tours have really good reviews, friendly local guides and great service. You can reserve it now and pay later.

The tours take up to 8-9h and are subject to weather conditions.

P.S: Please note that the boat ride from Nassau to Pig Beach takes an average of 3h, and is not suitable for children under three years old, pregnant women or persons with recent back injuries or major surgery.

• Check my suggestions on what to pack for the Bahamas here .

My Experience getting to Pig Island

While planning my Three-day trip to the Bahamas , one of the places that I really wanted to see was Exuma Island, which features some of the clearest and most beautiful sapphire-blue water on the planet.

When I discovered that I could go swimming with pigs and sharks in Exuma, I hesitated a bit at first, because I was scared of sharks, but then decided to do it no matter how much money I would have to spend.

I didn’t know how to get to Pig Beach from Nassau, so I was searching for tour companies and found Coastline Adventures. They gave me all the information I needed in order to go from Nassau to Exuma for the day trip to see the hilarious swimming pigs.

I took the first flight from Nassau to George Town at 6:00 AM, the driver picked me up at the airport around 7:00 and then the other people who were joining the tour at their hotels.

The Coastline Adventure Swimming Pigs tour was excellent!

We sailed on the crystal clear water of different shades of blue of Exuma Cays, saw some islands owned by celebrities and stopped on a breathtaking sandbank.

We also went to Thunderball Grotto (where two James Bond movies were shot), passed Nicolas Cage’s Island and of course went swimming with pigs at Big Major Cay and with sharks at Compass Cay.

The music on the boat was really good, and the vibe was awesome. We had free drinks and a lot of fun feeding and swimming with the pigs and piglets.

The Swimming Pigs Tour covers a total of over 120 miles. So be prepared to spend a lot of time on the boat and under the sun.

In the end, they dropped me off at the airport on time to catch my flight back to Nassau.

How much does it cost to swim with pigs in the Bahamas?

If you’re in Nassau or Paradise Island you’ll spend at least US$ 438 for a Swimming with Pigs Tour by powerboat , and US$ 750 if you book a tour with flight included.

In case you’re already on Exuma Island and want to swim with the famous pigs, you’ll spend a minimum of US$ 448 or 336 (if you’re in a group of four) on a Pig Island Tour.

If you’re on a budget, the cheapest way to swim with pigs in the Bahamas is to take a Pig Beach tour from Nassau to Athol Island from US$ 140 or Rose Island from US$ 195 . But note that these are not the original Pig Island.

My recommendation, is, of course, to go to Exuma, because it’s a stunning archipelago, and you will also visit other beautiful islands along the way.

I’m not adding here the costs to get to the Bahamas because they can vary significantly depending on many factors, such as time of the year, distance traveled, etc.

Flying directly to Staniel Cay from Nassau the minimum you’ll spend will be US$ 250 , and from Fort Lauderdale (Miami area) around US$ 897.40 .

• Further read: Where to Swim with Pigs in the Bahamas

Final Considerations & Tips

Some things to take into consideration when you plan your Swimming with Pigs trip are:

– The full-day Swimming with Pigs tours are long (8-9h) and you spend a considerable amount of time on the boat.

– Bear in mind that open sea safari tours are not suitable for expectant mothers, infants and persons with back, knee, neck and heart problems or conditions affected by high-speed travel.

– The tours that depart from Nassau and Paradise Island are subject to cancellation due to weather conditions (wind, rain, hurricane, etc), so make sure to book it for the next day after you arrive, so if it gets cancelled, you may have another chance to do it.

– Flying direct to Staniel Cay is much easier, and faster and you’ll spend less time sailing, but it’ll be more expensive.

– For me, the best option is to stay two or three nights in Grand Exuma, take the tour in one day and enjoy the islands/beach in front of the hotel during the others.

– If you have limited time, my recommendation is to book this tour .

– Note that if you’re traveling to the Bahamas on a cruise ship you might not have enough time to take in a Pig Beach Tour.

– Be careful when you feed the pigs and the iguanas too.

– Pack light and don’t forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and your camera, please.

Safe travels and have fun in the Bahamas and swimming with the pigs in Exuma.

More posts about the Bahamas that might interest you:

• Swimming with Pigs and Sharks in The Bahamas
• The Bahamas

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Visiting the Bahamas

Where’s it located.

The Bahamas is located in the Atlantic Ocean, 50 mi off the coast of Florida. The country is comprised of 700 islands sprinkled over 100,000 square miles (check the map here ).

How to get there

The main airport is the Nassau International Airport , now known as Lynden Pindling International Airport , which is situated 10 mi west of Nassau, New Providence Island.

You can book your flights with Skyscanner which is the website that I use and trust.

From the U.S. there are direct flights with Delta ,  United, JetBlue, BahamasAir  and  Southwest Airlines.

There are direct flights with Air Canada departing from Canada.

From other countries is easier to fly to the U.S., Miami or Fort Lauderdale, than take another flight from there.

To Exuma, there’s an international airport in Moss Town, northwest of George Town, and there are direct flights from Nassau, Miami, Atlanta and Toronto.

There is also a ferryboat from Nassau to Exuma with Bahamas Ferries , but it’s a very long journey.

Best Time to Visit the Bahamas

The Bahamas can be visited all year round with temperatures ranging from 21C (70F) in the winter and 26-32C (80-90F) during the summer.

But there are two things to consider:

• The hurricane season lasts from June to November.
• The months with the most rain are May and June.

Where to stay near Pig Beach

I stayed in Nassau at Coco Plum Resorts Bahamas, (which I don’t recommend) and just flew to Exumas to take the tour.

If you’re looking for hotels near Pig Beach my recommendations are Embrace Resort , Paradise Bay , Exuma Beach Resort .

If you want to stay in the capital area, I recommend:

Nassau : Sandyport Beach Resort , British C olonial Hilton Nassau , Holiday Inn Express , Meliá Nassau Beach .

Paradise Island : Bay View Suites , Comfort Suites , The Cove Atlantis , The Ocean Club .

• Book Your Flight Find deals on airlines on my favorite search engine: Skyscanner . Be sure to read my How to find cheap flights article.
• Rent A Car Rental Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal.
• Book Accommodation Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. But Hotels.com and Hilton Hotels have very interesting reward programs.
• Protect Your Trip Don’t forget travel insurance! I always use World Nomads  for short-term trips and SafetyWing for long-term ones. Find out why Travel Insurance: Much More Than a Precaution, a Necessity .
• Book Tours in Advance Book unforgettable experiences and skip-the-line tickets with GetYourGuide or Viator .
• Book Ground Transportation BookaWay offers a stress-free experience with secure payments and no hidden fees. You pay online and receive your itinerary by email.
• Luggage Solutions Rent your luggage with Cargo or if you need to drop off your own luggage and enjoy your time without dragging it all over a city, find a LuggageHero shop here.
• Get a Travel Card Revolut Card is a pre-paid debit card that enables cash machine withdrawals in 120 countries. I’ve been using my Revolut Card for over a year and never paid foreign-transaction fees again. Get your Revolut Card with free shipping here .
• Packing Guide Check out my How to Pack a Carry-on Luggage For a Five-month Trip to help you start packing for your trip. Don’t forget your camera, chargers and other useful travel accessories.

2 thoughts on “How to Get from Nassau to Pig Beach, Bahamas: Best Tours & Costs”

What do you recommend me if I am from Mexico? Just 4 days to vacations thanks!!

Hola Mario. Que tal? I would suggest something similar of what I did. Spend sometime in Nassau and Paradise Island, and go to Exuma for the day. You can book this tour https://bit.ly/3aVXlRd or if you think that is too expensive, book this one instead https://bit.ly/3c5V6uD I also recommend that yo read this post: https://www.7continents1passport.com/three-days-in-the-bahamas/ So you can have an idea of what to do 😉 Saludos y buen viaje Mario.

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Island Escapes Bahamas

Swimming Pigs Excursions

2x winner of bahamas' leading tour operator 2023.

We are thrilled to announce that Island Escapes Bahamas has once again won the prestigious 2023 Bahamas' Leading Tour Operator

by the World Travel Awards in our region. We extend our gratitude to our customers and staff for making this achievement possible!

WINNER of Bahamas' Leading Tour Operator 2022

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Island Escapes Bahamas is proud to announce that we have been awarded 2022 Bahamas' Leading Tour Operator by the World Travel Awards! We would like to thank all of our customers and staff  for helping us achieve this award.

AWARDED as Boat Tour of the Year 2022

We are recognized by the Travel & Hospitality Awards for 2022 as Boat Tour of the year. Island Escapes Bahamas proudly accepted this award with great appreciation for our guests and the team for making this happen.

Choose Your Adventure

perfect Day - Swimming Pigs, Snorkel & lunch

If you're looking for an unforgettable beach day experience at an affordable rate, this tour is for you. IDEAL FOR CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS. Enjoy swimming with the pigs, snorkeling, turtle watching and a true Bahamian beaching experience.

EXUMA FLIGHT TOUR -  GROUP DAY AWAY

The most anticipated bucket list excursion is this one! 8 hours of adventure through the Exuma Cays with all of the must see & do activities.

ALL INCLUSIVE CATAMARAN BEACH DAY WITH PIGS

Enjoy a fun-filled 4 hour excursion on a state of the art Catamaran. Bask in an exhilarating reef snorkeling adventure teeming with brightly colored tropical fish and living coral. Experience the most anticipated swimming pig interaction. Sip on Bahama Mamas, Rum punch or Fruit Punch. A day unlike any other.  

This tour is for up to 55 passengers.

PRIVATE EXUMA SWIMMING PIGS BY BOAT - 5 ISLANDS ADVENTURE

Pig Beach Private Day Away!! The ideal EXUMA experience for up to 10 pax. Feed Iguanas, Snorkel the Plane Wreck, Swim with the Sharks, Swim with the pigs and have the most delicious Bahamian Lunch at Black Point Yacht Club. Finish the day with a scenic sand bar walk or relaxing at a private beach. Escape to the Exuma's with us!

REEL PRO FISHING (5 PAX)

Enjoy inshore, bottom fishing, or trolling on our comfortable 21-foot Mako. This excursion is perfect for a family of five or friends looking to enjoy a day on the water.

Perfect Day - Swimming Pigs, Snorkel & lunch

If you're looking for an unforgettable beach day experience at an affordable rate, this tour is for you. Enjoy the sights as you exit Nassau’s pristine harbour as you cross over passage leading to the beautiful Rose Island.

ROCKSTAR PACKAGE - THE ULTIMATE EXUMA ESCAPE

Pig Beach Private Day Away!! This trip inclues the following: Private Boat Captain & Crew Swimming Pigs Experience Swim with the sharks experience...

REEL PRO FISHING (5 Pax)  

Enjoy inshore, bottom fishing, or trolling on our comfortable 21-foot Mako. This excursion is perfect for a family of five or friends looking to enjoy a day on the water. In just 15 minutes you can be trolling the blue seas or fishing the reefs around Nassau, Rose Island, and Paradise Island.

Swimming Pigs Experience 

Unlike any other!

Island Escapes Bahamas Ltd started as a micro business back in 2014 when two young sailors decided to bridge the gap between Nassau Bahamas and the Exuma cays on a daily schedule. This distance covered some 100 nautical miles one way and a little over 200 nautical miles round trip. The feat seemed impossible initially as the only water craft we had access to was just a mere 28 feet in length. In modern day terms, it could easily be classified as a dinghy. The company built its legacy taking 8 passengers along with Captain and Mate over the deep blues of the Atlantic Ocean daily facing treacherous weather and seas until the brand was forced to be recognized on a national scale.

Since 2014, (formerly Exuma Escapes) has provided the best island excursions from Nassau! With a large fleet of vessels, highly-experienced staff and captains, and world-class service, our customers leave every experience with a smile and a lifetime of memories. Take a look at what our customers think of our experiences!

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19 Things To Do In Nassau: Complete Guide To Basking In The Sun And More In The Bahamas

A s the bustling capital city of The Bahamas, Nassau offers an idyllic blend of urban excitement, historic and cultural attractions, diverse restaurants and bars, and natural beauty in the form of white-sand beaches with a glistening turquoise ocean. Located on New Providence island, Nassau also boasts many of the best all-inclusive resorts in The Bahamas, as well as fantastic shopping opportunities and epic nightlife in the city’s nightclubs.

What’s more, the place is also well-connected to other Bahamian islands and a wide range of incredible tourist activities and attractions, ranging from island hopping and swimming with those adorable Bahamas pigs to fishing, sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving on some of the best reefs in the Caribbean. With so much going on in this island paradise, it's an essential destination for any Bahamas travel guide , but holidaymakers may feel baffled by all the attractions and tourist activities in Nassau.

Fortunately, for those unsure how to spend a vacation in Nassau, this in-depth guide to the Bahamian capital city answers all questions travelers may ever need to ask. From the ideal time to visit Nassau and what there is to do and see to the top beaches, hotels, and restaurants — and more — welcome to the ultimate guide to the capital of The Bahamas!

Related 12 Things To Do In San Salvador: Complete Guide To This Unique Hidden Gem In The Bahamas

UPDATE: 2023/09/17 18:16 EST BY DYLAN MYERS

What To Do When Traveling To Nassau, Bahamas

Sandy beaches, blue skies, luxury resorts, and colorful cuisine are just a few of the endless offers when visiting Nassau, Bahamas, making it every vacationer's dream destination. This update refreshed the Nassau travel guide, expanding on fascinating things to do such as scuba diving to underwater sculpture parks, wandering through the 'Versailles of the Bahamas,' discovering historical forts and attractions, and so much more. Wanderlusters should read on to find all the info to bolster their ultimate Nassau, Bahamas travel guide.

Top Things To Do

Aside from the quintessential Bahamas vacation experience of spending the whole day at Nassau's most beautiful beaches , tourists will find a plethora of other activities and attractions with which to fill the rest of their getaway.

From relaxing to adventurous, there’s something amazing in and around Nassau for every type of traveler to experience.

For beach bums seeking further shores, stomach-growling foodies, curious history buffs, and binocular-and-camera-wielding wildlife enthusiasts, these are some of the best attractions in Nassau.

Visit Nassau's Beaches

Granted, there are around 17 picture-perfect paradise beaches in this part of the Bahamas, all of which are unique and beautiful in their own way.

However, with their powdery sands, vibrant blue ocean, and paradisiacal atmosphere, these five shores are notable tourist favorites, consistently ranking high among the top beaches in Nassau for visitors seeking sublime samples of sun, sand, and sea.

Junkanoo Beach

Junkanoo Festival in The Bahamas is one of the nation’s most energized parties, taking place around the new year annually. If visitors miss the event, Junkanoo Beach is the next best thing.

• This entertaining beach always has something going on, which is excellent for the more eccentric beach bums seeking fun flair during their day by the sea — but not so ideal for folks in search of peace and quiet.

Visitors falling into the former category will have the time of their lives at this sunny spot, with its lively atmosphere and entertainment roster, as well as plenty of nearby places to grab excellent grub.

Cabbage Beach

No, there aren’t cabbages growing on this sunny shore, but there is almost every kind of water sport imaginable.

As one of the most popular beaches in The Bahamas (which enjoys a convenient location near Nassau Harbor), Cabbage promises a boatload of fun, from water-skiing and parasailing to jet-skiing, snorkeling, and so much more.

With all that water fun comes hungry bellies, and fortunately for calorie-starved beach bunnies, this spot boasts a lot of restaurants, bars, and shops.

Related: Big Major Cay In The Bahamas Is Where You Can Swim With Pigs, And Here’s What You Can Expect

Cable Beach

Cable Beach is always cited as one of the best beaches in Nassau. Clean shorelines, impeccable sand, and crystal-clear water make this beach a top-rated spot among residents and visitors alike.

Its tropical beauty isn’t the sole reason for its popularity, though; this beach is effortlessly close to many of the most upmarket resorts in the Bahamas, with the likes of Sandals Royal Bahamian, one of the most affordable Sandals Resorts , only a stone’s throw away.

Unsurprisingly, one of the world’s most romantic destinations features a lovely seaside spot with a name like 'Love Beach’.

Loved-up couples and honeymooners are known to kindle their romance and enjoy quality time together on this beautiful beach, with its pretty and private ambiance resulting from its superb location away from downtown Nassau’s popular beaches.

Jaws Beach earned its name after it appeared in the iconic Hollywood blockbuster movie Jaws . Given its fame, it can see a few more people than other beaches.

However, seeing what this legendary stretch of sand is like in real life, not on the big screen, is always a top activity in Nassau.

While it was a dramatic spot in the film, in reality, it’s another stunning Bahamas beach worthy of Instagram pics.

Related: 10 Best Things To Do In Or Near Freeport, Bahamas

Swim With The Pigs In Nassau

There are many reasons to choose Exuma over Nassau , and swimming with pigs is one of them. Even though this activity is synonymous with Exuma, it still remains one of the best attractions Nassau has to offer its guests, as it’s still within reasonable proximity to the capital.

One of the closest pig-swimming options for those staying in Nassau is the Sandy Toes experience on the famous Rose Island on Exuma.

A true bucket list item, the famous swimming pigs of The Bahamas are absolutely adorable, melting the hearts of visitors with their hilarious personalities and cute piggy antics.

• These creatures are indeed curious and full of awe for visitors, eagerly swimming up to arriving boats as people come to spend the day with these four-legged pink-and-brown-hued swimming island-dwellers.

Related: From Nassau To Exuma: Travel Options To Pig Beach

Many pigs even hang around humans on the beach and in the water in the hopes they’ll receive food gifts, which many Bahamas pig tour operators will recommend people bring.

The trip to see the Exuma pigs is also convenient; visitors take a powerboat from Nassau to the Exumas — a journey that takes only about an hour and a half each way.

• Recommended Tour: Morning Pig Encounter - Pigs can’t fly, but they do swim!
• Duration: 4 hours
• Cost: From $199 USD per adult

Book this tour

Visit The Atlantis Marine Habitat

The Atlantis Paradise Island is also home to the world’s largest open-air marine habitat. This enormous aquarium houses 14 lagoons, eight million gallons of ocean water, and over 50,000 aquatic creatures in over 250 marine species.

The establishment also showcases daily scheduled marine life feeds, which visitors can watch. Check out the Marine Habitat page on the Atlantis Bahamas website for more information.

Day passes are available for tourists who want to enjoy all the attractions and offers at Atlantis but aren't staying at the on-site resort.

• Day pass prices: Vary by date and season
• Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Book A Food Tour Of Nassau

Food tours in Nassau are the ultimate activity for foodies! Many are available, but top-rated favorites include the Bites of Nassau Food & Cultural Walking Tour , which combines food and drink with art, history, and culture.

Don’t forget about the Downtown Nassau guided walking food tour, Sites & Tastes of Downtown Nassau , enabling visitors to eat as the local people do and see plenty of sights along the way.

Book A Rum Tour Of Nassau

To complement a Nassau food tour, a rum-tasting experience makes the perfect pairing. The Rum-Runner’s Passage is a top rum tour in Nassau, taking participants on a journey through a time when The Bahamas’ pirate-plundering and rum-running dominated the islands.

In addition, John Watling’s Distillery offers a popular tasting tour, granting an insight into the Buena Vista Estate and its barrel-aged rum, which guests are welcome to sample.

• Recommended Tour: Nassau Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour
• Duration: 3 hours
• Cost: From $87 USD per adult

Go Snorkeling And Scuba Diving In Nassau

Nassau is in no short supply of snorkeling and scuba operators, with whom beginners and seasoned divers can explore some of the best dive sites in The Bahamas.

With its calm, clear, and shallow sites, Nassau (and The Bahamas in its entirety) is one of the world's best places for beginners to learn to scuba dive .

Some snorkel and dive centers in Nassau have been around longer than others and have thus achieved a solid reputation among residents and tourists — one being Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas , which offers scuba diving trips, dive courses, snorkeling tours, snuba, and even epic Nassau shark diving.

Located on the southwest side of New Providence Island, Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas originally opened up shop in 1978. Since then, the operation has become Nassau’s leading full-service dive center and provider of water-based activities.

Related: Can You Dive Dean’s Blue Hole? Not Without Knowing This

As such, if exploring the best dive sites Nassau Bahamas has to offer (not forgetting others nearby, such as the famous Tiger Beach — one of the world's top shark dive sites !), Stuart Cove is the dive and snorkel king to choose.

• Recommended Tour: Land and Sea Sightseeing Tour from Nassau
• Cost: From $149.99 USD per adult

Charter A Boat Tour In Nassau

Booking a private boat tour in Nassau is the ultimate experience if funds are no concern. From fishing trips and beach exploration to snorkeling escapades, exploring Nassau by charter boat is one of the island’s finer things.

Among the chartered boat trip operators is First Strike Charters , which offers numerous excursions ranging from adventurous to relaxing.

• Recommended Tour: 007 Morning Half-Day Boat Charter - Rose Island
• Cost: From $132 USD per adult

Go Island Hopping In Nassau

Scheduled and private island hopping tours in Nassau are available, many of which cater to all budgets, too. Numerous stunning islands with breathtaking beaches, superb snorkeling, and extraordinary encounters with marine life draw island hoppers into booking such a trip.

Noteworthy spots include:

• Rose Island: gorgeous sandy beaches and transparent waters, a quiet, more private island deemed among The Bahamas’ Out Islands’.
• Blue Lagoon Island: jaw-dropping private island accessible from Nassau. Thanks to its eco-friendliness, the island’s beaches are famed for being immaculate and untouched, where dolphins and turtle sightings just off the coast are a common occurrence.

Related 15 Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts In The Bahamas Worth Every Penny

Discover The Best Water Parks In Nassau

Waterparks in Nassau are perfect for a family day out chock-full of excitement. In particular, Aquaventure Water Park on Paradise Island is among the most popular, where water slides, pools, and a lazy river await some fun under the sun.

• Prices: Day pass rates vary by date and season
• Hours: Daily, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Baha Bay Waterpark Nassau is also worthy of a visit; this beachfront water facility boasts everything kids and young-at-heart grown-ups could dream of from a water adventure, including a lazy river, a wave pool, water slides, a surf simulator, young child and toddler pool zones, and even an elite beach club.

• Prices: Day passes from $160 per adult, $65 per child
• Hours: Daily, 10 AM - 6 PM

Visit The Top Historical Attractions In Nassau

With all the best Paradise Island beaches, top Nassau restaurants, water activities, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences out of the way, it’s time to take a trip down memory lane and discover the historic sites in and around the Bahamian capital.

For those looking for unique things to do on Paradise Island, but who are tired of beaches, water parks, and island tours, the Bahamian island boasts a long and eventful history spanning many centuries, making visiting Nassau’s historical landmarks an enriching day itinerary.

From colonial times to pirating stories of the Caribbean, the following historic sites in Nassau are fascinating and will provide visitors with a glimpse into the country’s hefty history.

Find the best historical attractions when visiting Nassau below:

Witness The Queen’s Staircase & Fort Fincastle

The Queen’s Staircase — often referred to as ‘the 66 Steps’ — is held up by an interesting story. The stairs were carved out of solid limestone by slaves between 1793 and 1794, crafted to serve as a direct route to Nassau city from Fort Fincastle.

According to rumors and historical accounts, Queen Victoria of Britain once walked the steps, which were named in her honor.

Today, visitors can see the staircase and take photos of the site, where the encompassing vegetation creates a scenic backdrop.

At the top of the Queen’s Staircase is Fort Fincastle — indeed, one of the most impressive old forts in Nassau out of the main three, which also features replica canons.

• Built in 1793, the stronghold was erected by a former governor of The Bahamas, Lord Dunmore.
• Situated on Bennett’s Hill — the highest point in Nassau — the vistas from Fort Fincastle a worth the trip alone.

Related: Snorkel From The Beach In The Bahamas At This Beautiful Cove

Explore Fort Charlotte

Sitting on 100 acres of land, Nassau’s Fort Charlotte was built in 1788 and houses all sorts of medieval features people normally only read about in history books and fantasy novels.

Think cannons, tunnels, and dungeons — which visitors get to see in real life — and this place delivers some impressive photo ops.

Hiring a local guide is a great way to visit Fort Charlotte when traveling to Nassau, and a guide can help ensure the grounds are open for exploring.

Montagu Beach & Fort

This is a public beach with a beautiful surrounding area full of things to do and see. The historic Fort Montagu is definitely worth a visit and costs around $2 or so per person for admission.

Once visitors have explored the fort, the nearby fish market is a fantastic (and tasty) experience, where fresh conch salads and droves of live conch are available for purchase.

• Fort Montagu Entrance: $2 per person
• Note: Cash only

Enjoy easy and free parking just outside Fort Montagu.

Related: This Bahamas Island Has Been Confirmed The Safest As Of 2022

Waltz Through Parliament Square In Nassau

Parliament Square in The Bahamas is, quite possibly, one of the country’s most famous areas. Dotted with numerous of the island’s recognizable pink and white government buildings, this part of Nassau, with its Georgian architecture dating back to 1815, is indeed beautiful to the eyes.

Facilities of note include:

• House of Assembly
• Office of the Leader of the Opposition
• Bahamas Supreme Court

Nassau’s Parliament Square is also home to a historical (and sizable) statue of Queen Victoria.

Discover The Beauty Of The ‘Versailles Gardens’ In Nassau

As mentioned earlier, The Versailles Gardens is a unique medieval garden and one of the best things to do on Paradise Island , if not the most interesting thing to do in The Bahamas, overflowing with rich flora and fauna and deep-rooted in history.

Also referred to as ‘the Paradise Island Cloisters’, this spectacular place is compared to the Versailles Gardens in Paris. The site’s twelfth-century monastery also sits within the ground, which guests are also welcome to explore.

Most visitors can wander Nassau's Versailles Gardens in anywhere from ten to twenty minutes, and it's an excellent stop for a stroll or snapping some lovely photos.

Visit The Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation

Located in Pompey Square in Downtown Nassau, the Pompey Museum may be small, but it contains a wealth of interesting exhibits and information on the country’s past, making it a great resource for people hoping to learn more about The Bahamas’ history.

• Hours: Monday - Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM | Thursday, 9:30 AM - 1 PM | Closed Sundays
• Entrance: $3 per adult
• Location : Bay Street, in front of George Street

Check Out Clifton Heritage Park

Clifton Heritage Park in the Bahamas is a supreme choice for learning about the history and culture of the country while experiencing first-hand what made the place as it is today.

History, culture, nature, and beauty abound, possibly rendering the park one of the unique attractions in The Bahamas for visitors looking to learn about much of the country in one place.

The terrain comprises rocks, wetlands, and white sandy beaches, as well as the impressive ancient architecture of the Lucayan people, who were the very first inhabitants of The Bahamian Islands.

Even snorkeling is on the cards at this park; in fact, with its giant underwater sculptures (seriously, bring a camera), Clifton Heritage Park may be one of the best places to snorkel in the Bahamas in terms of uniqueness.

• Snorkeling Tours: $90 per person
• Duration: 45 minutes to one hour

Explore Bay Street In Downtown Nassau

Bay Street is one of the best places in Nassau for markets, architecture, and people-watching. Many local markets hustle and bustle, while the old buildings invite some beautiful photo opportunities.

Visitors will also find a few good spots to eat and enjoy a drink, too, with the above-mentioned Biggity being one of them.

Bay Street is about 6.5 miles long but is one of the few streets in Nassau with proper sidewalks bordering the street, making for a great stroll to take in all the colorful Bahamian chaos and shopping.

Shiver Ye Timbers At The Pirates of Nassau Museum

The pirate history of The Bahamas is always a topic of interest, even among folks not so history-inclined. Given The Bahamas once had the largest crop of pirates in the Caribbean, one of the most fascinating ways to learn about the islands’ illustrious pirating past is to check out the Pirates of Nassau Museum .

• Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM | Saturdays & Sundays, 9 AM - 3 PM
• Price: $14 per adult

Treasure troves of remarkable exhibitions and displays are housed within the establishment, divulging the fascinating stories of the country’s illegal maritime affairs that once posed huge problems for the Caribbean.

Guests can explore the site by themselves or enjoy a guided tour from an animated pirate, and when they’re done, they can check out the gift shop for some pirate-themed booty.

Related: What’s At The Bottom Of Dean’s Blue Hole? & More Answers

The Best Time to Visit Nassau, Bahamas

• Best Time to Go to Nassau: November to April (peak tourist season, but the best weather)
• Nassau Hurricane Season: June through November

Similar to many tropical islands in this portion of the planet, the summer is warm and humid and can see rainfall — albeit sporadic, mostly. Typically, hurricane season in Nassau runs from July to October, while the high tourist season spans from November to April.

Related: How To Plan The Best Bahamas Cruise, During The Best Month To Do It

Peak season usually sees the best weather in the Bahamas, with the sunniest, clearest skies and less chance of rain. It’s also windier during this time, making the tropical heat a little more bearable, thanks to a cooling breeze.

However, as with most peak tourist seasons, flights and hotel prices soar, and crowds are much denser.