How to Get to Pig Beach Bahamas

Big Major Cay has no permanent human population and no commercial pier. The island's beach shoreline slopes gently into shallow turquoise water where the feral pig colony congregates, but anchoring happens fifty meters offshore in sand-bottom patches marked by charter captains who know the tidal windows. Organized day tours from Nassau account for the majority of visitors. These depart Paradise Island or Nassau Harbour before dawn, cross the Exuma Sound in twin-engine powerboats, and reach the island by mid-morning. The three-hour open-water crossing covers roughly 130 kilometers and depends on sea state—operators cancel departures when swell height exceeds one meter. Tours typically bundle Pig Beach with stops at Thunderball Grotto and the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, returning to Nassau by early evening. Group sizes range from twelve to twenty-four passengers. Advance booking is standard, especially between December and April when demand peaks. Travelers staying in George Town, Exuma, can arrange private boat charters from Staniel Cay, a twenty-minute ride north. Local operators based at Staniel Cay Yacht Club offer half-day and full-day charters in center-console boats seating four to eight. This route suits visitors who prefer smaller groups and flexible timing. Charter captains often combine Pig Beach with nearby cays and sandbars based on tide and wind. Seaplane services operate year-round from Nassau, landing directly in the shallows off Big Major Cay. Flight time is thirty-five minutes. The package includes beach time and a snorkeling stop, with same-day return. Weight restrictions apply—checked luggage is not permitted, and passenger counts per flight rarely exceed eight. Weather delays are more common than with boat departures, as seaplanes require calm water for landing. Seasonal variables matter. Summer months bring afternoon thunderstorms that can scrub return crossings. Winter offers the calmest seas but also the highest tour volumes. Early-morning departures provide the best chance of encountering the pigs before midday crowds arrive.