Eight hours of Exuma magic, fast and salty. I love the tight mix of wildlife and snorkeling plus the big-moment stop for swimming pigs, all packed into five island stops. The only real drawback to weigh is the pace: you’ll get several short, high-impact swims and swims-and-feeds, but beach time can feel shorter if you wanted long lounge hours.

What makes this day work is the route and the structure. You start at Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island, ride out by high-speed powerboat, and return after a full day with lunch, drinks, and snorkel gear included on the tour. It’s a shared experience (up to 24 people) with an English-speaking guide, so it’s great for people who like motion and variety.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Five island stops, one packed day: wildlife, snorkeling, pigs, and a final sandbar or beach.
• Allen’s Cay rock iguanas: a very rare lizard species found only on a few tiny Exuma islands.
• Compass Cay nurse shark swim: sharks gathered under the docks at Compass Cay Marina.
• Big Major’s Cay swimming pigs: feed and get in the water with the famous pigs.
• Snorkel at Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane: a plane wreck story that fits the area’s history.
• Lunch and drinks are included: buffet lunch, local beer, sodas, and bottled water help fuel the day.

A powerboat day that hits Exuma’s big moments

If you picture Exuma as slow, dreamy beach hopping, this tour plays a different tune. It’s a fast powerboat day where the schedule is the attraction: you travel between cays, do a specific activity at each, then move on before the magic dries up in the heat.

The payoff is variety. In one day, you can go from iguanas on a tiny cay to nurse sharks in a marina area, to swimming pigs at Big Major’s Cay, and then back into the water for a plane wreck snorkel. If you’re the type who gets bored waiting around, you’ll probably like this format.

Just keep your expectations realistic. This isn’t a “sit all day on one perfect beach” plan. You’re trading long lounge time for lots of different Exuma scenes.

From Carnivale Bahamas to Allen’s Cay: iguanas first

Your day starts at Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island at the Born Free Charters desk. From there, you head southeast by high-speed powerboat for just over an hour, so the trip starts feeling like you’re already on Exuma, not still in the Nassau orbit.

Allen’s Cay is the first nature stop. You’ll spend about 25 minutes on wildlife viewing, meeting Bahamian Rock Iguanas on a small island that hosts a species found nowhere else in the world except three small islands in Exuma. Even if you’re not a “lizard person,” it’s the kind of wildlife moment you don’t get on typical beach days.

Practical tip: wear sunscreen early. With a fast boat morning, you can burn before you realize you’re working the day’s “outdoors minutes.”

Compass Cay nurse sharks under the docks

Next, you ride through the Exuma Cays to Compass Cay. Expect around 35 minutes for marine life viewing, focused on nurse sharks that gather near Compass Cay Marina.

This is one of the tour’s most special parts for a simple reason: you’re not just hearing that sharks exist in the Bahamas. You’re swimming in an area where nurse sharks are used to human presence, gathered under the docks. If you’ve ever worried that shark encounters would feel staged or far away, this is the opposite—this one is built for getting in the water and seeing them up close.

The tradeoff is that shark-swim sessions are time-boxed. You’ll likely feel like you want longer once you’re in the water. Still, the shorter time blocks work with the rest of the day, keeping you moving toward pigs and snorkeling.

Big Major’s Cay swimming pigs and the feeding moment

Big Major’s Cay is the famous stop: the swimming pigs. You’ll have about 40 minutes here, with time to feed the pigs and then swim alongside them.

These pigs became globally known through TV and social media attention, so you’ll likely recognize the vibe even if this is your first time hearing the details. The tour’s approach is straightforward—this is where you interact directly, take photos, and enjoy the novelty that made these animals headline-worthy in the first place.

A quick reality check that helps: pigs are still pigs. They can get excited, they can cluster, and they can move around. If you’re hoping for a perfectly posed, calm experience, you may be surprised. But if you want fun, energetic animal time, this stop usually delivers.

Also, make sure your photo plan is sensible. With real animals nearby and water involved, try to keep your phone secure and your energy focused—don’t spend the whole session fumbling.

Lunch on Exuma: buffet, beer, and a breather

After pigs, it’s back to the boat for a quicker ride to lunch. You’ll have about an hour for lunch at a local Exuma restaurant, and the meal service is part of why this tour feels “all-in-one.”

What’s included:

• Buffet lunch
• Cold drinks: local beer, sodas, and bottled water
• Light snacks

This is the moment where the day’s pace starts to make sense. When you’re bouncing between short activity windows all morning, having an actual sit-down meal (instead of a grab-and-go) helps you recharge without losing the day.

If you’re prone to getting hungry on water days, this included lunch value is real. You’re not paying extra for food during the busiest stretch of the day.

Snorkeling Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane

Now for the history-meets-ocean stop. You’ll head to a plane wreck known in the area as Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane and spend about 30 minutes snorkeling.

The story is specific: a plane crashed in the late 1970s just off Norman’s Cay, and it’s been tied to drug trafficking operations because the runway there was reportedly used as a home base and refueling point. Whether you care about the backstory or not, the practical point is simple: the wreck gives snorkelers something more interesting than plain sand-and-water visibility.

This can be a highlight if you like structure underwater—planes offer angles and shapes that help you track where you’re swimming. It’s also a stop that rewards staying calm and letting the water work for you rather than trying to sprint for every viewpoint.

Note: your snorkeling time is limited, so bring your focus. If you want the best experience, set expectations for 30 minutes rather than a long drift.

The final sandbar or beach stop: where time matters

Your last stop is designed for relaxation: a beautiful sandbar or beach area for swimming, sunbathing, and more photo time. You’ll have around 30 minutes there for swimming.

This is where you’ll feel the biggest “tour preference” gap. One review noted that the itinerary can feel great because it doesn’t linger in one place too long, while another point suggested the beach destination or beach time could be improved—like aiming for a more isolated sandbar vibe.

So ask yourself what you want most at the end of the day:

• If you want action and variety, you’ll love how the day keeps shifting gears.
• If you want long beach lounging, you might feel a little rushed when you finally get to the sand.

If you’re booking with beach-time cravings, I’d plan for a “swim and sun for a while” ending rather than a slow sunset picnic.

Price and what you’re really buying for $489

At $489 per person for an 8-hour shared tour, it’s not the cheapest thing you can do from Nassau. But the value comes from what’s already handled for you.

Included items that matter on a tour like this:

• Snorkel gear
• Buffet lunch
• Local beer, sodas, bottled water
• Light snacks
• Landing fees
• Food for the pigs
• Access to the planned swim/snorkel stops

Add up what you’d normally pay separately—boat transportation, snorkel gear rental, a real lunch, and entry-related fees—and the cost stops looking out of line for a full-day, multi-stop day on the water.

The other hidden value is time efficiency. You’re not spending your vacation figuring out which cay is worth your day-trip budget. The itinerary is built to hit multiple “wow” categories in a single day: unique wildlife, a shark swim, famous pigs, and a plane wreck.

One item to budget for: crew gratuity is not included. That’s a normal adjustment on tours, and you’ll decide the amount.

Group size, pacing, and comfort on a shared tour

This is a shared tour with up to 24 people. That usually means the day feels social but not overly crowded, and it also explains the short, structured time windows at each stop.

The pacing is the whole point here. The route keeps you moving between cays so you can do five distinct experiences rather than repeating one area. If you love variety, that’s a win. If you hate feeling rushed, you may feel it—especially around the beach stop.

Transport is by high-speed powerboat, starting from Carnivale Bahamas. That’s great for getting you to Exuma quickly, but it also means you’re on a moving vessel for most of the day. If you get motion-sick easily or your body isn’t comfortable with choppy-water conditions, this is worth thinking through.

Also keep in mind: transportation to the check-in location isn’t included. You’ll want to plan how you get to Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip)

This is a strong match for you if:

• You want wildlife and water activities, not just beaches.
• You’re excited by photo-worthy moments like swimming pigs.
• You’d rather do a few focused activities than one long outing.
• You can handle a full day of boat time and short swim sessions.

It’s not a good fit for:

• Children under 2
• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with mobility impairments
• People with heart problems
• Wheelchair users
• Cruise ship guests

And there are also item rules. Baby strollers and baby carriages aren’t allowed, and electric wheelchairs aren’t allowed.

If you’re flexible on beach time and you’re comfortable with a fast-paced boat day, you’ll likely enjoy how much you fit in.

Quick packing list that actually helps

Bring a towel and sunscreen. That’s it for the provided must-haves, but I’d also suggest planning for a day where you’ll be in the sun, near water, and handling gear in and out of the boat.

If you wear swimwear under your clothes, you’ll save time at stops. If you’re the type who hates cold after water, keep a light cover-up handy.

Should you book the Nassau: Exuma island-hopping and swimming pigs tour?

Book it if you want a high-energy day that stacks big Exuma moments: iguanas on Allen’s Cay, nurse sharks at Compass Cay Marina, pigs at Big Major’s Cay, a plane wreck snorkel, and a final sandbar or beach swim.

Skip it if you’re mainly chasing long beach lounging, or if you need a slower schedule with fewer transitions. This tour is built for motion, not for lingering.

If you do book, I’d go in with one mindset: treat the day like a set of short, memorable chapters. You’ll end up with photos, sea life, and stories that cover more than one side of Exuma.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Exuma island-hopping and swimming pigs tour?

The tour runs for 8 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Carnivale Bahamas on Paradise Island at the Born Free Charters desk.

What’s included in the tour price?

Included are a buffet lunch, local beer, sodas, bottled water, light snacks, snorkel gear, landing fees, and food for the pigs.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkel gear is included.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring a towel and sunscreen.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour guided, and what language is it in?

Yes, there is a live tour guide speaking English.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or cruise ship guests. Baby strollers and baby carriages are also not allowed. Electric wheelchairs are not allowed.