Do most visitors ask where are the swimming pigs? Yes! Upon finding out that the Bahamas are home to these Instagram famous swimming pigs. Several islands in the Bahamas now have swimming pigs; the islands include Exuma, Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, Abacos, Rose, and Grand Bahamas. The original swimming pigs and the most famous island is Big Majors on Pig Beach in Exuma.

Which island has the swimming pigs? The swimming pigs live on Big Major Cay, next to Staniel Cay Exuma. This cay is one of the over 365 islands in Exuma, a district of the Bahamas. Also known as Pig Beach , the island is about 82 miles southeast of Nassau, and about 50 miles northwest of George Tow.n

The local Bahamian’s in Staniel Cay used to care for their pigs on the small cay.
When the local Bahamian’s complained about the smell and the pigs got loose. Into the trash, Don Rolle and Wade Nixion relocated the pigs to the uninhabited island, Big Major Cay ( now known as Pig Island, where the pigs were left to roam free. As time progressed, the population of the pigs gradually began to multiply. Soon, the pigs picked up on the pattern; if they saw the boat, that meant their food was nearing. The pigs started swimming to the boat to be the first ones fed. Locals of Staniel Cay would head over to the Pig Island, pick the fattest pig, and share the meat with other locals. As word began to spread of the island, tourism came with abundance. And with tourism came nourishment for these now swimming pigs.

The number of swimming pigs on Pigs Beach changes frequently with the birth of new piglets. It’s safe to say that any given time there are at least 25 swimming pigs on Pig Beach.

The original Swimming Pigs on Big Majors Cay are located a few minutes from Staniel Cay Exuma, Bahamas.

Can you see the swimming pigs from Nassau by boat or by a short flight. Most people prefer the short flight as flying to Staniel Cay is far quicker than taking the boat. A short 30-minute flight means that you get more time in the Exumas, visiting more islands, cays and local attractions than the speed boat tours. The boats from Nassau often get canceled when the wind picks up and the amount of open water you have to cross in rough seas.

The local Bahamian’s in Staniel Cay used to care for their pigs on the small cay.
When the local Bahamian’s complained about the smell and the pigs got loose. Into the trash, Don Rolle and Wade Nixion relocated the pigs to the uninhabited island, Big Major Cay ( now known as Pig Island, where the pigs were left to roam free. As time progressed, the population of the pigs gradually began to multiply. Soon, the pigs picked up on the pattern; if they saw the boat, that meant their food was nearing. The pigs started swimming to the boat to be the first ones fed. Locals of Staniel Cay would head over to the Pig Island, pick the fattest pig, and share the meat with other locals. As word began to spread of the island, tourism came with abundance. And with tourism came nourishment for these now swimming pigs.