Most tours just spend a few hours on the island and then return to the mainland. They are very tame though and we had a great time! The curious creatures will probably come up to say hello. Though this destination is a little far from Pig Island, it is still a great destination for your Bahamian vacation. Isla de la Plata in Ecuador is known as the other Galapagos due to the array of wildlife living beneath its waters. Instead of visiting pig beach, how about one of these vegan-friendly travel destinations? We walked on the beach and took photos of the pigs but did not feed them (nor are you supposed to according to the sign on the beach). Please send me any and all writings on the aforementioned, thanks you. Sandy Cay is a private island so youll need an approved tour boat to take you there. So, be a responsible diver: dont let your camera distract you, stay with your buddy, keep a close eye on your gas consumption, no-decompression limits, depth and ascent raax! The first question when planning your trip there is obviously how to get there as the original pig island called major cay is just a beach zip located on a tiny island in the Exumas. 159.6K Likes, 5K Comments. Be thoughtful and responsible with all of your actions. Let's plan you dream trip there - Enquire Now! Watch popular content from the following creators: Jasminedustin(@jasminedustin), Sarah(@sarahrp), Ruby(@rubystraveldiary), Sara Overseas(@saraoverseas), KACI (@.tbwkaci), ash(@omgasho), TRAVEL | Bernice Padilla(@trendytraveler), amanda maguire(@fullstomachemptywallet), isabel_langdale(@isabel_langdale), MandiP . We visited quite a few beaches during our sail and pretty sure that Pig Island is where we got a lot of sand fly bites. In terms of the possible changes when it comes to feeding the pigs, the relevant authorities have proposed that a warden might soon be posted at the beach and boundary lines laid out. You can write about whatever interests you choose without taking away from the importance of any other world issue.. Skip the theme parks and opt for an open ocean encounter with a dolphin. Boats and tours in The Bahamas typically operate between the hours of 8 AM/9 AM local time (morning), and 5 PM (sunset). TikTok video from shanicebrooker (@shanicebrooker): "Swim with pigs they said #tiktokvsreality #swimwithpigs #swimwithpigsinthebahamas #exuma #exumabahamas #foryourpage #fyp #fyp #viral #poop". Where to swim with wild animals - in pictures, You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number, I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. For safety reasons, the Swimming with the Pigs excursion is not recommended for women who are pregnant, individuals who are physically challenged, people with back problems or who have had recent back surgery, anyone who is physically handicapped, and people who get seasick easily. From what I saw during my week in the Exumas, all of the pigs were out in the open on the little sandy beach, because thats where their food source was. Whether you love it or hate it, we all have to go grocery shopping, and it can be a little intimidating when you first start eating vegan. TikTok | Bahamas | Vs | son original - Marco Enzo. If youre not sure, opt out of feeding the pigs altogether. Insect repellent - Keep safe from bug bites by packing some repellant and bringing it along with you for your tour to Pig Island. Ocean Fanatics 42 Hi! As someone who has long admired these smart, sensitive animals, Michelle was excited to see happy pigs living freely on a beautiful island paradise. The second pig beach is closer to Great Exuma. Misinformation, and fear, describe sharks as dangerous eating machines. Pencil in some time for adventure with hikes through national parks, visits to water parks or spend some time at couples-only all-inclusive resorts like Sandals Emerald Bay, and Sandals Royal Bahamian (which includes its own private island!). 4. I dont know that I would recommend this for small kidsthey seemed scared a bit as some of the pigs are large and want this Apple treats. The harmless hammer head can be spotted in different areas around the Maldives, but a hotspot is the Hammerhead Point at. At this point, you might be thinking, Whats she so worked up about? Getting to Pig Island from Nassau, Other beaches with swimming pigs in The Bahamas, The best time to go swimming with the pigs In 1958 The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park was the first national park of its kind to have both a land and sea component. Be gentle, quiet, subtle and respectful. during the summer because their pale skin is sensitive and can easily burn. Life for most pigs in todays world is excruciating. There was quite a bit of poo on the beach which must be get cleaned up regularly otherwise the beach would be covered. The Famous Bahamas Swimming Pigs at Pig Beach You'll approach Pig Beach by boat as it's the only way to get there. At least these swimming pigs arent locked up on a factory farm! And thats a fair point. In the Maldives, you can also speak with local experts and guides. These include Eleuthera, Rose Island, Ship Channel Cay, and No Name Cay, Abaco. You can also rent a boat and take yourself to Pig Island for about $250 USD per day. As we see time and again, profiting off of the lives of others often leads to exploitation. Reading this article I dont believe that you actually went to pig beach. How to get there: A boat trip is the best way to get to Ship Channel Cay. 4.7K Likes, 95 Comments. Do we visit the sand bar and thunderball grotto on the pig beach excursion, If you do the tour with Exuma Watersports, it depends on the specific tour you pick. There are no hotels on the island, and tourists need to book a tour to visit the island. It does seem like feeding them from a boat while they are in the water is okay (things like carrots and apples). Fortunately, conversations are already being had on measures that can be put in place to protect the pigs yet still allow visitors on a smaller scale. Also cuddling up to the wee piglets omg I wanted to take one home.. they were absolutely adorable with there baby squealing. On Pig Island, youll generally be allowed to pet the pigs but, as with most tours that include animals, youll need to use your discretion too. Keep your eyes on the animals, and if they approach you thinking you have food when you dont, show them your open palms so that they understand that you dont. Packing for your swimming pigs adventure Insider tip: Sandals Emerald Bay is a great option if you want to do exciting tours and excursions in The Bahamas including visiting Pig Island. The Swimming Pigs Experience Skin Abrasions, Severe Sunburns & Unreliable Food Sources I thought back to my visits to Farm Sanctuary, and recalled how the staff there would put sunblock on the pigs during the summer because their pale skin is sensitive and can easily burn. They took us to pig island and to iguana beach. The pigs swim out to you to get the carrots we bring. One young man was bitten in the butt when he turned away from the pigs while holding food. This can be easily arranged via a tour. They came from Koh Taen, they swam cross the sea to live on this island. Many diving experts recommend staying close the reef wall or seabed to avoid leaving yourself exposed. Im all for voicing but it should start with love for your fellow mankind first. Dreaming of swimming with these stunning animals? Have there been any shark attacks in the Maldives? It is important to respect the animals and be kind to them so that they return the favor. Go Divers Maldives 47 Scuba & Snorkelling Shark Diving By DLJ2 We did 9 dives, saw some great sites, lots of sharks, eels, turtles and huge schools of bluestripe snapper at the ama. I counted them. There are a few other islands in The Bahamas where you're likely to find swimming pigs. Sharks generally move slowly and steadily. There are hundreds of sanctuaries all around the world where you can visit pigs, rub their bellies, and support liberation rather than exploitation. They love the fact that visitors to this island sometimes come bearing gifts (food!) Diving with sharks is a unique, humbling and incredible experience. Cash - Bring a small amount of cash with you on this tour. It's a huge tourist destination. But, during the months which fall between June and November, this area is susceptible to experience hurricane and during an incoming dangerous storm, these pigs are generally taken in by a local shelter. Following in the successes of the original swimming pigs tours, the following islands offer similar experiences where visitors can get close to these wild animals: How to get there: From Nassau, it takes about 1.5 hours to get to Meeks Patch Island in North Eleuthera when traveling by boat. What started out as five baby piglets (four females and one lucky male) in the early 90s, is now the enduring reason why millions of tourists flock to the Bahamas annually for a bit of pig-cuddling therapy. The pigs came to the water when they heard our dingy, but when we clearly were not feeding them they mostly ignored us and quite a few were just sleeping. Copyright Hello Paradise - The Official Sandals Resorts Travel & Lifestyle Blog. Swimming Pigs at Pig Island Bahamas The swimming pigs exuma truly are charming, and as your boat pulls into the bay of Pig Beach Bahamas, you'll find that they actually swim out to you. There is likely to be more shark activity on a dive, but, conversely, a greater potential risk as they search for prey at those times of the day. Water is always welcome! There arent any facilities here currently that would make it possible to overnight on the island. This clearly wasnt a big, lush island that pigs inhabited. I spoke with Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuarys National Shelter Director and the best pig expert I know, and asked her about how the prolonged sun exposure might be affecting the pigs. We were on a cruise and chose this as an excursion. swimming with pigs in the Maldives!! The pigs are collectively managed by the locals, and used for profit. 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All Inclusive Intimate Pig Beach Excursion to Exuma Swimming Pigs has 7 Stops, Exuma Island Hopping and Swimming Pigs Tour with Lunch, Swiming Pigs and Shark Tour Nassau to Exuma by Plane and Boat, Full Day Private in Nassau and Rose Island or Exuma Charters, Exumas 8-days, 7 nights Luxury Yacht Charter with Gourmet Catering, Bahamas George Town Exuma Airport(GGT) to island hotels-Arrival Private Transfer, Private Transfer from Bahamas George Town Exuma Airport (GGT) to Island Hotels, Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) to George Town 7-Mile Beach- Arrival Private Transfer, Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) to 7-Mile Beach area - Round - Trip Private Transfer, Private Bahamas George Town Exuma Airport transfer to Island Hotels, Owen Roberts Airport to George Town Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer, Island hotels to Bahamas George Town Exuma Airport (GGT) - Departure Transfer. Why you'll love the swimming pigs of The Bahamas Do your research and learn shark behaviour. The pigs are quite large, and it is possible that they might try to chase you if you're carrying food. Skeptical and increasingly concerned for the welfare of the world renowned and beloved swimming pigs in the Bahamas, I dug further. Expert tip: It takes less time to get to Big Major Cay from Exuma than from New Providence (Nassau). Dreaming of swimming with these stunning animals? Pig Beach (Great Exuma) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Pig Beach in the Caribbean sounds like any pigs dreamland, right? There are nine pigs on Rose Island, namely: Babe, Wilbur, Pumba, Larry, Curly, Mo, Ginger, Pepper, and Spice. So, be a responsible diver: dont let your camera distract you, stay with your buddy, keep a close eye on your gas consumption, no-decompression limits, depth and ascent raax!r. Before setting up to take photos, make sure youre completely aware of your surroundings. Pigs can get skin cancer and other illnesses and likely suffer for a long time without treatment.. On the island of Grand Exuma, wild pigs will swim and surf with. By submitting this form, you are agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with our privacy policy as well as to receiving e-mails from us. IB: @*. ?". Its quite an undertaking and I wish you the best! Ready to celebrate every step you make to live a life you love and make the world a better place while youre at it? It is not clear when these changes will take effect. Palaus saltwater Jellyfish Lake is named so for an obvious reason: its filled with thousands of tiny jellyfish. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Required fields are marked *. I really wanted to just rescue one but my hubby had to talk some sense in me, they will grow up to be a giant hog. It is recommended to swim in areas where they can't stand and avoid playing with piglets, as the mother can become protective. Travel time is usually not included in this calculation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, thank you for spreading this awareness. Get in touch with Honeymoon Dreams to plan your Bahamas honeymoon including a trip to swim with the pigs. Despite this, most of the tourists I talked with were not aware of any safety precautions they should take when interacting with the pigs. It is not possible at this time to overnight on Big Major Cay as part of a tour. Granted, interactions wasnt the original plan however, because it the environment in which they reside, guests wanted to meet them. With over 26 types of sharks in the Maldives (there are 500+ species in the world), you will definitely spot these friendly giants around in the crystal clear waters of the Maldives. Spiders, snakes, hippos, deer, cows, horses, bees and ants are all at leastfive times more likely to kill you than sharks. Retreats. What types of sharks are there in the Maldives? , Farm Sanctuarys National Shelter Director and the best pig expert I know, and asked her about how the prolonged sun exposure might be affecting the pigs. I pressed on, asking, Wait, so the pigs on Pig Beach are killed?, Yeahbut dont worry, they roast them on a skewer and eat them, and nothing goes to waste. Although the hogs are cute but my townhouse is not fit for a large hog. Encourage your loved ones to watch these documentariesand watch their outlook change right before your eyes. Research the behaviour of sharks in your environment and read reputable articles specific to the species of shark that you will encounter. Do not feed the pigs if you are scared - Plain and simple, this is a no-no. Most pigs in existence today are suffering factory farms, Best Vegan Restaurants in Oakland, California. Take a glimpse into the reality of Pig Island and what this romanticized tourist destination really means for the pigs living there. Their intention? Discover short videos related to maldives swimming with pigs on TikTok. And swimming pigs. The locals of the outer islands often use uninhabited neighboring island to raise animals and what started out as just that became a tourist attraction only after a few years of passing visitors and locals telling stories of pigs swimming up to meet them as they passed near the island, hence the dream of a tourist attraction was born. Beware of the hype - overall an underwhelming experience. 4 Hour Highlights of Male Walking Tour. But is that an excuse to lower our standards of care and compassion for the species? It is one of over three hundred islands that make up the chain of Exuma Islands, that form the seven hundred island of the Bahamas. The blacktip reef shark is easily spotted, The biggest and largest fish in the sea, the Whale Shark, is a stunning, harmless fish providing incredible and common encounters with humans in the Maldives, especially in. Antigua is known for many thi. Even if you go there just to see the pigs, you can still have a great time lounging on the beach and exploring the island. TikTok video from Brendan Butler (@brendan_butler): "Lil baby piggy swimming lessons with @dancingqueen91679 #bahamas #foryou #pig #piggy #cute #kiss". Various tour companies will have different prices for this excursion. I went vegan 4 weeks ago, and have never looked back. Thats where you come in. To start a pig farm in the 1990s. Wonderfully, there is no limit to compassion, kindness, and our ability to stand up for those who cant speak for themselves. POV: you see the clearest water and its not the Maldives This is heaven - Nightshade. Vip Colosseum Under the Moon with Underground and Arena Access, Private transfer from Oaxaca city to Puerto Escondido, Original Berlin Pub Crawl and Nightlife Clubbing tour, 5-Hour Private 40' Yacht Tour to In-Ha Reef with Open Bar, Food & Snorkel, Helicopter over Santiago and the Andes Mountains, Private Tour from Split to Biokovo Skywalk & Makarska. You dont really hang out on the beach. 479.7K Likes, 3.2K Comments. The Maldives is literally paradise in earth for divers: the colourful reefs, the exotic marine life and most importantly, the diversity of sharks. Would recommend this excursion for all. There were tons of them! ivy frank ocean - . What you need to know ahead of a trip to Big Major Cay is that yes, the piggiess can actually swim. Learn about the recommended foods - If you plan on feeding the pigs, keep in mind that the pigs eat pitted fruits and vegetables, lettuce, carrots, watermelon, apples, and freshwater. They are exposed to the sun, rain, and especially the harsh Caribbean storms and hurricanes. Other concerns currently also include the domestication of the pigs, which once lived mainly in the small forest sections on Pig Island. Swimming with pigs can be just the motivation you needed to plan some island-hopping in The Bahamas. One of the most popular local legends revolves around a man named Wayde Nixon who is said to have brought the pigs to the islands along with business partner Don Rolle. Depending on whom you ask, you might hear stories about how the pigs were brought to The Bahamas by sailors (or possibly even hungry pirates!). Some critics believe the pigs ingest too much sand during feedings with humans, causing them to get sick, but no other deaths have been reported since. You stop look at pigs then leave. Log in to follow creators, like videos, and view comments. Pig Beach is the famous beach where the Swimming Pigs live, which is on Pig Island (also known as Big Major Cay). Overall, when interacting with the pigs, keep an eye on them at all times. I was not aware that there were other locations where you can feed the pigs so the beach here is not what I was expecting since most of the pictures you see are of another bigger beach. Most swimmers comfortable in the open water will be able to take part and enjoy one of these trips. The Maldives. The 176 square mile park is a no-take park where nothing within its boundaries can be removed. They all have different degrees of care and oversight. You will see Pig Beach Bahamas from a perspective few have. The harmless hammer head can be spotted in different areas around the Maldives, but a hotspot is the Hammerhead Point at Rasdhoo, where you can find large schools of hammerheads. Born on the tropical island that is Saint Lucia affords a never-ending source of inspiration. more. Thank for this article! I asked Susie from Farm Sanctuary about this, wondering what safety concerns people should be aware of when interacting with these hungry, feral-domestic hybrid pigs. Finally, I got a more upfront answer from one of the locals who grew up on a neighboring island. As someone who has long admired these smart, sensitive animals, Michelle was excited to see happy pigs living freely on a beautiful island paradise. Your email address will not be published. Their primary food source comes from locals and visiting tourists. Here are some more details on getting to Pig Island from Exuma: Go on a one-day tour from Sandals Emerald Bay - (Exuma Cays Swimming Pigs Adventure). Super fun and will definitely do it again. Second, this helps ensure that a current doesnt pull you out into the blue and separate you from the dive group. If this doesnt bother you, consider the safety of the tourists. Woman and dog: iStock.com/adogslifephotoDog: iStock.com/timsa, Current subscribers: You will continue to receive e-mail unless you explicitly opt out by clicking, Whats Wrong With Pig Island? Koh Madsum beach and pigs When you come on this island, you will be surprised that some pigs are living here. This means that it makes sense to sign up for an early tour to Big Major Cay, but it is also a good idea to go early if youll be taking your own boat. Dove Cay is in northwest Long Island. Here are some city guides for popular vegan travel destinations: The sky is the limitand I promise that when youre visiting a place that you know is not doing harm youll have a much better time. Transfer from El Valle de Antn to Santa Catalina. Swimming with Pigs in the Bahamas is one of the unique things you can do. Stay in one of the resort's romantic Love Nest Suites for an utterly romantic honeymoon experience. Our excursion was just an hour and a half but that was the Perfect amount of time. 10, maybe 15 piglets. If you want to visit more Bahamian animals during your trip, you can also stop by West Bay Adventures to snorkle with sea turtles. We went on a private tour on a Monday in March and it was perfect. Most excursions and tours booked through the resort include pick up and drop off back to the resort. The nearest inhabited island to this one is Great Exuma, but youll need to get there by boat. I loved it and spent a very long time petting the sweet little babies as they slept in the shade. Its a nice beach area but busy with tourists and the pigs are pooping on the edge of the beach. It was just as expectedwe loved the interaction and it was a highlight for us. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Swimsuit - If you're headed to Pig Island, chances are that youre going to get wet. Click here for a large version Map. Just make sure to do your research, here are some tips. The capital of this island is St. John, where most of the residents live. We also fed the sting rays -and that was really awesome. Called golden cnidarians, there was once thought to be eight million in the lake but their numbers have sadly declined over the years. There are many different types of tours available in The Bahamas including power boat trips, catamaran cruise trips, one-day excursions with flights to the various islands, and a range of excursions and tours, many of which include transportation from your resort to the attraction and back. Most pigs in existence today are suffering factory farms living a horrendously torturous and sad life. Where are all the other pigs? I asked one tour guide who was boasting about how she named all the piglets, and comes every day to feed them pancakes or veggies. They let us hold the lizards and even a sting ray! The duration of your tour will depend on whether you sign up for a half or full-day tour, and the type of excursion/tour you will be going on. Instead of googling Where can you swim with pigs? and booking a flight, plan a trip to an animal sanctuary like Farm Sanctuary or Animal Place! In this episode of our Bahamas Adventure we head over to Meeks Patch Island to see the pigs! The entire reason I chose this honeymoon destination to swim with the pigs was because I wanted to see, I realized that this is an animal tourist attraction not a whole lot different from the orcas imprisoned at, Despite this, most of the tourists I talked with were not aware of any safety precautions they should take when interacting with the pigs. Sitting seaside with the Exuma pigs of Pig Beach at your feet, white sand between your toes, and the sunshine in the sky above, things will seem like they can't get much better. I couldnt wait. Which is why exploring the waters alongside some of them is an absolute must for any bucket list. 51 Likes, TikTok video from Jasminedustin CONTENT CREATOR (@jasminedustin): "Swimming pigs #AlaskaAirCAREoke #swimmingpigs #bahamas #exuma #water #paradise #maldives #pigs #stingray". I definitely went, there are photos of me with the pigs here There are now many different pig beaches, the idea has spread fast that its a great tourist attraction, so perhaps you went to a different island. Your concerns were well received up to the point where you gave suggestions that would ultimately divert tourist dollars elsewhere on the pretense that the idea of the attraction was based on exploitation. Spending their days in the blazing sun without protection from mud or other forms of sunblock (especially those with fair skin) commonly causes skin cancer. Check out our: 6-night Whale Shark Trip. Then I started to worry that all of these pigs were suffering from severe burns from being exposed to the strong Caribbean sunshine day after day. The reason why we are afraid and scared of sharks is because t. If you're a diver coming to the Maldives in search of sharks, trust us, you will not be disappointed. Had so much fun swimming and feeding the pigs. I thought back to my visits to Farm Sanctuary, and recalled how the staff there would put sunblock on the pigs during the summer because their pale skin is sensitive and can easily burn.