When you look up Pig Island, Original Swimming Pigs, or Original Pig Beach on Google, it will direct you to the Great Exuma Cay area. There, you’ll find a small island known as Pig Beach, and possibly other pig beaches in the area.

We haven’t been there yet, but I’ve seen many sailing enthusiasts talk about Pig Beach. It looks like one of the best places to visit these wild pigs and other wild animals because it’s farther away from towns and cities.

As we planned our Bahamas vacation with Margaritaville at Sea, we decided to spend a day enjoying the sandy beach and hanging out with the pigs. This excursion is known as Swim With The Pigs And Crystal Beach. Here’s how the day went so you know exactly what to expect if you decide to take this excursion too.

Assimilation and Reporting on the Ship in the Euphoria Lounge

The full day trip experience starts with the ship docking in the Grand Bahama at the Freeport Cruise Port. We met in the Euphoria Lounge and Bar area to check in with the cruise ship and get our wristbands.

The wristbands given out by the director were different colors. We got a wristband that marked our excursion for swimming with the pigs and chilling at the beach in the late afternoon.

After everyone checked in for swimming with pigs, we were divided into two groups. Our group was set to swim with the pigs and relax at the beach in the late afternoon, while the other group would sightsee in town after visiting the pigs and the beach.

In the Euphoria Lounge, you can get beach towels for the excursion. They take down your room number and the number of towels you take. If you don’t return the towels, they charge a fee to your ship account.

Leaving Margaritaville at Sea Paradise 

We were instructed to either take the elevator or the stairs down to levels 4 or 5. Since there was a big line at the elevator with everyone leaving at the same time, taking the stairs was the best way. Don’t forget to bring your boat card/ship pass.

On the way out, you need to hand your key card to the ship officer and they will scan it. Everyone receives a card before leaving the Port of Palm Beach. Upon Deboarding, there were two lines.

They verify your identity by checking your picture and are taking roll call of the people who have disembarked from the vessel. Once you meet these requirements, you are allowed to leave the vessel.

Disembarking Paradise Ship at Grand Bahama Island

We walked off the ship and entered the immigration/customs building. Since we were only there for the day, they let us pass right through without searching or seizing any items.

Exiting that building, we boarded the tour operators bus that was gathering people for the pig excursion. Unfortunately, there was no short boat ride included in this excursion. 😭

The Bus and The Ride to Crystal Beach

The bus was a double-decker, nothing fancy but adequate for the ride. It took about 40 minutes to reach the beach, following a direct route while the tour guide spoke over the microphone.

She shared some history about the port and provided insightful information about the small island, including how it had recovered after the devastating hurricane season in 2019. One interesting fact she mentioned was that the island is the third largest in the Bahamas.

Arriving at Crystal Beach

We got off the bus and before leaving, we were reminded to remember our bus number so we could find the correct one later and not get lost. As we exited, we were greeted at the beach bar/restaurant by two ladies.

Here, we were given another wristband to wear. This wristband apparently determined if you got to use a beach lounge chair. I recommend picking a table with an umbrella, like we did, because during the summer months the sun is intense.

Chilling on The Beach

We chilled at the table, soaking in the day. After a while, we started wondering where the pigs were and how long it would take for them to get to us. The DJ booth, which felt like it was right next door, was used to summon the people heading into town after their pig encounter.

They were gathered up and went through a brief orientation with the staff. Then, they were led into the crystal-clear waters to hang out with the pigs. After their encounter, they boarded a bus and continued on with their day.

Swim With The Pigs And Crystal Beach Excursion

When people think of the pig encounter, they might imagine the one located in the Exuma Cays. However, this encounter does not involve wild pigs, and you don’t need your own boat or to book a boat tour with a group of sailors.

We arrived at the beach around 10 AM. The first group swam with the pigs around 10:30/11 AM, and we did our excursion at noon. We went through the same briefing as the previous group and got plenty of information on how to feed the pigs.

The food source for the pigs that day was apples. They showed us how to pull the stick back after the pig latches onto the apple so they don’t swallow the stick. It’s important not to take any food away from them once you’ve given it to them. This is the best thing to note from their quick training course. 

The local guide explains that the pigs are heavy but are healthy pigs. They explain that keeping your feet away from them is a good idea so you don’t get stepped on. They do a great job demonstrating and explaining what to do to the crowd.

The Walk Into The Turquoise Waters

They have you walk to a part of the sandbar with the most beautiful water, a few hundred feet into the ocean. Don’t worry, the water is not that deep—about 3-4 feet at the deepest point. For an average height person, it’s waist-deep while trekking through the shallow waters.

The sea floor may have coral and sharp rocks. I wore my sandals, but water shoes are a great option as well. Some people in our group had no problem being barefoot in the turquoise waters.

Reaching the Sand Bar

Upon your arrival at the sandbar, they will have you line up in a crescent-shaped semi-circle. Don’t worry, the water depth is only 1 to 2 feet at most.

Once in a semi-circle, one of the pig wranglers will come by with apple chunks on a stick and hand them out to you. After everyone has their treats, they call the pigs from their pen and the great time begins.

The Running of The Pigs

The pigs will run from their pen, swim through the deepest water section, and arrive at the semi-circle. They tend to approach guests together in a group, starting from the opposite side of the circle from where we were standing.

We got to observe the pigs and people having the best time feeding them. Shortly after, the pigs moved from that side to our side, eating apples along the way at a seemingly fast pace.

Round Two of Swimming With Pigs

After the first feeding, we were given more apples and the pigs came back. There was a feeding frenzy, and it felt like chaos as the pigs eagerly gobbled up the apples without any specific order.

We tried really hard to get good videos and pictures, but the pigs were on a mission. Nothing was going to stop them from getting to the people with food—they were hungry and focused!

Back to the Beach

As the feeding frenzy calmed down, we began walking back to the beach along with the pigs. I kept a wooden skewer with a few more apple pieces, thinking it might come in handy later.

While we were almost back to the beach and in just a few feet of water, I used the apple skewer to lure a pig towards us for a candid photo. Getting this photo “just right” was more difficult than you’d think!

Picture Opportunity With Baby Pigs

As the adult pigs swam and enjoyed their apple pieces, the adorable pigs on the property weren’t quite ready for the spotlight. These little guys, only a few months old, were incredibly cute but stayed out of the main action.

During our visit, they introduced a small group of baby pigs. Among them, some were tiny, while one was larger and particularly fond of being held. Each baby pig had its own distinct personality, with some being more relaxed than others.

We spent a delightful 15 minutes holding and taking pictures with the baby pigs. It was a wonderful experience to enjoy some time with pigs in the Bahamas.

Back to Relaxing on the Beach

We finished experiencing the pigs and taking photos around 12:45 to 1:00 PM. The experience was exciting, unique, and fascinating to see pigs on a white sand beach in the Bahamas.

We were tired, and the sun was really starting to become intense. After the pigs, the beach experience was mediocre. The staff was only okay and could have been much better.

Food and Beverage 

We did notice that the bar staff was not very accommodating. When we asked for a pineapple with a rum punch inside, we expected a typical tall, aesthetically pleasing cocktail. Instead, they simply cut the pineapple in half and poured our rum punch inside, causing it to leak. There wasn’t even a tropical umbrella for decoration.

The drink itself was good, but the presentation was disappointing—0 stars out of 5. It felt a bit like a tourist trap on the beach. We felt that for the extra cost of having the drink in a pineapple, we should have at least received the pineapple itself.

We ordered a side of French fries to go with our smoothies and rum punch. Due to the unfriendliness of the bar staff, we opted to wait and have lunch back on the ship instead of spending more money there. They accept credit card payments as well as Bahamian and US dollars for payment.

Bus Ride Back to the Ship 

On the way back to the cruise ship, they took a longer route to show us more of the island. We passed by several attractions, including The Boiling Hole, a naturally formed swimming hole in the limestone that makes up Grand Bahama.

Cruise Ship Port at Grand Bahama

After arriving back at the cruise ship port, we left the bus and went through the customs and immigration building. With nothing to claim, we placed our bags on the x-ray machine belt and proceeded through the metal detectors. Once we cleared security, we exited the building and boarded the ship.

Boarding the Ship

We went through the same door and crossed the same gangway as before, handing our room access key back to the ship officers for screening. After being checked back onboard, we headed to the towel collection station in the lobby near the elevators. We returned our towels and signed the sheet to confirm. That marked the end of our shore excursion to the Bahamas.

Should You Take Your Kids to Swimming with Pigs at Crystal Beach? 

I’m not entirely sure if I would recommend the day excursions to others, but our experience with the not so famous swimming with pigs of the Bahamas was truly memorable. It’s something Amanda and the kids had been wanting to do for a long time, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience for us.

The issues we encountered were not with the pigs themselves, but rather with the bar staff and the condition of the beach. Unfortunately, the beach felt dirty with trash both on the sand and in the water, which detracted from the overall experience.

This is concerning given the significant cost of $119.99 for an adult ticket. The beach should be cleaned up and the rocks removed to present a pristine ocean-side paradise that matches the price charged for this excursion. 

This would greatly enhance the value and appeal for visitors spending their hard-earned money on the experience.

Is swimming with the pigs worth it?

If it weren’t for the swimming with pigs experience, we might have opted for a beach day at The Taino Beach Resort excursion or the Pirates Cove Private Cabana and Resort day pass. These options seem like fantastic choices for enjoying a memorable day by the beach or pool.