The Beach Where You Can Swim With Pigs

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23 April 2025

Pig Beach, also known as Big Major Cay, is a small, uninhabited island in the Exuma district of the Bahamas

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It's famous for a unique and charming attraction: a group of pigs that live on the island and swim in the ocean

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Pig Beach has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world

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The pigs are known for their friendly nature, often interacting with tourists. Visitors can swim and snorkel with the pigs in the crystal-clear waters

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The pigs on the island are not native and their origin is a bit of a mystery

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Some say they were left by sailors who intended to return and cook them, while others believe they swam to shore from a nearby shipwreck

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Pig Beach is only accessible by boat. Most visitors reach it through guided tours from nearby islands like Staniel Cay or Great Exuma

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The pigs are well-cared for by local caretakers and are a beloved part of the island's ecosystem

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The pigs are friendly but can be pushy, especially when they think food is involved. Some visitors have reported pigs nipping or getting too close if they feel teased or hungry

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Visitors can feed pigs approved foods (fruits, vegetables, bread) but should toss food into the water, not feed by hand or on the beach, to avoid aggression 

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Improper food can harm them, and there have been incidents in the past where pigs became sick or died, possibly due to eating unsafe items given by tourists

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 ndtv.com