I counted them. The tiny island of Meeks Patch Island in northern Eleuthera is home to swimming pigs, ducks, and even a turkey! 3.6K Likes, 64 Comments. Head up a tall building for views over the city, and visit the Royal . Presumably, these pigs have inspired countless people to leave pork and bacon of their platewhich is wonderful. during the summer because their pale skin is sensitive and can easily burn. 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. How to get there: You can take a 25-minute boat ride from either Nassau or Paradise Island to get to Rose Island. Finally, for every 1 human killed by a shark approximately 25 millionsharks are killed by humans. We can also put pressure on the government, tour companies, and local resorts to do better. These pigs reside on various islands in this territory including Eleuthera, Rose Island, Abaco, and Ship Channel Cay, but the main island where you can find swimming pigs in The Bahamas is Big Major Cay. Research and be comfortable with the dive environment, know the water temperature, currents, visibility and equipment configuration. Clearly multiple litters. The swimming pigs on this beautiful island are not as famous as their cousins on Big Major Cay, but its fun to take a day trip from Treasure Cay to No Name Cay to see them. What's included? This habit has two advantages: First, a shark cannot startle you by sneaking up behind you outside of your field of vision. +1 786-289-8977 Many diving experts recommend staying close the reef wall or seabed to avoid leaving yourself exposed. 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 South Ari Atoll. Here are a few day trip options for this experience from Nassau: Go on a one-day trip by plane to Big Major Cay from Nassau - (Nassau to Exuma Day Trip Swimming Pigs). Expert tip: It takes less time to get to Big Major Cay from Exuma than from New Providence (Nassau). Though this destination is a little far from Pig Island, it is still a great destination for your Bahamian vacation. It was then that the babies came running over. 4.7K Likes, 95 Comments. . These sanctuaries are The Bahamas National Parks. The idea is to blend into the reef wall or seabed and observe the shark with minimal disturbance. I believe the full day tour stops there but the half day doesnt. Instagram vs Reality original sound - Erich. Most of them were huge which was a little intimidating. 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. Or you could book a getaway to an all vegan resort like The Stanford Inn By The Seain Northern California. But for cruisers, the . I went vegan 4 weeks ago, and have never looked back. Various tour companies will have different prices for this excursion. 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! They also often break skin. Local Islands. They might squeal if you pick them up, which might startle you and cause you to drop them. They took us to pig island and to iguana beach. Expert tip: If you're staying at all-inclusive resorts in Nassau like Sandals Royal Bahamian, you can book your swimming pigs tour through the resort. It was just as expectedwe loved the interaction and it was a highlight for us. Or maybe thats what some people think. 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. Thank you for this information I will not be visiting or endorsing this kind of thing unfortunately theres a lot about animals that are inhuman we all need to know more about. These playful creatures often swim in groups so once you find a friendly bunch, slide into the water and have a quick swim. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. They take you on a half day guided tour, along with some other sites including the iguanas and little beaches. Your adventure includes a boat tour through The Exuma Cays. Required fields are marked *. You said that seems to be their I understand your concerns with the others but I can assure you that at Sandy Toes Rose Island, we care for our animals as they will never be slaughtered simply because that defeats the purpose of why they were purchased. Life for most pigs in todays world is excruciating. Hey Wendy Id love to hear about some of the things youre doing for humans and children to inspire us all to do the same! The Exumas in the Bahamas are now synonymous with their famous swimming pigs. Both locations are equi-distant (30 minute flights), from Nassau the capital of the Bahamas and transportation hub for travellers by air or sea. If you're staying in Nassau or The Exumas, you can easily book a day trip to see the swimming pigs. Instead of visiting pig beach, how about one of these vegan-friendly travel destinations? Generally, the best time to visit The Bahamas is between mid-December to mid-April. This has had consequences. Despite all these problems, Pig Beach has seen a recent surge in popularity, with tourists visiting from all around the world. This field is required. As far as how they are living, please come and see for yourself. Several swimming pigs have been spotted in Dove Cay, Long Island in recent times. When I pressed further, she quickly changed the subject and no longer had any interest talking with me. At least these swimming pigs arent locked up on a factory farm! And thats a fair point. Pig Beach in the Caribbean sounds like any pigs dreamland, right? Last year, several pigs were found dead at this beach, their bellies filled with sand. 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. Without killing the pigs (or giving the piglets away to locals for food), there would be no way to maintain the small population of pigs on the various islands. Excursions like the Eleuthera Swimming Pigs and Snorkeling Experience give you the opportunity to see these friendly pigs on Meeks Patch Island, plus Rose Island (which has its own pigs! The curious creatures will probably come up to say hello. But the original, and most popular, is a stretch of ivory-white sand in the Exumas known as Pig Beach. 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. If you're looking to become a certified PADI Open Water diver, check out out, but they won't be interested in you and for the most part, are completely harmless. This nature-based attraction is a favorite amo, Theres an unmistakable charm to Caribbean beaches that is enough to want to plan a vacation around them, just for the peace, fun, and relaxation it is sure to bring. Around $50 USD or BSD should suffice, preferably in smaller bills. Our beginner-friendly shopping list includes all the grocery essentials you'll need make many satisfying vegan meals! 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. The best drinks come mixed with spiced rum and you can find all the snorkeling equipment needed to go underwater venturing. 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. We stopped at the island as crew members of a private catamaran and got there at the end of January around 4 pm. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Where and how to visit the original swimming pigs Thanks for shedding some light, My dream was to meet pig in ocean. Above the dock which doubles as a makeshift bar, signs cover the rustic walls and pillars. And swimming pigs. Is this on your bucket list ? What types of sharks are there in the Maldives? Wishing you well! Taking a day trip to Eleuthera is a great way to experience swimming pigs in The Bahamas. Pigs can get skin cancer and other illnesses and likely suffer for a long time without treatment.. Creating minimal disruption to the sharks environment leaves you more likely to observe their natural behaviour and reduces any potential risk to yourself. The nearest inhabited island to this one is Great Exuma, but youll need to get there by boat. Why you'll love the swimming pigs of The Bahamas World of Vegan founder Michelle Taylor Cehn and her husband booked a honeymoon trip to the Bahamas to swim with pigs on Pig Island. The preferred option is to feed them in the water when they come swimming up to your boat. From hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos Islands to pigs in the Bahamas, A pig swims through the clear waters of the Bahamas, Harmless jellyfish reside in Jellyfish Lake, Palau, A diver swims with a manta ray in Ecuador, Hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos islands. Would recommend this excursion for all. Documenting The Road to Slaughter: The Girl Behind The, 20 Vegan Travel Destinations with Incredible Plant-Based. However, her heart sank upon their arrival as she realized immediately that something was not right. If your heart is set on going, you could always document the conditions, ask the tough questions of the locals, and spread awareness about the reality of the situation. The best option will be to land in Staniel Cay and then hop on a boat to Pig Island. Bear in mind that a passport is necessary for visitors to book domestic flights in The Bahamas. Sandals Resorts in The Bahamas have rooms and suites that come with their own safes where you can store your valuables during your vacation. The entire reason I chose this honeymoon destination to swim with the pigs was because I wanted to see pigs who had never been exploitedand who got to live out their entire lives in total freedom. In the future, visits to Pig Island might be limited for the safety of the pigs and the preservation of the general area. 10, maybe 15 piglets. My goodness, I thought. You will likely find that those who are advocating for mistreated animals are also some of the biggest advocates for human rights. All about the Beach Babes She also reminded me that in nature, pigs coat themselves in mud as natural sun protectant, but on the sandy beach in the Caribbean, they dont have access to mud. Pig Beach is the famous beach where the Swimming Pigs live, which is on Pig Island (also known as Big Major Cay). TikTok video from Pirate Life (@pirate_life_creative): "Swiming with pigs in the ocean #pigsoftiktok #swimmingpigs #swimmingpigsbahamas". It was then that the babies came running over. TikTok video from KACI (@.tbwkaci): " swimming with pigs in the Maldives!! Ship Channel Cay is quite small at around two miles long and half a mile wide. The first thing that comes to my mind while reading that you want people to stop visiting these piggies, is how will they eat if visitors stopped going to feed them? Not for the faint of heart, the Galapagos Islands are a haven for amazing wildlife and a perfect place to explore for the experienced diver. Let's plan you dream trip there - Enquire Now! The average daily swim distance is around 5km (split over a minimum of two swims). I love pigs and had no idea these islands with pigs were a thing. Provide education to caretakers or even provide proper care. She swiped the edge of her hand against her throat as if her words werent clear enough. While you will take a chance with the weather, you may find that the island is significantly less crowded during these months. This article about the swimming pigs in the Exumas was written and photographed by yours truly, Michelle Cehn. There were tons of them! But this is tourism and money talks and pigs will be ate for meat every day. HERES WHAT | SWIMMING WITH PIGS | IN THE BAHAMAS | HERES WHAT SWIMMING W/PIGS IN THE BAHAMAS IS REALLY LIKE Rihanna x Burna boy x Last Last xKevin Dave Mashup - Kevindaveprod. Its a nice beach area but busy with tourists and the pigs are pooping on the edge of the beach. Had so much fun swimming and feeding the pigs. Despite its large size, it is not a dangerous species. In the past 13 years, Kylie loved to work with various newspapers, magazines and blogs in the Caribbean. 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!). But we dont need to continue to spread a false story of happiness at the expense of these pigsespecially when there are pigs like Esther the Wonder Pig who is a real-life example of a truly happy, healthy, beloved pig. What you need to know ahead of a trip to Big Major Cay is that yes, the piggiess can actually swim. Of course, it is worth noting that Pig Island has brought incredible positive press for pigs, showing that they are smart, curious, playful, lovable animals not unlike the dogs and cats we adore at home. 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. Have a read of shark dives best practices and by following this, you will ensure a positive experience and more importantly a responsible and sustainable interaction with sharks. Fuvahmulah is the best spot for finding Tiger Sharks. Kayaking activity The activity here is the kayaking, you can rent it from the bar on the beach, 300 Baht per kayak. There are a few excursions that you can do in The Bahamas that will not only let you see the swimming pigs but also tie in other nature-oriented excursions. Thats what I thought when I stumbled upon photos of the swimming pigs on Pig Island and booked my honeymoon trip after my vegan wedding to swim with pigs in the Bahamas. This clearly wasnt a big, lush island that pigs inhabited. My goodness, I thought. IB: @*. ?". And the things I saw tourists do for the sake of a selfie photo were cringeworthy. While I was in the Bahamasfor just one week, I heard several first-hand stories from tourists who were bitten by the pigs. 241 Likes, TikTok video from TEGAN (@tegancrowley): "What swimming with the pigs in The Bahamas is really like #bahamas #pigbeach #reality #fyp #foryoupage #travel #carribean". Life for most pigs in todays world is excruciating. Bobby says, "The pigs were friendly. There are so many wonderful places to travel and summer vacation activities to participate in without exploiting animals. The same goes when fishing over the flats, the only caveat being that the fish here are smaller, usually hitting between 10-15 pounds. The island is now more lovingly referred to as Pig Island. Feeding the pigs on the sand can result in them ingesting too much sand, which is not good for them. 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. Check out our: 6-night Whale Shark Trip. (SHUTTLE). Skip the theme parks and opt for an open ocean encounter with a dolphin. The price of this tour varies based on the tour operator, so it is a good idea to shop around before selecting the best one for you. Discover the history and culture of Mal on a half-day walking tour with a local guide. Your email address will not be published. I enjoyed feeding the pigs. Before I even arrived, I wondered what would happen when the pigs started overpopulating the infamous Pig island, since there are no predators around and the only limiting resource, I imagined, was food. It is not possible at this time to overnight on Big Major Cay as part of a tour. There are various ways to do so including by plane and by boat. In terms of where you might have seen the pigs in the past, they made an appearance on The Bachelor TV show that was quite memorable! Call us on 0121 440 6268 for a tailor made . They can be a danger to the tourists, so they have to go.. 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!). If you are scared of the pigs, do not walk onto the beach with any food at all. After recovering from the glee of fraternizing with little piglets in paradise, I started to notice the abrasions on their skin. 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 tiger shark has the reputation of being aggressive, but they can still be swimmed and dived with, without any danger. 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. Im all for voicing but it should start with love for your fellow mankind first. 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. Astronauts have been quoted over history for saying the Bahamas' Exuma Cays are the most beautiful view on Earth when viewed from space. To find out how you can make this dream a reality, see below the best places to swim with incredible marine life (and some land mammals too). Absolutely not. 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. Second, this helps ensure that a current doesnt pull you out into the blue and separate you from the dive group. Here's everything you need to know about visiting the #theswimmingpigs and snapping a selfie of your own playful encounter with these four-legged celebrities. 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. Keep in mind that if you visit Pig Island around lunchtime or late afternoon, you're likely to find the pigs resting on the beach after having their fill of food. If you're a diver coming to the Maldives in search of sharks, trust us, you will not be disappointed. The Bahamas recently outlawed the fishing of sea turtles andwas declared a shark sanctuary, protecting sharks from commercial fishing. Note:There are now several islands in the Bahamas where individuals and tour companies have brought pigs to create additional swimming pig attractions. I am currently a care taker for not only the pigs at Sandy Toes, Rose Island, but the animals in general. Keep those pigs fed any way possible until you can take action. 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. The parks are speckled throughout the islands and are open to the public so people may witness these animals in their natural habitat. Usually, these tours are day trips. World of Vegan founder Michelle Taylor Cehn and her husband booked a honeymoon trip to the Bahamas to swim with pigs on Pig Island. Eleuthera is well-known for its pink sand beaches, and for being one of the few Caribbean surfing destinations in The Bahamas. Please read my, World of Vegan All Rights Reserved.