The Bahamas is a collection of paradise tropical islands in the western part Atlantic Ocean. Most of them are overrun by tourists, but there is one particular island that is occupied by pigs. It is called the Island of Pigs.
Let's immediately outline an important detail. If you think that Pig Island is a place where you can see clueless and ignorant tourists or dirty beaches, then you are wrong. Island of Pigs - the most ordinary Paradise Island, where the main population is... pigs. Yes, ordinary domestic ones, but feral piglets live in this secluded place.
That is why the island is known throughout the world as Pig Island, although officially it is called Big Major Cay.
Where is Pig Island?
The island is located in the Exuma region, which consists of 360 islands. Nearby are the islands of Steniel Cay in the southeast and Foul Cay in the northwest. The capital of the Bahamas, the city of Nassau, lies 130 kilometers to the northwest.
Geographic coordinates 24.183436, -76.456483
Pigs on the island are waterfowl General information about Pig Island
The length of the island is about 1.9 km, and the width reaches 1.6 km. The surface area is slightly less than 1 km 2.
The island is covered with tropical forests. Sources can be found here fresh water and even 3 is enough large lakes. One of them (approximately 210 by 130 meters in size) is located in the central part of the island, and the other two lie side by side in the southern part. They are slightly smaller in size. The coast of the island has beautiful sandy beaches.
Despite the conditions being close to ideal, there are no people or hotels on the island. This is a practically uninhabited corner of the planet (with the exception of piglets, of course).
Theories about the pigs taking over the island
There is no reliable information about how pigs appeared in the Bahamas. But there are several assumptions.
- Perhaps the pigs were left here by sailors as a food supply. They planned to pick them up later, but they never showed up, and the pigs took root on the island
- According to the second version, the pigs survived the shipwreck, reached the island, survived and even increased the population
- There is also a pragmatic theory according to which the pigs were simply brought here as an interesting and extraordinary attraction. This version looks quite real, since tourists willingly go to the island of pigs, where they can not only hand-feed piglets, but even swim with them
- Well, the most prosaic hypothesis says that the pigs were expelled from the neighboring island. The fact is that the pigsties on the island of Steniel Cay were sources of unpleasant odors, which people began to complain about local residents, and tourists. Therefore, at the end of the last century, the good-natured piglets had to be sent into exile. neighboring island Big Major Kay
It must be said that the pigs on the island adapted quite quickly. Now there are about 20 piglets here, who are absolutely not afraid of people or boats. Moreover, the pigs are so accustomed to the constant attention of tourists that they literally attack tourist boats, knowing that people always bring something tasty with them.
Food interactions between humans and animals are quite common. For example, on Monkey Island in Hainan, macaques actively demand goodies from visitors, and for disobedience they can steal some shiny thing from you, from chains to telephones.
Why pigs in the Bahamas learned to swim
In general, pigs are indifferent to swimming, but the inhabitants of the island of pigs are very fond of water procedures. This has developed in piglets over several generations. The pigs on the island began to understand that the sound motor boats portends the appearance of people, which means they will bring various pig goodies. Over time, the pigs, trying to speed up the moment of eating the treats, began to go deeper and deeper into the water, and so they learned to swim.
Now even the little piglets on the island can swim. Hearing the sound of engines, the pigs set off to meet the tourists. Quite often, piglets practically climb into boats and beg for treats from people.
Do not think that only pigs are able to get used to a person and eat practically from his hands. About 750 kilometers southwest of Pig Island in the Cayman Islands is Stingray Town. Here the graceful and deadly stingrays meet people and beg for food in their own way.
The place where you can see piglets is called Pig Beach. This small strip of sand, about 200 meters long, is located on west coast islands.
Nowadays, swimming with dolphins will surprise few people. Many sophisticated travelers prefer swimming with pigs in the Bahamas. This is one of the most popular tourist places in the Bahamas.
We all know that pigs can't fly. But did you know that they can swim? That's right, our pig friends do have some pretty impressive abilities. If you're planning to visit the Bahamas anytime soon, you should see the island's most famous inhabitants: the swimming pigs. The swimming pigs of the Bahamas are well known among islanders and tourists alike, and for good reason. You'll find them in the waters of the lovingly named Pig Beach, on one of the most... beautiful regions Bahamas: Exumas. 
How to find swimming pigs? There's nothing more exciting than the sight of pigs splashing in the sun. azure waters ocean. These pigs are not shy. In fact, they are relatively easy to find. They inhabit the island of Great Major Cay, which is one of the 365 islands of the Exumas. However, thanks to its famous residents, Big Major Cay is better known as Pig Island. The piglets are very friendly, and often swim up to the boats with tourists who feed the animals with all sorts of goodies. 
Where are the Exumas? The Exumas are a chain of small islands that form part of the Bahamas. These tiny islands boast breathtaking white sand beaches, crystal clean water and fabulous landscapes. 
Is it possible to swim with pigs? You've heard all about swimming with dolphins, but what about swimming with pigs? Pig Beach is the place for this unusual holiday, and it's definitely something you'll remember for a long time. 
Even though swimming pigs are wild, they are incredibly friendly. They will allow you to swim right up to them. Swimming pigs are wonderful, intelligent creatures, and they are accustomed to human company, although there are no permanent residents on their island. How did the Pigs Get There? There are several different theories about how the pigs got there. 
Some people claim that they were on a ship that crashed and managed to gather food on the island and thrive in their new home. 
Others think the pirates may have landed the pigs there, planning to return later and turn them into bacon. 
Another theory is that it is simply a tourist attraction. But one thing is for sure, the pigs are very happy with their home.
What might you think when faced with a flock of pigs swimming on the sea? You must be dreaming! But we want to assure you that in the Bahamas this is possible in reality.
© Roberto Muñoz/Pindaro
© David Valaika
Absolutely everyone associates the Bahamas with the sun, luxurious snow-white beaches and bright turquoise sea. Vacationers here feel like they are in paradise.
A boat ride along the coast allows you to enjoy the beauty of the tiny islands. One has only to cast off from the shore, make a couple of oar strokes and freeze in contemplation... But what is this? Pigs in the sea? And why are these creatures with pig snouts suddenly swimming towards the boat so purposefully?
© Roberto Muñoz/Pindaro
And all because they are pigs, and, in addition, they are hungry. Can this happen in reality? Yes, as much as possible. Because only in the Bahamas do there live pigs that feel even more comfortable in salt water than an ordinary pig, lying in a dirty and deep puddle. And these Bahamian pigs enthusiastically accept treats and food from tourists.
© Roberto Muñoz/Pindaro
© Roberto Muñoz/Pindaro
Photos of pigs, which, like seals, lean on the edge of the boat waiting for treats and, after receiving them, set off again for free swimming, may seem like something fantastic. But they really exist!
© alanakayle/Flickr
You can verify this by visiting a small uninhabited piece of land in the Exuma archipelago, part of the Bahamas. On the island of Big Major Cay, or Pig Island, you can sunbathe and swim with the pigs.
A colorful group gathered on the island: white, red, pink, brown, spotted boars, pigs and piglets. Pigs of all colors and sizes run briskly around sandy beaches the islands and everyone, from small to large, swim excellently.
© alanakayle/Flickr
© The Vintage Spruce
Pig Beach, located in the western part of the island, is currently home to about 40 pigs. They live for themselves and don’t even suspect how lucky they are in this life. Not only pigs, but people will envy such luxury and such bliss!
© Chris Crumley
One can only guess how these sweetest creatures ended up on the island. There are several versions of the appearance of pigs on Pig Island. Some believe that this happened as a result of a shipwreck: a ship carrying domestic animals crashed on the reefs, and the pigs swam to the shore and were able to survive here.
© Roberto Muñoz/Pindaro
Others believe that pirates brought the pigs to the island as a future supply of food, but they were never able to return to their “hiding place” and the animals were left to their own devices. It is also believed that the pigs on Big Major Cay are a carefully planned campaign by travel agencies to lure clients to the island.
© Scott Crouch/Flickr
One way or another, but trips to this Bahamian island enjoy unprecedented popularity: both ordinary tourists and cruise ship passengers, as well as celebrities come here. Many travelers not only enjoy taking photos, but also swim next to the pigs that live on Pig Beach.
© alanakayle/Flickr
© alanakayle/Flickr
© alanakayle/Flickr
Despite the fact that the pigs on the island live wild, they are very friendly. They greet guests by grunting joyfully and begging for various goodies. And they cannot refuse them, because Bahamian pigs are very cute, and unlike their domestic relatives, they are real clean people.
© Natasha Oakley Blog
© Natasha Oakley Blog
© Natasha Oakley Blog
In addition, the pigs are accustomed to the fact that people sail to their shores with good intentions and not empty-handed: they are regularly fed by specially hired residents of the Bahamas, as well as by yachts and tourist boats passing by - there are more than enough people who want to admire the charming inhabitants of the island.
© Roberto Muñoz/Pindaro
4 comments
Judging by their plump faces, they have more than enough food! :) There are attendants on the island who feed them. Tourists have the opportunity at a local bar to purchase treats for pigs in the form of food scraps, boiled vegetables, and herbs.
Made me laugh :)
You will envy such a “pig” life. Very cute pigs, clean, probably not out of neatness, but from frequent swims in the water, only their teeth are scary. I wonder what they eat in the absence of people and what tourists are allowed to feed them? After all, accidentally, out of ignorance, human food can cause harm to pigs.
I want to be such a pig!
As you know, guinea pigs are generally a misunderstanding, and not a name, since they are not guinea pigs at all, and certainly not guinea pigs. Real guinea pigs live in the Bahamas, on an island Big Major Cay, which is also known as Pig Island. For piglets of different colors and sizes here - real paradise. There are no other inhabitants on the island, so the pigs can bask on the white sand all day and splash in the clean, clear Caribbean waters.
How the pigs ended up on the island is anyone's guess. Perhaps they were brought here by accident, perhaps with the intention of establishing a farm on the island and raising pigs for sale, but the fact remains: over many years, more than one generation of pigs grew up on Big Major Cay, and in order to adapt to the local conditions, they had to learn to swim. The results of such self-improvement are amazing: even the tiniest piglets can swim, they climb into the water after their mother and thus learn the art of holding on and moving in the water.
Even though the pigs live here wild, they are very friendly. They greet people by grunting joyfully, deftly swim up to the boats and beg various goodies from tourists. And they cannot refuse them, because the piglets from Big Major Cay are very cute, and unlike domestic pigs, they are very clean, thanks to regular swimming in the sea. In addition, the pigs are accustomed to people sailing to their shores with noble intentions and not empty-handed: they are regularly fed by specially hired residents of the Bahamas, as well as by yachts and tourist boats passing by - there have always been plenty of people wanting to admire the local miracle of nature. Some piglets get so comfortable in the company of people that they jump into the boat if it comes close to the shore, and with all their appearance they show that they want a treat and a tummy rub. True, pigs are most willing to make acquaintances in the late afternoon, when it becomes not so hot, and the whole community comes out of the forest to lie on the sand and swim in the sea.
Pig Island in the Bahamas - they live the way we only dream...
These adorable pigs swim every day in the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. They even have their own island and beach in the Bahamas, where they live a luxurious and happy life.
If swimming with pigs is your unusual dream, well, it's entirely possible. Guests stay on Royal Plantation Island, on Fowl Cay, and from there take a boat to Big Major Cay. south beach- pig beach. This island is also often called Pig Island in the Bahamas.
The unusual inhabitants were brought to the island by sailors, believing that the animals would become a good source of food in the future. However, the sailors did not return, and the animals settled safely on the island.
There are no other inhabitants on the island, so the pigs can bask on the white sand all day and splash in the clean, transparent waves. Which is exactly what they do.
Despite the fact that pigs live in the wild, they are very friendly and are not at all afraid of people. They greet tourists, grunting joyfully, and confidently swim to the boats for refreshments.
And they don’t mind at all having their tummy scratched.
Smart pigs know that ships and yachts with tourists are full of delicacies, and people simply cannot resist feeding these charmers.
Therefore, when they see a boat, the pigs rush into the water and swim to the boat for treats.
But be careful: if you swim close and get into shallow water, the cunning pigs may (and in fact they will) jump into your boat in search of your lunch.
The pigs here are actually very beautiful, of different colors and, moreover, regular exposure to water makes them very clean. More than one generation of pigs has grown up in such conditions, so piglets are accustomed to water from an early age, and over time they become excellent swimmers.
Tourists not only feed the pigs, but also swim with them, and also sunbathe...
They are not always visible on the beach. If it is very hot, they prefer to stay in the shade, and only go out to cool off in the sea or, of course, have a snack. They are most active in the evening, when it is no longer so hot.
Pigs have become so successful in life that they live in families on a tropical island in the Caribbean and do nothing but sleep, swim and eat.
Popular model Michelle Levin posted a video on her Instagram of how she was bitten on the butt by one of the inhabitants of Pig Island. And, judging by the bruise on his butt, he bit with the most serious intentions. Well, it’s not for us to blame this pig - you’d think that in her place we would have acted differently! Ha!
