Getting Piggy with it

Meet some of the Bahamas’ most famous residents on a visit to Pig Island with Tinggly…

Pigs can’t fly, but did you know they can swim? Exuma is a real tropical paradise, an archipelago of over 365 islands and cays, that has been used as a picturesque backdrop for several movies, including Pirates of the Caribbean. No doubt it was while shooting here that Johnny Depp fell in love with the scenery and splashed out on his own personal island, joining a number of other celebrities such as Eddie Irvine and David Copperfield who own some of this pristine Bahamian real estate.

When you take a dream vacation in Exuma you’re probably not going to stumble over Johnny sunbathing on the beach – sorry ladies – but if you try one of the latest gift experiences in the Tinggly collection, a powerboat sightseeing tour around the islands, then you can enjoy a swim with some of Exuma’s most charming and not-at-all camera-shy celebrities – the Swimming Pigs.

Pig Beach

The southernmost beach of Big Major Cay is known as Pig Beach for the family of 20 piggies that call it home. Most of the day they doze in the sunshine, but when they hear the sound of tourist boats approaching, the plucky porkers jump into the water and swim out to meet them, in search of tasty treats. Such is their fame, they’ve inspired songs, a documentary and a book, so how long can it be before these porkers let it all go to their heads and start charging for autographs?

Pigs are actually pretty good swimmers, especially when motivated by the thought of food, so they’ll quite happily come right out to the boats to pose for pictures. This Tinggly tour equips you with snorkeling equipment too, so you can take a dip with the pigs and make your friends back home green with envy.

How did they get there?

Good question. Historians have several theories on how a bunch of pigs ended up on an uninhabited island – maybe they were shipwrecked, or escaped from a passing European vessel, but the most likely answer is that they were deliberately released by Spanish or Portuguese sailors who wanted a handy food supply on the islands in case they ever needed it.

There have been reports of “marooned pigs” on Caribbean islands since at least the 17th century, surviving thanks to freshwater springs. Hunters would barbecue them on wooden frames known as boucans, which is where we get the term buccaneer – many of these hunters would of course go on to become pirates, and would have taken their cookery talents with them. And by the way, no, bacon doesn’t derive from the same word.

The Bahamas offer many amazing marine activities, from snorkeling and scuba diving to adventurous water sports. And whether you’re visiting for a honeymoon, an anniversary or just a special holiday, and fancy a day off from the beach, then this Bahamas gift experience makes a fab way to spend a day. Enjoy the incredible scenery as it drifts by, wave to Johnny if you see him on the beach, and take a memorable swim with some friendly pink piggies.

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Check out ‘Exuma Swimming Experience in Bahamas’ experience here: