THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend a full day from Nassau exploring the Exuma Cays by powerboat: swim with pigs at Big Major Cay, snorkel with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and visit the Norman’s Cay wreck. This long-distance day trip covers 150+ nautical miles and combines wildlife encounters with classic Bahamian culture.
Spend a full day from Nassau exploring the Exuma Cays by powerboat: swim with pigs at Big Major Cay, snorkel with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and visit the Norman’s Cay wreck. This long-distance day trip covers 150+ nautical miles and combines wildlife encounters with classic Bahamian culture.
Morning breaks over Nassau and the harbor hums as a powerboat slides free of its moorings, engines carving a wake that brightens the Bahamas’ turquoise lanes. The Exuma Day Away is a full-day, long-distance sea safari — roughly 150+ nautical miles round trip and about 8½ hours aboard — that stitches together rock-strewn cays, shifting sandbars and the famous pig beach at Big Major Cay.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Exuma Escapes Bahamas LTD · Nassau, New Providence
Morning breaks over Nassau and the harbor hums as a powerboat slides free of its moorings, engines carving a wake that brightens the Bahamas’ turquoise lanes. The Exuma Day Away is a full-day, long-distance sea safari — roughly 150+ nautical miles round trip and about 8½ hours aboard — that stitches together rock-strewn cays, shifting sandbars and the famous pig beach at Big Major Cay.
Geology here is coral and sand: low-lying limestone cays built from ancient reef growth and wind-driven sediments. Norman’s Cay hints at darker recent history—an infamous plane wreck sits offshore, a reminder of 1980s smuggling lore—while Black Point and Staniel Cay keep a quieter Bahamian culture alive with boat-fueled commerce and dockside restaurants.
Wildlife encounters are deliberate: rock iguanas warm on boulders, nurse sharks glide in shallow passes at Compass Cay, and the pigs at Big Major Cay swim to meet visitors. Guides balance interaction with local rules; feeding is controlled and usually supervised.
Practical guidance: be ready for a long day on open water — sun, spray and movement are constant. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, sturdy water shoes and a basic snorkel setup if you have one. If you get seasick, take medication beforehand; the itinerary involves multiple swim stops but also long transits. Expect bottled water, lunch at Black Point Yacht Club, landing fees and a local guide included. This is a moderately active excursion: some swimming and getting in/out of boats, so basic fitness and mobility make the day smoother.
moderate.
8–9 hours.
Suitable for travelers with moderate fitness—able to climb in/out of boats and swim in shallow open water.
The excursion runs about 8½ hours (510 minutes) with five primary stops: rock iguana feeding, shark swim at Compass Cay, Big Major Cay (pigs), a sandbar stop, and a pass-by at Norman’s Cay wreck.
Children are allowed; the tour notes a minimum age of 3 years. Very young children, pregnant travelers, or those with recent back or heart issues are discouraged from joining.
Typical inclusions are bottled water, lunch (at Black Point Yacht Club), alcoholic beverages, landing/facility fees, and a local guide. Check your booking for exact inclusions and any extras.
Basic swimming ability is recommended for water stops and snorkeling; shallow-water interactions are available at some sites, but participants should be comfortable in the sea.
The Exuma Cays are low coral islands with recent history tied to 20th-century maritime trade and, in places like Norman’s Cay, notorious smuggling activity; these stories are part of local lore.
Operators advise limited feeding and supervised interactions to reduce stress on animals; visitors should use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid touching coral to help protect fragile marine ecosystems.
Exuma Escapes Bahamas LTD operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Morning breaks over Nassau and the harbor hums as a powerboat slides free of its moorings, engines carving a wake that brightens the Bahamas’ turquoise lanes. The Exuma Day Away is a full-day, long-distance sea safari — roughly 150+ nautical miles round trip and about 8½ hours aboard — that stitches together rock-strewn cays, shifting sandbars and the famous pig beach at Big Major Cay.
Morning breaks over Nassau and the harbor hums as a powerboat slides free of its moorings, engines carving a wake that brightens the Bahamas’ turquoise lanes. The Exuma Day Away is a full-day, long-distance sea safari — roughly 150+ nautical miles round trip and about 8½ hours aboard — that stitches together rock-strewn cays, shifting sandbars and the famous pig beach at Big Major Cay.
Geology here is coral and sand: low-lying limestone cays built from ancient reef growth and wind-driven sediments. Norman’s Cay hints at darker recent history—an infamous plane wreck sits offshore, a reminder of 1980s smuggling lore—while Black Point and Staniel Cay keep a quieter Bahamian culture alive with boat-fueled commerce and dockside restaurants.
Wildlife encounters are deliberate: rock iguanas warm on boulders, nurse sharks glide in shallow passes at Compass Cay, and the pigs at Big Major Cay swim to meet visitors. Guides balance interaction with local rules; feeding is controlled and usually supervised.
Practical guidance: be ready for a long day on open water — sun, spray and movement are constant. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, sturdy water shoes and a basic snorkel setup if you have one. If you get seasick, take medication beforehand; the itinerary involves multiple swim stops but also long transits. Expect bottled water, lunch at Black Point Yacht Club, landing fees and a local guide included. This is a moderately active excursion: some swimming and getting in/out of boats, so basic fitness and mobility make the day smoother.