Big Major Cay Yacht Charter: Pig Beach & the Swimming Pigs of the Exumas

Located immediately north of Staniel Cay in the central Exumas, Big Major Cay is home to the world-famous swimming pigs of Pig Beach. The uninhabited island is surrounded by brilliant turquoise shallows, white sand, and protected anchoring water, making it one of the most recognizable stops on any Bahamas yacht charter.

Arriving by yacht is particularly special because Big Major Cay is accessible only by boat. Guests can take the tender directly from the yacht toward Pig Beach, where the resident pigs frequently enter the shallow water as vessels approach. Away from the main beach, the cay remains largely undeveloped and remarkably simple, with no town, resort, marina, or conventional visitor infrastructure.

Big Major Cay also sits in one of the most exciting sections of the Exumas. Staniel Cay and Thunderball Grotto are only a short tender ride away, while Compass Cay, Pipe Creek, and numerous sandbars and secluded islands can easily be incorporated into the surrounding itinerary. This makes Big Major Cay both an iconic attraction and a natural overnight stop while cruising through the central Exumas.

The waters surrounding Big Major Cay are characteristically shallow, sandy, and strongly influenced by the tide, so approaching yachts should use current charts, visual navigation, and local knowledge. Several routes lead toward Big Major's Spot, including approaches around Fowl Cay and from the western Exuma Bank side, but sandbanks and narrow passages require careful attention.

Larger yachts will normally remain in suitable deeper water while guests approach Pig Beach by tender. The shallow shoreline is particularly well suited to tenders and small boats, which can move directly toward the beach without requiring the yacht itself to enter the very shallow water close to shore.

Big Major's Spot, on the western side of the cay, is one of the best-known anchorages in the central Exumas. The anchoring area has a predominantly sandy bottom with depths commonly around 6 to 9 feet, providing good holding and excellent protection from the prevailing easterly winds. Fowl Cay provides additional shelter toward the north, while Big Major Cay itself offers protection from the east and south.

The anchorage can become very busy because of Pig Beach's popularity, particularly when day boats arrive from surrounding islands. It is also considerably more exposed when winds shift toward the north or northwest. Captains should therefore select the final anchoring position according to draft, weather, tide, swinging room, and traffic rather than relying on a fixed spot.

Big Major Cay is uninhabited by people, but it is home to the colony of pigs that made the island internationally famous. The pigs are not native to the cay, and their exact origin remains uncertain, with several competing stories explaining how they first arrived. The Bahamas tourism authority identifies Big Major Cay as the official home of the country's famous swimming pigs.

Because the pigs are living animals rather than a staged attraction, guests should follow the guidance of their yacht crew and local operators when approaching or feeding them. Visiting from a private yacht also makes it possible to arrive outside the busiest day-trip periods and experience the surrounding anchorage, clear water, and beaches as part of a broader Exumas itinerary.