Swimming with the Pigs!
Swimming with the Pigs!
Swimming with the Pigs!
It is not often you get to scratch things off of your To-do list. Some of you call it a “Bucket List”. Well, I prefer a “To Do List” and honestly there really is not much on it. I finally got to Swim with the Pigs. Swimming with the Pigs has previously been available only on the little-known island of Exuma in the Bahamas. Exuma is a difficult place to get to.
Bill feeding a Pig at Crystal Beach
Only one company flies to the island. It can also be reached by boat. However, most of the boats originate from Nassau Bahamas. Swimming with the Pigs is rare. Whereas Swimming with Dolphins has become common, Swimming with the Pigs is something most people have not done. If you have followed my blog you know that in the past 18 months Blacks Who Travel has swum with Starfish in the Dominican Republic, Stingrays in the Cayman Islands and now Pigs in the Bahamas!
History of the Swimming Pigs
Sailors brought pigs from Europe back in the days of Christopher Columbus. Some say they were abandoned. While others say they were shipwrecked. Either way, they wound up in the Bahamas where they have been for years. The Pigs used to swim out to ships as they passed the islands. Today people come from all over the globe just to see and Swim with the Pigs.
What do the Pigs look like?
Some of the different Pigs!
The Pigs range in size, color, and age. We swam with baby pigs around 40 pounds. There were also 2 large pigs that looked to be about 4 almost 5 feet in length and must be over 200 lbs. The majority seemed to be in the 100-170 lbs. range. The Pigs we saw came in 3 color schemes, black, brown and spotted brown with black spots. These pigs are somewhat domesticated. As they are friendly toward people and love to be fed. We fed them apples. They are well taken care of and their health is checked by the Bahamian Government once every 2 weeks.
Who is Celebrity Ecotours?
Amy, Nikki and the Guide with a Pig!
Celebrity Ecotours is a black-owned business. Owned and operated by a black family on the island. The operation is located at Crystal Beach and the family has a restaurant, bar, changing area and beautiful beachfront. The staff is very nice and customer service oriented. In addition to Swimming with the Pigs, they also offer Airboat Tours, Snorkeling, Beach Day, Scooter Tours and Stingray Tours.
Scooters at Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach
Our Adventure Swimming with the Pigs
Nikki feeding a pig!
After a ride over to Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahamas we reached Crystal Beach. A beautiful well-kept beach with a restaurant and bar. The bar has daily drink specials and a friendly bartender (who by the way is not bad to look at!) After relaxing with a drink we changed into our swim clothes. The beach has very clean bathrooms and showers. We walked the shoreline to the beach and then out into the water.
Bill feeding a pig!
The water is shallow and warm. Crystal Beach is roped off into sections. We waded across waist deep water to a sandbar about 60 yards from the shoreline. At the sandbar, the water was about a foot and a half deep. Our Guide told the group a brief history of the Bahamas. Then gave instructions as to how to interact with the pigs. We were given cut apples and shish kabob skewers with which to feed the pigs.
Here come the Pigs!
Here come the Pigs!
One of the workers lead the pigs out to the water from their pen. The pigs walked right into the water then began to swim toward us. They swam in a tight formation. Once they reached us the pigs were excited to eat the apples and to meet us. The pigs frolicked around trying to get as many apple pieces they could from each of us. We were able to pick up the smaller pigs and pose for pictures. The larger pigs we would pet and try to get pictures. The pigs seem to love the water and they played nicely with people. I know for us it was an unforgettable experience!
Amy and Nikki playing with a pig!
How to book Swimming with the Pigs
Celebrity Ecotours’s flyer!
Baleria Caribbean is currently the only ship offering the tour. It can only be booked on the ship. The cost to Swim with the Pigs is $65 through the ship, which includes transportation. The Baleria Caribbean leaves from Fort Lauderdale, FL and offers day trips and cruise and stay packages. For more information please check their website: www.baleariacaribbean.com or call them at: (866) 699-6988.
You can book directly through Celebrity Ecotours www.celebrityecotours.com The cost is $45 if you book directly through the website. Celebrity Ecotours also offers pickup service from hotels and resorts. Phone numbers 242-351-1241 or 242.727.4958. Email is [email protected]
It is not often you get to scratch things off of your “Travel To Do List”. I finally got to Swim with the Pigs. To swim with the pigs one used to have to make their way to the little-known island of Exuma in the Bahamas. However, today it is now available on Grand Bahamas Island about 20 minutes from Freeport. Over the last 18 months, Blacks Who Travel has swum with Starfish in the Dominican Republic, Stingrays in the Cayman Islands and now Pigs in the Bahamas. Next up may be swimming with the Elephants in Thailand. So please stay tuned!
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Bill Collins
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