Budget

Flights: 24,381 + $533/person
LAX - FLL: 31,000 points + $70 (Jetblue)
FLL - NAS: 17,762 + $13 (Southwest)
NAS - Staniel Cay (RT): $484 (Flamingo Air)
NAS-LAX: $500 (American)

Accommodation: $939 for 4 nights
Fort Lauderdale Aiport Hotel: $258 x 1 night
Staniel Cay Airbnb: $227 x 3 nights

Activities:
Private Boat Rental (6 hours): $920
Snorkeling: Free
Beach: Free

Transportation:
Golf Cart Rental: $160 for 2 days

Total: $3085
Avg (without flights): $510/day
Avg: $255/person/day

Exploring the Exumas

Plan your flights so you arrive early on Staniel Cay—Flamingo Air’s small planes can be rerouted by weather, so build in a buffer night in Nassau if you have a tight schedule. The swimming pigs are most active mid-morning; if you arrive too early they may still be snoozing on the beach, and by midday boat traffic heats up. Nurse sharks at Compass Cay gather near the floating dock, so bring waterproof gloves if you want to gently scratch their backs without cutting yourself on the barnacles. Don’t underestimate the sun—bring a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking rash guard, and reef-safe mineral sunscreen,  to protect yourself during long days on deck. Finally, carry enough Bahamian dollars for small-island purchases—while the major cafés take card, dockside vendors and kayak rentals often prefer cash. Enjoy your slice of Exuma magic!

How to See the Original Swimming Pigs

Big Major Cay is only a short hop from Staniel Cay or Nassau. Book a GetYourGuide tour for a small-group excursion, or charter your own private boat to customize departure times and add stops like Thunderball Grotto or Allen’s Cay iguanas. Bring waterproof sunscreen, a reef-safe mask and snorkel set, and plenty of bottled water, shade is limited once the pigs spot you.

Swimming with the Sharks

At Compass Cay Marina you slip off the boat into waist-deep, crystal-clear water where a dozen or more nurse sharks lounge on the sandy bottom, waiting for the next feeding. Approach slowly with minimal splash—these sharks are exceptionally tame but still wild animals—and let them glide around you as you squat or kneel, keeping your hands open and palm-up if you want to gently stroke their smooth backs. Wear sturdy water shoes or reef-safe gloves to protect against the barnacle-covered docks, and leave dangling jewelry and loose straps in your bag so nothing startles them. The sharks are accustomed to human company—thanks to daily fish-scrap feedings—so relax, breathe evenly, and enjoy the sensation of these ancient creatures curving past your legs under the warm Bahamian sun.