Big Major Cay

The real Pig Beach: the uninhabited cay next to Staniel Cay. From Great Exuma it’s a full day on the water.

Curated

Quick read

At a glance

Gateway: GGT via The Exumas
Drives on: LEFT

What: PIG BEACHThe original swimming pigs
Next to: STANIELStaniel Cay, mid-chain
Access: BOATUninhabited; reached by boat

01 · Orientation

The famous Pig Beach is here, not on Staniel Cay.

Big Major Cay is the uninhabited cay beside Staniel Cay, in the middle of the Exuma chain. It’s home to the beach people mean when they say “Pig Beach”. Staniel Cay, with its yacht club and airstrip, is the nearest base.

From Great Exuma it’s a full day on the water: Exuma Water Sports runs an 8-hour trip that combines Big Major Cay with Compass Cay, Leaf Cay, Thunderball Grotto and lunch at Staniel Cay.

Reference source Wikipedia: Big Major Cay checked 3 Oct 2026

Official operator source Exuma Water Sports: full-day tour checked 3 Oct 2026

02 · Getting there

From Great Exuma.

Exuma Water Sports

Full-day Staniel Cay run: Big Major Cay

The long day north to the famous Pig Beach at Big Major Cay, then Compass Cay’s nurse sharks, Leaf Cay’s rock iguanas, Thunderball Grotto, a sandbar and lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

The operator lists its pig tours at Barraterre; this tour’s own page lists hotel pickup areas but no dock. Confirm where you board when you book. Children under 5 go on private charters only, and the operator asks for comfortable swimmers and confident snorkellers. Landing fees at the sharks and at Big Major Cay are included (tour page, checked 4 Oct 2026).

Departs: Barraterre (operator’s pig-tour base) · Map ↗
Length: About 8 hours

Places on the itinerary

Big Major Cay (Pig Beach)Compass CayLeaf CayThunderball GrottoStaniel Cay

Call Book Barraterre map Website Email

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Official operator source Exuma Water Sports: tour page · locations checked 3 Oct 2026

Shorter option