The Reality of Swimming with Pigs on Rose Island.
It makes for a great family photo, but here is what it is actually like taking the kids out to feed the pigs, plus what you need to pack so you don't ruin your trip.
The Reality of Swimming with Pigs on Rose Island: Safety, Cleanliness, and What to Expect
When we decided to do the pig swimming excursion, we weren't sure if it was just an overhyped tourist trap. The truth? It is completely worth doing once, but you have to be prepared. The boat ride to Rose Island is incredible, but once you get to the beach, realize that these pigs are large, and they know exactly who has the food. It can be a little intimidating for kids at first, so manage their expectations before you get off the boat.
Rose Island Packing List: What You Actually Need for the Pig Beach
The gear we brought that actually made the day work.
Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch for Boat Excursions
Do not trust your pockets leaning over the side of the boat or wading in the water. We used these exact ones.
Proper Water Shoes for Wading with the Pigs
The sand is nice, but wading in with the pigs means you don't want to be barefoot. Cheap flip-flops will just float away.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen for Rose Island Beach and Boat
Required for the boat ride and the water. Do not bring the standard aerosol spray stuff.
Exuma vs. Rose Island: Which Bahamas Pig Excursion is Better for Families?
It ended up being one of the most memorable days of the trip for Lil, Logan, and Leah. The chaos of the pigs combined with the perfect water makes for a great story. Just book a morning tour to beat the heat, keep a close eye on the food cups, and embrace the madness.
Plan Your Trip
A few things that actually helped us pull this trip off.
Klook
We use Klook for booking excursions like the Rose Island swimming pigs tour, airport transfers, and activity tickets. It is like a one-stop shop for everything you need to do once you land.
Browse Excursions on KlookAiralo
Staying connected without paying crazy roaming fees. Airalo sells eSIM data plans for the Bahamas and pretty much everywhere else. We downloaded ours before we left and it just worked.
Get a Bahamas eSIM on AiraloWe earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
More Bahamas Guides
About the Author
Billy E is a father of two who spends his PTO sharing his family's vacation experiences and excursions so you don't have to. Frustrated by travel sites heavily influenced by PR dollars, he created The Resort Playbook to give parents honest, realistic advice on traveling with kids.
