Where to swim with the pigs

HOLIDAYMAKERS in the #Bahamas can swim with pigs off the coast of the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, which is home to these unusual creatures.

The pigs are feral, yet friendly, running from under the shade of almond trees to greet tourists who bring them treats. They've also learned that crews from passing yachts dump excess food in the sea for them as well. 

The pigs live freely on the sandy beaches and after basking in the sun for hours, swim in the surf. How the pigs came to be on the island isn’t known. They aren’t native, and the island has been inhabited. 

Popular lore suggests that the pigs were dropped off by sailors who wanted to return to cook them, or that there was a shipwreck and the pigs swam to safety. But now there are approximately 20 of them, able to survive thanks to the island’s freshwater springs and the Bahamians and tourists who feed them. 

Excursion boats to Big Major Cay run from the main Exuma islands, 35 miles south-east of Nassau.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Vorobek Bahamas - swimming pigsby cdorobek - Flickr: 08.2012 Vorobek Bahamas - swimming pigs. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Pigs and gulls on the beach by cdorobek - http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdorobek/7875533106/. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons