I spoke with Susie Coston , Farm Sanctuary’s National Shelter Director and the best pig expert I know, and asked her about how the prolonged sun exposure might be affecting the pigs. She said: The Bahamas recently outlawed the fishing of sea turtles andwas declared a shark sanctuary, protecting sharks from commercial fishing. In 1958 The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park was the first national park of its kind to have both a land and sea component. The 176 square mile park is a ‘no-take’ park where nothing within its boundaries can be removed. Yep, we were one degree of separation from many famous stars including Michael Jordan, Pooh Bear, Paris Hilton, and Johnny Depp.

I counted them. There were maybe 20 or 25 pigs total , and most were babies, adolescents, or young mothers. “Where are all the other pigs?” I asked one tour guide who was boasting about how she named all the piglets, and comes every day to feed them pancakes or veggies.Mammadov and Kubiak aren’t fussed that the Crystal Beach experience isn’t the original, and they don’t seem to mind the poopy water or the animals’ aggressiveness. In some ways, the experience is akin to a petting zoo, where children interact with goats and sheep in a supervised setting. The big difference is the pigs’ size and the unpredictability of being in the water with them. Lisa Kadane Rules of Engagement We learned the true story of where the pigs came from Natajia at Embrace Resort. And on what authority does she have to tell this?

So, this up-close encounter helped us to see that this is not an accurate portrayal. In fact, we all commented on how much they reminded us of our precious kittens– gently swimming past and kind of rubbing at your leg with their tails, hoping to be fed. As they are fed regularly by tourists who come to see them (healthy food pigs can eat) they pose no threat to the local wildlife as otherwise feral pigs would. Other stops on the Swimming with Pigs Bahamas Tour Note: If you stay on Staniel Cay, you can also see a lot of nurse sharks around the Yacht Club marina. They feed off the scraps the fishermen throw in after cleaning their fish. Snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto The Grotto is awesome!The beauty of this pig’s tour is not just that Pig Island is only 10-minutes-away, or the stops you make along the way, but getting to the stops. You’ll cruise by stunning beaches, small islands, and spectacular views.