Staniel Cay

The Famous Swimming Pigs

Just a short boat ride from Staniel Cay lies Big Major Cay, home to the world-famous swimming pigs. These friendly porkers have adapted to island life and will swim out to greet arriving boats, wading chest-deep into the turquoise shallows in hopes of a treat. The colony includes around 20 to 25 pigs ranging from tiny piglets to Big Momma, the largest and oldest resident.

The origins of the pigs remain a delightful mystery. Some say sailors left them as a future food source and never returned; others believe they swam ashore from a shipwreck. Whatever their history, they have become beloved ambassadors for the Exumas and one of the most photographed attractions in the Bahamas.

Thunderball Grotto

Named for the 1965 James Bond film that brought it to worldwide attention, Thunderball Grotto is a spectacular underwater cave system located just west of Staniel Cay. The grotto was also featured in Never Say Never Again (1983) and the Tom Hanks film Splash. Sunlight streams through openings in the rock ceiling, illuminating schools of tropical fish, colorful coral formations, and an otherworldly landscape of submerged rock.

Timing your visit is essential. At low tide, you can swim through the cave entrance and surface inside the grotto's magical interior. At high tide, the entrance requires scuba gear or a deep breath to navigate the submerged tunnels. Most visitors snorkel through in the hours surrounding low tide for the full experience.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club

The Staniel Cay Yacht Club has been a cornerstone of the community since 1956, welcoming sailors from around the world to its protected marina and charming accommodations. The property features 14 bungalows, an 18-slip marina, and a clubhouse restaurant serving fresh Bahamian cuisine and cold tropical drinks.

The yacht club's restaurant is legendary for its conch fritters, grilled catch of the day, and the famous Staniel Cay lime pie. Many cruisers time their arrival to catch happy hour on the deck, watching the sunset paint the Sea of Exuma in shades of orange and pink. Reservations are recommended during peak season.

Getting There and Getting Around

Staniel Cay is accessible by both air and sea. The island's 3,000-foot paved airstrip receives daily flights from Nassau, Fort Lauderdale, and other Florida gateways via charter services and scheduled carriers. For those arriving by yacht, the marina offers fuel, water, ice, and provisioning.

Once on the island, most visitors explore by boat, renting a small skiff from local operators to visit Big Major Cay, Thunderball Grotto, Compass Cay, and the countless sandbars and beaches of the surrounding cays. Golf carts are available for exploring the island itself, though most destinations are within easy walking distance.

Anchoring and Approach

Approaching Staniel Cay from the northwest, the preferred route threads between two small cays at the northeastern corner of the anchorage area. Pay attention to your depth sounder: the surrounding waters shoal quickly, and grounding here is more embarrassing than dangerous. Favor the deeper channel and proceed slowly until the bottom drops to a comfortable 8-10 feet.

The most popular anchorage lies just west of Thunderball Grotto, where you can dinghy to the cave system in minutes. For more solitude and better scenery, continue eastward past the three small islets between Staniel Cay and Big Major Cay. This deeper pocket sees fewer boats and positions you nicely for morning visits to the swimming pigs before the tour boats arrive.

What Staniel Cay Feels Like

Staniel Cay has a split personality. By day, tour boats shuttle visitors from Nassau to the swimming pigs and Thunderball Grotto, and the anchorage can feel crowded with day-trippers. By late afternoon, the speedboats depart and the island returns to its natural rhythm: around 120 residents going about their lives, cruisers gathering at the yacht club for sundowners, and nurse sharks circling the docks at nearby Compass Cay.

The Staniel Cay Yacht Club has welcomed sailors since 1956 and remains the social and logistical hub of the island. The 18-slip marina offers fuel, water, ice, and provisioning. More importantly, it offers a place to dispose of trash, do laundry, and catch up on emails before disappearing back into the cays.

Dining and Happy Hour

The yacht club operates three distinct dining venues. The Captain's Lounge is the original 1956 dining room with a laid-back island atmosphere perfect for breakfast or a casual lunch. The Deck offers outdoor seating overlooking the marina, ideal for sundowner cocktails. Sea Level is the upscale option with waterfront views and candlelit dinners.

Dinner reservations are required with two seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (times shift with Daylight Saving). Walk-in dining from the bar menu is available from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The conch fritters are legendary, the cracked conch delivers, and the Staniel Cay lime pie has earned its reputation. Order by 4 p.m. to guarantee your table.

Timing Your Visit

Staniel Cay serves as a natural turnaround point for one-week charters originating in Nassau. Two days of powered travel southbound across the Great Bahama Bank leaves five days for leisurely exploration before the return trip. If you are pressed for time, prioritize Thunderball Grotto at slack low tide and an early-morning pig visit before the crowds.

The central Exumas enjoy consistent trade winds from December through April, with calmer conditions in summer punctuated by occasional afternoon squalls. Hurricane season runs June through November. Whatever the season, short hops between Staniel Cay, Compass Cay, and Big Major Cay cover only 12-25 nautical miles in typical conditions.

Getting there

Staniel Cay is accessible by air via Staniel Cay Airport (TYM), which receives daily charter and scheduled flights from Nassau and Fort Lauderdale. Flight time from Nassau is approximately 30 minutes. By boat, the island lies roughly 80 miles southeast of Nassau and is a popular stop on the Exuma Cays cruising route. The Staniel Cay Yacht Club marina offers fuel, water, ice, and provisioning for visiting vessels. Day trips from Nassau by speedboat take approximately two hours each way.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Thunderball Grotto?

Visit Thunderball Grotto at low tide for the best experience. At low tide, you can swim through the cave entrance and surface inside the grotto. At high tide, the entrance is mostly submerged and requires diving gear to navigate.

Can you feed the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay?

Yes, you can feed the pigs fruits and vegetables. Bring items like apples, carrots, or lettuce. Avoid feeding them citrus, onions, or processed foods. Keep your hands flat and fingers together to avoid accidental nips from eager mouths.

How do I get from Staniel Cay to the swimming pigs?

Big Major Cay is about a five-minute boat ride from Staniel Cay. You can rent a small boat from local operators, hire a guide, or visit as part of an organized tour. Most visitors combine the pig beach with stops at Thunderball Grotto and Compass Cay.

What time should I visit Thunderball Grotto?

Time your visit for slack low tide. At low tide you can swim through the cave entrance and surface inside the grotto where sunlight streams through openings in the rock ceiling. At high tide the entrance is mostly submerged and requires diving gear or a very deep breath.

Where is the best place to anchor near Staniel Cay?

The most common anchorage is west of Thunderball Grotto in 8-10 feet of water. For more privacy, continue eastward past the three islets between Staniel Cay and Big Major Cay into the deeper pocket beyond. Both locations offer easy dinghy access to the major attractions.

Do I need reservations for dinner at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club?

Yes. Dinner service requires reservations with two seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The cutoff for ordering and reservations is 4 p.m. Walk-in dining from the bar menu is available on the deck, around the bar, or in the Captain's Lounge from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.