While island adventuring on Boom Sharkalaka here are some of the places we stopped by for a taste of the Exumas. There’s a lot more to do in the Bahamas but it was still fun to stop by these famous places and see them for myself at least once in my life!
Pigs of Paradise
A colony of pigs in the Exumas, rushes into the crystal-clear surf every time they hear boats motoring nearby. Dubbed the "swimming pigs," the swine do their best piggy-paddles in the hopes of getting food from curious people.
There are many theories about how the pigs first got to Big Major Cay. The real story: Residents of neighboring islands put them there on purpose.
At first, there were only a handful of pigs on Big Major. Over time the population grew.
Up until as recently as the 1990s, locals would use Big Major as a farm, harvesting animals and slaughtering them as needs arose. In recent years, however, the subsistence aspect has disappeared, though no laws formally protect the pigs from harm.
Wherever you see them, there's nothing quite like the thrill of observing the piggy-paddle in action, snouts above water in the tropical sun. Once you've witnessed this oink-tastic spectacle, every other wildlife experience is just hogwash.
Click here if you want to learn more about these cute little piggies.
Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay
The stunning tropical oasis, home to an endangered species of Bahamian Rock Iguanas in the Exumas.
Bitter Guana Cay (otherwise known as the Iguana Island in the Bahamas) lies on the northern half of a semi-straight line of pristine islands and cays known as the Exuma Cays.
Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas (the scientific name being Cyclura deriving from Greek words cyclos oura meaning “circular tail”) are known for their distinctive thick-ringed tail.
The iguanas on Iguana Island Bahamas are mostly about two feet in length, however, they can grow up to four feet from head to tail. They are brown with a distinctive pink color.
Click here to learn more about the iguanas if Bitter Guana Cay.
Nurse Sharks
What makes swimming with nurse sharks so special is they are moving slowly and don’t seem to mind the attention. Nurse sharks that live near marinas are fed by local fisherman and have grown accustomed to the presence of humans. This makes them much more friendly.
Nurse sharks are often fed to bring them closer to divers and snorkelers, but it is recommended that divers do not try to feed nurse sharks while swimming with them. When observing nurse sharks, it’s important that your limbs are not near their jaws and jagged teeth. Keep in mind that nurse sharks can be pet on their backs, and it’s best not to harass them in any way.
Do not underestimate nurse sharks. They don't possess large teeth and a lot of people who swim or dive in their natural habitat assume that the fish aren’t dangerous. But these predators can crush clams between their teeth and generate enough suction to rip a full-grown conch right out of its shell—so you don’t want one latching onto your arm. Nurse shark attacks are uncommon, but they’re certainly not unheard-of—and humans are usually to blame.
