Staniel Cay

Staniel Cay Travel Guide 2026: Things to Do, Attractions & Itinerary | Trip.com

About Staniel Cay

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Things to do in Staniel Cay

What to do

Looking for things to do in Staniel Cay? We provide up-to-date info on everything from must-see scenic spots to local hangouts.

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Where to stay

Discover the most popular places to stay in Staniel Cay, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers

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Staniel Cay Moments: Through Travelers' Eyes

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You have to go at least once in your life, right? Swimming with the piggies in the Bahamas

You have to go at least once in your life, right? Swimming with the piggies in the Bahamas

LunaSkywalker88

LunaSkywalker88



Leaving the Edinburgh drizzle behind for a bit of Bahamian sunshine was probably the best decision I’ve made all year. As someone who spends her days behind a coffee machine, swapping the steam wand for the warm Caribbean breeze felt almost surreal.

We spent our first day wandering the pastel-coloured colonial streets of Nassau, popping into a tiny bakery for some local rum cake, before heading out to the Exumas. The highlight, of course, was Pig Beach. We made sure to get there early—just before nine in the morning—when the water was still glassy and cool. It was incredibly peaceful.

Before I went, I wondered if the whole 'swimming pigs' thing would feel a bit gimmicky, but they are utterly charming. One massive spotted sow swam straight up to our boat, tilting her head with the sweetest, expectant look. I offered her a slice of apple (the guides are very strict about what they eat, which I appreciated) and she took it so gently. There was a tiny piglet on the shore, navigating a gentle wave with sheer determination, whilst its mother kept a watchful, protective eye from the shade of a palm tree. It was a lovely little scene to sit and watch.

Later in the day, we took a boat to Thunderball Grotto. It has this quiet, cathedral-like atmosphere inside, with shafts of light cutting through the rock. The captain, a local chap with a wonderfully dry sense of humour, told us stories about when they filmed the James Bond movie there.

By midday, the sun was getting quite intense, and a few larger tour boats started to arrive, which felt a bit overwhelming. We retreated to a quiet sandbar further down, just sitting with our flasks of water and enjoying the silence.

If you do ever make the trip, I’d highly recommend staying in a local guesthouse rather than those massive, towering resorts. It feels much more authentic, and you get to support the local shops. Just remember to bring plenty of US dollar cash—card machines are few and far between on the smaller cays. A truly restorative few days.

Leaving the Edinburgh drizzle behind for a bit of Bahamian sunshine was probably the best decision I’ve made all year. As someone who spends her days behind a coffee machine, swapping the steam wand for the warm Caribbean breeze felt almost surreal. We spent our first day wandering the pastel-coloured colonial streets of Nassau, popping into a tiny bakery for some local rum cake, before heading out to the Exumas. The highlight, of course, was Pig Beach. We made sure to get there early—just before nine in the morning—when the water was still glassy and cool. It was incredibly peaceful. Before I went, I wondered if the whole 'swimming pigs' thing would feel a bit gimmicky, but they are utterly charming. One massive spotted sow swam straight up to our boat, tilting her head with the sweetest, expectant look. I offered her a slice of apple (the guides are very strict about what they eat, which I appreciated) and she took it so gently. There was a tiny piglet on the shore, navigating a gentle wave with sheer determination, whilst its mother kept a watchful, protective eye from the shade of a palm tree. It was a lovely little scene to sit and watch. Later in the day, we took a boat to Thunderball Grotto. It has this quiet, cathedral-like atmosphere inside, with shafts of light cutting through the rock. The captain, a local chap with a wonderfully dry sense of humour, told us stories about when they filmed the James Bond movie there. By midday, the sun was getting quite intense, and a few larger tour boats started to arrive, which felt a bit overwhelming. We retreated to a quiet sandbar further down, just sitting with our flasks of water and enjoying the silence. If you do ever make the trip, I’d highly recommend staying in a local guesthouse rather than those massive, towering resorts. It feels much more authentic, and you get to support the local shops. Just remember to bring plenty of US dollar cash—card machines are few and far between on the smaller cays. A truly restorative few days.

DesignThinking

DesignThinking



【Travel Journal】Is the Bahamas too far? Thailand has swimming pigs, too! A practical comparison of budgets and transport details for the two "Pig Islands".

【Travel Journal】Is the Bahamas too far? Thailand has swimming pigs, too! A practical comparison of budgets and transport details for the two "Pig Islands".

NoobMaster_69

NoobMaster_69



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Other recommended cities

Nassau

Nassau

Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama

Freeport

Freeport

Paradise Island

Paradise Island

Popular Types of Attractions in Staniel Cay

Nature and wildlife | Beaches and shores | Natural scenery | Historical attractions | Cultural institutions

Popular Attractions in Staniel Cay

Thunderball Grotto

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More Things To Do in Staniel Cay

Orange World 4G/LTE eSIM | Calls + SMS | 31 Days Total 50MB–20GB | Calendar-Day Billing | QR code | Latin America Universal 5G/4G eSIM | Supports All AI & TikTok | 500MB/day - 30GB total | 1-30 days | 24-hour billing | QR code | Exuma Powerboat Tour from Nassau with Swimming Pigs | Nassau round-trip Exuma island hopping and swimming with pigs 1-day tour with lunch