Swimming with pigs at Pig Beach is one of the best things to do in The Bahamas. Picture it: crystal-clear turquoise water, sunshine-filled days, and little piggies swimming up to you while chomping on food. I mean… what’s not to love?

Though it’s debatable how the pigs got to the island in the first place, these adorable tropical creatures are a huge bucket list item in The Exumas island cluster. You can expect both an unforgettable experience and some amazing photos.

From how to get there, the best time to go, and where to stay, here’s everything you need to know about how to swim with pigs in The Bahamas!

How To Swim With Pigs In The Bahamas: Must-Know Tips

The Best Time To Swim With Pigs In The Bahamas

The best time to swim with the pigs is definitely in the off-season. Though beautiful and warm all year round, the high season in The Bahamas begins in December and runs through April — during which time hundreds of people visit the pigs every single day.

Hurricane season in The Bahamas runs from June through October, meaning there are nightly rains and an elevated risk of hurricanes.

Because of these two factors, I recommend visiting in September, October, November or May.

Personally, I visited the pigs in the middle of November, and though there was some rain, the weather was still perfect. Plus, I got to swim with the pigs without battling it out with tons of other people and got the experience of a lifetime because of it.

The Closest Place To Stay Near Pig Beach

Swimming with the pigs at Pig Beach is easily done by staying on Staniel Cay. Though the pigs swim off the shore of Big Major Cay, Staniel Cay is a quick 10-minute boat ride away and has the most tourism infrastructure in the area.

I stayed at EMBRACE resort on Staniel Cay and absolutely loved it. They offer seven different villas of various sizes and budgets and have amenities like kitchens and in-room jacuzzis. Plus, the resort is right next door to the airport so catching flights is a breeze.

PROMO CODE: Use our promo code TRAVEL21 when booking your vacation at EMBRACE Resort to get a 5% discount!

The Best Way To See The Pigs at Pig Beach

By far the easiest way to swim with pigs in The Bahamas is by boat — specifically, a boat tour.

With tours running out of Staniel Cay, 3N’s Exuma Vacations Swimming Pigs Tour makes planning your trip to pig island easy. Not only is this operator family-owned, efficient, and personable, but they also offer 12-15 person capacity boats while other companies in the area are much more crowded. Their tours also include multiple stops on each ride. In particular, this tour stops at the pigs, at the Compass Cay nurse sharks, a sandbar, Thunderball grotto and more.

If you’ve opted to stay in Nassau instead of Staniel Cay, then you do still have options. 3N’s Exuma Vacations runs a 7-Hour Swimming with Pigs Tour From Nassau that includes 4 hours on the boat and a 30-minute flight to and from the Exumas.

Either way, it’s a good plan to book your pig excursion well in advance. Depending on the time of year, tours can book up fairly quickly and you don’t want to miss your chance.

Read more: Staniel Cay Travel Guide – Exuma Cays, Bahamas

What To Know About Swimming With The Pigs At Pig Beach

How They Got To Big Major Cay Is… Debated

The question everyone has when planning a visit to Pig Beach is… how exactly did they get there? While no one knows for sure and you’ll get a different answer from everyone you meet, the most acceptable answer is that the pigs stink and they had to be moved from a town to an uninhabited locale.

I mean, sure, the pigs are adorable when they swim in the tropical waters, but they are still farm animals!

Beware Of Poo

Speaking of pigs being farm animals, they do tend to, you know, evacuate their bowels from time to time. However, instead of in a designated pigpen, they do it either on the beach or along the shore.

It sounds grosser than it is, and they tend to not do it in deeper water, but the big thing to remember here is to not dunk your head underwater around the pigs, and just be aware of the possibility of poop.

Don’t Bring Food

This one’s a little debatable, as pigs tend to eat (almost) everything, but there have been some hiccups with tourists feeding the pigs sand-encrusted food in the past. Pigs can’t digest sand, and food that has been dropped on the beach can be potentially very harmful to the animals.

To be safe and not harm the pigs, I’d recommend just feeding them food that the tour providers bring along rather than anything you’ve brought for the occasion.

Keep An Eye On Them

As the pigs don’t have great eyesight and can be easily startled, make sure you keep an eye on them at all times. Don’t let them get behind you, and don’t try to tease the pigs with food. There have been reports of tourists getting nibbled on by a hungry pig, but this can generally be avoided if you don’t treat food as a game.

Be Friendly

And of course — be friendly with the pigs! They’re pretty loveable animals who are used to humans, and they’re generally down for some rubs and affection.

Covid-19 Tips for Swimming With Pigs In The Bahamas

Covid-19 Testing & Visas

Swimming with the pigs means following Covid-19 regulations for both your home country as well as The Bahamas.

For vaccinated travelers entering The Bahamas, you must get a rapid Covid-19 test no more than 5 days before you arrive. To make the process as easy as possible, I recommend getting this test exactly 5 days before and then, once you’re cleared for Covid, applying for your visa into the country. This visa costs roughly $40-$60 and takes 24-48 hours to process.

Of course, Covid-19 requirements and fees are different for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. You can keep up with the various regulations here: https://travel.gov.bs/

Read more: 15 Affordable Honeymoon Destinations for Every Budget

Covid-19 Regulations In The Bahamas

In general, I found Covid-19 restrictions in and around Staniel Cay to be minimal as they’ve had only a few cases of the virus. However, there is a mask mandate that’s enforced in indoor areas and the airport.

As is the new norm, keep your masks on hand and hand sanitizer at the ready.

Returning To The United States

For vaccinated travelers who call the US home, you’ll need a negative Covid-19 test within three days of arrival in the United States. For unvaccinated travelers, you’ll need a negative test within 1 day.

To make this process easy, EMBRACE Resort offers everyone (whether they’re staying at the resort or not) rapid antigen Covid tests on the property. These tests are $35 per person and you can book an appointment in advance using this link.

What To Pack For Swimming With Pigs In The Bahamas

Toiletries: For any ocean-based trip, I highly recommend using reef-safe sunscreen. This will make sure that both you and the marine life stay healthy and happy. Also, pack some bug spray – it was sold out on the island during my stay, and you don’t want to be caught without it.

Water Gear: For swimming in The Bahamas in general, bring along 2 – 3 swimsuits, water shoes, a quick-dry towel, a rash guard/sun shirt, and a sun hat.

Electronics: To expertly capture your pig island experience, bring along a GoPro Hero 10 Black, a floatie stick, a tripod, and a travel camera.

The post How To Swim With Pigs In The Bahamas: Must-Know Tips appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.

Have you noticed parts of your home that need a refresh? Or, maybe you’ve imagined how life would be better with a larger kitchen or an extra bathroom. These update ideas can be hard to ‘unsee’! If you’ve decided to take the plunge with a refurb, how will you fund it? Has the subject of home improvement loans sprung to mind?

The good news is that revamping your current home is likely to be more cost-effective than moving. Still, home renovations such as loft conversions or kitchen extensions come at a price, which may require you to borrow. ‘It’s important any improvements are done properly and professionally,’ says Michael Holden, Chartered Surveyor. ‘When a property has been invested in, it shows and will pay back through added value and saleability.’

Home improvement loans explained

How much to borrow will partly depend on what you want to do and the current state of your finances. Whether you need finance for kitchens or a loan for an extension, be confident you can pay it back.

‘Affordability is the most important thing to consider,’ says Richard Jones, business development manager at price comparison site, Go Compare*. ‘There are lots of online tools and calculators that let you work out your eligibility before applying for finance.’

Image credit: Furture Plc

Once you have a sum in mind, it is time to shop around for the best deal on this borrowing. Pay too much for credit and you’re wasting money that could have been spent on the finishing touches to your home upgrade.

Home improvement loans – what are the options?

1. Personal loans – unsecured

Personal home improvement loans are not secured against your property or any assets. So, if you default on repayments, the lender can’t come after your property. However, you’ll need a good credit rating to secure the best deals. ‘A personal loan can be a good option if you’re looking to borrow between £500 and £25,000,’ says Go Compare’s Richard Jones. ‘They can be set up so you know what you’ll pay back each month too.’

The repayments are usually set over a term of one to five years. A longer term loan may seem appealing, as the monthly repayments will be lower, but you’ll end up paying more in total by the end of it than with a shorter term loan, because you’ll be paying interest for longer.

Personal loans are more suitable for smaller projects such as a new bathroom, kitchen revamp or replacement windows, rather than an extension or loft conversion (which often cost more than £25,000).

Compare interest rates

The interest rate you’ll pay will depend on your circumstances, how much you want to borrow and for how long. Costs vary hugely between lenders, with some loans priced at an interest rate more than twice as high as others according to Go Compare. The best deals go to people considered to be the best risk, so check your credit file for free at agencies such as Clearscore.com and Experian.co.uk to see where you stand.

‘It’s worth improving your credit score in advance of borrowing money,’ adds Jones. ‘Make sure you’re on the electoral roll and pay utility bills and other outgoings on time.’ Similarly, avoid too many applications for credit, which can affect your score negatively. A comparison site will let you do a soft search to see how much you can borrow and what the repayments might be before applying, which won’t affect your credit score.

It’s worth putting in this work. A cheaper interest rate could be the key to securing that roll-topped bath or statement living room flooring you’ve been dreaming of.

Personal loan Pros and Cons

Pros: Less risk than a secured loan (but not entirely risk-free if you default). If eligible, you can borrow up to £25,000, and occasionally more. You can borrow a fixed amount with fixed payments each month.

Cons: The maximum amount you can borrow is generally up to £25,000, so this option won’t be suitable for larger projects. Some finance companies may impose additional fees if you want to overpay or repay early.

Image credit: Future Plc

2. Secured home improvement loans – against your house

Those with equity in their homes can usually borrow larger amounts for longer periods with a secured loan. The crucial point to grasp though is that this borrowing is secured against your home. Failure to make repayments on these types of home improvements will put your home at risk.

This type of borrowing is often used for large home improvements that require project planning and can usually be arranged through your current mortgage lender. This loan may be referred to a further advance.

Shop around

Don’t discount other lenders. It’s worth taking the time to see what rates others are offering on further mortgage advances or remortgages. After all, it’s better to splash cash on your extension, instead of unnecessary interest charges.

How much you can borrow depends on how you intend to spend it, how much equity is in your home and what your other outgoings amount to.

‘A further advance on your mortgage may be an option if you have enough equity in your property,’ says Paul Archer, senior mortgage manager at Nationwide Building Society. ‘Often this type of borrowing is used to fund projects that will add value to your property, such as an extension or loft conversion, as you’re able to spread the cost over the remaining term of the mortgage.’

Secured loan Pros and Cons

Pros: Homeowners with equity can borrow larger amounts than with an unsecured loan (up to 85% of the value of your home with some lenders). The sum is spread over a longer term than a personal loan – up to the remaining term of your mortgage, or even longer with a different lender.

Cons: Your home is at risk of repossession if you’re unable to meet your home improvement loan repayments. Monthly payments may appear lower than with a personal loan as they’re over a longer term, but you will end up paying more by the end of the loan.

Archer adds: ‘The repayments each month tend to be lower than on a personal loan. However, you could ultimately end up paying more by the end of the term than with a personal loan, as you’re paying for longer. Also, bear in mind that lenders will often only advance up to 85% of the value of your home, so if you’re already highly leveraged this may not be an option.’

Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes

3. Home improvement loan alternatives

Home improvement loans aren’t the only way to finance a new kitchen or bathroom. Depending on the size of your project, remortgaging, credit cards and agreed overdrafts could be other routes to finance.

• Credit cards – Deals that come with interest-free credit are worth exploring. According to Martin Lewis, from moneysavingexpert.com, if it’s done right 0% credit cards are the cheapest way to borrow money.
• Look for 0% offers – Typically you can go interest-free for a short time (usually up to 23 months) on a set amount (often under £3,000). Deals vary and assume you have a healthy credit rating already. However, it’s important to make sure you can pay off the full balance within the introductory period to avoid paying interest when the 0% interest period ends, as rates will then shoot up.

‘If you only need to borrow a small amount over a short period or you want more flexibility with repayments, then you could look to fund the works using a credit card,’ says James Broome of Nationwide Building Society. ‘Many credit cards offer 0% introductory offer but you should always look to repay within the introductory period as once this ends you will be paying a much higher level of interest than you would have done on a personal loan.’

Credit card Pros and Cons

Pros: If you opt for a card with 0% interest and meet all the requirements and repayments in the agreed term, it’s free borrowing. You choose how much to repay each month, subject to minimum repayments, which makes credit cards more flexible than loans.

Cons: Cards with 0% interest are only useful for a small amount of borrowing (usually up to £3,000) that is paid back in a short amount of time (generally less than 23 months). So not as suitable for larger home improvement projects. You may be required to spend the credit within a small time frame (often 60 days). The payment penalties will be high if you don’t meet your repayments. Self-discipline is required to not use the card after the 0% interest offer ends and high interest rates kick in.

Image credit: Future PLC/ Alistair Nicholls

4. Remortgaging

This is usually when you switch your mortgage to a new deal. Or, if you’ve reached the end of a fixed mortgage term or are on a standard variable rate. This is a good time to find a mortgage with a lower rate than you’ve been paying and borrow more.

If you’re locked into a high interest rate, it may be possible to borrow more, yet keep your repayments the same. Although be mindful that there is usually an arrangement fee with a new mortgage.

‘If you’re looking to remortgage to fund home improvements, it’s worth looking where you are on any existing mortgage deal,’ says Paul Archer. ‘If you’re part way through, an early repayment charge might become payable if you want to leave. A further advance could be a better option as you can take this out as a separate loan to your mortgage.’

Remortgaging Pros and Cons

Pros: You can spread the payments for longer, in tandem with your mortgage if you choose. If you’ve come to the end of a mortgage deal, it’s an opportunity to borrow more at a better rate. Monthly payments may be lower than other forms of borrowing.

Cons: Your home is at risk if you cannot make the payments. Although monthly payments look lower than a personal loan, you’re paying them for longer. Therefore, you’ll pay more back in interest over the entire term. There may be early repayment charges to leave your current mortgage and arrangement fees to set up a new one.

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

6. Overdrafts for home improvements

It may be possible to arrange an authorised overdraft off your current account. Your bank or building society will agree in advance a particular fee. This is different to an unauthorised overdraft, which is when you go ‘into the red’ on your current account and expensive charges apply.

An overdraft will create a pot of cash that could be useful for funding home improvements. But these facilities are designed as a short term way to borrow money if you need it quickly. The general consensus is that it’s best not to use an overdraft to borrow money as fees are high. ‘We would advise avoiding an overdraft to fund home improvements at all costs,’ says Richard Jones. ‘Banks were recently forced to change their fee structures, so this is an expensive way to borrow money

‘Using an overdraft for large home improvements is never recommended,’ says James Broome of Nationwide Building Society. ‘Doing so will likely cost you considerably more than other forms of credit.’

Overdraft Pros and Cons

Pros: Short term option in an emergency.

Cons: Overdraft charges are high and the amounts available to loan are lower than other forms of borrowing. Not recommended as a way to fund home improvements.

Home improvement loans may seem daunting. However, if done well, home improvements may pay for themselves when it comes to selling.

*Ideal Home and Go Compare are part of Future plc.

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