Silly Sailors & the Swimming Pigs Scandal Exuma Bahamas (Sailing Curiosity)

We sailed over for the famous Bahamas Swimming Pigs, but we got a lot more than we bargained for.
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We're not too keen on animal tourism but everyone says "you gotta see the Exuma swimming pigs" So we point our boat south and head towards Staniel Cay, home of Pig Beach. Turns out the pigs are actually on Big Major Cay and the anchorage is PACKED!
We dive a lot deeper into the story on our website if you'd like to know more about our experience, or visit the websites we mentioned in the video: gonewiththewynn...
Thanks for being part of the adventure.
Jason, Nikki, Cleo and Singa
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Music:
Andrew Applepie
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© Gone With the Wynns 2017
For entertainment purposes only. See our website for a full disclaimer.

[@debbieraby]

We stopped at this beach in early May of 2014. There was just one other dinghy on the beach and the pigs did swim out to greet us. I did not leave our dinghy, had a few carrots to feed them. And then several large boats powered in with folks off cruise ships from Nassau. We promptly left, moved on. The same thing happened when we were at Allen Cay with the iguanas. We did not feed them but again, cruise ship folks were delivered, armed with sticks and grapes to feed the iguanas. Sad to hear about the pigs dying and I do agree with Jason’s summary.

[@wallykramer7566]

Thank you for bringing a modicum of balanced reporting about the pigs: including possible causes of death, showing the headlines for how they got there, and the controversy of "managing" the pig population! While I used the word _modicum_ this still puts you heads and shoulders above almost all other coverage! Like 98%.

[@barryhicks9623]

I have to say, I have watched all of your RV videos and all of your sailing videos to date and...you and Nikki are different. The quality of your videos are TOPS (INCREDIBLE photography, drone footage and editing and MUSIC) and you and Nikki are fun, informative, inspiring and humble. Thank you for all that you do and have done to help us live out our dreams!! Sincerely, Cherie

[@Paradigm2012Shift]

That grotto looked unbelievable. The swimming pig scandal was intriguing. You guys are fortunate to be able to have so many "once in a life time" experiences. You're the best. Stay safe. And thanks for sharing.

[@BanjoeTraveler]

The grotto looked so much better on the DSLR. Thanks Jason for taking the risk and getting some great shots!

[@ehccassoc.4116]

Really enjoy your videos. Great job. Have watched them all since you got your boat. Feel sorry for you though as you were born too late. :) My wife and I lived in the Bahamas from 1960-1967 when it was still pristine. No running water or electricity, no yachts, no tourist in the out islands. We did volunteer work, lived with the islanders and traveled on fishing smacks and mail boats. We carried a Vespa motor scooter with us to travel on the islands as there weren’t many cars back then. In Acklins the kids had never seen a white woman before. They loved to feel my wife’s hair. No foot prints on the beaches then. We don’t have any videos, but have beautiful unique memories that we will take to the grave. Have you guys read the book, “Winds from the Carolinas”? It is a beautiful novel about the history of Exuma. You might enjoy it. My wife and I also spent two years in the Galapagos in the ‘70’s before the tourist and yachts arrived.

[@ExpeditionNomadicAdventures]

The Hollywood connection with the caves is incredible and the numerous movies made using the caves and the Exuma Bahamas areas as the background. Great update on the pigs which I imagine are not native to the island.

[@TheJenn71]

Agree with your views of animal tourism, Love seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, don't think we should be too handsy with them. Another GREAT video :D thanks

[@codycrane6610]

Great video ! Made my Sunday so much better watching you guys

[@janetsnakehole9345]

Judgmental much? I'd like to know where you got that "80%" figure because that's simply impossible. Yes a good portion of American's live in cities, but DO have access to wildlife, wildlife is everywhere. If you come upon animals in the wild, leave them alone, admire from a distance, and YES there IS a certain way people should "act" to ensure the preservation, health and well being of ANY animal...exotic or otherwise.

[@MikeCris]

According to this story from the Daily Mail, half of the US population live within 146 counties while the other 157 million are scattered across the other 3,000+. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2413498/The-146-large-counties-HALF-U-S-population-lives.html

[@MikeCris]

@Conneely - You must be a lot of fun at parties. "Business Insider used U.S. Census data to point out the intriguing urban-rural divide and developed a map to illustrate the point." Maybe you should read the article before opening your pie hole. And one other note...the US Gov hasn't told the truth about anything in the last 50 years i.e. US Census figures should be scrutinized as well.

[@Swizzenator]

When I wanna become educated about the wildlife, I come here and read all your god preaching how dare you touch the animals comments. We get it. Your way is the only way. Oink!

[@brianpetersen3429]

Your video's always lift my spirits... great to watch the "mermaid & merman" sequence. Good comments concerning animal tourism. I am a sailor that retired to the northern frontier of Iowa (I have a sailboat for nearby Clear Lake), but have built my own catamaran when I started college, and have sailed all over the west coast and Florida. Retired from teaching art at Cal State University, Northridge.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Brian Petersen: I grew up in the San Fernando Valley. I remember when "Valley State" was built, before it morphed into CSUN. Enjoy your retirement!

[@edrosenberger6947]

Some really beautiful footage in this video....as is your norm. Thanks again guys and for the smiles you caused.....

[@keithhammons5749]

Jason is talented with a camera! His production skills are great!

[@prereed]

We interrupt this broadcast for an update on dead pigs. Way cool, and, well done.

[@SailingSoon]

I'm literally on my first night shift on our first boat (also a cat) that we just bought killing time watching this video. Thank you for a year of newbie sailing inspo you've been a huge inspiration that helped get us here. ❤️🙌💁

[@davidmalone9022]

Thank you for your thoughtful comments on "animal tourism." That was a very elegant, succinct argument against engaging in the behavior, as tempting as it may be.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

I stumbled upon your videos recently. What a cute and energetic couple you are! I have a US Coast Guard friend who is stationed in Key West. He recently talked about a sailing cat out of Australia that was in a fatal accident in the Bahamas. They struck something, boat overturned and the wife is missing. Husband was rescued by a USCG helicopter. BE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@gonewiththewynns]

Sad story for sure.

[@ClassALiving]

You guys make sailing seem so fun

[@WanderingKnapps]

Awesome video! Thank you for taking such great time with these! We really enjoy watching them all! We are a family of five looking to make memories via videos too!

[@ericwoodley9969]

My wife and I love the exumas, especially the Staniel Cay area.

[@PeterKNoone]

Ok, I know I'm late to the party as I'm just watching all of your videos now in 2021....Just wanted to say that I can totally relate to how fear can be such a factor when doing new things like exploring caves in the ocean...and how you can totally be safe and overcome those fears by exploring carefully. So fun to watch. With 3 years of your video posts in front of me it's almost like getting to watch the Sopranos or The Wire for the first time. Thank you!

[@scotthelmann5156]

Yeah- You two are pretty much awesome! Thanks for taking us on your adventures!

[@Itsmesaritamc]

A very public acknowledgement and thank you for what the end viewers do not see you doing to get this footage! I can only imagine your endless patience! (Like the shot of nikki swimming over you in the grotto)

[@Itsmesaritamc]

Also, I appreciate you using your platform for awareness. The animals appreciate it more. ❤️

[@fionasmith8893]

Love you guys! I so look forward to your adventures. Thanks for taking me along. Love from Fiona in Vancouver Canada!

[@joanhazelgrove9444]

Thanks for sharing the info on the pigs. Hope they will be well taken care of from now on.

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

You two are having wwwaaaayyyy tooo much fun. Awesome!

[@kerismatic]

God bless you and thank you for your responsible stance on the animals and for putting it in the video for all to see! Yall are awesome!

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

That opening shot deserves to be on a big canvas.

[@williamlawton4451]

Thanks again for a Nother great video very informative like your commentary on the swimming pigs and animal tourism The footage in the grotto was great thanks for sharing your adventures good selling to you both

[@DavidHaney1]

interesting pig story, thank you. good job. by the way, you guys are the best dressed of all the sailing channels. it amazes me how gorgeous you both look everytime you come off the boat to go somewhere.

[@thedude1971]

fantastic video jason! i understand where you are coming from about the pigs, just looking for somewhere to point a finger. that happens with trucking also.

[@wirednoodle6082]

Another fantastic episode! Thanks for sharing!

[@waynemills7899]

Amazing photography in the cave! Good job!!

[@grahammoore2489]

working my way through your videos, so great and inspiring

[@macknine4461]

Bluest Blues I have ever seen. You are my James Bond and Jessica Alba. Sail on and as always. . . be careful. Love the video.

[@kenbrown6095]

swimming "with" you I kept getting nervous we were going to get lost in the caves!!😂 how BEAUTIFUL! thank you

[@ParkerFire]

We were there exactly a year later and there were quite a few pigs! 20+

[@gonewiththewynns]

+ParkerFire yay piggies!

[@mikestephens1419]

you can tell how comfortable Nikki has become when she can kill the engine while talking on camera and never looking at the controls.

[@donaldmaclean4842]

Awesome, thanks for risking the camera.

[@legaleagleandpaws8198]

That was one of your best underwater cave videos I have seen, great job! As to your view of "kept" animals, I agree wholeheartedly:)

[@XsyntrikNomad]

Another awesome video and Thank you for sharing your views on animal tourism. I feel strongly about the subject and I appreciate you speaking up and sharing the information.

[@keithallison3756]

So sad. Thank you for bringing awareness to animal tourism. People flock for the shot, or the chance to experience the tourists guide to an experience, but don't know or choose to not worry about ramifications of footprints they leave

[@BRZZ-xw4hd]

wow ... that was incredible !

[@ralphholiman7401]

Last year, anchored not too far off of "Pig Beach", we watched a seaplane land and taxi over to let people off to feed and see the pigs. My brother was visiting that week. We grew up working on our parent's farm. After watching this and the people flocking to the beach to feed them. He asked me, "These are just pigs right? They don't do tricks or talk or anything like that, right? They're just pigs on a beach, right?" "They swim," I replied. "Our pigs could swim. Are there any pigs anywhere that don't swim?" he continued. "Not that I know of," I admitted. "Interesting."

[@gonewiththewynns]

Ha ha - Great story!

[@jerrycoon4504]

Great vid guys! The cave was really awesome. I had a thought about the pigs... They had piles of fruit to eat. I wonder if the fruit ferments and that's where the alcohol comes from? I saw a wildlife show years ago and there was a segment about how these animals would eat fermented fruit off the ground under the tree and get drunk.... When I saw the piles of rotting fruit, that's the first thing I thought of. Cheers!

[@willparrish7646]

I was at big major while you were and they were swimming like 3 days after you filmed this!

[@henryzabel1746]

Loved the grotto snorkeling , that looked like a blast . Some time ago you talked about the cost of feathering props , any more thoughts of getting them ? I remember a buddy who sailed often was so happy after retrofitting his mono hull . I can't remember what his speed gain was , but he was thrilled with the reduced drag on longer sailings .

[@jojowallace5098]

Magnificent footage!

[@repairdrive]

Really cool!! Loved the cave footage.

[@SylvainsShipyard]

I also totally agree with your opinion about animal tourism. Thanks for another great video!

[@laurabarfield1152]

Wow Nikki, you're from West Texas?!!! Cool! I live in Childress TX. It's between Dallas Ft Worth and Amarillo. I was also raised on a farm near Quail TX. Texas is big though so you may not know where we are. Anyway, I'm landlocked in the Texas Panhandle and living vicariously through you guys. Happy sailing from West Texas!!

[@dianemilligan7370]

I worried about the pigs when I saw the food dumped on the sand - easy for them to be injecting large amounts of it as they were greedily eating all those vegs. The caves were amazing - Thank you for the extra effort to get beautiful photography! Super adventures!!!

[@goldensgreensandblues3858]

Thank you for another awesome video!

[@michelefussell2456]

excellent video and agree with you completely on the animal issues. Keep up the Great Videos, im living vicariously through you 😉

[@VetTails]

Completely agree with the wildlife attractions, it can sometimes seem people are "helping" animals but it is really just for profit. Awesome cimetography as always - something to strive for ⛵️⛵️⛵️ Keep Chuffed!

[@greygoose4x46]

Great video ! Thanks as always for sharing

[@JordenTually]

THESE PIGS ARE SO CUTE!!! hahaahah I loved this episode guys!

[@TonyGariepy]

Good show, thanks again!

[@skubadu2]

As Hairdresser with a PADI MSDI Instructor and a USGC Master Captain License with a Sailing endorsement. I so enjoy your videos.

[@gonewiththewynns]

You can apply to be on the crew!

[@skubadu2]

Gone with the Wynns; I am so tempted. Moving a car from San Francisco to DC in the end of July. After that I' am available. [e-mail].

[@sissy6159]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@sfcplatt]

Choose your lure colors Bright colors on sunny days and dark on dark days

[@artofbrowneyedgirl]

Great points made about animal tourism in that article. Sad to hear the news though, hopefully they will find a solution for to keep them safe.

[@Starbreaker666]

Haha. I had to FF past the cave. My claustrophobia went nuts...lol

[@ShaneLawler]

Thanks for another great video. The caves look amazing.

[@ParkerFire]

More curious, did you actually get internet at that location to search the internet? Seems quite remote when we were there.

[@justbrint]

gotta love Stanial Cay

[@TheMathMax]

really enjoy your vids

[@ekaterinacherkez9360]

sailed there 3 years ago in the winter they swam out to the dinghy, also more than 7 back then

[@ariag.8745]

Culled for fresh meat?

[@gidge34]

Touched a nerve. Great video as always, cheers

[@stevemontoya8]

Dear Nicky, I asked my wife if it was OK to tell you this, and she said yes .I must tell you with all due respect, that you are the most stunning women I have seen in all respects.We love your videos and think you guys are a great couple. you guys have fun and be safe your fan,Steve.

[@sickjohnson]

Great video you two...thought I saw Jessica Alba for a second or two there! ;) I strongly agree with that website's point of view of captive animals...I have experience behind the scenes of Zoo's and Circuses not to mention horse racing. There is that saying if you want to really know a country/culture well see how they treat their wildlife. As the world population grows we constantly encroach on the worlds wildlife squeezing more into extinction. Just last year Banff national park just re-introduced the Bison/Buffalo back into the park, and the first new born was last month. Keep the video's coming, the snow is finally gone here eh! :D

[@probablywix821]

sickjohnson I'm a native Floridian and so were my parents. I completely agree. Look at what people have done to the Everglades and our aquifer, as if fresh, clean water weren't vital to life.

[@sickjohnson]

Yup...greedy humans motivated by $$$

[@DanielSmithDreamDigital]

Great episode

[@DavidNewell-TBW]

BTW, this may be the KZbin scoop of the week... Congrats!!!

[@DavidNewell-TBW]

Finally, a Bahama Pig Video that makes sense! I have wondered if locals were getting free feed to fatten there piggery. Now it appears the 'Piggery' is likely 'Jiggery'... :) RFOL

[@docvideo93]

14:15 on that quote, what about petting zoos? The petting zoos I went to as a kid were mostly farm animals. Most exotic animal I saw were Llamas/Alapacas. I welcome everyone's thoughts.

[@mickmccrohon]

Great vid. What do you use for your chart plotter? How did you 'nearly hit a rock'?

[@danielhoyle3546]

Great video. Thanks

[@arielj3853]

Another great video..... Sorry to hear about the Pigs Best if we learn to enjoy nature from a far.

[@MyOneEdit]

Love your style!

[@52Tracker]

Thanks for the very important info on the pigs! Exploitation, no matter who/what is being exploited it WRONG!

[@CaseyFriday]

Incredible how you managed to make a local story about pig death all about how great and non-tourist you are! Keep on living the dream! #notallsailors amirite

[@denisemiller4964]

Love the video. I agree with the animal attraction business. Thank you for your thoughts on it. I love your tops that you wear. Were do you find them. Be safe be well and be blessed.

[@RJsadventures]

That was awesome Video !!!! Loved the Caves. People ruin almost everything. Go to Yellowstone and watch the People around the Wildlife. I just Scratch my Head

[@gillianwv9611]

The footage of you both swimming by under water is very "Blue Lagoon"!!

[@0HARE]

Thanks for another great video. I really enjoyed it. Reading today about the closing of Ringling Brothers Circus, and the whole exploitation of wildlife issue brings this story of the pigs into sharper focus. The whole carnivore thing comes into question, as well, if you extrapolate it to it's logical conclusion. We're still eating meat, but much less of it. Best of Luck to the Swimming Pigs, and to you two, as well.

[@rixanneh18]

lol such a "Dory" moment with the expensive camera. "Keep swimmin!" :D

[@nevarema]

Love your videos

[@gpdewitt]

We had a delightful day on a shore excursion in the Bahamas on a private island not far from the Atlantis resort (no connection). We avoided the captive dolphin show and "swim with the dolphins" and instead snorkeled the other side, practically deserted. Here's the kicker, I hiked all around the dolphin lagoon and saw the pens. 4 FEET by 8 FEET. Cruel enough to keep them in captivity. Tiny cages, unconscionable.

[@sarahward911]

Always enjoy your videos and find your lifestyle refreshing! Nikki, in every video there is at least one outfit I wish was in my closet! Where did you get the flowy top with flowers?

[@hmc132]

I know right!! Cutest wardrobe ever!! She is also such a lady, some of the other sailing channels I watch are not quite as classy per se! ;~)

[@SailingForeverFriday]

Sarah Ward agree! Love seeing her be a lady and not showing boobs to get views!!!! Thank you!

[@K2Kevin]

Sad, that was a fun place to visit. Was just there last year and I'd say 4x as many pigs. Won't be long before there's another 20

[@galaz8182]

I need a full report by noon. Including all the pigs names please. Thank you ;)

[@bobbybooshay5576]

Hi wynns where were the pig there were really cool.

[@Juliaronan]

Awe...poor piggies....but glad you guys got to see them! Oh shoot...you could have had a pig roast ! (Pre-tags)!

[@nickbaldus]

Have you guys though about getting parasail spinnaker?

[@jameswesthart5873]

The Caroline Jones Itunes preview video was beautifully done. Apple would be an incredible sponsor for you, Caroline Jone's song on the preview fit perfectly. "Bare Feet"

[@bohyldebrandt141]

Nice 2 wideos in one week

[@winegeek2949]

Nikki, curious about your sizes for shoes, hats, pants, shirts, etc :)

[@CharleSfromTexas]

are you guys close to that disastrous Fyre festival?

[@ravenniles545]

Charle S The dates they posted in the video were in February; hopefully Nikki and Jason are nowhere near that whole Fyre fiasco.

[@mickvr9361]

Silly question, maybe. I've noticed that when your cruising under sail, that you put the engines into reverse, they are obviously not running, is this to use the engine alternators as a form of power generation ?

[@mariansmartt]

I would have been so scared swimming in those caves. You guys are super brave. Oh how I love your videos! Your videos are the best onKZbin. But for gosh sakes be careful.

[@dwightturner3070]

5:49 is where my claustrophobia kicks in.

[@dougvarvil6435]

I thought February was "in season". The hurricane season (June thru November) was the "off season". I guess I was wrong. Learn something new every day.

[@oceandrew]

I wonder if it depends on which market you're referring to. Cruisers' off season is not the same as that for regular tourists.

[@hannahtuck3052]

super randome question, do you work out on the boat? x love the videos x

[@gonewiththewynns]

Absolutely! Scrubbing decks, coiling lines, hauling sails.... But seriously, we don't "work out" in the conventional way but are very active on the boat, snorkeling, etc.

[@hannahtuck3052]

Gone with the Wynns thats really cool, i suppose thats more than equal to working out in a gym and wayyy more fun!