The islands of the Exumas, in the Bahamas, offer so much more than swimming pigs! Though, the swimming pigs are out of this world incredible. However, we were offered the chance to swim with sharks, to snorkel, and feed iguanas. Don’t get too excited…just nurse sharks. Don’t get me wrong, I love Nurse Sharks! I just don’t consider them too dangerous. They have very small (but sharp) teeth, smallish mouths, and basically they are bottom feeders. They mostly sleep during the day. I see them diving in the Caribbean often, they are usually asleep under crevices. Nurse sharks are nocturnal, and can grow up to 4 meters (12 feet). I’ve never seen one that large, the biggest I’ve seen is probably 7 or 8 feet. These were 4 to 6 feet long, I’d guess.
Off of Staniel Cay Yacht Club is a largish population of nurse sharks and they feed them squid and other tasty snacks. I had my camera out and was in the water long before anyone else on the tour got in. The word “shark” evokes terrible fear, but once you learn about them and see them in the wild, you begin to understand they are not waiting for a human to eat. Nurse sharks are pretty. They have white eyes, and their skin is very tough and pebbly. I think they have an elegant silhouette as they swim. After a while, several of the tour members finally got in the water with them, a great opportunity to conquer a few fears and gain knowledge!
Also on the agenda were giant iguanas! I’ve seen pretty big ones, but these are monstrosities! They are huge! And hungry, of course. We fed them grapes. I used a stick to spear the grape, then feed the iguana. Kathy, my cousin, and I were lucky on the second tour, and one of the largest ones had a photo session with us. He must have posed for 10 minutes, and he would have stayed there, I am sure. The minute the boat pulls up to the beach, out they come!
Obviously, they are used to people and being fed by them. As you can see, Exuma Water Sports provided Animal Palooza, and I loved every second of it!
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What lovely photos. I had to, ashamedly, admit that I never heard of Exuma. It looks incredible, and where I’d love to be right now!
It is beautiful there. Perfect weather!
Thanks to you we are probably joining friends at a private club in Antigua next February. I’m not going to dive but you can bet I’ll enjoy island life!
Carol Cassara recently posted…Why I wish I’d had kids
You can snorkel!!! I’m happy I inspired you!
I love the photos and pinned some!
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski recently posted…Savor Laguna Beach History – Art and Food
Great! I appreciate it!
This is so amazing to me, I would to come to your home (I will bring the food) and you regale me with all your travels. This is one thing I have missed in my life, but I am going to do it….travel!!
Good for you! The swimming pigs should be near the top of the list…they are just so amazing to see.
Wow. The swimming pigs have long been on my bucket list, but there is so much more to see that I didn’t know about. But, swimming pigs! -Veronica
The GypsyNesters recently posted…TripAdviser Thinks We Rock—Check Us Out!
Immediate joy! I took the tour twice.
What I liked most was seeing you all and also how you photograph such interesting stuff! Nice post today!
Carol Cassara recently posted…Culture break
Thanks! It was so much fun!