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Big Major’s Spot

Staniel Cay
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Little Major’s Spot
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Big Major’s Spot
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Fowl Cay
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Dennis Cay
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Sampson Cay
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Pipe Creek
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Compass Cay Marina
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Compass Cay
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Chicken Cay
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Big Major’s Spot is an anchorage in Central Exumas.

Central Exumas is a charter location in The Exumas, a yacht charter area in the Bahamas.

The anchorages on Central Exumas:

Big Major’s Spot Overview

Big Major’s Spot is a popular area situated to the southeastern end of Major Cay, a long island lightly connected to Fowl Cay. Despite its low-lying banks, it’s a great place to anchor in prevailing winds. Big Major’s Spot is roughly a mile long and is known for its salt pans and the Pig Beach.

A pig playing with a tourist at Big Major's Spot - Anne DuPont
Swimming pigs at Pig Beach, Big Major Cay, Exuma Islands, Bahamas
Swimming pigs at Pig Beach, Big Major Cay, Exuma Islands, Bahamas

Navigation and Anchoring

There are several paths to enter this anchorage. If coming from the southern end of Sampson Cay, opt for the western end of Fowl Cay. You will find a small sandbank to the west of Fowl Cay; keep it starboard and enter the channel west of Black Point. Here you will find the popular Pig Beach.

If entering from the west, round Harvey Cay and head west to reach Big Major’s Cut.

Another way to the Spot is via the narrow cut between Fowl Cay and Major Cay island. This is not recommended for private charters and is usually preferred by skippered vessels in the daytime who want to go to-and-fro between the Spots.

Places of Interest In and Around Big Major’s Spot

There is a huge salt pond in the middle of Big Major’s Spot which was workable up to a few years ago. It’s deserted since and is usually occupied by locals fishing or tourists exploring the pond. There are hills and valleys worth exploring throughout the cay.

The western shore (with the low-lying sandbanks) has several beaches that offer stunning views of the North Atlantic horizon. This is where the Pig Beach lies which contains a drift of wild pigs. Anecdotally, it is known that these pigs were transported from Staniel Cay by residents looking to start a farm by breeding but we have reasons to believe that the plan didn’t go as planned. However, contradicting accounts exist. It’s okay to interact with and feed them, but don’t let your guard down. There have been instances reported from the cay that pigs have snatched entire food resources from tourists or have bitten them.

If you are at Big Major’s Spot, Pig Beach is a must-visit place even if you don’t plan to get into the water. In recent years, it has been promoted in popular culture.

Note – Pigs are decent swimmers so expect them to approach you as you head into the cay.

Thunderball Grotto located off the southern end of Major Cay is also a prime tourist spot. Here you can spot amazing coral and other sea life while enjoying a relaxed snorkeling experience during low tide. You can enter the cave from any side and come out in the middle atop the large covering. This is a cool spot for a swim and taking photos. Just take care of the tide timings and make sure only those who can swim for a longer duration get in. There is no lifeguard as it is not an officiated place.

Trivia – The grotto is apparently named after the 1964 James Bond film Thunderball. However, we couldn’t confirm the claim’s authenticity.

Thunderball Grotto - Daran Clarke, Google
You can view exotic marine life at Thunderball Grotto

Services

There is no provisioning on the anchorage or the island. The entire cay is deserted most of the time, save for a few tourists enjoying the scenery and playing with the pigs.

    Yachts available in Big Major’s Spot

    BETTER BOAT

    From $32,000/week
    4 cabins
    65 ft
    Sea Ray
    8 guests
    Built: 2018

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    Jacuzzi

    Lady Kristina

    From $69,500/week
    5 cabins
    112 ft
    Lazzara
    12 guests
    Refit: 2021
    50 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetskis: 2
    Jacuzzi

    ISLAND GIRL

    From $55,000/week
    4 cabins
    112 ft
    Westport
    8 guests
    Refit: 2016
    45 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    PH3

    From $23,000/week
    3 cabins
    72 ft
    Contest Yachts
    6 guests
    Refit: 2020

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    NAUTILUS

    From $749,000/week
    6 cabins
    240 ft
    Perini Navi
    12 guests
    Built: 2014

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    VIBRANCE

    From $199,000/week
    5 cabins
    162 ft
    Amels
    12 guests
    Refit: 2019

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    CHASSEUR

    From $260,000/week
    6 cabins
    160 ft
    Christensen
    12 guests
    Refit: 2022

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    Jacuzzi

    QUANTUM

    From $72,000/week
    4 cabins
    125 ft
    Broward
    8 guests
    Refit: 2020

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    ASAHI

    From $240,000/week
    6 cabins
    184 ft
    Perini Navi
    12 guests
    Refit: 2023

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    Jetskis: 2
    Jacuzzi

    PARA BELLUM

    From $300,000/week
    5 cabins
    154 ft
    San Lorenzo
    12 guests
    Built: 2023
    260 Litres/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    HOSPITALITY

    From $235,000/week
    7 cabins
    164 ft
    Westport
    12 guests
    Refit: 2021

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    Jetski

    indulgence 24/7

    From $19,950/week
    2 cabins
    55 ft
    Sea Ray
    4 guests
    Refit: 2019

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    Jetski

    GIULI

    From $34,000/week
    3 cabins
    74 ft
    Sunseeker
    6 guests
    Built: 2000
    30 US Gall/Hr

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    ELIZABETH

    From $49,500/week
    4 cabins
    118 ft
    Trinity Yachts
    9 guests
    Built: 1999

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    Jetski
    Jacuzzi

    WABASH

    From $175,000/week
    5 cabins
    132 ft
    Benetti
    10 guests
    Refit: 2020

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