plane tours miami

THE 10 BEST Miami Air Tours

Air tours in miami.

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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. South Beach Miami Aerial Tour : Beaches, Mansions and Skyline

2. Miami Downtown Airplane Tour with Free drinks

3. Miami & South Beach Private Airplane Tour

4. Miami Beach: Private South Beach Airplane Tour with drinks

5. Private 60 Minute Romantic Air Tour with Champagne in Miami

6. Miami Highlights Seaplane Tour with Live Commentary

7. Eagles Air Tour: Private 45 Minute Plane Tour of Miami

8. Seaplane Flight from Miami with Lunch in the Florida Keys

9. The Best Miami Private Flight Tour - 45 Min

10. Romantic Miami Private Plane Tour With Champagne

11. The Ultimate Miami Plane Tour

12. 45-Minute Miami Beach Sunset Breathtaking Flight Tour

13. Romantic Sunset Private Airplane Tour with Free Champagne

14. Miami Beach & Key Biscayne Private Airplane Tour with Free Drinks

15. Sunset Miami Beach Private Air Tour - 50 Minutes

16. Private Tour Discovering Miami By Plane

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Private Ft. Lauderdale to Miami Beach Helicopter Tour

Private Sunset Ft. Lauderdale to Miami Beach Helicopter Tour

Private HOUR Helicopter Tour Lauderdale -Everglades -Miami Beach

Private Sunset Ft Lauderdale-Hard Rock-Miami Beach Helicopter

Private Ft Lauderdale-Hard Rock Guitar-Miami Beach Helicopter

Private Sunset Luxury Airplane Tour Ft. Lauderdale-Miami Beach

Private Luxury Airplane Tour Ft. Lauderdale-Sunny Isles Beach

What travelers are saying.

• South Beach Miami Aerial Tour : Beaches, Mansions and Skyline
• Miami Beach: Private South Beach Airplane Tour with drinks
• Miami Downtown Airplane Tour with Free drinks
• Eagles Air Tour: Private 45 Minute Plane Tour of Miami
• 30-Minute Miami Beach Private Plane Tour
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• Miami en français
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Plane Tours with Luxx Miami

Nothing enhances the picturesque and thrilling aspects of a trip to Miami like flying over South Florida to take in its breathtaking panoramic splendor. You can count on Miami Plane and Plane Tours for the most prestigious selection of narrated flight seeing adventures, whether you want to explore the Miami Skyline downtown area, North Miami Beach, South Miami Beach, the lovely city of Fort Lauderdale, the Florida Everglades, or all points in between.

Once on board, enjoy the luxury of your seat as you take in the magnificent panoramas and photo opportunities of South Florida’s “Treasure Coast.” Additionally, our committed team of highly knowledgeable and experienced pilots and personnel is committed to giving you first-rate service, assistance, and flight-seeing alternatives that go above and beyond what is offered by conventional Florida air tour providers.

At Luxx Miami, we strive to provide a wide range of amazing, exciting, and distinctive flight-seeing tours that emphasize the best South Florida has to offer.  We offer gift cards, which make wonderful presents for birthdays, anniversaries, or for drawing at your upcoming event.

These breath taking plane tours views any where in south Florida can be obtained by day or night!

$395/Person 3 People Max

• call +1 786 4312165 Book Now

• HELICOPTER TOURS
• PLANE TOURS

Experience the magic of Miami from above in a Cessna 177, the ideal aircraft for sightseeing tours, featuring top-mounted wings and large windows for unparalleled views.

Book online and you will receive immediate confirmation by email. Full refunds for cancelations up to 24 hs before your tour.

Have a magical experience flying over Miami on a Cessna 177, the best aircraft for sightseeing air tours. Book online and you will receive confirmation by email. Free cancelation up to 24 hs in advance.

MIAMI AIRPLANE TOURS

Choose one of our popular airplane tours from 30 to 50 minutes duration and discover Miami from the sky.

SOUTH BEACH PRIVATE PLANE TOUR

Fly over South Beach and view the combination of its crystal clear waters and its pastel-colored Art Deco buildings. Soar over Venetian Islands, the luxurious mansions of Star and Palm Islands and get a bird’s eye view of Key Biscayne and Fishers Island. Fly around the skyscrapers from Downtown Miami and continue over the Biscayne Bay tropical waters, looking out for manatees, dolphins, native birds and more! Fly over Coral Gables and the historic bay-front of Coconut Grove.

$89 per person

MIAMI PARADISE PRIVATE PLANE TOUR

Enjoy a magical flight over South Beach, Miami Beach shoreline, Surfside and Bal Harbor. Soar over downtown Miami skyscrapers, luxurious mansions of Star, Palm and Venetian Islands and get a bird’s eye view of South Miami mansions in Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and Vizcaya Museum. You will be mesmerized by the magnificent beauty of Fisher Island, Key Biscayne, Seaquarium and the Intracoastal Waterway while taking in views of the blue waters of the Atlantic, looking out for manatees, dolphins, sharks, and birds.

$109 per person

THE ULTIMATE MIAMI PRIVATE PLANE TOUR

The most complete and spectacular scenery of all airplane tours in Miami! !

You will enjoy an amazing plane ride over Miami, South Beach sparkling beaches, Surfside, Bal Harbor up to Sunny Isles. You will fly over Williams Islands, Indian Creek and all the luxurious mansions along Intracoastal Waterway. Soar over downtown Miami skyscrapers, Star, Palm and Venetian Islands and get a bird’s eye view of Key Biscayne and Fisher Island. Enjoy views of Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and Vizcaya Museum.

$129 per person

KEY LARGO AIR TOUR

You will have a magical experience flying over Miami Zoo, Biscayne Bay, the Everglades and soar over the various shades from the Key Largo blue coast, the first and the largest of the fabulous Florida Keys!

Home to tropical hardwoods, winding creeks, two state parks, a national park and a portion of a national marine sanctuary, Key Largo boasts some of the most fascinating nature views in Florida.

MIAMI SUNSET PRIVATE PLANE TOUR

The best Miami air tour during gorgeous sunsets !

You will enjoy an amazing ride over the beautiful beaches from South Beach, Surfside, Bal Harbor up to Sunny Isles as the sun sinks below the horizon. You will fly over Williams Islands, Indian Creek and all the luxurious mansions along Intracoastal Waterway. Soar over downtown Miami skyscrapers, mansions of Star, Palm and Venetian Islands and get a bird’s eye view of Fisher Island and Key Biscayne. Enjoy views of Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and Vizcaya Museum as the sky changes breathtaking colors.

$149 per person

ROMANTIC MIAMI AIR TOUR WITH CHAMPAGNE

A romantic private experience for couples that want to celebrate something special!

Clink your glasses during this luxury Romantic Plane Tour while admiring unbeatable views of Miami! Enjoy a delicious bottle of Champagne during an amazing flight over the beautiful beaches of South Beach, Surfside, Bal Harbor up to Sunny Isles. Soar over Downtown Miami, Intracoastal Waterway, Star, Palm and Venetian Islands and get a bird’s eye view of Key Biscayne and Fisher Island. Enjoy amazing views of Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.

$159 per person

Miami Airplane Tours

See miami from a new perspective on a flightseeing air tour.

• Hour Glass 30 minutes

South Beach Skyline Air Tour

Magic air tours.

Enjoy the magical flight over South Beach, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Downtown Miami, Fisher Island and Key Biscayne.

• Hour Glass 40 minutes

Miami Beach Paradise Air Tour

Enjoy the magical flight over Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Miami Downtown, Star, Palm, and Venetian Islands, South Beach, Miami Beach shoreline, Intracoastal waterway, Fisher Island, Seaquarium, and Key Biscayne.

• Hour Glass 50 minutes

Miami Sunset Air Tour

The best flight-seeing tour during gorgeous sunsets in Miami! You will fly over Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Downtown Miami, Star, Palm and Venetian Islands, Intracoastal Waterway, Sunny Islands, and more.

Take to the Skies on a Flightseeing Tour

If you truly want to soak in all the beautiful sights and landmarks of Miami, the best way is to take to the skies on a flightseeing tour !

With its miles of beautiful coastlines, scenic islands, historic spots, and a splendid city skyline, it’s a unique experience to see Miami from a bird’s-eye view .

Treat a loved one to an unforgettable date and uncover the beauty of Miami on an airplane tour !

Get a Bird's-Eye View of the Coastline & More

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’ve lived in Miami your whole life, you probably haven’t seen the city like this before! There’s a lot to discover as you explore on foot or play in the water, but seeing Miami from the air is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you to take in the entire city from above.

Get a stunning view of the popular South Beach, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and more! See landmarks like Vizcaya Museum & Gardens and the Miami Seaquarium, marvel at the luxurious mansions along the Intracoastal Waterway, discover the nearby islands, and take in the entire downtown skyline. If you’re looking for an extra scenic experience or a romantic getaway, take your tour at sunset and experience the city at the most beautiful time of day.

A flightseeing tour is perfect for a surprise date or an exciting day out with a flight enthusiast. Browse our Miami airplane tours and book your flight online today ! This is an experience you’ll never forget.

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MIAMI'S BEST VIEWS

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Adventure Awaits

Romantic Sunset Tour

Sunset Tour is perfect for Couples looking for a romantic time well spent.

 Sit and enjoy each others company while gazing at some of Miami most spectacular views.   Nothing beats a Sunset view like the one you will experience during this Tour.

  Non-Alcohol Champagne Included

*Per Person

USD $149.00

Reg USD $390.00

*Min. 2 Passengers per Tour

Night Lights

Known as one of the world's most famous party towns, come and experience the electric vibes of lights of Miami at night with spectacular views of Miami skylines and nightclubs.  This is an experience you don't want to miss.

Non-Alcoholic Champagne Included

Reg USD $330.00

Full Moon Enthusiasts

Full Moon lovers, This Tour is for you!

A once in a month opportunity to come and enjoy a blanket of white shade of moonlight on the ocean along with city lights.

Keep an eye on the Full Moon!

USD $199.00

Reg USD $375.00

Miami Downtown Tour

Enjoy 30 mins of Miami Coastal Area including Botanical Garden, Pinecrest , Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Dadeland Downtown and much more.

Reg USD $190.00

Experience South Beach

Explore aerial views of one of Miami's most famous beach; South Beach.

Enjoy breathtaking views of Miami Downtown, Miami Seaquarium, Miami Seaport, Star Island and much more.

Reg USD $220.00

Luxury Travel

Discover the most iconic attractions Miami has to offer.

Scenic views include South Miami Beach, Miami Downtown, Fisher Island, Key Biscayne, Port of Miami and much more.

Non-Alcohol Champagne Included

USD $109.00

Reg USD $320.00

Gift Options

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Pilot For a Day!

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Celebrations are better together.

Coming Soon.

14005 Sw 127th St, Unit 120A

Miami, FL 33186

(786) 576-8944

[email protected]

Sky Tours Miami is approved by

Federal Aviation Administration

© 2024 Sky Tours Miami. All rights reserved.

Miami Plane Tours

Review Highlights

“ Chris our pilot went above and beyond to make sure everyone on board felt comfortable and had a great time. ” in 7 reviews

“ Loved the air tour of miami beach it gave us really amazing views of the entire area. ” in 4 reviews

“ I can't remember our pilots name but she was a female and made us feel at ease . ” in 3 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

1620 SW 75th Ave

Pembroke Pines, FL 33023

Serving Pembroke Pines Area

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Amenities and More

About the business.

Business owner information

Business Owner

Take in the beautiful and amazing city of Miami with Miami Plane Tours. For years, we have been offering incredible aerial views of one of the best cities in the world. We now offer helicopter tours too! We are proudly the only aviation business in Southern Florida that is devoted to sightseeing and allowing our customers to see exactly what they want to see. Our dedicated pilots make your tour one of the most memorable moments of your life. …

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How can I get a ticket for two persons?

Hello! Thank you for reaching out. You can call us at 305.570.2003 or go online to our website at www.miamiplanetours.com and purchase online.

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Overall rating

Came here for Valentine's Day. The booking was easy and they text you right away with updates or if you have any questions. We arrived 15 min early and were accommodated promptly. They even held our phones to snap pictures for us as we walked to the helicopter. The headphones had a connection issue which made one or the other work but there wasn't much talking needed anyways. Lol the view was beautiful and the pilot pointed out landmarks like star island and answered any questions we had. Only issue I had was they asked if we wanted the doors on or off. I wanted on. But the front where the pilot was had the doors off so it was a cold ride. Wish they made that more clear. Other than that it was a fun experience for us both.

South beach

Ready for take off!

I surprised my boyfriend with airplane tour for his bday in Feb 2018. We live in West Palm so obviously to drive to go was long but it is ok because traffic was light. Pros: the staff member was nice, very friendly. He talked to us about all the rules and tried to make us upgrade which we could have done because it was pretty affordable but we weren't feeling it too much. I am scared of height so at the beginning it was kinda scary for me because the plane was shaking a lot but when it got near the ocean area it was really smooth. I cannot really think of a con. It was a really great experience.

What an amazing experience! It was our first time flying and our wonderful pilot, Chris, really made us feel at home! He was very personable and took lovely pictures of us, almost like our own personal photo shoot! Haha very sweet of him. We flew over Sunny Isles, Miami Beach, and Beyoncé's place! Our pilot explained quick and fun tips about the areas and really just enjoyed the journey and beauty of flying so closely to the water !

We got a helicopter and tour over Fort Lauderdale. Everything was just amazing. Stuff it really polite and they called in advance to give us instructions and all. Pitot was very professional and friendly!

Great ride with kayani! I was a little nervous at first but he Assured me with his profesionalism and knowledge that we were in the best hands

These guys were great! From the telephone conversations all the way up to the actual experience, everything was great. Art and Carlos were so nice, great customer service! The pilot was very patient, calm and made us feel at ease. The price was such a steal, worth every penny! Miami is so beautiful to see from up above, it's breathtaking. I highly recommend this company, very nice and professional!!! Can't wait to book with them again!

Miami plane tours truly made our birthday so special! From the first moment over the telephone with Arturo, to the spectacular ride all the way through. We had the chance to ride with the best pilot Tony. Truly grateful for such a professional and flawless experience. Highly recommend. Best deal you can find!

Doors off helicopter ride

Chris booked our helicopter tour with ease! Very accommodating! Most tours I called made you wait until 6 others booked but not these guys. They booked us at the time we wanted. The pilot Terry was amazing! He was knowledgeable and informative. I was very scared and nervous but he put me at ease. He's easy on the eyes as well so that helped calm my fears. I highly recommend this company and the staff.

If you traveling to Miami and looking for something fun to do, check out Miami Plane Tours! We had a great time today! Art was a great tour pilot. We felt very safe, he was very engaging making sure that everyone was happy and ok. The the weather was beautiful today and the views were spectacular! Our trip consisted flying over Miami Beach, South Beach and over the Port of Miami. We would recommend Art and his team! Check them out!

So amazing ! Did the 30min flight and it was such a great birthday gift for my boyfriend he loved it. Mikes a great pilot who made us feel safe! Bring cash so you can tip! I hated myself for not having cash, and this flight is so worth it.

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Seaplane Tours & Charters from Miami

Miami Skyline Seaplane Tour

Quick details.

• Duration 30 Minutes
• Availability Daily
• Adventure Type Seaplane Tour
• Online Pricing $210 per Person + Taxes and Fees

Miami Skyline Seaplane Tour Description

Let your imagination run wild as you view the eclectic Miami skyline as if you were the star of a trailer for Miami Vice or CSI Miami!

As you soar over the city, you see majestic cruise ships lined up on Cruise Ship Row, Downtown Miami’s eclectic high-rise offices and condominium towers, the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center, trendy South Beach and Deco Drive, Star Island — with its multi-million dollar mansions that are home to stars such as Gloria Estefan and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs — Brickell Avenue, and Bayside Marketplace, as well as Miami Beach’s many hotels, including the world-famous Fontainebleau Hotel.

There is no other city quite like Miami, and the best way to see all its beauty is from the sky. Join this seaplane tour and see all the landmarks that make Miami our favorite place in the world. Feel like a superstar as you soar over this iconic skyline!

Pricing and Reservations

Online Price Discounted $10 per Person • +Taxes and Fees • Minimum of 2 Passengers

Tour Duration

• 30 Minutes

Tour Schedule

• 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM • 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM • 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM • 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM • 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM • 12:45 PM – 1:15 PM • 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM • 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM • 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM

Give a gift for an experience ABOVE all others!

Related popular tours and charters, the ultimate miami and beaches seaplane tour.

• Duration 1 Hour
• Online Discount $274 per Person + Taxes and Fees Online Price Discounted $10 per Person

Seaplane and Airboat Adventure!

• Duration 2.5 Hours
• Availability Tuesday - Sunday
• Adventure Type Seaplane and Airboat Tour
• Online Discount $450 per Person + Taxes and Fees Online Price Discounted $10 per Person

Key West Day Trip

• Duration 8 Hours
• Adventure Type Seaplane Tour and Charter
• Online Discount $650 per Person Minimum of 3 Passengers + Taxes and Fees Online Price Discounted $10 per Person

• Helicopter tour
• Sunny Isles Beach: 45 min
• Miami Downtown: 60 min
• Romantic night tour: 60 min
• Gift Certificate!
• Photo & Video

Sightseeing Air Tours Over Miami

The best view from 500 feet

Amazing views of Miami and shoreline

VIP-experience

45 minutes tour only $280

Beautiful view of beaches and shoreline

Skyscrapers of Sunny Isles beach

Houses and villas of Indian Creek Island

Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino

60 minutes for only $350

Amazing view of Miami Downtown

Beautiful beaches of Miami South Beach

Skyscrapers of Downtown

Port of Miami, Venetian Islands, Fisher Island

60 minutes night tour

Beautiful night view of Skyscrapers

Skyscrapers of Miami Downtown at night

Romantic tour

Fantastic night view

If you have never flown in a small airplane, during the air tour you have a great opportunity to be not just a passenger but also a co-pilot!

A total of 3 passengers is possible however there is a weight limitation. The maximum combined weight for passengers is 360 lbs. If there will be more than one passenger, please contact us directly.

Book air tour now!

WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY

That was really amazing! We’ve got a lot of vivid impressions. A breathtaking flight over Miami Downtown at night. That is obviously worth seeing.

Got an incredible Birthday gift from my friends. So cool! This memory will last forever. Best views that you can see only from the sky. Thanks to everyone who made this day unforgettable.

Never thought it can be so delightful – flying along the shoreline, enjoying the views of all those nice beaches, skyscrapers, marine life, ports with big nice ships, realizing that you are above them high in the sky. That was really great and one of the remarkable days in my life.

WHY CHOOSE US

Kids for free.

We love when kids wants to fly! And we appreciate parents taken kids in our sightseeing air tours. Kids up to 10 years old – FREE!

Best Price Guarantee

We offer reasonable price for all of our tours. You will have a lot of impressions and emotions.

High Quality Service & Safety

Our pilots has more than 1000 hours each, most of them are Flight Instructors. All airplanes has annual and routine inspections, it means your flight will safe and comfortable.

Our latest news & promotions

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The best swimming with pigs tours in the bahamas.

Discover how to responsibly swim with pigs in the Bahamas.

Swimming With Pigs in the Bahamas

Getty Images

Reels of people frolicking with pigs on a beach in the Caribbean have more than likely surfaced on your TikTok and Instagram feeds at one point or another. After all, millions of people partake in this quintessential Bahamas experience each year, and the attraction is so popular that it's been replicated in other destinations.

If swimming with pigs in the Bahamas is on your bucket list, read on to discover the best tour options as well as what to consider when you visit.

Which Bahamas island has swimming pigs?

Located in the Exumas, Big Major Cay – commonly known as Pig Beach – is the original Bahamas island with swimming pigs. It is accessible from several islands in the Bahamas as well as Florida. Most swimming pig tours include other tourist attractions and experiences, including snorkeling in Thunderball Grotto (a filming location for two James Bond movies) and swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay.

How to get to Pig Beach from the Exumas

Staniel Cay: Staniel Cay is the closest inhabited island to Big Major Cay. Guests of Staniel Cay Yacht Club can take a short boat ride to Pig Beach via a local charter. 3N's Vacation Services and Staniel Cay Adventures are both reputable companies that offer such options.

Great Exuma: The largest island in the Exumas, Great Exuma houses some of the best resorts in the Bahamas , including the family-friendly Grand Isle Resort & Residences and the adults-only Sandals Emerald Bay . To get to Pig Beach from Great Exuma, it's best to book directly with your hotel. You'll have the option to take a full-day tour (with a roughly two-hour boat ride to the attractions from Great Exuma) or fly to Staniel Cay and take a short boat ride to Big Major Cay from there.

How to get to Pig Beach from Nassau

Pig Beach is reachable from Nassau via plane and/or boat. Below are some of the top-rated swimming pig tours from the Bahamas' capital city:

3N's Vacation Services: Swimming Pigs Flight & Tour

Price: From $675 per person Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours

This full-day, all-inclusive tour transports passengers from Nassau to Staniel Cay by plane, where you'll continue your excursion via boat. The tour includes several stops and activities:

• Swimming with pigs and feeding them tour-provided food at Pig Beach
• Swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay
• Snorkeling at Thunderball Grotto
• Visiting the iguanas of Guana Cay
• Strolling along a stunning sandbar
• A stop near Pablo Escobar's mysterious sunken plane on Norman's Cay

Snacks, lunch, soft drinks, beer and water are covered in tour rates; snorkel gear and towels are provided. Children ages 2 and younger are free, though this tour is not recommended for young kids. While tour groups are limited to 12 guests at maximum, private tours are available for a more intimate experience. Recent reviewers say they enjoyed this tour, though some expressed mixed feelings about the captains.

Check prices & availability on:

Born Free Charters: Exuma Island Hopping and Swimming Pigs

Price: From $439 for adults; $329 for kids ages 2 to 6 Duration: 9 hours

This tour departs from Paradise Island by high-speed powerboat and stops at the following destinations:

• Allen Cay, to visit Bahamian rock iguanas
• Compass Cay, for swimming with the nurse sharks
• Great Exuma, for a Bahamian-style lunch buffet (included in tour rate)
• Norman's Cay, for snorkeling
• A sandbar for some beach time

Recent travelers highly recommend this tour, praising the guides, the lunch and the overall experience. Per the tour provider, this tour isn't recommended for children younger than 2, pregnant women, or those suffering from chronic back and/or neck pain.

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How to get to Pig Beach from Florida

There are a few reputable companies that offer Pig Beach tours from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Below is a well-rated option:

Bahamas Air Tours: Miami to Bahamas Day Trip

Price: From $949 per person Duration: 12 hours

This full-day tour starts with private transportation from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. It also includes in-destination transportation to Pig Beach, Guana Cay, Thunderball Grotto, Compass Cay and the sandbars at Staniel Cay. Both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are included in the price as well. Recent travelers rave about this experience, with some noting it's the best tour they've ever taken.

Note that passports are required for this day trip, and that while children are permitted on the tour, it's not ideal for young kids. This excursion is also ill-suited for pregnant women, and the tour operator requires a doctor's clearance for expectant mothers. Tours are limited to nine guests (but require a minimum of five participants); private charters are also available.

Is Pig Beach ethical?

Even though the Bahamas limits the number of tour operators allowed to visit Pig Beach per day, there's some controversy surrounding the island and whether or not it's ethical to visit.

In 2017, several pigs were found dead after an influx of tourists left snacks on the beach, causing the pigs to ingest too much sand. Also, travelers can be aggressive with the pigs, often chasing them, picking them up or even trying to ride them.

In recent years, a number of safety measures have been put in place to protect both the pigs and tourists. Per the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, they include the following:

• A trough provides a designated feeding place for the pigs.
• Signage communicates rules to tourists, including what you can and cannot feed to the pigs. The pigs are restricted to a diet of fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, grapes, watermelon, apples and lettuce, and many guides supply these items for tourgoers. Some tour guides will provide bread as well, though processed food is not ideal for these animals.
• A local taskforce of caretakers is on the ground daily to ensure visitors and tour operators are engaging with the pigs responsibly.

While the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism maintains that the attraction is sustainable, know that there aren't any legal limitations protecting the pigs at this time.

How to be a responsible traveler at Pig Beach 

All tour guides are expected to share the following protocols with travelers; whether they do or not, it is important to respect these rules for both the safety of the pigs and you: 

• Remain calm at all times.
• Do not chase, pick up or ride the pigs.
• Do not engage with the pigs without supervision.
• Only use approved food from your tour operator, and do not feed the pigs alcohol.
• If you do not have feed, hold your hands up to show the pigs you do not have anything.

What to pack for your excursion

Pack a beach bag , dry bag or backpack with the following items:

• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Beach towel
• Camera and/or phone
• Waterproof phone pouch with lanyard
• Change of clothing
• Windbreaker or light jacket (in case of rain and because it gets chilly on the water)
• Cash and/or credit card (for tour guide tip and other purchases)

It's best to wear a swimsuit and a cover-up or T-shirt with sandals for the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several theories about the origin of the swimming pigs. The most logical is that when the Exumas gained popularity with the rich and famous in the 1980s and '90s, the resident pigs were too smelly to stay and were hence moved to the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay.

It is generally safe provided you're respectful of the animals. However, you should keep in mind that the pigs are known to bite if they're hungry and think you might have food you're not sharing. Because Big Major Cay is their home, they also defecate on the shoreline and in the water.

Most tour operators do not allow children under age 2 on these excursions, and based on our experience, we don't recommend bringing toddlers and young children in general — even if rates are free or discounted for them. Wait until your kids are a bit older.

Swimming with pigs on Big Major Cay – the original Pig Beach in the Bahamas – will cost you several hundred dollars – in part because Big Major Cay is a remote destination only accessible by boat. Of course, it is also pricey because of its popularity. Copycat experiences like swimming with the pigs on Rose Island are cheaper, but less authentic.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross previously visited Pig Beach during a press trip to the Bahamas. Disheartened by tourists' mistreatment of the pigs, she aims to educate travelers on how to visit Big Major Cay and other animal-centric destinations responsibly.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Caribbean Vacations
• The Best All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts
• The Best International Travel Insurance

The Best Zoos in the U.S.

Tags: Travel , Tours

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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World News | Fans are following Taylor Swift to Europe after…

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World News | Fans are following Taylor Swift to Europe after finding Eras Tour ticket bargains there

LONDON — Thousands of ride-or-die Taylor Swift fans who missed out on her U.S. concert tour last year or didn’t want to buy exorbitantly priced tickets to see her again found an out-of-the-way solution: Fly to Europe.

The pop star is scheduled to kick off the 18-city Europe leg of her record-setting Eras Tour in Paris on Thursday, and planeloads of Swifties plan to follow Miss Americana across the pond in the coming weeks. The arena where Swift is appearing said Americans bought 20% of the tickets for her four sold-out shows. Stockholm, the tour’s next stop, expects about 10,000 concertgoers from the U.S.

A concert might sound like an odd raison d’etre for visiting a foreign country, especially when fans can watch the Eras Tour from home via the documentary now streaming on Disney+. Yet online travel company Expedia says continent-hopping by Swift’s devotees is part of a larger trend it dubbed “tour tourism” while observing a pattern that emerged during Beyoncé’s Renaissance world tour.

In this image taken from video, Taylor Swift fans sing and dance at a nightclub event called ‘Ready for It’ that only plays Swift’s music in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Tuesday, April 30th, 2024. Swift is scheduled to kick off the 18-city Europe leg of her record-setting Eras Tour on Thursday, May 9, 2024. There will be three shows in Stockholm. (AP Photo/Chisato Tanaka)

In this image taken from video, Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, is shown on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024. Taylor Swift is scheduled to kick off the 18-city Europe leg of her record-setting Eras Tour, with three shows in Stockholm, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Chisato Tanaka)

Drinks are prepared in the Black Dog pub, thought to be mentioned in a Taylor Swift song, in London, Saturday, May 4, 2024. As Taylor Swift prepares to launch the Europe leg of her blockbuster Eras tour, thousands of her fans from the U.S. and Canada are following her across the pond. Some Swifties decided to see Swift in one of the 18 cities on the pop star’s tour after noticing that tighter restrictions on ticket fees and scalping in Europe made seeing Miss Americana perform abroad less of a splurge. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

In this image taken from video, fans pose with a life-size image of Taylor Swift at a club that plays only Swift’s music in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Tuesday, April 30th, 2024. Swift is scheduled to kick off the 18-city Europe leg of her record-setting Eras Tour on Thursday, May 9, 2024. There will be three shows in Stockholm. (AP Photo/Chisato Tanaka)

Taylor Swift (pictured performing during The Eras Tour at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023) is being commemorated with an all-new Taylor Swift live tribute night at Garden Amp Jan.6…(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Taylor Swift (pictured performing during The Eras Tour at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023) is being commemorated with an all-new Taylor Swift live tribute night at Garden Amp Jan.6.(Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

FILE – Taylor Swift performs at the Monumental stadium during her Eras Tour concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

Taylor Swift performs on stage during The Eras Tour at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Friday, July 28, 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Taylor Swift performs during The Eras Tour at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Monday, August 7, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift headlined her first of six sold-out shows on The Eras Tour at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Thursday, Aug. 3. (Photo by TAS Rights Management)

FILE – Taylor Swift performs at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Friday, July 28, 2023. California’s lieutenant governor and other elected officials on Tuesday, Aug. 1,2 023, urged Taylor Swift to postpone her Los Angeles concerts as a way to stand in solidarity with striking hotel workers. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP, FIle)

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s massive The Eras Tour wraps up at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood with shows on Aug. 3-5, 7 and 8-9. (Photo by Suzanne Cordeiro, AFP for Getty Images)

Citadel Outlets in Commerce is offering up a pair of floor seat tickets to Taylor Swift’s Aug. 7 show at SoFi Stadium. (Photo by Suzanne Cordeiro, AFP for Getty Images)

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift will play on six nights at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Some expect 420,000 concert-goers. To that end, LA Metro is operating all train lines until 2 a.m. and providing free shuttles from nearby train lines to SoFi, in an effort to get swifties to ride public transit during concert nights.. (Photo by Suzanne Cordeiro, AFP for Getty Images)

Singer Taylor Swift performs on stage in a concert at Wembley Stadium on June 22, 2018, in London. On the heels of a messy ticket roll out for Swift’s first tour in years, fans are angry; they’re also energized against Ticketmaster. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Some North American fans who plan to fly overseas for the Eras Tour said they justified the expense after noticing that tighter restrictions on ticket fees and resales in Europe made seeing Swift perform abroad no more costly — and potentially cheaper — than catching her closer to home.

“They said, ‘Wait a minute, I can either spend $1,500 to go see my favorite artist in Miami, or I can take that $1,500 and buy a concert ticket, a round-trip plane ticket, and three nights in a hotel room,’” said Melanie Fish, an Expedia spokesperson and travel expert.

RELATED: Vacations ‘Taylor’-made for Swifties

That was the experience of Jennifer Warren, 43, who lives in St. Catharines, a city in the Niagara region of Ontario. She and her 11-year-old son love Swift but had no luck scoring what she considered as decently priced tickets in the U.S. Undeterred, Warren and her husband decided to plan a European vacation around wherever she managed to get seats. It turned out to be Hamburg, Germany.

“You get out, you get to see the world, and you get to see your favorite artist or performer at the same time, so there are a lot of wins to it,” said Warren, who works as the director of research and innovation for a mutual insurance company.

The three VIP tickets she secured close to the stage — “I would call it brute-force dumb luck” — cost 600 euros ($646) each. Swift subsequently announced six November tour dates in Toronto, within driving distance of Warren’s home. “Absolute nose-bleed seats” already are going for 3,000 Canadian dollars ($2,194) on secondary resale sites like Viagogo, Warren said.

TOUR TOURISM: IS IT REALLY A THING?

Travel and entertainment analysts have spoken of a pent-up consumer demand for “experiences” over material objects since the coronavirus pandemic. Some think the willingness of music lovers to broaden their fandom horizons is part of the same mass cultural correction.

RELATED: Taylor Swift has built a publicity machine. A new college course is using it as a lesson on PR

“It does seem like it’s more than a structural shift, maybe a personality transformation we all went through,” said Natalia Lechmanova, the chief Europe economist for the Mastercard Economics Institute.

As Swift hopscotches across Europe, Lechmanova expects restaurants and hotels to see the same boost that Mastercard observed within a 2½-mile radius of concert venues in the U.S. cities she visited in 2023. The U.S. dollar’s strong value against the euro may also increase retail spending on apparel, memorabilia, beauty products and supplies for the friendship bracelets fans exchange as part of the Eras Tour experience, the economist said.

Former college roommates Lizzy Hale, 34, who lives in Los Angeles, and Mitch Goulding, 33, who lives in Austin, Texas, already had tickets to see the Eras Tour in L.A. last summer when they decided to try to get ones for Paris, London or Edinburgh, Scotland. They saw a Europe concert trip as a makeup for travel plans they had in May 2020 to celebrate Goulding’s birthday but had to cancel due to the pandemic.

Goulding managed to secure VIP tickets for one of Swift’s three Stockholm shows. He, Hale and two other friends scheduled a 10-day trip that also includes time in Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

“As people who enjoy traveling and enjoy music, if you can find an opportunity to combine the two, it’s really special,” Hale said.

FOR STOCKHOLM, 120,000 SWIFTIES CAN’T BE WRONG

In Stockholm, 120,000 out-of-towners from 130 countries — among them 10,000 from the U.S. — are expected to swarm Sweden’s capital this month, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Chief Economist Carl Bergqvist said. Stockholm is the only Scandinavian city on Swift’s tour, and airlines added extra flights from nearby Denmark, Finland and Norway to bring people to the May 17-19 shows, he said.

RELATED: ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ is one of the greatest concert films of all time

The city’s 40,000 hotel rooms are sold out even though prices skyrocketed for the tour dates, Bergqvist said. Concert visitors are expected to pump around 500 million Swedish kroner, or over $46 million, into the local economy over the course of their stays, an estimate that does not include what they paid for Swift tickets or to get to Sweden, he said.

Houston resident Caroline Matlock, 29, is making friendship bracelets and trying to learn a few words of Swedish as she prepares to see the 3½-hour show in Stockholm. Also on the itinerary: visiting the Scandinavian cities of Oslo and Gothenburg.

The concert is the last night of the trip and Matlock looks forward to interacting with Swifties from other countries: “Americans tend to have a very obsessive culture, especially Taylor Swift-related, so I’m curious if the crowd will be more toned-down.”

WILL TOUR TOURISM ENDURE AFTER ERAS?

It remains to be seen if the music tourism trend has legs as long and strong as Swift’s and Beyoncé’s, and if it will carry over to Billie Eilish, Usher and other artists with world tours scheduled next year. Expedia’s Fish thinks other big-name artists in Europe this summer will prove that booking a foreign trip around a concert is catching on.

RELATED: Swifties meet their neighbors and trade friendship bracelets on trip to concert

Kat Morga, a travel consultant based in Nashville, isn’t so sure. Morga saw Swift perform in Nashville last year and helped two clients with school-aged children book European family vacations this summer that include seeing Swift in concert. But she thinks the difficulty of navigating ticket purchases through language barriers, currency conversions, international banking regulations and the risk of cancellations will limit the appeal of regular gig getaways.

“I think this is an anomaly,” Morga said. “People aren’t typically going to build their $20,000 huge family vacation only because Taylor Swift is there. She’s the one-off. She’s special.”

Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel, whose company operates Booking.com, priceline.com, agoda.com, Kayak and OpenTable, is even less enthusiastic about concert tours as a tourism instigator. The Swift Effect causes a “little blip” when the superstar goes to smaller destinations, but for the worldwide travel industry, “one star touring around does not make a difference,” he said.

AP journalists Colleen Barry in Milan, Chisato Tanaka in Stockholm, Anne D’Innocenzio in New York, David Koenig in Dallas, Thomas Adamson in Paris and Brian Melley in London contributed reporting.

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A Plan to Remake the Middle East

While talks for a cease-fire between israel and hamas continue, another set of negotiations is happening behind the scenes..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From New York Times, I’m Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Today, if and when Israel and Hamas reach a deal for a ceasefire fire, the United States will immediately turn to a different set of negotiations over a grand diplomatic bargain that it believes could rebuild Gaza and remake the Middle East. My colleague Michael Crowley has been reporting on that plan and explains why those involved in it believe they have so little time left to get it done.

It’s Wednesday, May 8.

Michael, I want to start with what feels like a pretty dizzying set of developments in this conflict over the past few days. Just walk us through them?

Well, over the weekend, there was an intense round of negotiations in an effort, backed by the United States, to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

The latest ceasefire proposal would reportedly see as many as 33 Israeli hostages released in exchange for potentially hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

US officials were very eager to get this deal.

Pressure for a ceasefire has been building ahead of a threatened Israeli assault on Rafah.

Because Israel has been threatening a military offensive in the Southern Palestinian city of Rafah, where a huge number of people are crowded.

Fleeing the violence to the North. And now they’re packed into Rafah. Exposed and vulnerable, they need to be protected.

And the US says it would be a humanitarian catastrophe on top of the emergency that’s already underway.

Breaking news this hour — very important breaking news. An official Hamas source has told The BBC that it does accept a proposal for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.

And for a few hours on Monday, it looked like there might have been a major breakthrough when Hamas put out a statement saying that it had accepted a negotiating proposal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the ceasefire proposal does not meet his country’s requirements. But Netanyahu says he will send a delegation of mediators to continue those talks. Now, the terms —

But those hopes were dashed pretty quickly when the Israelis took a look at what Hamas was saying and said that it was not a proposal that they had agreed to. It had been modified.

And overnight —

Israeli troops stormed into Rafah. Video showing tanks crashing over a sign at the entrance of the city.

— the Israelis launched a partial invasion of Rafah.

It says Hamas used the area to launch a deadly attack on Israeli troops over the weekend.

And they have now secured a border crossing at the Southern end of Gaza and are conducting targeted strikes. This is not yet the full scale invasion that President Biden has adamantly warned Israel against undertaking, but it is an escalation by Israel.

So while all that drama might suggest that these talks are in big trouble, these talks are very much still alive and ongoing and there is still a possibility of a ceasefire deal.

And the reason that’s so important is not just to stop the fighting in Gaza and relieve the suffering there, but a ceasefire also opens the door to a grand diplomatic bargain, one that involves Israel and its Arab neighbors and the Palestinians, and would have very far-reaching implications.

And what is that grand bargain. Describe what you’re talking about?

Well, it’s incredibly ambitious. It would reshape Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors, principally Saudi Arabia. But it’s important to understand that this is a vision that has actually been around since well before October 7. This was a diplomatic project that President Biden had been investing in and negotiating actually in a very real and tangible way long before the Hamas attacks and the Gaza war.

And President Biden was looking to build on something that President Trump had done, which was a series of agreements that the Trump administration struck in which Israel and some of its Arab neighbors agreed to have normal diplomatic relations for the first time.

Right, they’re called the Abraham Accords.

That’s right. And, you know, Biden doesn’t like a lot of things, most things that Trump did. But he actually likes this, because the idea is that they contribute to stability and economic integration in the Middle East, the US likes Israel having friends and likes having a tight-knit alliance against Iran.

President Biden agrees with the Saudis and with the Israelis, that Iran is really the top threat to everybody here. So, how can you build on this? How can you expand it? Well, the next and biggest step would be normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

And the Saudis have made clear that they want to do this and that they’re ready to do this. They weren’t ready to do it in the Trump years. But Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, has made clear he wants to do it now.

So this kind of triangular deal began to take shape before October 7, in which the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia would enter this three way agreement in which everyone would get something that they wanted.

And just walk through what each side gets in this pre-October 7th version of these negotiations?

So for Israel, you get normalized ties with its most important Arab neighbor and really the country that sets the tone for the whole Muslim world, which is Saudi Arabia of course. It makes Israel feel safer and more secure. Again, it helps to build this alliance against Iran, which Israel considers its greatest threat, and it comes with benefits like economic ties and travel and tourism. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been very open, at least before October 7th, that this was his highest diplomatic and foreign policy priority.

For the Saudis, the rationale is similar when it comes to Israel. They think that it will bring stability. They like having a more explicitly close ally against Iran. There are economic and cultural benefits. Saudi Arabia is opening itself up in general, encouraging more tourism.

But I think that what’s most important to the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is what he can get from the United States. And what he has been asking for are a couple of essential things. One is a security agreement whose details have always been a little bit vague, but I think essentially come down to reliable arms supplies from the United States that are not going to be cut off or paused on a whim, as he felt happened when President Biden stopped arms deliveries in 2021 because of how Saudi was conducting its war in Yemen. The Saudis were furious about that.

Saudi Arabia also wants to start a domestic nuclear power program. They are planning for a very long-term future, possibly a post-oil future. And they need help getting a nuclear program off the ground.

And they want that from the US?

And they want that from the US.

Now, those are big asks from the us. But from the perspective of President Biden, there are some really enticing things about this possible agreement. One is that it will hopefully produce more stability in the region. Again, the US likes having a tight-knit alliance against Iran.

The US also wants to have a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia. You know, despite the anger at Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of the Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, the Biden administration recognizes that given the Saudis control over global oil production and their strategic importance in the Middle East, they need to have a good relationship with them. And the administration has been worried about the influence of China in the region and with the Saudis in particular.

So this is an opportunity for the US to draw the Saudis closer. Whatever our moral qualms might be about bin Salman and the Saudi government, this is an opportunity to bring the Saudis closer, which is something the Biden administration sees as a strategic benefit.

All three of these countries — big, disparate countries that normally don’t see eye-to-eye, this was a win-win-win on a military, economic, and strategic front.

That’s right. But there was one important actor in the region that did not see itself as winning, and that was the Palestinians.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

First, it’s important to understand that the Palestinians have always expected that the Arab countries in the Middle East would insist that Israel recognize a Palestinian state before those countries were willing to essentially make total peace and have normal relations with Israel.

So when the Abraham Accords happened in the Trump administration, the Palestinians felt like they’d been thrown under the bus because the Abraham Accords gave them virtually nothing. But the Palestinians did still hold out hope that Saudi Arabia would be their savior. And for years, Saudi Arabia has said that Israel must give the Palestinians a state if there’s going to be a normal relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Now the Palestinians see the Saudis in discussions with the US and Israel about a normalization agreement, and there appears to be very little on offer for the Palestinians. And they are feeling like they’re going to be left out in the cold here.

Right. And in the minds of the Palestinians, having already been essentially sold out by all their other Arab neighbors, the prospect that Saudi Arabia, of all countries, the most important Muslim Arab country in the region, would sell them out, had to be extremely painful.

It was a nightmare scenario for them. And in the minds of many analysts and US officials, this was a factor, one of many, in Hamas’s decision to stage the October 7th attacks.

Hamas, like other Palestinian leaders, was seeing the prospect that the Middle East was moving on and essentially, in their view, giving up on the Palestinian cause, and that Israel would be able to have friendly, normal relations with Arab countries around the region, and that it could continue with hardline policies toward the Palestinians and a refusal, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said publicly, to accept a Palestinian state.

Right. So Michael, once Hamas carries out the October 7th attacks in an effort to destroy a status quo that it thinks is leaving them less and less relevant, more and more hopeless, including potentially this prospect that Saudi Arabia is going to normalize relations with Israel, what happens to these pre-October 7th negotiations between the US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel?

Well, I think there was a snap assumption that these talks were dead and buried. That they couldn’t possibly survive a cataclysm like this.

But then something surprising happened. It became clear that all the parties were still determined to pull-off the normalization.

And most surprisingly of all, perhaps, was the continued eagerness of Saudi Arabia, which publicly was professing outrage over the Israeli response to the Hamas attacks, but privately was still very much engaged in these conversations and trying to move them forward.

And in fact, what has happened is that the scope of this effort has grown substantially. October 7th didn’t kill these talks. It actually made them bigger, more complicated, and some people would argue, more important than ever.

We’ll be right back.

Michael, walk us through what exactly happens to these three-way negotiations after October 7th that ends up making them, as you just said, more complicated and more important than ever?

Well, it’s more important than ever because of the incredible need in Gaza. And it’s going to take a deal like this and the approval of Saudi Arabia to unlock the kind of massive reconstruction project required to essentially rebuild Gaza from the rubble. Saudi Arabia and its Arab friends are also going to be instrumental in figuring out how Gaza is governed, and they might even provide troops to help secure it. None of those things are going to happen without a deal like this.

Fascinating.

But this is all much more complicated now because the price for a deal like this has gone up.

And by price, you mean?

What Israel would have to give up. [MUSIC PLAYING]

From Saudi Arabia’s perspective, you have an Arab population that is furious at Israel. It now feels like a really hard time to do a normalization deal with the Israelis. It was never going to be easy, but this is about as bad a time to do it as there has been in a generation at least. And I think that President Biden and the people around him understand that the status quo between Israel and the Palestinians is intolerable and it is going to lead to chaos and violence indefinitely.

So now you have two of the three parties to this agreement, the Saudis and the Americans, basically asking a new price after October 7th, and saying to the Israelis, if we’re going to do this deal, it has to not only do something for the Palestinians, it has to do something really big. You have to commit to the creation of a Palestinian state. Now, I’ll be specific and say that what you hear the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, say is that the agreement has to include an irreversible time-bound path to a Palestinian state.

We don’t know exactly what that looks like, but it’s some kind of a firm commitment, the likes of which the world and certainly the Israelis have not made before.

Something that was very much not present in the pre-October 7th vision of this negotiation. So much so that, as we just talked about, the Palestinians were left feeling completely out in the cold and furious at it.

That’s right. There was no sign that people were thinking that ambitiously about the Palestinians in this deal before October 7th. And the Palestinians certainly felt like they weren’t going to get much out of it. And that has completely changed now.

So, Michael, once this big new dimension after October 7th, which is the insistence by Saudi Arabia and the US that there be a Palestinian state or a path to a Palestinian state, what is the reaction specifically from Israel, which is, of course, the third major party to this entire conversation?

Well, Israel, or at least its political leadership, hates it. You know, this is just an extremely tough sell in Israel. It would have been a tough sell before October 7th. It’s even harder now.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is completely unrepentantly open in saying that there’s not going to be a Palestinian state on his watch. He won’t accept it. He says that it’s a strategic risk to his country. He says that it would, in effect, reward Hamas.

His argument is that terrorism has forced a conversation about statehood onto the table that wasn’t there before October 7th. Sure, it’s always in the background. It’s a perennial issue in global affairs, but it was not something certainly that the US and Israel’s Arab neighbors were actively pushing. Netanyahu also has — you know, he governs with the support of very right-wing members of a political coalition that he has cobbled together. And that coalition is quite likely to fall apart if he does embrace a Palestinian state or a path to a Palestinian state.

Now, he might be able to cobble together some sort of alternative, but it creates a political crisis for him.

And finally, you know, I think in any conversation about Israel, it’s worth bearing in mind something you hear from senior US officials these days, which is that although there is often finger pointing at Netanyahu and a desire to blame Netanyahu as this obstructionist who won’t agree to deals, what they say is Netanyahu is largely reflecting his population and the political establishment of his country, not just the right-wingers in his coalition who are clearly extremist.

But actually the prevailing views of the Israeli public. And the Israeli public and their political leaders across the spectrum right now with few exceptions, are not interested in talking about a Palestinian state when there are still dozens and dozens of Israeli hostages in tunnels beneath Gaza.

So it very much looks like this giant agreement that once seemed doable before October 7th might be more important to everyone involved than ever, given that it’s a plan for rebuilding Gaza and potentially preventing future October 7th’s from happening, but because of this higher price that Israel would have to pay, which is the acceptance of a Palestinian state, it seems from everything you’re saying, that this is more and more out of reach than ever before and hard to imagine happening in the immediate future. So if the people negotiating it are being honest, Michael, are they ready to acknowledge that it doesn’t look like this is going to happen?

Well, not quite yet. As time goes by, they certainly say it’s getting harder and harder, but they’re still trying, and they still think there’s a chance. But both the Saudis and the Biden administration understand that there’s very little time left to do this.

Well, what do you mean there’s very little time left? It would seem like time might benefit this negotiation in that it might give Israel distance from October 7th to think potentially differently about a Palestinian state?

Potentially. But Saudi Arabia wants to get this deal done in the Biden administration because Mohammed bin Salman has concluded this has to be done under a Democratic president.

Because Democrats in Congress are going to be very reluctant to approve a security agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

It’s important to understand that if there is a security agreement, that’s something Congress is going to have to approve. And you’re just not going to get enough Democrats in Congress to support a deal with Saudi Arabia, who a lot of Democrats don’t like to begin with, because they see them as human rights abusers.

But if a Democratic president is asking them to do it, they’re much more likely to go along.

Right. So Saudi Arabia fears that if Biden loses and Trump is president, that those same Democrats would balk at this deal in a way that they wouldn’t if it were being negotiated under President Biden?

Exactly. Now, from President Biden’s perspective, politically, think about a president who’s running for re-election, who is presiding right now over chaos in the Middle East, who doesn’t seem to have good answers for the Israeli-Palestinian question, this is an opportunity for President Biden to deliver what could be at least what he would present as a diplomatic masterstroke that does multiple things at once, including creating a new pathway for Israel and the Palestinians to coexist, to break through the logjam, even as he is also improving Israel’s relations with Saudi Arabia.

So Biden and the Crown Prince hope that they can somehow persuade Bibi Netanyahu that in spite of all the reasons that he thinks this is a terrible idea, that this is a bet worth taking on Israel’s and the region’s long-term security and future?

That’s right. Now, no one has explained very clearly exactly how this is going to work, and it’s probably going to require artful diplomacy, possibly even a scenario where the Israelis would agree to something that maybe means one thing to them and means something else to other people. But Biden officials refuse to say that it’s hopeless and they refuse to essentially take Netanyahu’s preliminary no’s for an answer. And they still see some way that they can thread this incredibly narrow needle.

Michael, I’m curious about a constituency that we haven’t been talking about because they’re not at the table in these discussions that we are talking about here. And that would be Hamas. How does Hamas feel about the prospect of such a deal like this ever taking shape. Do they see it as any kind of a victory and vindication for what they did on October 7th?

So it’s hard to know exactly what Hamas’s leadership is thinking. I think they can feel two things. I think they can feel on the one hand, that they have established themselves as the champions of the Palestinian people who struck a blow against Israel and against a diplomatic process that was potentially going to leave the Palestinians out in the cold.

At the same time, Hamas has no interest in the kind of two-state solution that the US is trying to promote. They think Israel should be destroyed. They think the Palestinian state should cover the entire geography of what is now Israel, and they want to lead a state like that. And that’s not something that the US, Saudi Arabia, or anyone else is going to tolerate.

So what Hamas wants is to fight, to be the leader of the Palestinian people, and to destroy Israel. And they’re not interested in any sort of a peace process or statehood process.

It seems very clear from everything you’ve said here that neither Israel nor Hamas is ready to have the conversation about a grand bargain diplomatic program. And I wonder if that inevitably has any bearing on the ceasefire negotiations that are going on right now between the two of them that are supposed to bring this conflict to some sort of an end, even if it’s just temporary?

Because if, as you said, Michael, a ceasefire opens the door to this larger diplomatic solution, and these two players don’t necessarily want that larger diplomatic solution, doesn’t that inevitably impact their enthusiasm for even reaching a ceasefire?

Well, it certainly doesn’t help. You know, this is such a hellish problem. And of course, you first have the question of whether Israel and Hamas can make a deal on these immediate issues, including the hostages, Palestinian prisoners, and what the Israeli military is going to do, how long a ceasefire might last.

But on top of that, you have these much bigger diplomatic questions that are looming over them. And it’s not clear that either side is ready to turn and face those bigger questions.

So while for the Biden administration and for Saudi Arabia, this is a way out of this crisis, these larger diplomatic solutions, it’s not clear that it’s a conversation that the two parties that are actually at war here are prepared to start having.

Well, Michael, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

On Tuesday afternoon, under intense pressure from the US, delegations from Israel and Hamas arrived in Cairo to resume negotiations over a potential ceasefire. But in a statement, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that even with the talks underway, his government would, quote, “continue to wage war against Hamas.”

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That prompted lawyers for Trump to seek a mistrial based on what they called prejudicial testimony. But the judge in the case rejected that request. And,

We’ve seen a ferocious surge of anti-Semitism in America and around the world.

In a speech on Tuesday honoring victims of the Holocaust, President Biden condemned what he said was the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in the United States after the October 7th attacks on Israel. And he expressed worry that too many Americans were already forgetting the horrors of that attack.

The Jewish community, I want you to know I see your fear, your hurt, and your pain. Let me reassure you, as your president, you’re not alone. You belong. You always have and you always will.

Today’s episode was produced by Nina Feldman, Clare Toeniskoetter, and Rikki Novetsky. It was edited by Liz O. Baylen, contains original music by Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Dan Powell, and was engineered by Alyssa Moxley. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for The Daily. I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

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Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Michael Crowley

Produced by Nina Feldman ,  Clare Toeniskoetter and Rikki Novetsky

Edited by Liz O. Baylen

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Elisheba Ittoop and Dan Powell

Engineered by Alyssa Moxley

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If and when Israel and Hamas reach a deal for a cease-fire, the United States will immediately turn to a different set of negotiations over a grand diplomatic bargain that it believes could rebuild Gaza and remake the Middle East.

Michael Crowley, who covers the State Department and U.S. foreign policy for The Times, explains why those involved in this plan believe they have so little time left to get it done.

On today’s episode

Michael Crowley , a reporter covering the State Department and U.S. foreign policy for The New York Times.

Background reading :

Talks on a cease-fire in the Gaza war are once again at an uncertain stage .

Here’s how the push for a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia looked before Oct. 7 .

From early in the war, President Biden has said that a lasting resolution requires a “real” Palestinian state .

Here’s what Israeli officials are discussing about postwar Gaza.

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The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Michael Crowley covers the State Department and U.S. foreign policy for The Times. He has reported from nearly three dozen countries and often travels with the secretary of state. More about Michael Crowley

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