Carriage tours in Nassau

[Kimsnsc]

Thinking of taking a carriage tour. I read it was $10 a person and first come first serve. Anyone know if they stop and left you take photos at certain places?

[sunsetswizzle]

The carriage tours are a great way to see Nassau and not have to walk around. Ask for Omar and his horse Ginger! He is so nice and knows so much about Nassau and he will stop or slow down for you to get pics. Ask for him and don't let them tell you he's not there, he is usually and he may be taking someone on a tour, wait for him- he's the best! If you need to tell him a couple from NC told you to ask for him - he will know!

[Kimsnsc]

Great! Thank you! Where are com SC, Charlotte border

[tjmcdona]

Is it in the port area?

[TechLord]

The carriage tours are a great way to see Nassau and not have to walk around. Ask for Omar and his horse Ginger! He is so nice and knows so much about Nassau and he will stop or slow down for you to get pics. Ask for him and don't let them tell you he's not there, he is usually and he may be taking someone on a tour, wait for him- he's the best! If you need to tell him a couple from NC told you to ask for him - he will know!

 

Please don't take the surrey rides (horse drawn carriage rides). I am an ex-pat that has moved to Nassau, and the cruelty of the carriage business is beyond measure. The Bahamas Humane Society and the SPCA has been trying to close down the industry for years. The horses are mal-nourished and ill treated. In September a horse just fell over and died in the streets. Three weeks ago, a car hit a horse and injured it. It had a huge gash in its chest and it was put back in the lineup immediately without attention.

 

I can provide links showing the dead surrey horses in the street (but you really don't want to see them) and the injured horses. There are rules about giving rides during the heat of the day, but these are ignored because the drivers are poor and really need the money. The streets (Bay Street, Shirley Street etc) are very very busy and it can be dangerous as well.

 

There is a heavy stamp tax and duty on grain, hay and feed and consequently many of the carriage owners cannot afford to properly care for the horses. The government realizes that there is a problem, however with 20% endemic unemployment, it is a revenue stream that they cannot close down.

 

Instead of the horse rides, if you really want a treat while visiting, go to Ardastra Gardens and watch the Flamingo Ballet. Or take a boat tour to Rose Island to Sandy Toes (an island getaway and rustic bar with great snorkeling) and get a genuine Robinson Crusoe experience (or more like a deserted Island Jimmy Buffet holiday in Margaritaville). From the cruise port, take a water taxi across the harbor ($4) and catch the Sandy Toes tour boat to Rose Island -- several miles off Nassau -- and really get a taste of tropical island life.