Nassau: Buggy Tour New Providence, Queen’s Staircase & Local Tastes

Buggy rides Nassau with stops for guava duff and rum cake

You’ll drive your own buggy through Nassau with a local guide leading by headset, climb the Queen’s Staircase, taste fresh guava duff at The New Duff bakery, sample rum cake straight from the factory, and wander food stalls at Arawak Cay—all with pickup included. Expect laughter, unexpected moments, and flavors that linger long after you’re back home.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Nassau, bottled water kept cold in a cooler throughout your ride, use of your own buggy (with fuel covered), guided stops at historic sites like Queen's Staircase and John Watling Distillery, samples of local treats such as guava duff and rum cake along the way—and time at Arawak Cay to try Bahamian food before heading back.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Buggy tour with local stops

• Begin tour and visit Queen's Staircase
• Tour John Watling Distillery
• Visit Graycliff Hotel cigar, wine, chocolate factory
• Stop at The New Duff for guava duff tasting
• Explore Arawak Cay and try local cuisine
• Final stop at Bahamas Rum Cake Factory tasting

The Experience

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about driving a buggy through Nassau at first. The guy handing out headsets—Kenny, I think—grinned when he saw me fumbling with the Bluetooth. “Don’t worry,” he said, “just keep left and follow my voice.” The headset actually made it easier to relax; his running commentary was half history lesson, half stand-up routine. We zipped off with the salty air in our faces and the radio playing something local and loud. I still remember how the steering wheel felt kind of sticky from sunscreen, which sounds weird but somehow made it feel real.

Our first stop was the Queen’s Staircase. I’d seen photos but standing at the bottom looking up those 66 steps—it hit different. There was this cool hush in the stone corridor, and someone had left hibiscus petals scattered on one of the steps. Kenny told us about enslaved people carving it out by hand; he paused for a second before moving on, and that silence stuck with me longer than any fact. After that we rolled over to John Watling’s Distillery where you could smell sugarcane even before you got out—sweet and sharp. I tried their rum (just a sip), and Li laughed when I tried to say “thank you” in Bahamian dialect—probably butchered it.

The buggy tour kept moving—Graycliff Hotel next for chocolate that melted almost instantly in my hand (should’ve eaten it faster), then The New Duff for guava duff. Honestly? I didn’t know what to expect from a Bahamian dessert named after fruit and clouds. It’s warm, soft, kind of tangy-sweet; I can still taste it if I close my eyes. You get maybe fifteen minutes there but it’s enough to see locals popping in for their own boxes—felt like we were let in on something.

We finished up at Arawak Cay where you could grab conch fritters or whatever else called your name. Some people wandered off to try fish fry stalls while others just stood around talking with our guide about old Junkanoo parades. Last stop was Bahamas Rum Cake Factory—tiny place but packed with buttery smells—and then back in the buggies again, dust on our shoes and sunburn starting to tingle behind my ears. Not everything went smoothly (I nearly missed a turn because I was distracted by a goat on someone’s porch), but honestly that’s what made it feel like more than just another day trip around Nassau.

Top questions

How long is the buggy tour of New Providence?

The buggy tour lasts approximately 3 hours from start to finish.

Is hotel pickup included for this Nassau buggy tour?

Yes, pickup service is included as part of your booking.

What age do you need to be to drive your own buggy?

You must be at least 25 years old and show a valid driver’s license to drive.

What are some stops on this Nassau buggy tour?

The tour includes Queen’s Staircase, John Watling Distillery, Graycliff Hotel (chocolate/cigar/wine), The New Duff bakery, Arawak Cay, and Bahamas Rum Cake Factory.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

Bottled water is provided throughout the tour along with samples of local desserts like guava duff and rum cake.

Can infants join this buggy tour?

Infants can join; specialized infant seats are available and infants must sit on an adult's lap if needed.

Is this Nassau day trip suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.