Stone Island HorseBack Riding On the Beach

The best part of this Mazatlan outing is the simple switch from boat to horse. You cross the Mazatlan passage by catamaran, ride for an hour on Stone Island beach, then have time to cool off or order lunch at the Beach Club. I like the small maximum group of 15 and the fact that your shaded table and chairs are waiting when you arrive. I also like that water, beer, soft drinks, chips, salsa, and a Beach Club drink are included.

The main thing to weigh is the price, $99 per person, since lunch and optional activities cost extra. The horse ride is one hour of a roughly three-hour outing, so this is not a full-day ranch visit or a long riding expedition. It is a compact beach day with horseback riding added.

Key points at a glance

• One hour on horseback: The central activity takes place along Stone Island beach and suits first-time riders as well as experienced riders.
• A short catamaran crossing: The boat ride across the Mazatlan passage lasts about 10 minutes and is part of the round-trip transport.
• A ready-made beach base: You get a table, chairs, shade, chips, salsa, and a beverage at the Beach Club.
• Family-friendly saddle option: Children can use a booster seat saddle attached to the main saddle.
• Extra beach time: Swimming, boogie boarding, and banana boat rides are available, though some activities and food cost extra.
• Useful for cruise passengers: Pickup and drop-off times are adjusted around the ship schedule, with a specific terminal meeting point.

What the $99 price really buys you

At $99, this experience is priced as an organized shore outing rather than a stand-alone horseback ride. Your fee covers transport from the pickup area, the catamaran crossing, the horse ride, guides, a beach table with shade, and several refreshments. That matters in Mazatlan, where arranging each part separately would take time and create more chances for delays.

The included drinks are bottled water, beer, and soft drinks, along with chips, salsa, and one beverage at the Beach Club. This is useful on a warm beach morning, though it is not the same as an included meal. You should bring money for food from the on-site menu and for optional activities such as banana boat rides.

I see the value most clearly if you want several small experiences in one outing. You get a boat ride, a horse ride, and unstructured beach time without needing to plan the connections yourself. If your only goal is to ride for several hours, the price may feel high for one hour in the saddle.

The group limit of 15 is another point in the tour’s favor. It is not a private ride, but a group this size should be easier to manage than a large shore excursion. The exact feel will depend on the day’s bookings and the number of people riding at once.

Pickup through Mazatlan’s hotel zones

Pickup begins at 9:00 am, with the route arranged around the hotels booked that day. The vehicle may start near Camaron-Sabalo Avenue, continue through the Golden Zone, stop along the Malecon, and finish at hotels on Olas Altas Avenue.

That route is practical, but it also means pickup timing can vary. You should be ready at the time given for your hotel rather than assuming the vehicle will arrive at precisely 9:00 am. The order depends on where the morning’s riders are staying.

For cruise passengers, the meeting point is inside the terminal at the Green Bar, before the gazebo. After leaving the building, look for the first umbrella. Pickup and return times are set to fit the ship’s schedule, and the final details are sent the evening before the outing after the operator receives the ship information.

This is a useful arrangement for a short port call, but you still need to pay close attention to the instructions sent before arrival. A shore excursion has less room for delay than a hotel-based day trip. Keep your phone available and arrive at the stated meeting point early.

The 10-minute catamaran ride to Stone Island

From the pier, you board a catamaran or panga boat for the crossing to Stone Island, also called Isla de las Piedras. The sailing lasts about 10 minutes, so it is best viewed as a pleasant transfer rather than a separate cruise.

That short crossing gives the outing a better sense of place. You are not simply being driven to a beach club. You leave the city side, cross the Mazatlan passage, and arrive at an island pier before continuing inland.

Boat type can be a catamaran or panga, so the ride may vary. The supplied details describe the transport as private, but do not promise a particular vessel for every departure. If you have concerns about boats, ask the operator for current details before booking.

At Stone Island pier, a Flintstones-themed shuttle carries you about five minutes to the Beach Club. It is a quick transfer, but it keeps the walking to a minimum and connects the pier with the beach base.

Arriving at the Stone Island Beach Club

The Beach Club is your base for the day. A reserved table and chairs are set up for your group, with a shaded area nearby. That small detail is worth noticing because it gives you a clear place to leave your belongings and return between activities.

You also receive chips, salsa, and a beverage. Bottled water, beer, and soft drinks are included, which helps you stay refreshed without paying for every drink. The included food is a snack, not lunch, so plan to purchase a meal if you expect to eat during the three-hour visit.

The Beach Club setting also makes this outing easier for mixed groups. One person can ride while another relaxes at the table. Children can spend time near the beach, and riders can return to shade after the horse portion. The tour does not force everyone into the same activity for the whole morning.

The tradeoff is that optional food and beach activities are on your own account. Bring cash or another accepted payment method, though the information provided does not specify which payment forms the Beach Club accepts.

One hour of horseback riding on the beach

The horseback ride lasts one hour, making it long enough to feel like the main event without taking the entire morning. The ride is designed for people with different levels of experience, including those who have never ridden before.

The horses are described as well-trained, and the operation is family-run. The guides provide direction during the ride, so you do not need previous riding experience to take part. Even so, riding comfort varies from person to person. A one-hour ride can feel like plenty if you are new to horses.

Children can ride with a booster seat saddle attached to the main saddle. This is a useful family feature, but the supplied information does not give a minimum age, height, weight limit, or other child restrictions. If you are booking for a young child, confirm those points directly before paying.

Do not expect an advanced riding lesson or a long route through open country. The appeal is the setting: you are on horseback near the beach on Stone Island, with the ride forming one part of a broader beach outing. That makes it a good choice for a first taste of riding, a family activity, or a relaxed shore excursion.

The exact route and pace are not specified. Conditions on the beach, the group’s experience, and the horses assigned that day may shape the ride. You should follow the guide’s instructions and wear clothes that can handle sand and sea spray.

Swimming, boogie boarding, and banana boats

After the ride, you have access to additional beach activities, including swimming, boogie boarding, and banana boat rides. These options give the morning a flexible rhythm. You can spend more time in the water, sit in the shade, or order food instead of rushing from one scheduled stop to another.

The important distinction is that these activities are not listed as included. The horseback ride, transportation, drinks, snack, table, chairs, and shade are covered, but food and optional beach activities are extra.

Swimming is likely the simplest way to use the free time, but no details are provided about lifeguards, changing rooms, lockers, or water conditions. Use normal beach judgment and ask the on-site staff about current conditions.

Boogie boarding and banana boat rides add energy for families and groups of friends. They may not suit someone who wants a quiet morning, but you can choose how active you want to be. The tour does not require you to take part in every option.

How the morning fits together

The schedule is built around movement in short stages:

• Hotel or cruise terminal pickup
• Transfer to the pier
• About 10 minutes by catamaran or panga boat
• About five minutes by shuttle to the Beach Club
• One hour of horseback riding
• Beach time, drinks, snacks, swimming, and optional activities
• Return by shuttle, boat, and vehicle

The full experience lasts about three hours. Since the ride and boat crossing take only part of that time, you should think of this as a half-day-style shore activity with free beach time, not a tightly packed sightseeing tour.

I like this pace for a port visit. You get a clear main activity, but there is still room to rest. The downside is that the outing may feel short if you want a long beach stay or several hours on horseback.

Who will get the most from this outing

This tour fits you well if you want:

• A first horseback ride in a beach setting
• A family outing with a child saddle option
• A short water crossing added to a land activity
• A reserved shaded place to relax
• A small group rather than a large bus tour
• Flexible time for swimming or other beach activities
• A shore excursion with pickup and return arranged around a cruise schedule

It is less suitable if you want a serious riding program, a private horse and guide, a full meal included, or a full day on Stone Island. It may also disappoint you if you prefer a fully scheduled sightseeing tour, since much of the Beach Club time is yours to use.

The experience is offered in English. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The available information does not provide specific details about wheelchair access, weight limits, riding restrictions, or medical requirements, so ask before booking if any of those points affect you.

Practical details to handle before you go

Confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available until at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

The outing depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Wear clothes suitable for horseback riding and beach time. The supplied details do not list a required dress code, but you should expect sand, sun, and water. Bring money for lunch and optional activities, and keep the pickup instructions close at hand.

The tour is generally booked about 15 days ahead. That is not a rule, but it is a sensible reason to reserve early if your cruise date or hotel stay is fixed.

My call: book it for a mixed beach morning

I would book this if you want a straightforward Stone Island outing that combines a one-hour beach ride with a boat crossing and relaxed Beach Club time. The included drinks, snack, shade, and reserved table add real convenience, while the small group limit makes the morning easier to manage.

I would skip it if you want the horse ride to fill most of the day or if you expect lunch and all water activities to be included in the $99 price. For families, first-time riders, and cruise passengers who want a little of several Mazatlan experiences, it is a sensible choice. Just budget extra for food and optional activities, confirm child riding rules if needed, and watch the pickup instructions carefully.

FAQ

How long does the Stone Island horseback riding experience last?

The outing lasts approximately three hours. The horseback ride itself lasts one hour, with the remaining time used for transportation and Beach Club activities.

What is included in the price?

The price includes one hour of horseback riding, round-trip transportation, guides, bottled water, beer, soft drinks, chips and salsa, one Beach Club beverage, a table, chairs, shaded beach space, and the boat crossing.

Is lunch included?

No. Food from the on-site menu is available for an additional cost.

Are other beach activities included?

Swimming, boogie boarding, and banana boat rides are available, but the supplied details do not list them as included in the price.

Can children ride the horses?

Children can use a booster seat saddle attached to the main saddle. No minimum age, height, or weight requirements are provided, so confirm those details before booking.

Where do cruise passengers meet the tour?

Cruise passengers meet at the Green Bar inside the terminal, before the gazebo. After leaving the building, look for the first umbrella.

Is transportation to Stone Island included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation and the boat crossing are included. The boat ride takes about 10 minutes, followed by about five minutes on a shuttle to the Beach Club.

What happens if the weather is poor or the minimum group size is not met?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the experience, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.