Zakynthos: Yotomu Horse Riding and Swimming Experience

The unusual part of this Zakynthos outing is not simply riding through the countryside. It is reaching a small beach near Amoudi and entering the Ionian Sea with your horse. I like that the route also passes through old olive groves and quiet rural paths, giving you a slower, greener view of Zante than you get from the main coastal roads.

I also like the small groups, limited to six people, and the family-run feel of Yiannis’s stable. The horses are described as calm and well mannered, and the guide adjusts the ride for different riding levels. The main consideration is safety: one rider reported rough, hole-filled ground and no riding helmets, so you should ask about protective equipment and your assigned horse before setting off.

Key points to know before you book

• The three-hour Ride and Swim reaches a secluded beach near Amoudi, with about 25 minutes set aside for swimming with the horses.
• The shorter Wild Nature rides cross vineyards and old olive groves, then climb toward hilltop viewpoints with wide views toward the sea and Kefalonia.
• Yiannis’s farm keeps groups small, with no more than six participants and English or Greek instruction.
• The ride suits beginners, but the ground can be rocky and uneven, and one rider reported receiving a more nervous horse.
• The meeting point is in Kato Gerakari, and you must arrange your own transport to Yannis Horses Farm.
• Age and ability rules need careful checking, since the details exclude young children, pregnant people, people with back problems, non-swimmers, and older participants.

What this Zakynthos horse ride is really like

Yannis Horses Farm sits in Kato Gerakari, away from the busiest beach resorts. This matters because the experience begins in rural Zakynthos, not at a polished tourist marina or a crowded waterfront. After a short welcome and safety briefing, you mount up and leave the farm by local paths.

The setting changes with the route. You might pass vineyards, old olive trees, and pine-covered stretches of countryside. The two-hour Wild Nature option is designed around the inland scenery, with a climb toward viewpoints where you can take pictures across the island and out toward the sea. One rider also had a view toward Kefalonia from the hills behind the farm.

I like this part of the outing because riding gives you time to notice small changes in the countryside. A car moves too quickly, while walking covers less ground. On horseback, you travel at a quiet pace and stay close to the trees, fields, and uneven paths.

The guides speak English and Greek. Yiannis is closely involved with the horses and the running of the farm, and one visitor was invited to see more of the property after the ride. That personal touch may appeal to you if you want a family-run activity rather than a large commercial operation.

Still, keep your expectations practical. This is a guided trail ride, not a private riding lesson or a fast equestrian workout. The pace is likely to suit beginners, and the available details specifically present it as suitable for different abilities. Experienced riders should not book it expecting advanced schooling, jumping, or long stretches of cantering.

Choosing between the one-hour, two-hour, and swim routes

There are three main ways to book the experience, and they offer noticeably different days out.

The one-hour Wild Nature ride runs in two shifts, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. or from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. You meet at the farm 20 minutes before the selected departure. The route crosses vineyards and centuries-old olive groves, then climbs a hill to panoramic viewpoints.

This is the easiest option to fit around a day at the beach or a dinner reservation. It also limits the time you spend in the saddle, which may be wise if you are a first-time rider or you are unsure how your back and legs will feel. The trade-off is simple: you get the countryside, but not the beach or horse swimming.

The two-hour Wild Nature ride starts at 6:00 p.m. and follows a longer inland route. The information provided sets a minimum age of eight for this option and excludes older people, people with disabilities, and anyone over 95 kilograms. Since the general rules also exclude children under 9 and people over 70, you should confirm the exact conditions for your selected departure before paying.

The three-hour Ride and Swim starts with a meeting time of 8:40 a.m. at the farm. After the briefing, you ride from 9:00 to 10:00 through the surrounding countryside toward a small, secluded beach near Amoudi. From 10:00 to 11:00, the group rides on the beach and swims with the horses. The final hour brings you back to the farm.

This is the most distinctive option. A normal trail ride can be pleasant, but horse swimming gives the outing a clear sense of occasion. The swimming stop lasts about 25 minutes, according to the included details, so expect a short, focused water experience rather than an entire hour spent swimming.

The stated timeline gives one hour for the beach portion, but the included benefit specifies a 25-minute swimming stop. I would read this as time at or around the beach, with only part of it spent in the water. If swimming is the main reason you are booking, ask the operator exactly how the beach hour is divided.

The beach swim near Amoudi

The Ride and Swim route is the choice for a memorable photograph and a very different kind of island activity. You ride to a quiet beach near Amoudi, then enter the clear Ionian water with the horses.

You need to be comfortable around animals and in the sea. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, and swimming with horses is included only in Tour 1. Bring swimwear and comfortable clothes, and expect to get wet. Food and drinks are not included, so plan those separately.

The swim also brings practical limits. You should not treat this as a free swim in open water. Follow the guide’s instructions, stay with the group, and be honest about your swimming ability. Pregnant people, people with back problems, people with diabetes, and people with animal allergies are excluded from the activity details.

The beach is described as small and secluded, which is part of its appeal. It should feel more peaceful than a major resort beach, but you should not expect a full beach day with facilities, loungers, or refreshments. The value is in the unusual access and the bond between horse and rider, not in comfort at the shore.

Horses, guides, and the feel of the farm

The stable is family-run, and the staff provide the horses and basic equipment for the ride. The horses are described as trained and generally well mannered. One rider found the animals particularly calm and felt the outing worked well for beginners.

That does not mean every horse will behave identically. One rider was assigned a more nervous horse and had several frightening moments. Another raised concerns about the horses’ condition, describing them as quite thin. These are important points to take seriously, even though other visitors described the care at the farm in warm terms.

Before you mount, ask which horse you will ride and tell the guide your real level of experience. If you have never ridden before, say so plainly. If you ride often, explain what you are comfortable doing. The small group size should make it easier for the guide to match people and horses sensibly.

The English instruction may be enough for basic guidance, but one person found there was a clear language barrier. You should make sure you understand the instructions about stopping, turning, spacing, and the beach swim before leaving the farm. If something is unclear, ask the guide to demonstrate rather than relying on a quick verbal explanation.

Trail conditions and safety questions

The inland routes are scenic, but they are not described as smooth riding tracks. One account specifically noted rocky ground with holes. That kind of surface can make a pleasant ride feel tiring, especially for anyone who has not spent time in a saddle.

I would wear closed shoes with a firm sole, comfortable trousers, and clothing that can handle dust, sweat, or water. The required information asks you to bring swimwear and comfortable clothes. Smoking is not allowed.

The most important safety concern is head protection. One rider reported that no riding helmets were provided. The supplied information says friendly staff and equipment are included, but it does not clearly state that helmets are available. Ask in advance if helmets are supplied, and consider your own comfort level before booking.

The activity is presented as suitable for many ages and abilities, but the exclusions are strict enough that you should read them carefully. Children under 9 are not accepted in the general information, while another route gives a minimum age of 8. People over 70, pregnant people, people with back problems, non-swimmers, people with diabetes, and people with animal allergies are listed as unsuitable. The two-hour option also includes its own limits.

Those rules may feel confusing, but they are better treated as a prompt to confirm your specific tour. Age limits can differ by route, and riding plus swimming places more demands on your balance and body than a short stable visit.

Is $58 a fair price?

At $58 per person, the cost is reasonable if you choose the full three-hour Ride and Swim option. You are paying for a small-group outing, a guide, the horse, the riding time, and the beach swim. The limit of six participants gives the guide a better chance to pay attention to each rider than a large stable group would.

The price is less compelling if you choose only the one-hour nature ride and are mainly looking for a basic horseback outing. In that case, the value depends on how much you care about the rural setting and the small group. The old olive groves, vineyards, and hill views give the ride more character than a short circuit around a farm, but you still need to arrange transport and buy your own food and drinks.

The three-hour schedule is not necessarily three hours of constant riding. It includes the swim and time at the beach, plus the briefing and return ride. That is not a problem, but you should understand what you are buying. One person on the two-hour route felt the actual ride was closer to one hour and 20 or 30 minutes, so ask how the operator measures ride time if getting the full duration is important to you.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Zakynthos plans are still moving, but the stable has a limited number of horses. Booking early is sensible during busy periods.

Getting to Kato Gerakari

There is no transport included. You must reach Yannis Horses Farm on an unnamed road in Kato Gerakari, Zakynthos, under the listed postcode 291 00.

Because the meeting point is not at a major resort, allow extra time to find the farm. The general instruction says to arrive 30 minutes early, while the specific Ride and Swim schedule gives an 8:40 meeting for a 9:00 departure. For the nature rides, arrive 20 minutes before the one-hour shift, and arrive 15 minutes early for the two-hour option.

I would follow the most cautious instruction and arrive 30 minutes early. You need time to park, find the stable, complete the welcome, and ask any safety questions before mounting. A late arrival could cut into the ride or disrupt a small group.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the experience to:

• Couples looking for a quiet countryside activity with a memorable swimming option
• Families with children who meet the age rules and are comfortable around horses
• Solo visitors who prefer a small group and personal guidance
• Beginners who want a gentle introduction to trail riding
• Nature lovers who would rather see olive groves and rural paths than spend another day on a crowded beach

I would be more cautious if you have back problems, limited swimming ability, strong animal allergies, or little confidence on uneven ground. I would also think twice if you expect professional safety gear, polished facilities, or a highly structured equestrian lesson.

The ride seems best for someone who values setting and personal contact over luxury. You are going to a family stable in the countryside, not a resort attraction with every detail standardized. That can make the outing feel more personal, but it also means you should ask direct questions and stay alert to your own comfort.

My verdict on the Yotomu horse ride

Book the three-hour Ride and Swim if you want Zakynthos memories that go beyond sunbathing and boat trips. The route through the olive groves is appealing on its own, while the quiet beach and horse swim give Tour 1 a clear reason to choose it over the shorter rides.

For the best experience, confirm the age rules, helmet availability, actual riding time, and how the beach stop works. Tell Yiannis or the guide about your riding level, arrive early, wear practical clothes, and do not book if you are not a confident swimmer or have one of the listed medical restrictions.

I would choose this outing for its small group, rural setting, and unusual water stop. I would not choose it blindly. The uneven ground, reported language barrier, mixed comments about safety equipment, and varying route restrictions mean that a quick check with the stable is part of making a sensible booking.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding tour meet?

The meeting point is Yannis Horses Farm on an unnamed road in Kato Gerakari, Zakynthos, Greece.

How long does the activity last?

You can choose a one-hour, two-hour, or three-hour option. The one-hour nature ride has evening departures, while the three-hour Ride and Swim begins in the morning.

Does every tour include swimming with the horses?

No. Swimming with the horses is included only in the three-hour Ride and Swim option, which has a 25-minute swimming stop.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and comfortable clothes. Food and drinks are not included.

Is transportation to the farm included?

No. You must make your own way to Yannis Horses Farm in Kato Gerakari.

What languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in English and Greek.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 9, pregnant women, people with back problems, non-swimmers, people with diabetes, people with animal allergies, or people over 70. The two-hour option also has a minimum age of 8 and excludes people with disabilities and anyone over 95 kilograms, so confirm the rules for your chosen route.