Stone Island HorseBack Riding On the Beach

Stone Island Horseback Riding puts the main event right where you want it: on the beach, with the Pacific beside you and sand under the horses’ hooves. The outing also includes a short catamaran ride, a beach club table, chips and salsa, drinks, and time for swimming or other beach activities.

I like the one-hour riding period, which gives you more than a quick photo stop, and the small maximum group of 15. The booster saddle for children is another useful touch. The main drawback is that the $99 price does not include lunch, banana boat rides, or other paid beach activities, so your final cost can rise.

Key points to know before booking

• A full hour on horseback: Riding is the central activity, not a short add-on.
• A 10-minute catamaran crossing: You reach Stone Island by boat before taking a short shuttle to the beach club.
• A set beach base: Your table, chairs, and shaded area are arranged for you.
• Drinks are included: Bottled water, beer, soft drinks, chips, salsa, and one beach club beverage are provided.
• Children can ride with a booster saddle: The extra saddle is attached to the main saddle for younger riders.
• The day is flexible but not all-inclusive: Swimming and some beach activities are available, but food and extras cost more.

Starting the day across Mazatlan

The pickup plan moves through Mazatlan from north to south. If your hotel is along Camaron-Sabalo Avenue, pickup may begin there. The vehicle then continues toward hotels in the Golden Zone, the Malecon, and finally Olas Altas Avenue.

That route matters because your pickup time can depend on where you are staying and who else is booked. You should expect a morning start at about 9:00 a.m., but the exact timing may shift with the pickup order. Keep your phone available for the final instructions.

Cruise ship passengers have a specific meeting arrangement. Inside the terminal, you meet at the Green Bar before the gazebo. After leaving the building, look for the first umbrella. Pickup and return times can be adjusted around the ship schedule, with the final details sent the evening before arrival.

This is a useful setup for a port day, but you should not treat the posted start time as a guarantee of the exact hour you will leave the terminal. Port schedules and the pickup route shape the day.

The 10-minute catamaran ride to Stone Island

Once everyone is collected, transportation continues to the pier. The crossing to Stone Island takes about 10 minutes by catamaran, although a panga boat may also be used.

It is a short ride, but it gives the outing a pleasant change of pace. You leave the city behind, cross the Mazatlan passage, and arrive at the Stone Island pier by water rather than simply driving there. If you enjoy boat rides but do not want a long cruise, this is just enough time to add a little salt air without taking over the day.

From the pier, you take a five-minute Flintstones-style shuttle to the beach club. The transfer is brief and practical. You are not walking a long distance with riding equipment or beach bags, and the group reaches its base quickly.

The crossing and shuttle also mean the tour is not a simple hotel-to-beach transfer. You have several short stages: pickup, pier, boat, island pier, shuttle, then the beach club. Most people will find that manageable, but travelers who prefer the fastest possible route should know that the boat connection is part of the experience.

Your beach club base on Isla de las Piedras

At the beach club, a table and chairs are set aside for your group. You also get a shaded area, which is important in Mazatlan’s strong sun. Rather than searching for a place to sit after the ride, you have a home base for the three-hour visit.

Chips and salsa are included, along with a beach club beverage. Included drinks also cover bottled water, beer, and soft drinks. This is helpful after time in the sun and keeps the outing from feeling like a bare horseback transfer.

The arrangement gives you room to split up during the visit. You can ride while someone in your party stays at the table, or you can return to the chairs after swimming. Families may appreciate having a fixed spot for belongings and a shaded place to regroup.

The food arrangement is less generous than the drink setup. Lunch is not included, and the on-site menu is paid separately. You should budget for a meal if three hours at the beach will leave you hungry. The included chips and salsa are a snack, not a full lunch.

One hour on horseback along the beach

The riding portion lasts about one hour. That is the heart of the excursion, and the length gives you enough time to settle into the saddle instead of climbing on for only a few minutes.

You do not need to be an experienced rider. The horses are described as well trained, and the family running the riding operation is used to caring for the animals and helping riders. Still, this remains a horseback activity, so you should be comfortable sitting on a moving horse for an hour.

Children can join with a booster saddle attached to the main saddle. That is a practical safety feature for younger riders, though the supplied details do not give a minimum age, height limit, or weight limit. If those limits matter for your family, ask before booking.

The beach setting gives the ride its appeal. You get open views, the shoreline, and the sound of the water rather than a confined riding arena. The tradeoff is that beach conditions can affect the experience, and the tour requires good weather. A canceled outing can be moved to another date or refunded in full.

You should also keep your expectations realistic. This is not presented as an advanced riding lesson, a long countryside trek, or a private equestrian clinic. It is a recreational beach ride built into a larger half-day outing.

Swimming, boards, and optional beach activities

After riding, you have time for other beach activities. Swimming and boogie boarding are available, and banana boat rides are also offered. These options help keep the day useful for mixed groups, especially when only some people want to ride.

The details do not say that every activity is included in the $99 price. The description makes clear that food is purchased separately, and you should also expect to pay for optional activities such as banana boat rides unless the operator confirms otherwise.

That distinction is important when comparing this tour with a simple horseback excursion. The base price provides transportation, the ride, shade, drinks, and a beach-club setup. It does not turn every activity on the island into part of the package.

You can make the outing as active or relaxed as you like within the three-hour schedule. Ride, swim, sit under the shade, or add another beach activity if you want to spend more. Just leave enough time for the return transfer and boat crossing.

What the $99 price really covers

At $99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach. The value comes from combining several services in one booking:

• Round-trip transportation
• Hotel or cruise terminal pickup
• Catamaran or panga boat transport
• A one-hour horseback ride
• A table, chairs, and shaded beach area
• Chips, salsa, and a beverage
• Bottled water, beer, and soft drinks
• A child booster saddle when needed
• Guides and support during the outing

If you planned to arrange transport, a boat crossing, a beach chair, and a separate riding session on your own, the bundled price may make sense. It is especially useful for cruise passengers who want a structured port-day activity with pickup and return coordination.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a cheap beach afternoon. You pay for the horse ride and the organized transfers, not just for access to Stone Island. A person who does not plan to ride may get more from a simpler beach outing.

The final bill can also grow through lunch and optional activities. I would treat the $99 as the starting price for the core experience, then carry extra money for food and anything else you choose at the beach club.

Group size, guides, and the feel of the outing

The group is capped at 15 people. That is small enough to feel more organized than a large coach excursion, though it is not a private ride. The guide team handles the transportation, beach-club setup, and horseback portion.

The available account of the crew gives special praise to the captain and the wider team, along with the food and drinks. That suggests the boat portion and hospitality are meaningful parts of the experience, not just empty transfers. The captain’s name is not provided, so you should not expect a named guide-led cultural tour.

This outing focuses on service and recreation rather than detailed explanations of Mazatlan or Stone Island. You are booking it for the ride, the beach, and the easy transfers. If your main goal is local history, architecture, or food culture, this is not the strongest match.

The family-run horse operation is another useful detail. You can expect a more personal setting than a large commercial stable, but the details do not promise a private guide or one-on-one instruction.

Practical details that can make or break the day

Wear clothing that can handle sand, sun, and a little water. You will need to move between a boat, a shuttle, the beach, and the riding area, so simple clothing and secure footwear are sensible choices.

Bring money for lunch and optional activities. The included chips and salsa are welcome, but they will not replace a full meal for most people during a three-hour beach visit.

Use the shaded table as your meeting point. The tour provides chairs and a table, which makes it easier to keep your group together when people choose different activities. Keep valuables limited, since the supplied details do not describe a dedicated storage service.

For cruise passengers, follow the terminal instructions carefully. Meet at the Green Bar before the gazebo, then look for the first umbrella outside the building. The operator receives cruise information the day before and sends the final pickup and drop-off details the evening before the excursion.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The tour is limited to 15 participants, but the available information does not describe wheelchair access, riding restrictions, or detailed medical requirements. Ask directly if you need accommodations beyond the stated arrangements.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a rescheduled date or a full refund.

Who should book this Stone Island ride?

I would point this tour toward families, couples, and cruise passengers who want several activities in one organized outing. The booster saddle helps families consider the ride, while the beach time gives non-riders something to do.

It also suits first-time riders who want a gentle recreational experience rather than a demanding horseback trip. The one-hour ride is long enough to feel worthwhile, but the rest of the visit gives you a chance to sit down and recover.

You may want to skip it if you dislike organized pickup routes, boat transfers, or extra charges for lunch and beach activities. It is also a poor match if your priority is a private ride, an advanced riding lesson, or a sightseeing tour centered on Mazatlan’s history.

Should you book Stone Island Horseback Riding?

Book it if you want a straightforward three-hour package that combines beach horseback riding, boat transport, drinks, and shade. The one-hour ride is the strongest reason to choose it, while the catamaran crossing and fixed beach-club table make the day easier to manage.

Before paying, confirm the child riding limits, the exact pickup time, and which optional beach activities cost extra. If you are comfortable budgeting for lunch and keeping the day recreational rather than cultural, the $99 price can be fair. If you only want beach access, choose a simpler and less expensive option.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately three hours.

How long is the horseback ride?

The horseback riding portion lasts one hour.

How do I get to Stone Island?

You ride a catamaran or panga boat for about 10 minutes from the pier, then take a shuttle for about five minutes to the beach club.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation and the boat crossing are included.

What drinks and snacks are included?

Included items are bottled water, beer, soft drinks, chips and salsa, and a beverage at the beach club.

Can children participate in the horseback ride?

Yes. Children can use a booster saddle attached to the main saddle. The provided details do not state a minimum age or size limit.

Is lunch included?

No. Food from the on-site menu is purchased separately.

Where do cruise ship passengers meet?

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