All Inclusive Beach Club, Water Sports, Horse Ride, Food & Drinks

Mazatlan’s Stone Island beach day is built for a simple day in the sun: ride over, claim a chair or shaded table, eat lunch, order drinks, and fit in two short activities. It is less polished resort outing than casual beach club day, but the setting and easy package can work well.

I like the cruise-friendly pickup plan, especially since the operator adjusts times around ship schedules. I also like that lunch, alcoholic drinks, bottled water during transfers, and two activities are folded into the $59 price. The main catch is that the horseback ride and other activities can be very brief, while vendors may approach you often on the beach.

Key Points

• Stone Island is the main event: You spend most of your time at a beach restaurant on Isla de las Piedras.
• Two activities are included: Choose from options such as a banana boat ride, boogie board, or horseback ride.
• The horse ride is very short: Several rides lasted only a few blocks or a few minutes, so do not book this for serious riding.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Food choices are limited, and the drink menu focuses on rum, vodka, pina coladas, and lime margaritas.
• Cruise timing receives careful attention: Pickup and return times are adjusted to fit your ship’s schedule.
• Bring your own towel: Towels are not included, and early arrival may help with lounge-chair access.

A Five-Hour Beach Escape from Mazatlan

This excursion takes you from the cruise terminal or another arranged pickup point to Stone Island, also called Isla de las Piedras. The day is designed around relaxation rather than sightseeing. You will not spend hours touring Mazatlan’s historic center or moving between several attractions. Instead, the goal is to get you to the beach and keep the day easy.

The package costs $59 per person and lasts about five hours. That price covers transport, beach access, lunch, alcoholic beverages, bottled water during transfers, and two activities. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, a meal, drinks, and beach activities, the total can add up quickly. The value depends on how much you use the package.

I think this is strongest for someone who wants a low-planning beach stop. You do not need to arrange a taxi, find a beach restaurant, negotiate for activities, or figure out where lunch will come from. You do need to accept a basic setup, limited food and drink choices, and a loose beach-club feel rather than a polished resort.

Meeting the Van Near the Cruise Terminal

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m., but cruise passengers should not assume that every group leaves at precisely the same minute. The operator receives cruise details the day before and sets pickup and drop-off times around the ship’s schedule.

The meeting point is specific: look for the Green Bar inside the terminal, before the gazebo. After leaving the building, the first umbrella is the marker. That detail matters in Mazatlan, where a busy port exit can make a vague meeting instruction frustrating.

Keep your phone available the evening before the excursion. The company sends the final pickup details after checking the ship schedule and last port information. This flexibility is useful if your cruise arrival changes, and one driver, Rickie, received special praise for staying with the group and making sure everyone was cared for.

The transport is listed as an air-conditioned vehicle, with bottled water available during transfers. The route may also include a catamaran transfer and an open-air bus on the island. One account described the bus seats as worn, so expect practical transportation rather than luxury vehicles.

The group limit is listed at 99 people. That is a fairly large possible group, though the actual feel of the day may depend on how many people book that departure. If you prefer a quiet, private beach outing, this is not the right format.

Crossing to Stone Island

The ride to Stone Island is part of the day’s change of pace. You leave the port area, transfer toward the island, and then continue to the beach restaurant. The exact sequence can involve a van, catamaran, and open-air island bus, so allow for a few changes rather than expecting one vehicle from ship to sand.

Stone Island gives you a more casual beach setting than an enclosed resort. The restaurant sits right by the sand, with a shaded area for eating and taking a break from the sun. You can move between the water, beach seating, and restaurant during your stay.

The shore has shallow water and some waves. One account found the sea swimmable but cold, so pack your expectations as well as your swimsuit. Water temperature is personal, but this is not a guaranteed warm-water experience.

The beach can also be active with independent vendors. They may come by offering goods or services, and some people will find the repeated approaches tiring. If you want a peaceful, vendor-free beach, this setting may test your patience. If you are comfortable giving a firm no and turning your attention back to the water, it is easier to manage.

Picking Two Activities

The package includes two activities from the available choices. Options include a banana boat ride, boogie board, horseback ride, and, in the description, a horse wagon ride. Ask the staff to confirm the current choices when you arrive, since the wording around the options is not perfectly consistent.

The activities are short. A realistic expectation is about 10 to 15 minutes for many of them, with some horseback outings described as only a few blocks or half a block on a back street. That makes a major difference in how you judge the price.

The banana boat ride is likely the best pick if you want a quick burst of action with other people. It gives you something more memorable than simply sitting at the beach, but it is not a long water-sports session.

The boogie board option suits someone who wants to get in the water without committing to a full organized ride. Since the listed details do not specify the exact instruction or equipment arrangement, ask how your two activities will be scheduled before settling into your chair.

The horseback ride needs the most caution. If you imagine a long trot along the shore, this experience may disappoint you. The available accounts describe very short rides, including a few blocks on an island street. Choose it only if the novelty of sitting on a horse matters more to you than distance or scenery.

The horse wagon option appears in the general description but not in the included-items list. If that is the activity you want, confirm it before booking or before you arrive. The same practical rule applies to all four options: treat them as brief extras, not the central reason to book.

Lunch, Drinks, and Shade at the Beach Club

Lunch is included, but the food package is limited. You can expect a small selection rather than a full menu, and the food has received mixed reactions. Some people found it flavorful and sufficient for a day outdoors, while others found it average or disappointing.

I would treat lunch as fuel, not as a food-focused attraction. The main value is convenience. You can eat at the beach without paying another bill or leaving the property in search of a restaurant.

The drink package includes alcoholic beverages, but the range is not broad. The available choices have been described as rum, vodka, pina coladas, and lime margaritas. Drinks may be self-serve, and one account found them strong. If you want beer, wine, premium spirits, soft drinks, or a wide cocktail menu, check the current choices before you count on them.

Bottled water is included during transfers, but one account said water at the beach cost extra. Bring your own refillable bottle if you have one, and ask which drinks are included once you arrive. This is one place where the phrase all-inclusive can create expectations that the package does not fully meet.

There is shaded restaurant seating for anyone who needs time out of the sun. Plastic tables and chairs are used near the beach, which is practical in a high-tide setting but not especially elegant. Lounge chairs may be available, though people arriving later may find that the best chairs are already taken. Bring a towel because towels are not included.

How Much Beach Time Will You Really Get?

The tour lasts about five hours, but the time is divided between transfers, settling in, lunch, activities, and free time. You should have enough time to relax, but this is not a full-day beach resort stay.

Arrive ready to make quick choices. Decide early which two activities you want, ask where to sign up, and find out when lunch is served. If you wait until late in the day, you may spend more time organizing than enjoying the beach.

The beach club’s strongest feature is ease. Your meal is nearby, your drinks are nearby, and staff can arrange the activities. The trade-off is that the experience can feel unorganized at times, especially when several groups arrive together. The open-air island transport and short activity windows add to that informal character.

If your main aim is a chair, shade, a plate of food, and a drink beside the water, the format makes sense. If your main aim is a long horseback ride, serious water sports, or a quiet private beach, the five hours may feel thin.

Service, Timing, and Cruise Safety

Cruise passengers should pay close attention to the return plan. The operator says pickup and drop-off times are adjusted to the ship’s schedule, and the company sends final details the evening before. That is a useful safeguard for a port day.

The staff speak English, and guides are meant to accompany the activities, explain what is happening, and help with safety. One driver, Rickie, was especially valued for remaining with the group throughout the day. Another booking was made for the wrong date, yet the staff worked to correct it and still provide the excursion.

You should still be punctual at the meeting point. Flexible timing does not mean unlimited waiting, and the tour has to coordinate transport, boats, and the ship’s return window. If your cruise schedule changes, tell the operator as soon as you can.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. A fully motorized wheelchair was not disclosed in advance on one occasion, creating coordination problems. If you use a wheelchair or need specific transport arrangements, explain those needs clearly before the day of the tour.

Who Will Enjoy This Stone Island Day?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want:

• A straightforward beach day from Mazatlan
• Lunch and drinks included in one price
• A choice of two quick activities
• English-speaking assistance
• Pickup arranged around a cruise schedule
• A casual restaurant with shade close to the water

Families and couples who care more about convenience than polish may find the package useful. It also suits a group with mixed interests, since one person can try the banana boat while another stays under the shade with a drink.

I would be cautious if you want a refined beach club, a quiet shoreline, a long ride on horseback, or a large menu of food and cocktails. The vendor activity may also bother you if you prefer not to be approached while relaxing.

Is the $59 Price Fair?

At $59, the package can be a good buy if you eat lunch, have several included drinks, and use both activities. Transport alone adds value for a cruise passenger who would otherwise need to arrange a port transfer and island connection.

The price looks less attractive if you only sit on the beach, skip the activities, and drink little. You may still appreciate the convenience, but you are paying for inclusions you are not using.

The best way to judge the deal is to think of it as a transportation and beach package with short extras, not as four full adventures. That framing matches the actual length of the rides and the simple food service.

Should You Book This Mazatlan Beach Excursion?

Book it if you want an easy, affordable Stone Island day with lunch, drinks, shade, and a couple of quick activities. The cruise timing, English-speaking staff, and helpful drivers add real value, especially when your port time is limited.

Skip it if the horseback ride is your main goal or if you expect resort-level food, unlimited drink choices, lounge chairs for everyone, and a vendor-free beach. If you do book, confirm the two activities, bring a towel, arrive early for the best seating, and keep your return time firmly in mind.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded, and the company may offer a different date or a full refund if the minimum group size is not met.

FAQ

How long does the Stone Island beach excursion last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m., though cruise pickup and drop-off times may be adjusted to fit your ship’s schedule.

Where do cruise passengers meet the tour?

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

What activities are included?

Two activities are included. Options listed include a banana boat ride, boogie board, horseback ride, and horse wagon ride. Confirm the current choices when you arrive because the activity wording varies.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, though the food selection is limited.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included, with choices described as rum, vodka, pina coladas, and lime margaritas.

Are towels provided?

No. You should bring your own towel.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.