Zakynthos: Yotomu Horse Riding and Swimming Experience

The most unusual part of this Zakynthos outing is not the ride itself, but the chance to enter the Ionian Sea with your horse. The three-hour route leaves Yannis Horses Farm, crosses the countryside, reaches a small beach near Amoudi, and sets aside about 25 minutes for swimming before returning.

I like the small groups of up to six, which give Yannis and his staff room to match riders with horses and offer personal help. I also like the quiet setting: olive groves, vineyards, pine country, rocky paths, and hilltop views toward the sea and Kefalonia. The main consideration is safety equipment and terrain. One guest reported receiving no riding helmet, while another found the paths rocky and full of holes, so ask about helmets and route conditions before you ride.

Key points to know before booking

• The Ride and Swim lasts three hours: You spend about an hour riding to the beach, 25 minutes swimming, and about an hour returning.
• The one-hour ride is the simplest choice: It crosses vineyards and old olive groves before climbing to viewpoints.
• Yannis runs a family farm: You may have time to see how the horses are cared for after your ride.
• Groups are limited to six: This is useful for beginners who need clear instructions and a slower pace.
• The rides are not suitable for everyone: Restrictions include pregnancy, back problems, diabetes, animal allergies, non-swimmers, and older participants.
• You need your own way to Kato Gerakari: Transport, food, and drinks are not included.

Why ride horses in Zakynthos?

Zakynthos is famous for beaches and boat trips, but the island’s inland country gives you a different holiday memory. Around Kato Gerakari, the route passes through olive groves, vineyards, and open countryside. You see the island at walking speed, with the sound of hooves replacing the traffic and beach crowds.

That slower pace matters. A horse ride is not a sightseeing bus with a view every few minutes. You spend time learning the horse’s rhythm, following the guide, and noticing small changes in the ground. For a first-time rider, that can feel more personal than a standard outdoor excursion.

The family-run nature of Yannis Horses Farm also shapes the experience. Yannis is described as deeply involved with the horses, and one guest was able to visit the farm after riding. That extra look at the stable can be worthwhile if you care about animal welfare and want to see where the horses live.

The setting is attractive, but do not expect a polished resort activity. This is a working farm experience. The route may include uneven ground, and the quality of the ride depends partly on the horse you receive, the weather, and the condition of the trail that day.

Choosing between the three rides

You have three main formats, although the available age and ability rules differ by option. The one-hour Wild Nature ride is the easiest to fit into a busy Zakynthos schedule. It runs in two shifts, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. or from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., with arrival about 20 minutes before the start.

That evening route crosses vineyards and centuries-old olive groves. The horses then climb a hill to panoramic points where you can take photos. I would choose this option if you want countryside views without giving up most of an afternoon, or if you are unsure how comfortable you will feel on horseback.

The two-hour Wild Nature option also starts at 6:00 p.m. and focuses on the surrounding countryside. The supplied information gives fewer route details for this version, so check the exact meeting time and current route when booking. It has a minimum age of eight and does not accept people over 95 kilograms, older people, or people with disabilities.

The three-hour Ride and Swim is the special occasion choice. It takes more time and asks more of you physically, but it includes the one feature that makes this activity unusual: swimming alongside the horse in the sea.

The morning Ride and Swim, step by step

The Ride and Swim begins at Yannis Horses Farm in Kato Gerakari. You are asked to arrive well before the ride, with the activity information advising 30 minutes early. A meeting time of 8:40 a.m. is given for the morning departure, followed by a short welcome and briefing.

That briefing is important even for experienced riders. Your guide needs to see how comfortable you are, explain how to handle the horse, and make sure the group can move together. Beginners should use this time to say clearly that they have little or no riding experience.

The first riding section lasts about an hour. You head through the surrounding countryside toward a small, secluded beach near Amoudi. The route can include olive groves, wooded areas, country paths, and uneven ground. You get a more natural view of Zakynthos here than along the main resort roads, but you should not treat the route as a smooth trail ride.

After reaching the beach, you ride along the shore and prepare for the water. The swimming stop lasts about 25 minutes. This is the highlight for many people, but it is also the part that requires the most care. You must be comfortable in the water, follow the guide’s instructions, and bring swimwear. Non-swimmers should not book this option.

The supplied information calls the water crystal clear, and the setting near a quiet beach gives the swim a peaceful feel. Still, this is not a free-for-all swim session. The horses remain under the guide’s control, and the group needs to stay together.

You then ride back to the farm for about an hour. By this point, even a calm horse ride may feel tiring. One rider found that a scheduled two-hour ride felt closer to 80 or 90 minutes, while also noting that the activity was tiring despite the shorter time. The timing can vary, so do not plan a tight connection immediately afterward.

What the one-hour countryside ride offers

The shorter ride gives you the heart of the inland experience without the sea stop. You pass vineyards and old olive groves, then climb toward viewpoints. The elevated sections provide broad views across the island and, in clear conditions, toward the sea and Kefalonia.

I would pick this route if your main goal is scenery, photographs, and a first taste of horseback riding. It is also the sensible option if you do not want to swim, though the published restrictions still rule out several health conditions and age groups.

The evening departure is another advantage. Riding from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. or from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. avoids giving up a full morning. You will need to arrive early for the briefing, and the farm is outside the busiest beach areas, so allow time to reach Kato Gerakari on your own.

The two-hour version gives you more time in the countryside, but the exact route is not fully described. Ask the operator which path is planned, how long you will actually be in the saddle, and whether the ride includes a break.

Horses, guides, and the small-group feel

The horses are described as well trained and well mannered, and the rides are designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. That makes the activity accessible in principle, but riding ability is only one part of the decision. You also need to be comfortable with animals, uneven paths, and the physical effort of staying balanced in the saddle.

The group limit of six is a real advantage. A large group can make a first ride feel rushed or impersonal. With fewer people, the guide has a better chance of noticing if a rider is nervous, struggling with the reins, or having trouble keeping pace.

Yannis and the staff speak English and Greek. Communication appears to be workable, but one rider found a clear English-language barrier. If you need detailed explanations, keep your questions simple and confirm instructions before setting off.

There is also a point to clarify before booking: helmet provision. One guest specifically reported that no riding helmets were supplied. That does not prove helmets are never available, but it is enough reason to ask directly. If you consider a helmet essential, do not assume it is included just because the activity includes equipment.

Trail conditions and animal welfare

The natural setting is part of the appeal, yet it can make the ride less polished. A guest described the paths as rocky and full of holes and felt that safety was not always up to standard. You should wear closed, comfortable clothing and shoes suited to uneven ground, even though the official advice only specifically calls for comfortable clothes and swimwear.

The same account raised concern about one horse being thin and another being nervous. Other feedback describes the horses as well mannered and praises Yannis for caring about them. Those details point to a mixed but useful lesson: ask which horse is suited to your size and experience, and tell the guide immediately if the animal feels too difficult for you.

This is especially important for children and first-time riders. The activity is promoted for different abilities, but beginner-friendly does not mean risk-free. You should expect an outdoor farm ride, not a controlled indoor lesson.

If you have back problems, are pregnant, have diabetes, or have an animal allergy, this activity is specifically listed as unsuitable. The information also excludes non-swimmers and people over 70. Age limits are not entirely consistent across the options, so check the rule for the exact ride you want. The three-hour version lists a minimum age of eight, while the general information also says children under nine and under 14 are not suitable.

Is $58 a fair price?

At $58 per person, the value depends on which version you choose. For the one-hour ride, you are paying for a short guided countryside activity, a small group, the horses, and staff support. That is reasonable if you want an easy addition to a Zakynthos holiday, but it is not a bargain-priced way to spend half a day.

The three-hour Ride and Swim makes the price easier to justify. You receive a longer ride, access to a quiet beach, and the unusual sea swim with the horse. You also avoid arranging separate transport or activities during that period, although you still have to reach the farm yourself.

The price does not include food, drinks, or transportation. Bring water and arrive prepared, since the farm is the starting point and the activity does not appear to provide refreshments. Booking ahead is wise because the number of horses is limited.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Those policies help if your Zakynthos schedule is still changing.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack swimwear for the Ride and Swim, plus comfortable clothes that will not restrict your legs. Closed shoes are a sensible choice for the farm and rocky paths. Bring water, since food and drinks are not included.

Arrive 30 minutes before the ride, even though some departure instructions say 15 or 20 minutes for particular options. The extra time covers parking, meeting the guide, completing the briefing, and getting matched with a horse.

Do not smoke during the activity. Tell the guide about your riding experience before mounting. If you are nervous, say so plainly. A small group makes it easier for the staff to adjust the pace, but only if they know what you need.

For the swimming route, be ready to get wet and accept that the return ride may feel longer than the outward journey. The sea stop is short, not a full beach afternoon.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to couples, families who meet the age rules, solo visitors who want a small group, and nature lovers who prefer a quiet inland activity to another boat trip. The one-hour ride suits people who want views and a manageable time commitment. The three-hour route suits confident swimmers who want the most distinctive version.

I would be cautious if you have never ridden and feel uneasy around animals, especially if you are not comfortable asking for a different horse or stopping when something feels wrong. I would also ask about helmets, trail conditions, and the exact age rules before paying.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant people, non-swimmers, people with back problems, diabetes, or animal allergies. The listed age limits also remove many older participants. If any of those conditions apply, choose another Zakynthos activity.

Should you book Yotomu Horse Riding?

Book it if you want a personal, outdoorsy experience rather than a polished attraction. The olive groves, vineyards, hill views, small group, and chance to swim with a horse make this far more memorable than a basic riding lesson.

Choose the one-hour Wild Nature route if you mainly want scenery. Choose the three-hour Ride and Swim if the sea is the reason you are interested. Before booking, confirm helmet availability, the route surface, the age rule, and which horse matches your ability. With those points clear, Yotomu offers a distinctive way to see Zakynthos at a slow and enjoyable pace.

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 are the available rides?

The options last one, two, or three hours. The one-hour Wild Nature ride has evening departures from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. or 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Ride and Swim lasts three hours.

Does every tour include swimming with the horses?

No. Swimming with the horses and the 25-minute swimming stop are included only with Tour 1, the three-hour Ride and Swim option.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear for the Ride and Swim and comfortable clothes for all options. Food and drinks are not included, so you should plan accordingly.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to six participants. The activity is led in English or Greek.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, non-swimmers, people with diabetes, people with animal allergies, or people over 70. Other age and weight rules vary by tour, so check the specific option before booking.