Horse riding · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

15 Cruises & Boat Tours Worth the Saddle Time

35 rides  ·  from $18 a head

Good cruises & boat tours fill up ahead of time and the sunrise slots go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Chincoteague's Up The Bay Pony and Wildlife Tour by Boat - Narrow waterways, open water, and the lighthouse
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Chincoteague’s Up The Bay Pony and Wildlife Tour by Boat

1.Chincoteague’s Up The Bay Pony and Wildlife Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 662 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75Our pick

Join Captain Mike of Up the Bay Pony Tours for a two-hour boat trip around Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. With no more than six people aboard, you’ll search for wild ponies, dolphins, eagles, pelicans, and other wildlife while learning island stories from a local captain.

“Went on the sunset tour and saw ponies up close as well as dolphins. Mike knows the horses by name and shared fun backstories about the ponies. Bring a pair or binoculars in case the ponies are far off in the distance. Highly recommend!”

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Wild Pony Watching Boat Tour from Chincoteague to Assateague - Following the Assateague Island shoreline
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Wild Pony Watching Boat Tour from Chincoteague to Assateague

2.Wild Pony Watching Boat Tour from Chincoteague to Assateague

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 367 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Cruise from Chincoteague along Assateague Island and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge with captains such as Shane and Lefty. Expect a 90-minute narrated ride, open-water views, local stories, and a good chance of seeing ponies, dolphins, eagles, and shorebirds, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Cap’n Shane was knowledgeable and friendly. We saw dolphins, ponies, and eagles. Well done. . . And thank you.”

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Myrtle Beach to Charleston with Horse & Carriage Ride, Harbor Cruise, Boone Hall - Seeing Charleston by horse-drawn carriage
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Myrtle Beach to Charleston with Horse & Carriage Ride, Harbor Cruise, Boone Hall

3.Myrtle Beach to Charleston with Horse & Carriage Ride, Harbor Cruise, Boone Hall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 261 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $215

Spend 10.5 hours traveling from Myrtle Beach to Charleston by motor coach. Ride through historic streets by horse-drawn carriage, browse City Market, eat lunch aboard the Carolina Belle, and tour Boone Hall Plantation. Guides may include Brian, Wendy, Joe, Jeff, or Hunter.

“Long day but carriage ride was great..box lunch was good harbor cruise great Narration and the plantation was gorgeous and house tour very good”

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La Grande Motte: Camargue Sunset Catamaran Tour with a Drink - From Charles-de-Gaulle quay to open water
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La Grande Motte: Camargue Sunset Catamaran Tour with a Drink

4.La Grande Motte: Camargue Sunset Catamaran Tour with a Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 259 reviews · from $51

Set sail from La Grande Motte’s Charles-de-Gaulle quay at 7:30 p.m. for a two-hour Camargue sunset cruise. You’ll relax on catamaran sunbeds, enjoy one cocktail or soft drink with tapenade, and return past La Grande Motte after dark. The host speaks French.

“The boat ride was awesome, the team was super friendly and welcoming, and everyone was smiling We had a great time, we recommend it”

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Horseback riding and ATV or Buggy with Party Boat with Lunch - ATV or buggy trails and the farm tasting stop
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Horseback riding and ATV or Buggy with Party Boat with Lunch

5.Horseback riding and ATV or Buggy with Party Boat with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 225 reviews · from $125

Spend about eight hours combining a short horseback ride, ATV or buggy trails, an organic farm, a 25-foot water cave, Macao Beach, snorkeling, a natural pool, and a party boat. Guide Vladimir has accompanied guests throughout the day. Pickup and a mobile ticket are included.

“Vladimir was a great tour guide. He stayed with us during the duration of the excursion. It started with them picking us up from our hotel right on time, then taking us to the ATVs. Definitely bring clothing that you don't mind throwing away bRead more”

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Killarney: Gap of Dunloe Pony, Trap & Traditional Boat Tour - Starting at Ross Castle at 10:10 a.m.
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Killarney: Gap of Dunloe Pony, Trap & Traditional Boat Tour

6.Killarney: Gap of Dunloe Pony, Trap & Traditional Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 188 reviews · from $153

Start at Ross Castle, transfer to Kate Kearney’s Cottage, and ride a traditional pony and trap through the Gap of Dunloe. After a stop at Lord Brandon’s Cottage, cross Killarney’s three lakes by open boat with local guides such as Rory, Patsy, or Donal.

“The family business has operated this type of tour for over 250 years. Great experience with local guides and local history. Horse carriage and boat ride were excellent. You get a real sense of the land and the people with this outdoor activity.”

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Queenstown: Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise - Crossing Lake Whakatipu by steamship or catamaran
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Queenstown: Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise

Half Day Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise from Queenstown - Walter Peak feels more like a farm visit than a riding stable
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Half Day Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise from Queenstown

8.Half Day Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · from $142

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown, enjoy scones and tea, then ride for about 40 minutes with a small group of up to six. Guides such as Matt, Paddy, Tegan, and Benny may lead the trek.

“I was very disappointed with the Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise. I followed the staff member holding the horse trek sign along with a large group of people, but the sign was removed without any clear instruction. I later realised I was in thRead more”

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Dhow Cruise Dubai with Buffet Dinner, Dance & Horse Show - What Dinner Includes
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Dhow Cruise Dubai with Buffet Dinner, Dance & Horse Show

9.Dhow Cruise Dubai with Buffet Dinner, Dance & Horse Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $40Best value

Spend about two hours on Dubai Creek aboard a traditional wooden dhow, with a vegetarian and nonvegetarian buffet, drinks, music, dance, and a horse show. Choose the upper deck for open-air views or the lower deck for a more sheltered meal. Pickup is available with selected options.

“The views were unbelievable! The host went above and beyond to ensure everything was on point! Excellent food, amazing shows, great atmosphere! Would highly recommend”

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Moab: 3-Hour Jet Boat Tour to Dead Horse Point State Park - Starting north of Moab
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Moab: 3-Hour Jet Boat Tour to Dead Horse Point State Park

10.Moab: 3-Hour Jet Boat Tour to Dead Horse Point State Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 81 reviews · from $150

You’ll ride a covered jet boat 32 miles down the Colorado River from Moab, with stops for petroglyphs, arches, Intrepid Potash, Dead Horse Point, and Thelma and Louise Point. English-speaking guides such as Rory and Richard add local stories, jokes, and river knowledge during this three-hour trip.

“Great 3 hour tour. I learned a lot of interesting facts. Our Guide was great!”

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Flathead Lake Private Sunset Wild Horse Island Boat Tour - Cruising Rocky Point with the mountains ahead
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Flathead Lake Private Sunset Wild Horse Island Boat Tour

11.Flathead Lake Private Sunset Wild Horse Island Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Captain Eric takes your private group of up to six across Flathead Lake to Wild Horse Island. Cruise Rocky Point, hike at your own pace, look for horses, bighorn sheep, deer, and eagles, then watch sunset reflections beneath the Mission and Salish Mountains.

“This was great fun. The lake is beautiful with some unique history. Eric was very informative about the area. The pontoon boat is super comfortable. The island is so peaceful. Easy hike with some fantastic views. The horses didn’t cooperate and come out to say hi, but still a very worthwhile great experience.”

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Chincoteague: Premier Pony & Wildlife Small Group Boat Tour - Meeting Captain Mike at Floating Dock Number 2
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Chincoteague: Premier Pony & Wildlife Small Group Boat Tour

12.Chincoteague: Premier Pony & Wildlife Small Group Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 2 hours · from $75

Captain Mike Gellis guides a six-person, two-hour cruise through Chincoteague and Assateague waters. Expect close pony sightings, dolphins, eagles, shorebirds, local stories, and a comfortable state-of-the-art boat. Bring sunscreen and a hat, and a small cooler if needed.

“Absolutely fantastic guide! Knowledgeable and entertaining! This man has eyeballs like no other he can spot eagles and Tony specks of ponies like they’re right infront of him! We didn’t get as close as we hoped but we understood that could happen and that he can’t control them, however he did go above and beyond to get us as close as possible and our trip went over the typical amount of time because of his extra effort. My daughter was cold and he offered a blanket his wife crocheted for her to use even! This is the type of small group experience that you will not get on a large…”

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Coastal Excursion/Sunset Cruise/Sand Dollars/Sea Shells/Horses - Cape Lookout National Seashore by Boat
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Coastal Excursion/Sunset Cruise/Sand Dollars/Sea Shells/Horses

13.Coastal Excursion/Sunset Cruise/Sand Dollars/Sea Shells/Horses

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Set out from Beaufort with a private captain for a four-hour Crystal Coast outing. Cruise past Morehead City and Beaufort, search for sand dollars and shells, swim or relax on floats, and watch for dolphins and wild horses near Shackleford Banks and Carrot Island.

“We had a terrific time with this personal Captain Dewayne who took us to see the wild horses and dig for sandollars. We found two whole ones! Then the sunset on the water was beautiful.”

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1-Hour Private Party Assateague Island Pony Cruise in Ocean City - Leaving from Midtown Ocean City
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1-Hour Private Party Assateague Island Pony Cruise in Ocean City

14.1-Hour Private Party Assateague Island Pony Cruise in Ocean City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 1 hour (approx.)

Take a private one-hour cruise from Midtown Ocean City toward Assateague Island, with a captain at the helm and room for up to five. You can shape the route around pony and dolphin sightings, coastal views, a sunset, or nearby sights such as Michael Jordan’s boat. Captains Riley, Rylie, and Owen have led recent trips.

“Captain Riley is a great Captain! The trip was relaxing, educational and fun! Captain Riley is very knowledgable and we felt safe the entire trip. Thanks for a great experience!”

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Private Discovery of the Camargue by Sail - The Gulf of Aigues-Mortes and the Cévennes beyond
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Private Discovery of the Camargue by Sail

15.Private Discovery of the Camargue by Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $106

Set sail from Le Grau-du-Roi for six quiet hours on the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes. With a maximum of six people, you’ll see Camargue beaches, La Grande-Motte, Sète, Mont Saint-Clair, and perhaps dolphins. Captain Georges or Swan handles the boat, and snorkeling gear is provided.

“Notre capitaine, Georges, nous a partagé son expérience et ses connaissances. Il est pédagogue et a eu la patience de répondre aux milliers de questions de notre fils de 10 ans. Nous avons passé un moment agréable et ensoleillé. Les courageux se sont baignés. Nous recommandons et réitérerons l'expérience 😊”

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