The Caribbean island of St Lucia presents attractive and varied terrain for horseback riding. Visitors have the chance to explore lush valleys, working plantations and sandy beaches on horseback, and also can arrange to ride a horse into the shallows of the Caribbean or Atlantic. Three stables offer horseback riding tours on St Lucia, all located within driving distance of the capital, Castries. Tours can be arranged directly with the stables or through island-based tour companies, hotel concierges and cruise lines.

Imagine exploring the incredibly gorgeous island of St. Lucia on horseback! This St. Lucia horseback riding excursion begins with a ride through a tropical rainforest atop a sleek, gentle mare or serene stallion. Ride along a cliff and feast your eyes on panoramic vistas of the St. Lucia coastline with the aquamarine ocean sparkling in the island sunshine. Then, prepare yourself for a totally unique St. Lucia Horseback Ride N’ Swim experience, as you and your mount cross the white sand of a pristine beach and enter the warm waters of the Caribbean. Trot through the crystal seas together and enjoy the ride of your life!

Hoof Print Horse Riding Ranch

Hoof Print Horse Riding Ranch (hoofprintranch.com) is located in the scenic Roseau Valley. The ranch caters to riders of all ages and experience levels and offers a variety of lessons and excursions. Options include the Plantation Paradise tour that takes you through banana plantations to the remote, sandy beach of Roseau, a Swim the Horses tour that culminates with a ride into the Caribbean Sea and the Hoof Print Beach BBQ, a four-hour excursion combining the Plantation Paradise tour with a barbecue on the beach.

International Pony Club

The International Pony Club (internationalponyclub.com) is based in Gros Islet, a town at the northernmost tip of St Lucia. Its horseback riding trips all include complimentary hotel transfers. Three excursions are available: a 1.5-hour Regular Ride that begins at the stables and continues for a mile along Cas En Bas beach on the Atlantic coast, a two-hour Ride and Swim that features time to enjoy the beach and swim with your horse and a four-hour Beach Barbeque that includes lunch and drinks on the beach. All the options are suitable for beginners and experienced riders of all ages. The club asks that you wear long pants and closed shoes; if your ride includes swimming with the horses, wear a bathing suit underneath.

Trim’s National Riding Academy

Trim’s National Riding Academy (no website; Cas En Bas, Gros Islet, St Lucia; 011-758-450-8273) in Cas En Bas, Gros Islet, has offered horseback riding tours for visitors and locals for more than 45 years and is the largest riding facility in St Lucia. Tour options include trail rides, carriage tours to Pigeon Island, riding along the beach and swimming in the ocean on horseback. Beginner, intermediate and experienced riders are welcome, and all tours are accompanied by a professional guide and handler. Experienced riders, upon approval, may choose to ride bareback and gallop along the beach. Lessons are also available, as are riding lesson packages.

Cruise Ship Passengers

Passengers of the major cruise lines that regularly call at St. Lucia may be able to select a horseback riding tour from a menu of shore excursions. Cruise lines that offer horseback riding trips in St Lucia include Carnival (carnival.com), Princess Cruises (princess.com) and the Holland America Line (hollandamerica.com). At the time of publication, all three offer these excursions in conjunction with Hoof Print Horse Ranch. Transportation to and from the ranch is included. Princess’ Horseback Ride to the Beach, Morne Fortune and Swim excursion includes a stop at the 17th-century outpost and fortress on the way to the stables.