We love new adventures, so when we planned a trip to the stunning island of St. Lucia, part of the Lesser Antilles chain and located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea and learned that you could ride horses on a beach, we knew that we wanted to experience a Private Morning Horseback Beach Ride with Sandy Hoofs owned by Keri and Josh de Freitas.
For a small island that measures 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, St. Lucia offers visitors much to experience with its wide variety of activities including hiking The Pitons (St. Lucia’s iconic mountains) located in the Southwest coast, visiting the Volcano and Mud Baths, diverse watersports, and much more, however when we researched and found out there was horseback riding on beaches, we knew that this was something that we wanted to experience during our trip to the island in September 2026.
Edward F. Nesta – Riding Tovio
If you have read our other stories about St. Lucia, you know that we highly recommend leaving the driving to the local professionals, as the roads are steep, winding, narrow, there are lots of roundabouts, vehicles have their steering wheels on the right side, you drive on the left side of the road, and rural areas may be hard to find for non-residents.
We used Graceful Tours and Transfers, owned by Everett Desmond Deterville, for round-trip professional and courteous service to take us from where we were staying at Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa to Sandy Hoofs. Along the way Everett told us about the island, provided us with interesting information, and played us island music, including Soca, which made for an interesting and fun car ride.
Jerell Thornill & Stefon Alexander
Upon arrival at Sandy Hoofs, we were met by the friendly and professional Sandy Hoofs team members, Stefon Alexander, and Jerell Thornill. We were given a locker to store our bag and were given the option of wearing riding helmets if we wanted. Riding would be on Western saddles. We met and admired the horses that would be our “guides” for the adventure. Debra would be riding on Sasha, and Edward would be riding on Toivo. For our Private Morning Horseback Beach Ride experience, Stefon, who is the head horseman at Sandy Hoofs, and Jerell would not be riding with us, but rather accompanying alongside us on foot, along with a few dogs who did not want to miss an adventure.
After getting acquainted with our horses, we climbed into our saddles and were ready for our morning ride that began with trail riding over a dirt and rocky trail through brush country. When we reached the top of the hill, the land opened up onto a large plateau with hills in the background and the vegetation changed to include tall, thin column cactus called Pilosocereus that edged the cliffs leading to the Atlantic side of the island on the Northeastern coast. The views were breathtaking from above, and it was interesting to note that the surf was much wilder here than the calmer waters of the Caribbean side, with rolling waves.
When we arrived at the beach we removed the horses’ saddles and rode them bareback along the sandy beach edged with sargassum, tall palm trees, and lush rolling hills. Entering the water with the horses was a magical experience and a wonderful way to celebrate a beautiful morning on St. Lucia.
This feels fantastic!
After letting the horses rest, enjoy a nibble or two and letting them roll around on their backs in the sand like they were big dogs, brushed them off with our hands, gave them a few cuddles, then saddled them up, and hopped back on for the ride back to the stables. It was a morning full of adventure on a beautiful island. If you are looking for a fun adventure while visiting St. Lucia, you might enjoy taking a horseback ride.
Debra C. Argen with Sasha
Until our next adventure…
Sandy Hoofs Tours: Private Horseback Beach Ride (approximately 2 hours, $99 USD per person), Private Horseback Picnic Ride (approximately 2.5 hours, $129 USD per person), and a Private Advanced Beach Ride (approximately 3 hours, $119 USD per person). They also offer Private Sunrise Horseback Beach Ride Experience (2-hours). They have 18 horses, and riding is done on Western saddles.
Sandy Hoofs Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. They are closed on Sundays.
Edward F. Nesta with Tovio
Good to Know Before You Go
There is a weight limit of 220 pounds. Horseback Riding Experience Levels: Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. Please note: Horse riding experience is not necessary for their Private Horse Riding on the Beach, Private Horse Ride with Picnic or Private Sunrise Horse Ride on the Beach.
Wear comfortable clothes that fit well yet allow you to move. Wear sunscreen and cover up. Closed toe shoes are recommended. Bring your camera or phone for photos, and a towel and change of clothes if you desired for after the ride. There are lockers to store your belongings. A bottle of water is provided on all tours.
Horseback Tips for Those New To Riding: When you are going up an incline, you lean slightly forward in the saddle. When going downhill, you lean slightly backwards in the saddle.
For more information on Sandy Hoofs St. Lucia Horse Riding please visit their website, https://www.sandyhoofsstlucia.com/
Sandy Hoofs St. Lucia Horse Riding
Beach Drive
Beausejour, Gros-Islet
Saint Lucia
Email: info@sandyhoofsstlucia.com
Telephone: +1-758-730-5975 or +1-758-717-5800
Website: https://www.sandyhoofsstlucia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandyhoofsstlucia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandyhoofsstlucia @sandyhoofsstlucia
Graceful Tours and Transfers
Owner, Everett Desmond Deterville
Telephone: +1-758-714-9366
Email: gracefultaxi@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gracefultours
Read more feature stories in Luxury Experience on Saint Lucia in the Destinations, Hotels and Resorts, Spas, Adventures, and Liquor Cabinet sections.
For more information on Saint Lucia, please visit their tourism website: https://stlucia.org/en
Follow Luxury Experience on YouTube: @edwardnesta9910 @luxurypair
Follow Luxury Experience on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LuxuryExperience to see photos and videos.
Follow Luxury Experience on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/luxurypair @luxurypair
© September 2026. Luxury Experience www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.
