Top 20 most popular coastal towns for horseback riding in the world

Horseback riding along beautiful coastlines offers a unique way to experience nature, combining the thrill of riding with the stunning backdrop of the ocean. Many coastal towns offer guided horseback riding tours along the beach, through dunes, and even in nearby forests or countryside. Here are 20 of the most popular coastal towns around the world known for their scenic horseback riding opportunities:

1. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA

• Big Sur Coast: Known for its breathtaking Pacific views, Carmel offers scenic horseback rides along the Big Sur coastline, where riders can explore beaches, cliffs, and redwood forests.

2. Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

• Daintree National Park: Ride along the pristine beaches of Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef, creating a dramatic backdrop for horseback riding adventures.

3. Jaco, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

• Playa Hermosa: A popular beach town, Jaco offers horseback rides along its extensive Pacific coast beaches and through lush rainforests, with chances to spot wildlife along the way.

4. Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

• Garden Route: Mossel Bay, located along South Africa’s scenic Garden Route, offers beach rides on wide, sandy shores and trails through coastal fynbos, with views of the Indian Ocean.

5. Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

• Riviera Maya: This tropical paradise offers guided horseback rides along the white sandy beaches of Tulum and through jungle trails, with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.

6. Pismo Beach, California, USA

• Central Coast: Pismo Beach offers incredible horseback riding experiences on its long sandy shores, through sand dunes, and along the stunning coastline of California’s Central Coast.

7. Sligo, Ireland

• Strandhill Beach: Ride horses along the Atlantic shores of Sligo’s beaches, where the combination of crashing waves, sand dunes, and Irish countryside creates a memorable riding experience.

8. Essaouira, Morocco

• Atlantic Coast: Essaouira, with its expansive beaches and ancient medina, offers horseback rides along the Atlantic coast, past sand dunes and the historic city walls.

9. Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand

• Russell & Paihia Beaches: Known for its pristine coastline and warm waters, the Bay of Islands offers scenic horseback rides on the beach and through the nearby countryside.

10. Puerto Madryn, Patagonia, Argentina

• Golfo Nuevo: Located on Argentina’s Atlantic coast, Puerto Madryn offers horseback rides along the shores of Golfo Nuevo, with chances to spot whales and sea lions in season.

11. Hapuna Beach, Hawaii, USA

• Kohala Coast: Explore the white sand beaches of the Big Island’s Kohala Coast on horseback, where you can ride along the Pacific and through tropical forests.

12. Montego Bay, Jamaica

• Caribbean Beaches: Montego Bay offers guided horseback rides along Jamaica’s stunning beaches, where you can ride through shallow waters and lush countryside.

13. Robberg Beach, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

• Garden Route: Plettenberg Bay is a coastal gem on South Africa’s Garden Route, offering beach and trail rides with breathtaking ocean views and the chance to see dolphins and whales from horseback.

14. Torre dei Corsari, Sardinia, Italy

• Costa Verde: Sardinia’s Torre dei Corsari offers spectacular horseback rides along the Costa Verde, with its wild, untouched beaches, golden dunes, and Mediterranean charm.

15. Bandon, Oregon, USA

• Oregon Coast: The small coastal town of Bandon is known for its rugged coastline and offers horseback rides along the dramatic beaches and through the sand dunes of the Pacific Northwest.

16. Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica

• Caribbean Coast: Explore the jungles and black sand beaches of Puerto Viejo on horseback, with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and opportunities to encounter wildlife.

17. Tarifa, Andalusia, Spain

• Costa de la Luz: Known as a windsurfing paradise, Tarifa also offers horseback rides along its long, windswept beaches with views of the Atlantic Ocean and Morocco in the distance.

18. Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA

• Haystack Rock: Ride along the picturesque shores of Cannon Beach, where the iconic Haystack Rock and the rolling waves of the Pacific make for a breathtaking setting.

19. Salinas, Ecuador

• Santa Elena Peninsula: Salinas offers scenic horseback rides along the Pacific coast, with beautiful ocean views and a chance to explore the coastal desert landscape.

20. Chincoteague Island, Virginia, USA

• Assateague Island National Seashore: Famous for its wild ponies, Chincoteague offers horseback rides on the beaches of Assateague Island, where you can enjoy the serene beauty of the Atlantic coast and its protected wildlife.

These coastal towns are renowned for their scenic beaches and trails, providing riders of all levels with unforgettable horseback riding experiences along some of the world’s most beautiful shorelines. Whether you’re riding through tropical waters, sandy dunes, or windswept beaches, these towns offer the perfect coastal adventure on horseback.