Horseback riding in Mauritius: East coast beaches with lunch

Ride your horse from sand into the turquoise water at Palmar beach

A private 8-hour horseback riding tour of Mauritius's east coast, starting with hotel pickup and a 1-hour ride along Palmar beach that ends in the sea. The tour includes a certified guide in English, French or Hindi, a 3-course lunch, visits to Pointe Canon viewpoint, Frederick Hendrick Museum, Mahebourg Waterfront and local market, and time at Blue Bay lagoon. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Children from age 1 are welcome, and vegetarian meals are available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore East Mauritius with horse riding

• Hotel pick-up and meet guide
• Drive to Palmar beach
• 1-hour horse riding on the beach
• Drive to Pointe Canon viewpoint
• Visit Frederick Hendrick Museum
• Enjoy 3-course lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Mahebourg National History Museum
• Walk at Mahebourg Waterfront
• Explore Mahebourg local market
• Visit Blue Bay beach for swim or stroll

The experience

The ride at Palmar is the centerpiece: you start on land and finish splashing into the waves with your horse. Before you leave the paddock, you get 10 minutes of initiation: novice riders learn how to mount and control the horse, and the staff pairs you with calm, docile animals chosen for security. The professional guides ride alongside and share their knowledge of the horses as you move along the beach, taking in the turquoise water and the coastline. The whole experience runs 1 hour.

After the ride, your guide drives you to Pointe Canon, a historical viewpoint where you see the Lion Mountain rising above sugar cane fields, the Mouchoir Rouge islet and Ile aux Aigrettes nature reserve across the lagoon. Next is the Frederick Hendrick Museum at Old Grand Port, where the Dutch first settled Mauritius. The site holds archaeological finds, building materials, military objects like cannonballs and musket balls, and a tropical garden. Then you head to a local restaurant for a 3-course lunch of fresh salads, rice, soups, chicken, fish and vegetables.

In Mahebourg, you visit the National History Museum to trace the island's colonial past from the 18th century onward, including exhibits of shipwrecks, bones of extinct giant tortoises and the Dodo. You walk the Mahebourg Waterfront (a traditional village setting with a memorial to a naval battle fought there), then browse the local market for handicrafts, textiles, seashells and street food like Dholl Puri and Gato Pima. The tour ends at Blue Bay beach on the southeast coast, where you can swim or walk the white sand and casuarina trees. The lagoon is also a marine park with snorkeling among corals and small fish.

What’s included

• 1-hour horseback riding experience along Palmar beach with calm, trained horses and professional guides.
• pickup and drop-off at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius.
• private air-conditioned vehicle and certified guide (English, French or Hindi).
• 3-course lunch with fresh salads, rice, soups, chicken, fish and vegetables.
• visits to Pointe Canon viewpoint, Frederick Hendrick Museum, Mahebourg National History Museum, Mahebourg Waterfront and local market.
• time at Blue Bay beach.
• bottled water upon arrival.
• non-alcoholic beverages during lunch.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Freshverde Holidays

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying anywhere in Mauritius without a rental car: hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport to the coast. The private format also works well for families with young children (from age 1) or for anyone who wants a guide to explain the colonial history and local culture at each stop rather than exploring on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Hindi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What happens if I've never ridden a horse before?

Novice riders get 10 minutes of initiation in the paddock before the ride begins, learning how to mount and control the horse. The staff pairs you with calm, docile horses chosen for security, and professional guides ride alongside you the whole time.

Does the tour include lunch, and are there vegetarian options?

Yes, a 3-course lunch is included at a local restaurant with fresh salads, rice, soups, chicken, fish and vegetables. Vegetarian meals are available. Let the operator know when you book.

How does hotel pickup work if I'm staying in a different part of Mauritius?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off at any accommodation in Mauritius, so your guide collects you from your hotel at the start and returns you at the end of the 8 hours.

What is there to do at Blue Bay at the end of the day?

Blue Bay is a beach on the southeast coast with white sand, shade from casuarina trees and emerald blue water. You can swim in the lagoon or walk the beach. It's also a marine park where you can snorkel among corals and colorful fish if you choose.

What should I bring or wear for the horse riding?

Wear non-slippery shoes and bring a raincoat in case of rain. Horse riding equipment is provided by the operator.