You’ve Gotta Try This: Horseback Riding on Amelia Island in Florida

By Jennifer DeCamp

It was night dark when you pulled yourself from a deep sleep to dress for your morning ride. But as you pull into the parking lot looking for the bubblegum-pink trailer for Amelia Island Horseback Riding, the horizon appears lit from within, a fiery reflection on the Atlantic Ocean.

Within the next 15 minutes, you’ll meet your four-legged riding partner which goes by the name of Gator or Tundra or Tanner, learn how to hold the reins and hear the gentle clip-clop of hooves on pavement melding with the rush of the waves still hidden behind the dunes.

And then it happens. The pavement becomes sand. The waves you could hear, but not yet see, are rolling in and out. Instead of walking with your toes in the sand, you are gliding five feet above the ground seated in a saddle. Your horse’s head bobs with a rhythm matching its gait. You see sunrise watchers whip their smartphones in your direction to snap pictures of the parade of horses moving down the beach. A golden retriever strains at its leash wanting to join the fun.

The multi-colored hues of the pre-dawn sky have faded to a pale yellow-white and you search for dolphins in the surf and see the telltale markings of sea turtle nesting sites. The horses move at their own pace, speeding up and slowing down. Your riding partner changes frequently and pleasant conversation passes back and forth.

At the halfway point, your guide tells you to pull on the reins halting forward progress. And it happens. The sun rises. It’s a white-hot ball of flame peeking out from beneath the waves; the sky tinged with orange on the horizon. She hops down from her mount, takes your smartphone, positions your horse with the sun at your back and snaps dozens of photos. Memories made and recorded.

Welcome to sunrise on Amelia Island. It’s breathtaking.

TIME ALLOWANCE

Depending on your travel time and additional activities, the adventure is at minimum about two hours, but that can be expanded into a half or full day of family fun at the beach.

DISTANCE FROM BIG CITIES

Peters Point Beachfront Park, on Amelia Island, is less than an hour from Jacksonville, two hours from Gainesville, three hours from Tallahassee and Orlando and up to four hours from Tampa and St. Petersburg.

WHAT TO BRING

Depending on the weather, it’s always best to dress in layers for beach activities due to the coastal breeze off the Atlantic Ocean. Although your ride takes place on the beach, bathing suits are not permitted. Prepare yourself and bring:

• closed-toe shoes (required);
• long pants, like jeans or yoga pants that have some stretch or give (required);
• light-weight sweatshirt or wind-breaker for sunrise or sunset rides when the mornings or evenings can be cooler;
• heavier jacket, gloves, hat for rides in the winter months;
• sun block;
• sunglasses;
• shade-providing headwear for mid-day rides;
• smartphone for pictures

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND CAUTIONS

Sizing up your four-legged companion before your journey can cause first-time horseback riders to take a deep breath. Relax. The horses of Amelia Island Horseback Riding exude a soothing charisma, a little bit of character and a calm that provides a safe and enjoyable experience for riders with moderate to no experience.

Your tour guide will specifically choose your horse based on your ability and size and then will help each rider mount up by using a set of portable stairs. Once seated, the stirrups will be adjusted and you’ll be shown how to hold the reins and be provided with basic tips on how to use them to steer your horse.

Amelia Island Horseback Riding’s mounts are well-trained and move easily through the soft sand. They know the route and need little guidance. It’s a smooth and relaxing experience from start to finish, perfect for a novice.

This is a solo riding experience, meaning one person per horse. Children cannot ride with a parent. The minimum age to ride solo is six years old. Youths under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Any riders under the age of 15 must wear a helmet, which is provided by Amelia Island Horseback Riding. Adults can request a helmet, if desired.

The maximum weight each horse can carry is 300 pounds. All guests must sign a safety waiver before the ride begins.

GENERAL INFORMATION: RESERVATIONS, PARKING, GRATUITY

Amelia Island Horseback Riding operates daily. Tour times and reservations vary throughout the year based on type of tour. They book three main tours: Sunrise Ride, Sunset Ride and Day Ride. Reservations, costs and other trip info can be found on their website.

Tours start and end at Peters Point Beachfront Park on Amelia Island. Parking at beachfront park is free. You’ll meet your tour guide at the back corner of the parking lot near a picnic pavilion. Guests are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes before their tour time.

As with any guided tour, providing a gratuity for a job well done is a great way to thank your host. If you forget to bring cash, a tip can be added to the card on file for your reservation.

If you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion, contact them directly and they’ll help with planning. Proposal rides and team building events are popular. Prices vary.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Peters Point Beachfront Park has shaded picnic pavilions if a beach picnic, either pre- or post-ride, is part of your plan. There are no vending machines or food service at the park, so plan to bring all supplies with you. You’ll pass multiple convenience or grocery stores on your way to the park.

SEASONAL DIFFERENCES

The average daytime high temperatures range from mid-60s in December through February to the upper 80s and low 90s from June through September. The Atlantic Ocean surf temperatures range from the low 60s from December through March and the low 80s from June through September.

If you have visions of your horse gliding through the waves, temper them. They’re like us. They know when the water turns cool, and are less likely to get their hooves wet when the surf temps drop.

Summer and spring break are the peak season on Amelia Island. The island also benefits from an influx of northerners heading south throughout the winter seeking sunshine and a more moderate climate.

RESTROOMS

Peters Point Beachfront Park has an ADA-compliant facility that includes indoor restrooms, changing rooms and showers. It also has an outdoor shower station at the beach access point.

These are the only facilities near the start of your adventure. Tours are only 60 minutes.

ACCESSIBILITY

Because horseback riding requires a certain amount of physical strength to stay seated and each horse can only carry one rider, Amelia Island Horseback Riding can only work with guests who have high-functioning disabilities like autism. Other than being physically able to horseback ride, these riders must be able to manage their horse by learning how to work the reins and be able to follow simple directions as provided by the tour guide throughout the experience.

TIPS

Managing your horse requires at least one hand holding the reins at all times. It’s a beautiful setting and you’ll feel compelled to reach for your phone to take photos. Try to refrain. You’ll need to locate and take pics using one hand only. These horses are incredibly well trained to follow your commands. An inadvertent tug on the right rein while fumbling for your phone will tell your mount to head right.

At the midpoint of your ride, your guide will stop the whole group to take photos for you. This is also the perfect time to take your own pics while you’re in a stationary position and aren’t trading to manage your horse.

VACATION BEACH BONUS

Your hour-long tour, depending on the time, can either be the jumping off point or exclamation point to day exploring northeast Florida’s best beaches. A short drive south along on coastal highway A1A from Peters Point Beachfront Park brings you to three sea island beaches within the state park system — Amelia Island State Park, Big Talbot Island State Park and Little Talbot Island State Park. These natural preserves provide a glimpse into the past and exist without commercial and residential construction. They contain hundreds of acres of unspoiled land with miles of beachfront access plus hiking and paved bike trails through salt marshes and maritime forests.

Amelia Island State Park spans 200 acres and appeals to both sunbathers as well as anglers. It has a live bait and tackle shop that’s open Thursday through Monday. If surf fishing in the ocean isn’t your thing, the beach also has a mile-long fishing pier over the Nassau Sound.

Big Talbot Island State Park is famous for its Boneyard Beach, where the washed out skeletons of live oak and cedar trees provide a unique backdrop for vacation photos. It’s also the launch site for Kayak Amelia, which offers guided tours through the coastal inlets. Those looking to choose their own adventure can rent kayaks or standup paddle boards. Reservations are not required for hourly rentals.

Little Talbot Island’s beach, like Amelia Island, is perfect for spending a stress-free, sun-drenched afternoon with your feet in the sand. Both beaches are a shell collector and birder paradise. Beach finds can include whole sand dollars, glossy olive shells and shark’s teeth. Migrating birds that are often spotted along the coast include red knots, great horned or snowy owls and painted buntings along with nesting shorebirds.

Each park is open from 8 a.m. to sundown. Check websites for entry fees.