Tenerife South: Private Horseback Ride to the Coast

Black sand, sea air, and a steady horse make this a memorable Tenerife outing. This private two-hour ride heads from Xanadu Tenerife to Costa del Silencio with an instructor, giving you a quieter experience than a mixed group tour. I especially like the private format and the chance to ride into the water if sea and tide conditions allow. The free photos and included water are useful touches, too. The main drawback is the price: at $265 per person, this is a special-occasion ride rather than a cheap way to see the coast.

You should also know that this is not a casual pony ride. You need closed shoes, a reasonable level of fitness, and comfort around horses. A first-time rider can enjoy it, but be honest about your experience so the instructor can match you with a suitable horse and prepare you for real outdoor conditions.

Key points at a glance

• Private two-hour ride: You ride only with your own group and an instructor, with a chosen starting time subject to availability.
• Costa del Silencio destination: The route reaches a southern coastal area known for volcanic rocks and black sand.
• Possible ride into the sea: If the water is calm and the tide is right, you may be able to take your horse into the water.
• Helpful for first-time riders: An instructor accompanies you, and one beginner praised the guide’s ability to anticipate the horse’s behavior.
• Free photos included: You can leave with pictures of the ride without paying an extra photography charge.
• Strict fitness and footwear rules: Riders must wear closed-toe shoes and should not have certain medical or mobility conditions.

Riding from Xanadu Tenerife toward the coast

Your experience begins at Xanadu Tenerife, a restaurant and riding center that also serves as the return point. Before the outing, the operator sends meeting information and an explanatory video through WhatsApp. That is useful because the meeting process is not described as a standard hotel pickup service, and you are responsible for getting to the starting point.

The ride is planned as one hour toward the coast and one hour back. That simple timing matters. You are not signing up for a short arena lesson followed by a quick photo stop. The horse remains the main way you see the area for the full two hours, so you should be ready to sit in the saddle for a sustained period.

An instructor rides with your private group. For a first-time rider, that support is the heart of the experience. One beginner gave the guide full credit for anticipating what the horse would do before it happened. That is exactly the kind of calm attention you want when an animal reacts to something unexpected.

At the same time, horses are not machines. Another rider gave useful advice after a horse spooked near a car: tell the instructor the truth about your riding level. Do not claim experience just to sound confident. The private setup makes honest communication easier, and it gives the instructor a better chance to place you with a calm, suitable horse.

The coastal approach and Costa del Silencio

The route leads toward Costa del Silencio, a southern Tenerife coastal area marked by volcanic rock and black sand. The destination provides the visual payoff: open views toward the sea, dark shore textures, and a setting that feels very different from a paved resort promenade.

You stop here for photos. Since photography is included, you do not have to decide between staying in the moment and paying for a picture package later. The free photos are especially useful on a horseback outing, since taking your own pictures while handling a horse may not be practical.

The ride is described as slow, which can be a benefit or a disappointment depending on what you want. A slow pace is kinder to first-time riders and gives you time to look at the sea and volcanic shoreline. It also means this is not a galloping beach adventure. If you want speed, jumps, or advanced riding instruction, this outing is probably too gentle.

The coast itself is not presented as a long free-roaming beach ride. You reach the area, pause for photographs, and then return along the route. I would treat the outing as a scenic horseback excursion with a coastal goal, not as a full day spent riding along an uninterrupted sandy beach.

When the horses can enter the water

The most unusual part of the experience is the possibility of taking your horse into the sea. This only happens if the sea is suitable and the tide allows it. It is not guaranteed, so you should book for the ride itself, with water access viewed as a welcome extra.

If conditions cooperate, entering the water can turn an ordinary coastal ride into something memorable. The black volcanic shore, horse, and sea create a strong Tenerife setting. It is also a moment when the instructor’s role matters most, since water, rocks, tides, and animal behavior all require careful judgment.

Do not assume that the horse will swim or that you will spend a long time in the water. The information only promises access to the sea when conditions are right. Weather and tide can change the plan, and the operator should have the final say.

For comfort, wear sports clothing that can handle outdoor conditions. Biodegradable sunscreen is recommended, along with comfortable shoes and closed-toe footwear. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed, and high heels are clearly unsuitable. A helmet and disposable hygienic cap are supplied.

What the private format is really worth

At $265 per person, this ride costs more than a standard shared horseback outing. The price needs to be judged against what you receive: a private group, an instructor, a two-hour ride, helmet equipment, a disposable cap, water, and photos.

The private arrangement is the strongest reason to consider the cost. You are not placed with strangers, and the outing can be arranged for a specific time of day, subject to availability. That helps couples, families with eligible children, and small groups who want to ride at their own pace.

It also has practical value for mixed experience levels. A first-time rider may need a slower pace, while a more confident rider may be comfortable with a little more independence. A private group gives the instructor a better chance to manage those differences than a large mixed party.

Still, $265 is a serious spend for two hours. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, and lunch is not included. If you are mainly looking for a low-cost way to reach the coast, this is not the right choice. If you value privacy, personal attention, included photos, and the chance of entering the sea, the price becomes easier to defend.

Who should book, and who should sit this one out

I would recommend this experience to an adult or older child who enjoys animals, outdoor activities, and a slow coastal ride. Children under 10 are not accepted. Riders over 70 and anyone over 209 pounds, or 95 kilograms, are also excluded.

The ride is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, mobility impairments, epilepsy, recent surgery, animal allergies, a cold, motion sickness, or a low fitness level. Wheelchair users cannot take part. The information also lists visually impaired and hearing-impaired people as unsuitable, so you should ask the operator directly if you have any question about your circumstances before paying.

These restrictions may seem strict, but horseback riding puts physical demands on your back, balance, legs, and ability to respond to instructions. Outdoor riding also brings ordinary unpredictability. If you are unsure, do not hide a medical condition or lack of fitness. Contact the operator before booking.

For footwear, bring sturdy closed shoes or sports shoes. Pack comfortable clothing, outdoor layers, and biodegradable sunscreen. Avoid loose choices that could make riding awkward, and do not bring alcohol, drugs, chewing gum, or cigarettes. Open-toed shoes are not permitted.

The instructor makes the difference

The ride includes a live guide in Spanish and English. You are not simply handed a horse and sent toward the coast. The instructor is there throughout the private outing, helping you manage the horse and respond to the route.

That support is particularly important for beginners. A first-time rider described the guide as excellent at knowing what the horse was about to do. You should still expect to learn basic control and follow directions, but you are not expected to arrive as an experienced rider.

The horses can have different personalities. One rider enjoyed the open-air setting but noted that a horse spooked near a car, while another horse behaved very calmly. This is a good reminder to keep your hands steady, listen carefully, and tell the instructor exactly how much riding you have done.

There can also be small local pleasures along the way. One rider enjoyed cactus fruit cut by the guide. That detail is not a promised part of the tour, so do not count on it, but it shows how the experience can include simple, unplanned moments beyond the formal route.

Photos, water, and what is included

The included water is a small but sensible provision for a two-hour outdoor activity. You should still arrive prepared, especially in sunny conditions. Bring biodegradable sunscreen and clothing suited to time outside.

Free photos are another useful inclusion. Horseback riding creates a good setting for pictures, but taking your own while riding may be difficult. The photo stop at Costa del Silencio gives you a clear moment to enjoy the view and preserve the memory without treating photography as an extra purchase.

The equipment list is short and clear. You receive a helmet and a disposable hygienic cap. You need to provide your own proper shoes and clothing.

There is no lunch. There is also no hotel transportation. Plan your route to Xanadu Tenerife before the day of the ride, and use the WhatsApp instructions and video sent before departure. The exact meeting details are supplied through that message rather than laid out as a regular pickup schedule.

Language, timing, and cancellation

The instructor can operate in Spanish or English. The tour is private, so only your group rides together. The ride lasts two hours, and available start times should be checked before booking.

The flexible payment policy may help if your Tenerife schedule is still changing. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That gives you some breathing room, but the sea conditions are still outside your control. The water portion may not happen even if your booking goes ahead.

The advertised rating is 3.6 from six reviews, so I would read the praise and cautions together rather than rely on the number alone. The strongest positives are the guide’s handling of beginners, the coastal views, the private setting, and the open-air feel. The main caution is that horses can react suddenly, and the ride is better for a calm, honest beginner than for someone expecting a fast or highly athletic outing.

Should you book this Tenerife horseback ride?

Book it if you want a private, slow-paced horseback outing with an instructor, coastal scenery, free photos, and a chance of taking the horse into the sea. It is particularly appealing for a couple or small group that values privacy and does not want to ride with strangers.

Skip it if $265 feels too high for two hours, if you need hotel transport, or if you want a guaranteed water ride. You should also skip it if you dislike animals, have one of the listed health restrictions, or are not comfortable with the possibility of a horse reacting to traffic or other surprises.

My practical advice is simple: tell the operator your exact riding level, wear proper closed shoes, and treat the water access as a bonus. For the right rider, the combination of black volcanic coast, a private group, and attentive instruction can make this one of Tenerife’s more personal outdoor outings.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride begin?

It begins and ends at Xanadu Tenerife, a restaurant and riding center. Meeting details and an explanatory video are sent through WhatsApp before the trip.

How long is the ride?

The experience lasts two hours. The plan is about one hour toward Costa del Silencio and one hour to return.

Is the ride private?

Yes. You ride with your own group and an instructor rather than in a mixed group.

Can the horse go into the sea?

You may be able to access the sea with the horse if conditions are suitable and the tide allows it. Water access is not guaranteed.

What languages are available?

The live guide speaks Spanish and English.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable outdoor or sports clothing and closed-toe shoes. Sports shoes are suitable. High heels, sandals, and flip flops are not allowed.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Lunch is also not included.