Horses, beach sand, and salt water.

On Zakynthos, the Yannis Horses ride-to-water experience is a rare mix of countryside trekking and an up-close swim with your mounts in the Ionian Sea. It’s the kind of trip that feels like you found a local way of getting out into nature, not another checklist stop.

I really like the small-group setup (limited to 6). You get more time with your instructor, better help adjusting to the horse, and it stays calmer when you’re learning. I also like how the stables use well-trained, family-run horses and guides who focus on matching routes to your age and comfort level.

One thing to consider: communication and comfort can vary. The guide speaks English and Greek, but there can be an English language barrier, and the terrain can be rocky or uneven in places, so you’ll want decent balance and realistic expectations about ride timing.

Key things to know before you go

• Tour 1 (3H) is the only one with swimming with the horses, plus a dedicated swim stop.
• Routes match your level, with different trekking options depending on age, experience, and how long you want to ride.
• Small group size (up to 6) means more personalized coaching around mounting, walking, and beach riding.
• Sunset rides include olives, vineyards, and hill viewpoints, if you pick the Wild Nature options.
• Not everyone fits the rules: age limits, a weight cap on Tour 3, and restrictions for pregnancy, diabetes, back problems, and animal allergies.

Entering the Yannis Horses Farm in Kato Gerakari

Yannis Horses Farm is your base in Kato Gerakari, western Greece on Zakynthos (Zante). Plan to arrive with time to settle in, because you’ll start with a welcome and a short briefing before anyone mounts. The farm is where the instructor sets expectations, explains how the ride will work, and helps you find your rhythm with your horse.

This matters more than it sounds. Horse riding is part riding, part trust. When the briefing is clear, you’re less tense, the horse stays calmer, and you get to enjoy the real star of the day: Zakynthos’ quiet places you can’t reach the same way on foot or by car.

Choose Your Tour: 1H Wild Nature vs 2H Wild Nature vs 3H Ride and Swim

You’ll choose between three options, and which one you pick should match your energy level and comfort in and around water.

Tour 1: Ride and Swim (3 hours)

This is the big highlight for most people: a morning ride that ends with horses in the sea. The start is early, with meeting at 8:40 at Yannis Horses Farm in Kato Gerakari, then a welcome and briefing. The ride runs from about 9:00 to 10:00, reaching a small secluded beach near the Amoudi area.

From there, you shift into beach riding and swimming: about 10:00 to 11:00 includes riding along the shoreline and a swim session with the horses. The day winds down with the return ride back to the farm around 11:00 to 12:00.

Tour 2: Wild Nature (1 hour)

If you want something shorter, this is your pick. It runs in two evening slots: 18:00–19:00 and 19:00–20:00. You meet about 20 minutes before at the farm.

The route is a nature sampler in one hour: you’ll pass through vineyards and centuries-old olive groves, climb a hill, and reach panoramic viewpoints for photos over the sea and toward Kefalonia.

Tour 3: Wild Nature (2 hours)

Tour 3 starts at 18:00, and the rules are stricter here. You must arrive 15 minutes before, and the operator lists limits: minimum age 8 years, no people described as old people or with disabilities, and no riders above 95 kg.

The schedule detail is lighter than Tour 2 in the info you’re given, so I’d use the longer option only if you’re confident in your riding comfort and you fit their requirements.

What the Briefing Actually Does for You

A good horse ride starts before the first step. After you meet your group at Yannis Horses Farm, you’ll get a welcome and short briefing from the instructor (English and Greek). They’ll talk you through how you’ll move—walking, controlling your pace, and what to do during transitions between trails, beach sand, and water.

Because the group is limited to 6 participants, the instructor can adjust instruction to the people who need it most. That’s a real value point, especially if you’re a beginner. When there aren’t lots of riders crowding the instructor, you don’t feel like you’re stuck waiting for help.

The Trail on Zakynthos: Olive Groves, Vineyards, and Sea Views

Even without swimming, the ride itself is the main event. Zakynthos can be scenic from viewpoints, but riding lets you experience it at a slower, steadier pace—almost like you’re moving through the countryside with permission.

The olive grove and vineyard route (Tour 2)

On the 1-hour Wild Nature tour, the scenery is built into the path. You cross vineyards, then get into centuries-old olive groves, which is exactly the kind of landscape you can’t fake. Olives have a way of making everything feel older and more grounded, and the trails through them tend to feel quieter than the roads.

Then you climb a hill to panoramic viewpoints. This is where the ride earns its photo time. You get sea views and sightlines toward Kefalonia, and since the ride ends at the farm, you’re not stuck with a long drive back from a distant lookout.

The ride to the Amoudi-area beach (Tour 1)

For Tour 1, the trail is about reaching a secluded place. The route takes about an hour until you get to the small beach near Amoudi. The key here is that it’s not just a beach stop. It’s a transition from inland paths to shoreline, which changes how your horse steps and how your own balance feels.

The most memorable part is the shift from countryside calm to the open, salty space of the water.

Beach Riding and Swimming With Horses in the Ionian Sea

This is the only option where you swim with the horses, and it’s set up as a structured block rather than a random splash-and-go. After reaching the beach around 10:00, you’ll ride on the beach itself and then swim with the horses. The info lists a 25-minute swimming stop for Tour 1, which gives you time to actually enjoy it.

Who should pick the swim tour

Tour 1 is a great choice if you’re curious, you like animals, and you can swim confidently. The activity’s restrictions list non-swimmers as not suitable, so the swim isn’t an optional add-on for the very cautious or novice swimmers.

If you’re a strong swimmer but still new to horseback riding, Tour 1 can still work because the ride is tailored by ability. You’re not expected to do advanced riding moves. You’re mostly expected to stay calm, follow instructions, and let the horse do what it’s trained to do.

What makes the swimming feel special

The value isn’t just that you get a photo. It’s that you’re in the water together—horse and rider—while still having an instructor and a planned timeline. That structure helps keep the experience safe and enjoyable.

Also, don’t ignore the obvious: swimming in the sea is different from a pool. You’ll want to show up in swimwear and be ready for salt water and shoreline conditions.

Safety, Terrain, and Realistic Expectations

This is where you should be practical. A horse ride through countryside can include rough footing and uneven ground. The operator requires you to bring comfortable clothes, but comfort doesn’t mean everything will feel smooth underfoot.

The upside is that the horses are described as trained, and the tour is run with instructors leading the trails. The included equipment and staff attention are there to reduce risk for the group.

The cautious part is yours:

• Choose the route that fits your riding level.
• If you’re nervous, speak up early during the briefing.
• Don’t push speed. This is about control, not bravado.

If you’re someone who tends to get tense easily, you’ll probably have an easier time with the shorter option first (Tour 2), then consider Tour 1 if you’re comfortable with water.

Fit and Restrictions: Who This Works For (and Who Should Skip)

This experience is family-friendly in concept, but the operator’s rules are strict. The activity is marked as not suitable for several groups, including:

• Children under the listed age limits (the data includes both under 9 and under 14, so confirm the minimum for your chosen option)
• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• Non-swimmers
• People with diabetes
• People with animal allergies
• People over 70

Tour 3 also lists extra constraints: no people described as old people and disabled, and a 95 kg weight limit.

My practical advice: if you’re unsure, pick the option that matches your comfort level and confirm eligibility before you pay. These rules are not there to be annoying. They’re there because horses, water, and uneven terrain require a baseline of physical comfort and safety.

Price and Value: Is $58 a Fair Deal?

At $58 per person, this isn’t a cheap novelty ride—and that’s exactly why the details matter. You’re paying for more than a trail walk. You’re paying for:

• Small-group handling (up to 6)
• Instructor-led guiding
• Equipment included
• The unique Tour 1 swimming-with-horses setup (with a dedicated swim stop)
• Access to countryside routes that vehicles and normal hikes don’t replicate as well

If your goal is the swim, Tour 1 is the obvious value match. If your goal is a scenic evening ride and sea views without water, Tour 2 often feels like the best balance.

You should also expect that ride time can vary a bit depending on conditions and how the group is moving. Build your day with a little cushion, especially if you have plans right after.

Guide and Communication: English, Greek, and How to Make It Easy

The instructor speaks English and Greek. That’s helpful, but a language barrier can still happen in real life, especially if you’re trying to ask lots of questions in the moment.

Here’s how you make it easier:

• Go into the briefing with one or two questions max.
• Focus on what you need for safety: stopping, starting, what the horse feels like for you, and what to do if something surprises you.
• If you’re not fully comfortable, say so early so the instructor can match you with the right horse and route pace.

With a small group, you’ll get better attention than you would on big tours. That’s a real payoff.

Practical Tips for What to Bring and How to Dress

You’ll want swimwear for Tour 1, plus comfortable clothes for the ride options. Plan for the fact that you’ll be outdoors and moving with horses, not just standing around.

Other practical ideas:

• Wear footwear that won’t slip easily.
• Bring a towel if you’re doing the swim option.
• If you’re sensitive to sun, protect your face and shoulders.

Also note the simple rule: no smoking.

Should You Book This Zakynthos Horse Riding and Swimming Experience?

Book it if you want an unusual Zakynthos experience with real nature time, small-group attention, and the chance to do something few people ever try: riding out to a beach and swimming with horses in the sea.

Consider skipping or choosing a different option if:

• You’re not a confident swimmer (especially for Tour 1).
• You don’t fit the listed age/health restrictions.
• You prefer perfectly smooth walking paths and predictable timing.

If you’re a beginner, I’d lean toward the shorter Wild Nature option first (Tour 2) unless your swim confidence and comfort with animals are solid. Then, if you’re comfortable, Tour 1 is the one that delivers the most memorable payoff.

If you’re ready for hands-on nature and calm, instructor-led riding, this is a good use of your time on Zakynthos.

FAQ

Which tour includes swimming with the horses?

Swimming with the horses is only included with Tour 1 (Ride and Swim, 3 hours). That option also includes a 25-minute swimming stop.

Where does the tour start?

All options meet at Yannis Horses Farm in Kato Gerakari (Unnamed Road, Kato Gerakari 291 00, Greece).

How long are the different tours?

Tour 1 is about 3 hours. Tour 2 is 1 hour with two evening start times. Tour 3 is 2 hours and starts at 18:00.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and comfortable clothes. Tour 1 especially depends on having swimwear.

What language will the instructor speak?

The instructor speaks English and Greek.

Is it okay to cancel or book without paying right away?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later (book your spot and pay nothing today).