Amelia Island, located on north Florida's Atlantic Coast, is about a 30-minute drive northeast from the Jacksonville International Airport. If you are the outdoor type, you will find plenty to do there. You can fish, see wildlife--such as dolphins, alligators, manatees and sea otters--play golf and tennis or just relax on the beach. One of Amelia Island's more unique activities is horseback riding on the beach. In fact, Amelia Island is one of only a few places on the East Coast where you can ride horses along the beach.
Private Rides
If you want a personal riding experience, kind of like what you might see in the movies, you should contact Debbie Manser. A woman who is passionate about horses, Manser enjoys it when people can commune with horses. Manser customizes each ride, so that riders can enjoy their horseback ride at their level. If you are an experienced rider and want to canter along the beach, you can.
English or Western
Manser will let riders choose if they want to ride English or Western, according to Manser's website. Most places that rent horses only offer Western. When you ride, you can take the horse in the water up to their belly, depending on the season.
Special Occasions
Because of the customized service that Manser offers, many people choose to go there for special occasions, such as wedding proposals or anniversaries. Manser will even let small children ride, taking extra precaution with the little ones. You must make a reservation if you want to do this ride, according to the Amelia Horseback Riding website. Manser will trailer her horses to Fernandina Beach at Peters Point Beach Front Park on S. Fletcher Ave. Rides cost $80 per person, as of 2010. Manser only does two rides a day so that her horses won't be overworked.
State-Endorsed Ranch
The Kelly Seahorse Ranch, a real working ranch, is Florida's only state-endorsed ranch. Located on more than 200 acres in Amelia Island State Park, you will be able to see sea island wildlife while riding a well-trained horse on this guided tour. The maximum number of people on each guided tour is 10 to 12. This ranch is open year-round daily, except Mondays, and it is open many holidays as well, including Christmas and New Year's Day. The one-hour rides are at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The cost is $60, as of 2010, and no one younger than 13 can ride.
Horseback Riding for Beginners
The horses at the Kelly Seahorse Ranch are seasoned trail horses that have been trained to accommodate novice riders. If you are an experienced rider, don't expect to be able to gallop one of these horses. They have been trained to be safe for group rides. Experienced riders can still get out and enjoy the serenity and the beauty of being on a horse while learning about Amelia Island. All riding is Western style at the Kelly Seahorse Ranch.
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