Maui Horseback Riding
Several riding stables and working ranches are located on Maui and they offer vacationers a chance to enjoy the view from the saddle. All will want to know your level of experience so you can be matched up with a horse that will be appropriate for your riding ability. If you're a beginner, don't worry, you'll learn quickly (horses steer just like a car). If you're a veteran equestrian we have rides that are a bit more challenging. All rides require closed-toed shoes and long pants. All in all, we can safely say that your ride here on Maui will be one of the most beautiful and fun you have ever taken. Horseback riding has limited availability so they book up in advance ... don't wait until you arrive on Maui. Reserve NOW!!!
Mendes Ranch
Journey into an actual working cattle ranch nestled in the heart of West Maui and ride the open range. From the moment you arrive on the Mendes Ranch, the feeling of ohana (family) is abundant and the views are astounding. A family owned and operated business, the original Mendes traveled to the island of Maui from the Azores Island, Portugal in 1886. The land where the ranch is now located was their homestead in the 1940's.
The tour begins at the Mendes Ranch corral and riders descend down through a valley to the coastline. This pictureque windswept area has crashing waves and magnificent views and is not accessible to the public any other way. Your trail guide will take photos of you on your horse with this majestic seascape for a backdrop. Mendes Ranch offers a 1.5 to 2 hour ride at 9:00am and 12:30pm. Available 7 days a week!
| Minimum age 7 ... maximum height 6'3" | |
| Maximum weight in pounds depends on rider height | |
| 6'0"-6'3" is 230 | 5'5"-5"6" is 180 |
| 5'11" is 220 | 5'3"-5'4" is 170 |
| 5'10" is 210 | 5'0"-5"2" is 160 |
| 5'9" is 200 | 4'11" is 150 |
| 5'7"-5'8" is 190 | |
$180.00 per Rider (plus 4.712% Hawaii sales tax)
$180.00 per Rider (plus 4.712% Hawaii sales tax)
$280.00 per Rider (plus 4.712% Hawaii sales tax)
Also offered at 9:00am and 12:30pm. Private rides are just your party and a guide ... minimum of 2 riders.MEN / V
Cruise Ship Clients
NCL cruise ship passengers are able do Mendes Ranch on the afternoon of their first day or the morning or afternoon of their second day in port in Kahului. This is a 10-12 minute cab ride to the ranch. This can also work for
Lahaina cruise ship passengers on the afternoon of their first day(as long as your ship is running tenders until at least 8pm) or on the morning of their second day in port but you will need a rental car and the drive time is about an hour.
Maui Mountain Activities
Experience horseback rides with Maui Mountain Activities! The adventure takes you up the West Maui Mountains to an elevation of approximately 2500 feet. Witness waterfalls from a distance, and then journey to the coastline to ride alongside the waters of the Pacific. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of Maui's native rainforests and the beauty of Pacific Ocean. Their trail guides will take photos of you along the way with your camera. As you experience the natural side of Maui, you will also learn about its history. Rides are offered Monday thru Saturday, and the tours include complimentary refreshments.
$180.00 per Rider (plus 4.712% Hawaii sales tax)
On this 2 to 2.5 hour ride, you will climb 2500ft and also ride along the coastline. Check in time is at 8:15am.
Minimum age is 7, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum weight is 215 pounds. They recommend wearing long pants, closed toe shoes, and sunscreen. Maui Mountain Activities will provide helmets and saddlebags.
MMA / V
Cruise Ship Clients
NCL cruise ship passengers are able do Maui Mountain Activities on the morning of their second day in port in Kahului. This is a 10-12 minute cab ride to the ranch. This can also work for
Lahaina cruise ship passengers on the afternoon of their first day(as long as your ship is running tenders until at least 8pm) or on the morning of their second day in port but you will need a rental car and the drive time is about an hour.
ACTIVITY TIPS
Many people don't realize that Hawaii has a rich cowboy tradition and that ranching is big in the islands. The Hawaiian language even has a word for cowboy ... "Paniolo." You'll tap into that history if you do a horseback ride on Maui. Because horseback riding takes place in small groups, reservations should be made well in advance of your arrival ... we suggest three weeks as a minimum.
Mendes Ranch is the largest and most well-known horseback riding operation on Maui. They have stunning ocean views from their ranch which is nestled at the top of a 1,000 foot bluff along the north shore of the West Maui Mountains. You ride from the upper ranch down a gently sloping trail that leads all the way to the ocean and then back again. This ride has a slow enough pace for beginners who have never been on a horse before, but there are one or two places where the more experienced can canter for short distances. This ride scores well on scenery; less so for the actual horse experience as these horses seem to be in control of the rider and not the other way around. Overall it's a good experience for beginners, or for more advanced riders we recommend their private rides. Mendes Ranch recently changed the length of their rides from 2 hours to an hour and a half. They said that the 2 hour ride was taking 2 and a half hours, so they adjusted the ride to 90 minutes so that it now takes 2 hours ... haha. I think it's safe to say the ride there will last between an hour and a half and two hours depending on the speed of the group. A nice BBQ lunch is available with either the morning or afternoon ride, but if you plan to eat lunch we recommend you do the morning ride and then eat lunch. The afternoon ride eats lunch and THEN goes on the horseback ride, and if you eat too much you might feel more like taking a nap than riding a horse!
Maui Mountain Activities' is unique in that they not only offer horseback rides, they also have ATV tours. So ... if you really want an adventurous day, maybe do the horseback ride in the morning and the ATV in the afternoon!
Please note maximum weights and minimum ages for riders when making your reservations for any of these rides.