Caribbean - Saint Martin Island: On the Beach and on Horseback

A horseback ride by the sea on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin or ... on the beach, but at a walk and trot! It was probably these visions that gave me the irresistible urge to do this horseback trek—to walk on the sand, but as a rider, and also enjoy a swim that was anything but ordinary.





From wish to reality ... all it took was heading to Ranch du Galion. Here we are, on the heights of the east coast of the charming island of Saint Martin, in the heart of the Caribbean.





After a first horseback ride that we really enjoyed, with a simple trip to the beach, it didn’t take much to make us want to repeat the pleasant experience. My daughter Emma had been dreaming of it too—so why not share this change of scenery, but this time opting for a slightly longer trek? It’s the big day. And Jess is there to greet us this morning with a big smile. Jess—or Jessica—is the one who runs this tropical ranch with passion; she looks after a whole little family of horses. This morning, she’ll be our guide and companion for this seaside horseback ride.



So, we set off along the wild shores of the stunning Anse du Galion.

In the enclosures, behind the fences and ropes, some stallions already seem impatient to stretch their legs! They know the place, the routines, and the trails ... and the soothing reward halfway through—a dip in the sea. Maybe that’s what’s causing a little excitement among these mounts!





Horses and ... an iguana slipping into the bushes. Given its appearance—its crest, its parched skin, and the dewlap hanging under its head—you’d think it wasn’t exactly young.



Anyway, back to the horses. Among the mares and stallions, I try to spot "Avenir" and his elegant gait—he was "my" horse during my last trek here, on the trails and sands of Galion. Well, spotting him isn’t going to be easy! My memories are a bit fuzzy, and several of these horses look like him ... -- Before setting off on the trek, it’s time for Jess to choose our mounts. For riders with little experience ... it’ll be calm horses, well-used to trekking—definitely easier and more enjoyable. Titia, a beautiful white mare for my daughter, and Prince, a gentle stallion for me. A little anecdote along the way: we’re really staying in the family for this horseback ride—these two horses are actually related: "my" Prince is the son of the lovely Titia!



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To help the horse get familiar with its rider, it’s a good idea to groom it before mounting. A thorough brushing of its coat to remove dust, and to finish off this preparation, giving it a treat is always appreciated. And Prince wastes no time chomping down on the carrot I offer him. Crunch, crunch—gone in no time! Stirrups and saddles are now properly adjusted on the horses’ backs—thanks, Jess, for the helping hand. As for us, we’re now well-helmeted and booted up, so we’re perfectly ready.



A step stool placed in the center of the paddock makes mounting easier. Next, it’s time to slip our feet into each stirrup. Our guide then advises us on the right positions: keep the balls of your feet on the stirrups, position your legs to become one with your horse, and always hold the reins firmly. To start, we take a few steps in circles around the enclosure, just to get the horse used to its new rider—and let’s be honest, to give *us* some confidence before heading down the hillside. Off to the shore!



To get there, we weave along a rocky trail, squeezing between bushes, thickets, and the occasional thorn. That’s when you realize the advice to wear pants for this ride was pretty spot-on…



In some spots, the hooves seem to slip and roll slightly—the trail is sloped! As for the view, behind the curtain of bushes, it gradually reveals itself: the distant sea on the horizon and, at the bottom of the hill, the wide bay of Galion. Lovely perspective! We reach a clear, nearly flat area. The horses’ pace becomes steadier. The terrain is now ideal for picking up speed—no need to urge “Prince” and the others much; they break into a trot on their own. These horses know the route and timing of this ride by heart. As almost-beginner riders, we do our best to adapt to the bumpy rhythm of the trot… and there we go—I’m finally in sync with Prince’s pace. For a few hundred meters, we ride alongside a mangrove-fringed pond. A marshy natural environment that suffered greatly during Hurricane Irma in September 2017.





The landscape now takes on a vibe that reminds me a bit of a trail in the African savanna… though that impression fades quickly as the beach comes into view. A path between two bushes leads us straight to the shore, and it’s time for us (or rather, the horses) to tread the golden sand along the water’s edge. The trade winds whip across the shoreline in gusts, a refreshing break in this tropical, sunny atmosphere—but our lead horse seems a little annoyed by these wind bursts!



“Calin,” the horse Jess is riding, tosses his head, nostrils flaring as he sniffs the air, swishing his tail and starting to walk sideways like a crab! Apparently, he can be a bit stubborn and difficult at times. Jess has to use all her skill to finally calm him down. The ride continues along the beach—a wild, untouched shoreline that gives this trek an adventurous feel. No beach amenities here: no umbrellas, no beach chairs, no thatched huts. Few visitors make it this far, to the far end of the bay. As you can see, the beach is truly natural… complete with a ribbon of brown seaweed that, of course, no one bothers to clean up. The result of erosion, ocean currents, and waves—here, the sand is littered with branches. An aspect that, it seems, doesn’t please Calin one bit. He pauses, showing signs of restlessness, as if he’s decided not to cross these few obstacles… and that’s that!



Just a few steps ahead, near the shore, Jess tells us about the little natural pools nestled among the coral. When the sea is calmer, the horses love to wade in and cool off halfway through their long ride—moments that, as you can imagine, delight the riders!



Anyway, it’s clear that a dip in these natural pools won’t be happening today! But no worries—the horseback swim is still on the agenda, just in a calmer part of the bay. About half an hour later, further along the beach, the long-awaited moment arrives: the famous sea bath! The horses, who’ve earned a cool-down after their trek, and the riders, excited for this unique swim, are both eager for it. Step by step, our horses wade into the sea—a crystal-clear water whose reflections dance on the surface. The horses go in up to their necks, and for us, the swim begins with a gentle immersion: first our feet and legs, then gradually up to our waists!



Focused on these surprising sensations, we almost forget the stunning panorama stretching to the horizon. This Galion Bay is truly a dream cove, with its lagoon-like views.



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So there we were, in the middle of the water, when my Prince suddenly starts fidgeting? Not quite a neigh or a grunt—he snorts and curls his lips, baring his big teeth like he’s posing for the photo—) And Jess tells me, seeing my puzzled look about his behavior: "He’s just happy!" Reassuring, except when she adds that sometimes some horses, so happy about their swim, go as far as immersing themselves completely… and the rider? Well, in they go too—splash! Good ol’ Prince, though—he won’t go that far, and honestly, I’m not complaining. The sea at 27°C is tempting, but in different circumstances and maybe later for me…

After the walk and the swim, the horses get another well-deserved break, but this time on dry land, among grasses, palm trees, and coconut trees. The perfect chance to nibble on some greenery.



As we continue our ride along the bay, it’s Calin’s turn to get spooked and hesitate, stopping suddenly with his ears pricked up. What did he see? Horses are keen observers and don’t like being startled. Naturally skittish, Calin had spotted a dog out for a walk with its owner. Reassured and encouraged by his rider, we set off again at a walk toward the beach to say hello to the rest of the family waiting for us on the sand. Anyway, I’ll spare you the sight of my *ahem*… 😉 But our horseback adventure isn’t over yet—thankfully!

Time to head back. We’re heading toward the heights and the Ranch. Here, set back from the shore, the bushes we pass are less prickly and even noticeably softer. Jess points out that these are cotton plants, with fluffy cotton bolls at the ends of the branches, frayed by the wind.





In some spots, there are even a few pretty flower buds. Too bad we don’t have time to stop and smell them—maybe catch a whiff of that cotton flower scent.



The path back to the ranch now takes a stretch of concrete road. The distinctive sound of hooves on the pavement sets the mood you’d expect: clip-clop! clip-clop! It perfectly complements the rhythm of each step. On the right, a large marshy area stretches out—the fish pond. Not sure if fishing is allowed or even worth it here! In the distance, you can see the colorful rooftops of the seaside village of Orient Bay.



That’s what the landscape looks like, though this photo was taken from a high slope near the Ranch. In the one below, you can see the hilly silhouette of St. Barth’s Island.



Our horses took us for a walk at a walk, a bit of a trot, and now, to complete the gaits, it’s time for a short gallop. Just a short stretch so we could “taste” the characteristic sway of a gallop. Between the bushes, you can now make out the shelters and enclosures of the ranch.

Once we arrive, the satisfaction of having had such a great time shouldn’t make us forget to give our horses a little extra love. They deserve it! As a thank-you, I grab the hose and start rinsing down my Prince.



Before wrapping up this story, one last detail about the Galion Ranch. It’s not just a place that organizes riding lessons and horseback rides for riders and tourists. It’s also a refuge where they take in and care for elderly or abandoned horses. A wonderful initiative, don’t you think?



Jess and her team are passionate about the well-being of their equine family. They’re the driving force behind an association for horse protection—no wonder a sign at the ranch entrance proudly proclaims: "Save the Horses." Kudos to them for their commitment and daily work in service of all these horses.

Jean Saint-Martin – April 2025 – Saint Martin Island – Caribbean – and thanks to Emma and Jess for some of the photos.

After making us wait for your Prince update, you’re spoiling us now, Jean, with this quirky travel journal. 😉 It’s great to see this island up close—it’s usually just a stopover on the way to its fancier neighbor.

Thanks JL for this nice message from a loyal site member—I see... This is just one aspect of Saint Martin Island, where there are plenty of other walks to explore and appreciate its tropical change of scenery. 😉