REVIEW · KRABI SUNSET & PLANKTON CRUISES
Sunset Horse Riding And BBQ Dinner Tour At Ao Nam Mao Beach Krabi
A sunset horse ride in Krabi is a pretty special plan. What makes this one work is the Ao Nam Mao Beach setting and the fact that you get hotel pickup plus clear riding support for different experience levels.
I especially like how the team matches horses to riders and keeps the ride feeling controlled, not chaotic. You’ll also get the safety basics handled up front, including a helmet and a briefing.
One thing to consider: you’ll want to be comfortable with the rules, like the 85 kg weight limit, and the tour depends on good weather.
In This Review
- Key Points to Know Before You Go
- Ao Nam Mao Beach Is Built for Sunset Horse Riding
- Price and What You’re Really Paying For ($108.40)
- Pickup Timing: Why the 5:00 pm Start Helps
- The Horse Farm Setup: Matching You With the Right Horse
- The 1-Hour Ride Along Beach and Countryside
- Sunset Time and BBQ Dinner: The Part You’ll Talk About Later
- Optional Horse Swimming: A Special Add-On With a Price Tag
- Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Should Rethink It)
- Small Practical Tips That Make the Evening Smoother
- Weather and Group Size: How It Affects Your Plan
- Should You Book Sunset Horse Riding and BBQ Dinner at Ao Nam Mao?
- FAQ
- How long is the Sunset Horse Riding and BBQ Dinner Tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- Do I need prior horseback riding experience?
- What should I wear for the ride?
- Is there a weight limit?
- Are there extra costs besides the tour price?
Key Points to Know Before You Go

- Ao Nam Mao Beach timing: A late-afternoon start sets you up for sunset views over the Andaman Sea.
- Riding help is built in: If you can’t ride alone, the guide can walk with the horse.
- Small group feel: Up to 15 travelers, which helps keep things organized.
- Safety coverage: Helmet, first aid kit, and accident insurance are included.
- Food included: After the ride, you get a BBQ dinner while you enjoy the sunset atmosphere.
- Extra options cost extra: Swimming with the horse is available for an additional fee.
Ao Nam Mao Beach Is Built for Sunset Horse Riding

Ao Nam Mao Beach is the star here, and it matters. A beach ride is one thing; a beach ride that ends with enough time for sunset is another. This tour starts at 5:00 pm, which is perfect for that last stretch of daylight when the sky turns dramatic and the sea looks calm rather than harsh.
Even if you’re not a rider, this plan feels romantic without being overly staged. The ride is not just a short loop either. The schedule gives you about 1 hour on horseback, which is long enough to actually enjoy the pace—slow, steady, and focused on the view—before you switch gears to sunset and dinner.
And because the ride route also goes through countryside areas (not only sand), you get a change of scenery without adding extra logistics. That’s a small detail, but it makes the experience feel more complete.
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Price and What You’re Really Paying For ($108.40)
At $108.40 per person, this isn’t a budget snack. But it also isn’t a “pay for the vibe only” situation. You’re paying for a few concrete things:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off is included if you’re staying in Ao Nang or Ao Nammao
- A guide and safety setup are included (briefing, helmet, first aid kit)
- You get drinking water during the tour
- Accident insurance is included
- The experience itself is a 3–4 hour outing built around a real ride, sunset time, and BBQ dinner
Where it gets especially good value is the “support” angle. Not everyone can mount, steer, and stay relaxed on a moving animal on day one. This tour explicitly plans for first-timers by matching horses to experience level and offering hands-on guidance when needed. That reduces the risk of you feeling stressed the whole time, which is a big part of the vacation payoff.
Downside: if you’re outside the listed pickup zones, you’ll pay extra for transfers (amounts vary by area). So your total cost depends on where you’re starting from in Krabi.
Pickup Timing: Why the 5:00 pm Start Helps

The tour starts at 5:00 pm and runs about 3 to 4 hours overall. That’s not an early-morning commitment, which is great if you want a calmer day before. It also means you’re not hauling around all afternoon waiting for sunset.
Pickup is offered from hotels in Ao Nang and Ao Nammao. If you’re staying somewhere else in Krabi, you may need to budget extra for transfers:
- Krabi Town and Klong Muang: 400 THB per person
- Tubkaek and Khao Thong: 500 THB per person
That’s worth thinking through early. If you want the simplest, least-friction version of this evening plan, staying close to Ao Nang/Ao Nammao puts you in the best position.
The meeting point is the Krabi Horse Riding area at Ao Nam Mao, and the tour ends back at the meeting point. In practice, that end point lines up with drop-off, since pickup is part of the deal in the included zones.
The Horse Farm Setup: Matching You With the Right Horse

When you arrive at the horse farm at Ao Nammao, the owner and staff check everyone in and match horses to riders. This is one of the most important parts of the whole experience, because it changes the vibe from performance to comfort.
Here’s what that process means for you:
- If you’re a confident rider, you may be allowed to ride on your own.
- If you’re not, the guide can walk with the horse and take care of you as you ride.
That guide decision is based on your comfort level, not a one-size-fits-all rule. And the staff are described as experienced, friendly, and safety conscious, with horses that are very well looked after. That’s the sort of detail that matters most when you’re dealing with animals.
Also note the age minimum: the tour is suitable for anyone over age 4. So this can be a family-possible sunset outing (with proper supervision and expectations).
Hooves in the shallows? A few more Krabi beach horse rides below
The 1-Hour Ride Along Beach and Countryside

The ride itself is about 1 hour, and the timing is set up so you’re not rushed. That hour is long enough to feel like you did something real—not just a quick photo stop and back to the barn.
You’ll ride along the beach, with views over the Andaman Sea, and you’ll also pass through countryside areas. That mix keeps things interesting and helps the ride feel like an actual route, not only a repetitive line along the sand.
Safety is handled in practical ways before you even mount:
- A safety briefing
- A helmet
- First aid support on hand
One practical point: they advise long trousers for the ride, and you should bring boots or closed shoes. Barefoot or sandals aren’t safe for this kind of activity. If you want your feet to feel secure and not sore, treat this as a footwear task, not an afterthought.
Sunset Time and BBQ Dinner: The Part You’ll Talk About Later

The best part of this tour is the combo: ride first, then settle in for sunset on the beach and enjoy a BBQ dinner.
This is where the tour becomes more than transportation. The schedule gives you space to enjoy the colors in the sky instead of sprinting through photos. The sunset view at Ao Nam Mao is a big part of why this experience feels romantic to many people. And the BBQ dinner isn’t described as an awkward add-on; it’s part of the experience flow that pairs well with the end-of-day atmosphere.
If you like your evenings slow and scenic, this is a good match. If you’re the type who prefers nonstop action, you might find the sunset pacing more relaxing than thrilling—but that’s exactly why it works for couples and many first-timers.
Optional Horse Swimming: A Special Add-On With a Price Tag

There’s an optional activity called swimming with the horse. It’s available for an extra 1,500 THB per person, and the listing frames it as taking about 1 hour.
You should only add this if:
- You’re comfortable getting wet and dealing with beach conditions
- Your timing matters less to you than the full adventure version
- You’re okay with paying extra for the privilege
If you’re mainly in it for sunset views and an easy romantic evening, you can skip the add-on and still get the full ride and dinner experience.
Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Should Rethink It)

This is a very “most people can do it” kind of activity, and that’s unusual for horseback rides. The tour is suitable for riders over age 4, and staff offer support if you can’t ride alone.
It’s especially well suited for:
- Couples who want a romantic sunset plan that feels different from temple tours and boat trips
- First-time riders who want guides walking with the horse when needed
- People who care about safety basics like helmets and briefing, not just the photo moment
Double-check before booking if:
- You’re over 85 kg (riders exceeding this limit are nonrefundable)
- You’re unsure you can wear closed shoes/boots and long trousers comfortably in the heat
- You prefer activities that happen no matter the weather (this one requires good weather)
Small Practical Tips That Make the Evening Smoother
A few details can make or break how relaxed this feels:
- Wear long trousers and closed shoes/boots. Sandals are a no-go for safety.
- Bring a small bag for essentials so you’re not scrambling when it’s time to mount.
- Come ready for an evening that runs into night-ish territory, since it’s a 5:00 pm start.
- If you’re booking for a group, remember there’s a max of 15 travelers, so you’ll likely feel the organization of a small group rather than a large crowd.
If you’re the type who hates waiting around, this is still manageable. The time is structured around the ride and sunset dinner, and the staff run the matching process efficiently so you’re not sitting idle forever.
Weather and Group Size: How It Affects Your Plan
This experience requires good weather. If conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Since it’s a beach-based activity, this is exactly what you’d expect.
There’s also a minimum of 2 people required for the tour to run. On the rare occasion it doesn’t meet that minimum, you’ll be informed in advance and offered an alternative date/experience or a full refund.
From a planning standpoint: you’re traveling in Krabi, so weather can change. If your schedule has flexibility, this tour fits well.
Should You Book Sunset Horse Riding and BBQ Dinner at Ao Nam Mao?
I’d book this if you want one standout evening in Krabi that mixes scenery, animal time, and a proper meal without feeling like a rushed gimmick. The strongest reasons to choose it are the well-run organization, the matching support for riders, and the fact that the sunset and BBQ are built into the arc of the evening—not just tagged on.
I’d skip it or think twice if you’re hard-set on doing everything fast, you dislike waiting for sunset, or you’re not comfortable with the footwear and weight rules. Also, if your travel dates are extremely tight and weather would sink the plan, keep expectations realistic since this is explicitly weather-dependent.
If you want a romantic Krabi activity with real value—horse time, a beach sunset setting, and a BBQ dinner that sounds like it’s part of the point—this is a solid choice.
FAQ
How long is the Sunset Horse Riding and BBQ Dinner Tour?
It runs about 3 to 4 hours, with a 1-hour horse riding portion included.
What’s included in the price?
The tour includes hotel pickup (Ao Nang and Ao Nammao), a tour guide, drinking water, a safety briefing, helmet, first aid kit, and accident insurance, plus the riding experience and BBQ dinner.
Do I need prior horseback riding experience?
No. The team matches horses to experience level. If you can’t ride alone, the guide can walk with the horse and take care of you.
What should I wear for the ride?
Wear long trousers and bring boots or shoes. Riding barefoot or with sandals isn’t considered safe.
Is there a weight limit?
Yes. Your weight should not exceed 85 kg. Riders over the limit are nonrefundable.
Are there extra costs besides the tour price?
You may pay extra for transfers if you’re not staying in Ao Nang or Ao Nammao. There’s also an optional swimming with the horse add-on for 1,500 THB per person.
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