Sunset Horseback Ride on Oʻahu’s North Shore

The horses here are working polo ponies from the operation that runs polo at the same Mokuleia property. They’re trained to a higher standard than most trail horses, which is why the tour works for complete beginners and experienced riders in the same group without the guides having to manage much. The beach sand at this stretch of the North Shore is too deep for trotting or cantering, so the pace stays at a walk throughout.

The horses are introduced by name at check-in; past groups have ridden Clara, Brewski, Olaf, Savannah, and Star. Image: Hawaii Polo Trail Rides

On the Ride

The sunset timing puts direct golden-hour light over the ocean as you ride along the waterline at Mokuleia Beach. At a designated stop, your guide takes photos of the riders against the horizon. This is built into the itinerary, not a request you have to make, and most guests come away with a usable shot. The horses are introduced by name at check-in; past groups have ridden Clara, Brewski, Olaf, Savannah, and Star. Tours are private, capped at 8 riders, and run for 1.5 hours. Check-in at the Waialua property is 30 to 45 minutes before the posted start time. Bags and purses don’t come on the ride; there’s a hook on the saddle horn for a phone or keys.

Tours are capped at 8 riders and run as private bookings; sunset slots fill 3 or more weeks ahead during busy periods. Image: Hawaii Polo Trail Rides

Before You Book

Sunset slots fill 3 or more weeks ahead during busy periods, so if your dates are fixed, booking early matters. One detail worth knowing: the trail runs adjacent to a clothing-optional section of Mokuleia Beach, which catches some visitors off guard, particularly those traveling with young children. Weight limit is 230 lbs; minimum age is 8; pregnant riders cannot participate. During peak season (mid-March through late September, Thanksgiving week, and mid-December through late January) the operator requires a minimum of 4 riders to confirm a booking. The cancellation policy is firm: cancellations within 48 hours of the start time are non-refundable, with no exceptions.

Guide quality comes through clearly across nearly 120 reviews, with Phoebe mentioned most often by name as a standout. The pattern is consistent: horses are well-matched to rider experience, and the staff handle mixed-ability groups well. Worth knowing: guide-to-guide variability is the one caveat that shows up more than once in the review record. The setting and the horses are constant; the guide is the variable.

Hawaii Polo Oceanfront Trail Rides has been running horseback tours on Oʻahu’s North Shore from their Waialua property, where the polo ponies used on tour are also working horses in an active polo operation. We list them for the private tour format, the beach access at Mokuleia, and the consistent reviews across nearly 120 verified guests. The 4.6 TripAdvisor rating reflects a long track record of matching horses to rider ability and handling mixed-experience groups without incident

Booking through this page costs you nothing extra and is made directly with Hawaii Polo Trail Rides. We earn a commission from the operator, not from you, and it is what pays for the research that keeps lovebigisland.com free and free of paid placement. We only list operators we would send a friend to. Details on our affiliate links are here.