We had pre-purchased the Stone Island Tour in Mazatlan. We were picked up at the pier and taken to a party boat in a nearby harbor, from which we embarked on a one hour scenic cruise which included an up-close look at a sea lion colony, Captain Morgan’s Cave and El Faro Lighthouse. Our guides kept it light hearted, although when taking orders for our included lunches, the tour leader became embroiled in a spat with a lady who apparently ignored the first five descriptions of the choices.
When we arrived at Stone Island, we were amused to be able to see our ship a few hundred yards away. We had probably driven further to catch the tour boat than the distance from our ship to Stone Island, but the scenic cruise had been fun. On Stone Island, we were picked up by a tractor pulling a trailer filled with benches. We sat in the last row with an old guy whose leg amputation years earlier hadn't deterred him from grabbing the gusto of life. What a great lesson for all of us in his example.
When we arrived at Stone Island, we were amused to be able to see our ship a few hundred yards away. We had probably driven further to catch the tour boat than the distance from our ship to Stone Island, but the scenic cruise had been fun. On Stone Island, we were picked up by a tractor pulling a trailer filled with benches. We sat in the last row with an old guy whose leg amputation years earlier hadn't deterred him from grabbing the gusto of life. What a great lesson for all of us in his example. 
The bumpy ride through the less than bucolic setting took us to our base camp, a beachfront cantina where we could have unlimited drinks, a choice of two activities, and lunch. Julie locked in a prime lounge chair, and Amy and I immediately headed over to ride horses by the seashore. This proved to be a great horse ride. Perhaps because it only lasted about 25 minutes, I really loved riding in wet sand by a beautiful ocean.
By the time we got back, they began serving lunch, and it was great. They had grilled chicken or fish, fried mahi mahi, quesadillas, frijoles, salsa and rice. Over lunch, we told Julie how much fun the horse back riding was, and so we all went. Because Amy’s friend had decided to stay on the ship to catch up on her sleep and write postcards instead of joining us on our pre-paid tour, Amy and I were able to use her two activity choices for this second horse back ride.
We did a little reading, drinking and sunbathing, and then we were ready to go for our second official activity, the banana boat ride. Unfortunately, the boat driver had just left for the day, but the equipment rental guy lured him back with fresh fruit cups,
and we were off on an inflated banana being pulled by a speed boat over the choppy waves. It was a blast, but then it was time to go. Where had the day gone?
On my previous visit to Mazatlan, I had been turned off by a city overcrowded by spring break revelers, but this Stone Island excursion made me a fan of Mazatlan. If you don't expect anything fancy, you can have a great time here.
By the time we got back, they began serving lunch, and it was great. They had grilled chicken or fish, fried mahi mahi, quesadillas, frijoles, salsa and rice. Over lunch, we told Julie how much fun the horse back riding was, and so we all went. Because Amy’s friend had decided to stay on the ship to catch up on her sleep and write postcards instead of joining us on our pre-paid tour, Amy and I were able to use her two activity choices for this second horse back ride.We did a little reading, drinking and sunbathing, and then we were ready to go for our second official activity, the banana boat ride. Unfortunately, the boat driver had just left for the day, but the equipment rental guy lured him back with fresh fruit cups,
and we were off on an inflated banana being pulled by a speed boat over the choppy waves. It was a blast, but then it was time to go. Where had the day gone?On my previous visit to Mazatlan, I had been turned off by a city overcrowded by spring break revelers, but this Stone Island excursion made me a fan of Mazatlan. If you don't expect anything fancy, you can have a great time here.
