Private & Customize Tour to Martha Brae Rafting and Horseback Riding N Swim

Two Jamaican adventures, one private day. This Montego Bay excursion pairs a calm bamboo raft ride on the Martha Brae River with horseback riding and swimming, giving you a varied taste of Jamaica without sharing the vehicle with strangers. I like the private format and the chance to shape the day around your group. I also like that round-trip hotel transport, entry fees, rafting, and horseback riding are included in the $245 price.

The main caution is time. The advertised duration is about five to six hours, but waits at Martha Brae can stretch the day, especially on a cruise ship day. A past booking involved nearly three hours of waiting, followed by almost an hour on the road for a much shorter horseback ride. That makes the schedule worth discussing before you set off.

• Martha Brae rafting lasts about two hours, with admission included.
• Horseback riding in St. Ann’s Bay lasts about one hour, and it welcomes both beginners and experienced riders.
• Private transport from Montego Bay keeps the day limited to your own group.
• The itinerary can be adjusted, which helps if your group has different interests.
• Cruise ship days can bring long waits at Martha Brae.
• Driver Dontae received praise for being patient, friendly, and a careful driver.

A Private Jamaican Day With Two Very Different Adventures

This tour is designed for a group that wants more than one activity but does not want to follow a rigid bus schedule. You leave Montego Bay in an air-conditioned vehicle with private transportation, then head toward the Martha Brae River in Trelawny.

The appeal is simple. You can spend part of the day floating along a Jamaican river on a bamboo raft, then switch gears for horseback riding and swimming near St. Ann’s Bay. The two activities feel quite different, which keeps the day from becoming repetitive.

I like this setup for families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who want some control over the pace. A private tour also gives you room to ask for stops along the way. One booking praised the guide for making extra stops when requested and for being patient with a group visiting Jamaica for the first time.

The private format does not remove every timing risk. Martha Brae can become crowded, and the transport between the stops takes time. If you have an evening reservation, a cruise departure, or a tight return schedule, leave plenty of room.

Martha Brae River: A Quiet Raft Ride With a Crowded-Schedule Warning

The Martha Brae River is in Trelawny, about six miles south of Falmouth. The area is known for bamboo rafting, and the river gives you a slower, more relaxed opening to the day than horseback riding would.

The rafting portion is scheduled for about two hours, and the admission fee is included. You can expect this part to be the more unhurried activity, with time on the water rather than a quick photo stop. The river setting is the reason to choose Martha Brae: it offers a gentle way to see part of Jamaica while seated on a traditional bamboo raft.

The important issue is the difference between activity time and total stop time. Two hours describes the planned Martha Brae visit, not necessarily the full amount of time you may spend there. One experience involved an almost three-hour wait before rafting, which seriously changed the shape of the day.

The operator explained that Tuesday was a cruise ship day, when many people arrived at Martha Brae at once. That detail is useful. If your date is flexible, ask whether a cruise ship is expected and whether another day would be quieter. If your date is fixed, confirm the likely wait before booking.

I would also ask how long the group can expect to spend at Martha Brae from arrival to departure. That question is more useful than simply asking how long the raft ride lasts.

Swimming Adds a Welcome Change of Pace

Swimming is part of the combined adventure, though the supplied details do not specify exactly how long you will swim or the precise swimming location. That means you should confirm the swimming arrangements before you pay if this is a major reason for choosing the tour.

Still, the inclusion of swimming makes sense as part of a day built around water and outdoor activity. After sitting on a raft, you can have a more active break before or around the horseback portion. For your group, this may be the part that turns a sightseeing trip into a proper activity day.

Keep expectations practical. This is not presented as a dedicated swimming excursion with a full water-sports schedule. It is one part of a broader private tour, along with rafting and horseback riding.

Horseback Riding at St. Ann’s Bay

The second main stop is the St. Ann’s Bay Horse Back Riding Association. The ride is listed at about one hour, and the activity is intended for both beginners and more experienced riders.

That range is helpful if your group has mixed experience. A first-time rider can take part, while someone comfortable on horseback does not need to skip the activity. At the same time, the description does not provide details about the exact riding route, pace, horse selection, or swimming arrangements with the horses. Ask those questions if they matter to your decision.

The stop is described as an opportunity to ride a beautiful horse, and horseback riding in the Ocho Rios area is presented as an adventure for different skill levels. You should think of it as an accessible introduction rather than assume it will be a long, advanced ride.

There is also a timing concern. One booking reported almost an hour of driving from Martha Brae to the horseback stop for a ride that lasted only about 20 minutes in practice. The listed duration is one hour, so the actual experience may vary. Confirm the expected riding time and transfer time when you arrange the tour.

This is the most important question for anyone choosing the tour mainly for horseback riding: does the one-hour activity time mean one full hour in the saddle, or does it include preparation and other steps? Getting a clear answer helps you judge the value.

The Drive Between Trelawny and St. Ann’s Bay

The route covers more than one Jamaican area. Martha Brae is in Trelawny, while the horseback stop is in St. Ann’s Bay, connected with the Ocho Rios area. The two-stop plan is appealing, but it is not geographically compact.

That distance explains why the day can feel longer than the activity list suggests. You are not simply walking from a raft launch to a nearby stable. You are combining two separate outings with private transport between them.

A private vehicle makes this easier. You do not have to manage a large shared group, and you can discuss timing with your driver. Air conditioning also matters in Jamaica, particularly after an outdoor activity. The transport is a practical part of the package, not just a way to get from one attraction to another.

Driver Dontae was specifically praised as nice and a good driver. That kind of support matters on a day with several moving parts. A calm driver can make a long transfer feel less like wasted time, especially when the group wants to ask for a stop.

What the Private Format Really Gives You

The word private has real value here. Only your group takes part, so you can talk openly about your interests, request reasonable stops, and avoid being tied to the habits of a large coach group.

The tour also says it can be customized. That does not mean every part of the day is unlimited or that every requested change is guaranteed. It means you have more room to shape the outing than you would on a fixed group schedule.

For example, a group of first-time visitors may want a slower pace and extra stops. A group focused on riding may want to confirm the longest possible horseback session. A family may care more about balancing raft time, swimming, and transport without rushing.

I would contact the operator before the day with three clear questions:

• How long is the expected wait at Martha Brae on your date?
• How much time will you spend actually horseback riding?
• Which parts of the schedule can be changed?

Those answers will tell you more about the tour than the headline duration alone.

Is $245 Per Person a Fair Price?

At $245 per person, this is not a cheap outing. Its value depends heavily on group size, transport needs, and how much you care about having a private vehicle and two activities in one day.

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, entry fees, the horseback riding fee, and the Martha Brae rafting fee. That bundled structure makes budgeting easier. You are not starting with a low tour price and then adding the main activities one by one.

For a group that wants both rafting and horseback riding, the package may be worthwhile because arranging separate transport between Montego Bay, Trelawny, and St. Ann’s Bay could be inconvenient. The private setting also gives the price more justification than a simple transfer would have.

The value weakens if the Martha Brae wait is very long or if the horseback ride is much shorter than expected. In that situation, you may spend a large share of the day sitting in the vehicle or waiting in line. Ask about cruise ship traffic before booking, and treat the five to six hours as an estimate rather than a guarantee.

Group discounts are available, though no discount amount is provided. If several people are booking together, ask for the group rate directly. That could make the private arrangement more attractive.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would recommend this outing to a group that wants variety and prefers a private day. It suits people who want to combine a scenic river activity with horseback riding rather than devote the entire day to one sport.

Beginners should find the horseback component approachable, based on the stated suitability for both new and experienced riders. More experienced riders may enjoy it too, but they should confirm the riding time and pace first. The available information does not promise an advanced trail or an extended ride.

It can also work well for first-time visitors to Jamaica who appreciate help with transport and planning. One booking praised the guide’s patience with a group that had never been to Jamaica and appreciated being able to request a few stops.

I would be cautious about booking it for:

• Anyone with a very tight schedule.
• Anyone who dislikes waiting at popular attractions.
• Anyone expecting a long horseback ride as the main event.
• Anyone visiting on a known cruise ship day without checking likely crowd levels.

The tour is less suitable if you want one polished, tightly timed activity. It is better for a flexible group that values choice and is willing to accept some uncertainty.

Booking, Cancellation, and Practical Planning

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with the private vehicle and admission fees. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate according to the supplied information.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that same period are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

Because the schedule can shift, do not place an important evening commitment too close to the planned return. Ask about the pickup time, the expected Martha Brae wait, and the driving time to St. Ann’s Bay before finalizing other plans.

Bring a flexible attitude. The combination of river time, swimming, riding, and road transfers is appealing, but it is not a clockwork excursion. The best day will be one where you have room to enjoy the activities rather than worry about being late for the next appointment.

Should You Book This Montego Bay Tour?

Book it if you want a private Jamaican day with two different outdoor activities, included transport, and the freedom to adjust the plan for your own group. The rafting is the calmer half, while horseback riding adds a more active change of pace. The patient guide service praised by Valerie’s group and the good driving noted about Dontae add confidence to the private setup.

Before booking, ask about cruise ship traffic, the expected Martha Brae wait, and the actual time in the saddle. Those details decide whether $245 per person feels reasonable.

My verdict: this is a promising choice for flexible groups that value convenience and variety. It is not the best pick for a tightly scheduled day or for anyone who expects a guaranteed long horseback ride. Book with time in hand, and the private format can make the two-stop plan far more enjoyable.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour takes approximately five to six hours.

Where does the tour start?

The tour is based in Montego Bay and includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle and private transportation.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

How long is the Martha Brae portion?

The Martha Brae River stop is scheduled for about two hours, with admission included.

How long is the horseback riding portion?

The horseback riding stop is listed at about one hour, with the horseback riding fee included.

Can beginners go horseback riding?

Yes. The horseback riding is described as suitable for both beginners and more experienced riders.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.