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

The best thing about this private Montego Bay outing is the mix: a quiet bamboo raft on the Martha Brae River, followed by horseback riding and a swim. You get two very different sides of Jamaica in one day, with your own group rather than a busload of strangers.

I like the private vehicle and flexible plan, especially if you want to pause at other places along the way. I also like that the riding is open to beginners as well as experienced riders. The main concern is timing: waits at Martha Brae can stretch badly on cruise-ship days, and the ride to the horseback stop adds more road time.

Key points to know before booking

• Martha Brae takes about two hours: The river stop includes rafting and time for a swim, with admission included.
• The horseback stop is in St Ann’s Bay: The riding portion is listed at about one hour, though the actual riding time may vary.
• Cruise-ship days can change the whole schedule: One Tuesday visit involved nearly three hours of waiting at Martha Brae.
• Your group controls the outing: This is a private activity, so you can discuss stops and pacing with the driver.
• Hotel transfers are included: You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle from Montego Bay and return to your hotel.
• Dontae received strong personal praise: He was described as patient, a good driver, and willing to stop at places requested by the group.

Two Jamaican adventures in one private day

This tour links two popular outdoor activities that are not right beside each other. First comes Martha Brae River in Trelawny, about six miles south of Falmouth. Later, you head toward St Ann’s Bay for horseback riding.

That combination gives you variety, but it also makes the day dependent on traffic, river crowds, and how long you spend at each stop. The advertised duration is about five to six hours. In practice, you should treat that as an approximate window rather than a tightly timed program.

I see the private format as the biggest advantage. You are not locked into a fixed group schedule, and you can talk with your driver about the pace of the day. If your group wants more time at the river, a short stop along the route, or less time at one activity, the arrangement is designed to allow that.

This works best for a family, couple, or small group that wants a simple private outing from Montego Bay. It is less suitable if you need a precise return time or have a flight, dinner reservation, or ship departure soon afterward.

Martha Brae River: bamboo rafting and swimming

The Martha Brae River is the main event at the start of the tour. Its setting in Trelawny, close to Falmouth, makes it an easy place to pair a gentle river trip with a taste of rural Jamaica.

Bamboo rafting is not a high-speed thrill ride. That is part of its appeal. You can expect a slower, calmer experience on the water, with the river doing most of the work while you take in the surroundings. The stop is scheduled for about two hours, and the admission fee is included in your tour price.

Swimming is also part of the plan. If you want to get in the water, bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes. The supplied details do not specify the exact swimming location or water conditions, so ask the operator or driver about the plan on the day.

The river stop can be the most enjoyable part of the outing when the pace is orderly. It gives you time to relax before the more active horseback portion. I would not rush this stop, but I would keep an eye on the clock if your group has a firm return deadline.

The important practical warning is crowding. One group had to wait almost three hours at Martha Brae on a Tuesday that coincided with cruise-ship visits. That is a serious delay for a tour advertised at five to six hours, especially since the horseback stop still requires a long drive afterward.

If your schedule is flexible, the wait may be annoying rather than disastrous. If you are trying to fit in several activities that day, it could be the difference between a pleasant outing and a tiring one. Ask about cruise-ship schedules before booking, and ask the operator which days are usually quieter.

Why the private format matters at the river

A private tour does not remove every delay. Martha Brae controls access to the rafting activity, so a crowded day can still affect your group. What the private setup does give you is more control around the waiting.

You can discuss how long to stay, when to leave, and whether a requested stop makes sense. You are not coordinating with a large coach group that has to wait for every person to return. That flexibility is especially useful when some people in your group want more swimming time while others prefer to move on.

One highly praised driver, Dontae, was described as patient, careful, and willing to stop at different places when asked. That detail matters because the quality of a private tour often depends as much on the driver as on the activities. A patient driver can make road time feel easier, particularly for a first visit to Jamaica.

Still, do not read private into instant. The river attraction can be busy, and traffic between Trelawny and St Ann’s Bay can add time. The private vehicle improves comfort and control, but it cannot guarantee a short queue.

Horseback riding in St Ann’s Bay

The second stop is the St Ann’s Bay Horse Back Riding Association. This portion is intended for both beginners and riders with more experience, so you do not need a strong riding background to consider the tour.

The riding fee is included, and the listed duration is about one hour. One account described only 20 minutes of horseback riding after a long wait and nearly an hour of driving from Martha Brae. That may reflect the schedule on that particular day, but it is a useful reminder to confirm the expected riding time when you arrive.

The description also includes swimming as part of the overall adventure, though it does not make clear how much time is assigned to swimming at each stop. If swimming is important to you, ask for a clear breakdown before setting out.

For a first-time rider, a shorter session may be enough. You get the novelty of being on a horse without committing to a full day in the saddle. More experienced riders may find the time limited, especially if the actual session falls closer to 20 minutes than the advertised hour.

I would also make this stop a priority when discussing the schedule with your driver. If the river is delayed, ask how that affects the riding time. You want to know whether the day will be shortened, extended, or simply run late.

The road between the two stops

The two activities offer good variety, but they are not a quick walk apart. The route from Martha Brae to the horseback stop was described as almost an hour in one account. That road time is a real part of your day, not a minor transfer.

The included air-conditioned vehicle is valuable here. Jamaica’s heat can make an open or poorly ventilated ride unpleasant, and an air-conditioned private vehicle gives your group a place to cool down between activities.

The drive also gives you a chance to adjust the plan. You can talk through swimming, extra stops, and the remaining time with the driver. If you are a group with different energy levels, that conversation can prevent frustration later.

Pack lightly but sensibly. You will want swimwear, dry clothes, and anything you need after getting wet. Since the day includes water and horses, comfortable clothing is more useful than dressing for a formal outing.

What the $245 price includes

At $245 per person, this is not a budget transfer. The price needs to be judged against what it covers: private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, Martha Brae admission, rafting, and the horseback riding fee.

For a small group, the private format may make the price easier to justify. You are paying for a tailored day rather than only a seat in shared transport. You also avoid arranging separate rides to Trelawny and St Ann’s Bay, then paying entrance and activity fees on your own.

The value is strongest when your group cares about privacy, convenience, and two activities in one outing. It is weaker if you want a short, tightly controlled excursion or if you plan to spend much of the day waiting.

Group discounts are offered, but no discount amount is provided. Ask for the exact total before booking, especially if several people are joining. The included fees also help you compare this tour with cheaper transport-only options.

I would think of the price as paying for a private day with the major activity costs bundled in. That can be worthwhile for a group that values simplicity. It is harder to justify for a solo participant or for someone who mainly wants a brief horseback ride.

Timing problems to take seriously

The tour duration is listed as five to six hours, but the real schedule can stretch. A three-hour wait at Martha Brae, followed by nearly an hour on the road and a shorter-than-expected riding session, turned the outing into a much longer commitment.

The cruise-ship warning is the most useful planning detail here. A Tuesday can be particularly crowded when ships are in port, though the available information does not identify every busy date. Ask the operator about expected crowds for your chosen day.

Do not schedule a tight connection afterward. You should also leave room for the possibility that one activity runs late. This is especially important for cruise passengers, since a delayed return to Montego Bay can create stress before all-aboard time.

On the positive side, the private arrangement may help you make decisions quickly when the schedule changes. You can ask whether to wait, move on, or spend less time at the next stop. That is more useful than a fixed itinerary when conditions are unpredictable.

The driver can shape the day

The strongest personal praise was directed at the guide and driver who was described as exceptional, patient, and happy to stop at places the group requested. Dontae was also singled out as a nice person and a good driver.

Those comments point to a practical benefit of booking privately. You have one person to speak with throughout the day, and your requests do not need to pass through a large tour operation. If you have never been to Jamaica, that steady help can make the day easier to manage.

At the same time, the driver cannot control every part of the experience. The rafting wait is set by the conditions at Martha Brae, and the riding duration may depend on the local schedule. Go in with a flexible attitude and ask clear questions early.

The provider is Jamaica Terrific Travel Tours. Confirmation is supplied when you book, and most people can participate. Since the activity includes horseback riding, swimming, and transport, mention any concerns to the operator before the day begins.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to a private group that wants several outdoor activities without arranging its own transport. Families with mixed riding ability can appreciate the beginner-friendly format, while experienced riders can still enjoy the chance to spend time on horseback.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a driver to handle the route. The private setup gives you room to ask questions and request stops, and the air-conditioned vehicle makes the transfers more comfortable.

You may want to skip it if you dislike uncertain timing, long drives, or queues. The river is popular, and a cruise-ship day can change the balance of the entire outing. Experienced riders who want a long horseback session should also confirm the riding time before paying.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted, so check your plans carefully.

Should you book the Martha Brae and horseback tour?

Book this tour if you want a private Jamaica day with two different activities, included transportation, and the freedom to adjust the plan with your group. The bamboo rafting gives you a calm river experience, while horseback riding adds a more active finish.

I would book it for a flexible day, not for a tightly timed itinerary. Before paying, ask about cruise-ship traffic, the expected wait at Martha Brae, the actual riding duration, and how much time is set aside for swimming.

The tour offers good convenience and variety, but its value depends on the schedule. If you can accept some uncertainty and want a private outing from Montego Bay, it is a sensible choice. If every hour matters, choose a shorter activity with fewer moving parts.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour is scheduled for approximately five to six hours, but the actual duration can change because of waiting times and the drive between stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Montego Bay are included.

What activities are included?

The tour includes Martha Brae bamboo rafting, swimming, and horseback riding at the St Ann’s Bay Horse Back Riding Association.

How long is the Martha Brae stop?

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

How long is the horseback riding portion?

The horseback riding stop is listed at about one hour. The actual riding time can vary, so confirm the schedule with the operator.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the tour can be adjusted to suit your group’s interests.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.