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

Make a day of Jamaica’s north coast. This private excursion pairs bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae River with horseback riding and swimming, giving you two very different ways to enjoy the island. I like the freedom to shape the day around your own group, rather than follow a fixed schedule.

I also like that round-trip hotel transport and admission fees are included, which keeps the planning simple. The main concern is timing: on busy cruise-ship days, the wait at Martha Brae can become very long, and the horseback portion may feel brief after the drive from the river.

Key points at a glance

• Two Jamaican adventures in one day: Combine a calm river raft ride with horseback riding and swimming.
• Private transportation: Only your group participates, with pickup and drop-off from Montego Bay.
• Flexible pacing: The private format lets you request stops and adjust the day to suit your group.
• Martha Brae is the longer stop: Plan for about two hours at the river, though waiting time may vary.
• Suitable for new riders: The horseback activity is designed for beginners as well as experienced riders.
• Watch the calendar: Cruise-ship days can create heavy crowds and a wait of nearly three hours at Martha Brae.

A private day from Montego Bay

This tour is built for people who want variety without managing several separate bookings. You leave Montego Bay in an air-conditioned vehicle, spend time at the Martha Brae River in Trelawny, then continue toward the St Ann’s Bay Horse Back Riding Association for a second outdoor activity.

The advertised duration is about five to six hours. That sounds reasonable for two stops, but the actual day can stretch if Martha Brae is crowded. One reported outing included almost three hours of waiting at the river, followed by a drive of nearly an hour to the horseback activity. The ride itself lasted about 20 minutes on that occasion, much less than the stated one-hour stop.

That does not make the tour a bad choice. It does mean you should treat the schedule as flexible rather than exact, especially if your visit falls on a Tuesday or another cruise-ship day. If you have dinner reservations, a flight, or another paid activity later, leave plenty of room.

The private setup is the strongest practical feature. You are not sharing the vehicle or the day’s decisions with a large mixed group. You can ask for stops along the way, as one group did, and the driver can respond to your interests when time and route allow.

Martha Brae River: bamboo rafting in Trelawny

The Martha Brae River lies in Trelawny, about six miles south of Falmouth. The nearby village of Martha’s Brae takes its name from the river, which is best known for its bamboo rafting.

The river stop is planned for about two hours, and admission to the rafting experience is included. For many people, this is the heart of the outing. Bamboo rafting offers a slower, quieter change from Jamaica’s roads and resort areas. You get time on the water, rather than simply stopping for a quick photograph.

The river portion also gives your group a chance to settle into the day. After pickup in Montego Bay, you can expect a scenic transfer before reaching Trelawny. The exact views and stops are not fixed, but the private format gives you more say in how the journey feels.

There is one important catch: arrival time matters. A cruise-ship crowd can turn an otherwise pleasant river stop into a long wait. The operator specifically apologized for a nearly three-hour delay on a Tuesday when cruise passengers filled the attraction. If you can choose your date, ask about expected crowds before booking. That single question may make a bigger difference than almost anything else.

The river experience is a good fit if you prefer an easygoing outdoor activity. It does not require horseback-riding skills, and the private setting makes it easier to keep your own pace. If your group includes people with different energy levels, the rafting stop may be the part everyone can enjoy together.

Horseback riding near St Ann’s Bay

The second stop takes you to the St Ann’s Bay Horse Back Riding Association, described as a horseback-riding activity in Ocho Rios. Admission and the horseback fee are included in the tour price.

The activity is intended for both beginners and more experienced riders. That makes it a sensible choice for a mixed group, provided everyone is comfortable participating. A first-time rider does not need to feel that the tour is meant only for experts, while an experienced rider can still enjoy being outdoors on horseback.

You should keep your expectations measured. The experience is listed as a one-hour stop, but one outing included only about 20 minutes on horseback after the transfer from Martha Brae. The available information does not explain why the ride was shorter that day, so I would confirm the expected riding time when you book.

The horseback portion is also where the two-stop plan can feel less efficient. Martha Brae is in Trelawny, while the riding activity is associated with St Ann’s Bay and Ocho Rios. These are not next-door stops. The drive between them takes time, and you should decide if the variety is worth the road hours for your group.

The appeal is clear if you want more than a river activity. You can trade the soft movement of a bamboo raft for the more active feel of riding a horse. Swimming is also included in the overall tour description, giving the day a water-based activity beyond rafting, though the available details do not specify exactly where or how long the swimming portion takes.

Swimming and the value of variety

The title of the experience includes swimming, rafting, and horseback riding, so the appeal is not simply transport between two attractions. You are booking a mix of water and land activities in one private outing.

That variety can be especially useful for families or friend groups with different preferences. One person may prefer the peaceful river ride, another may be eager to ride a horse, and someone else may look forward to getting in the water. A fixed single-activity excursion would force everyone into the same plan.

At the same time, more activities do not always mean more time at each one. The tour lasts only five to six hours under normal conditions, and transfers take a share of the day. Add a crowd at Martha Brae and the horseback portion may be compressed. I would choose this tour for variety, not for a long, unhurried session at every stop.

Ask the provider how swimming fits into your chosen schedule. The supplied details confirm that swimming is part of the experience, but they do not give a specific swimming location, duration, or set of equipment. That is worth clarifying before you arrive.

What private transport adds

Pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Montego Bay are included, along with an air-conditioned vehicle and private transportation. That is useful in Jamaica, where arranging separate rides between Trelawny, St Ann’s Bay, and Montego Bay would add hassle and cost.

The driver can also shape the day in small but meaningful ways. One group specifically appreciated being able to stop at different places when asked. That flexibility is one of the best reasons to choose a private tour rather than a standard coach excursion.

The quality of the driver matters here because transport is not a short transfer. One driver, Dontae, was praised as a good driver and a pleasant presence during a long day. A separate group valued the guide’s patience, especially because it was their first visit to Jamaica.

Still, private does not mean instant. The vehicle cannot remove road time or attraction queues. If the river is full, you may wait even though your vehicle and guide are private. Think of the private arrangement as control over your group’s day, not a guarantee that every line disappears.

Price and what the $245 covers

The price is $245 per person. That is a considerable spend for a five to six-hour outing, but the package includes several costs that can add up when booked separately.

Included are:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Private transportation
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• Martha Brae rafting admission
• Horseback-riding fees
• Entry fees

The value depends heavily on group size and your priorities. A private vehicle is more valuable to a family or group of friends than to a solo visitor. You are paying not only for the activities, but also for convenience, privacy, and the ability to request stops.

The price feels harder to justify if your main goal is a long horseback ride. The river wait and the reported short riding session show how the two activities can receive uneven amounts of time. Before paying, ask the provider to confirm the expected riding duration and whether the swimming time is fixed or flexible.

Group discounts are offered, which may improve the cost for larger parties. Since the tour is private, a group can also divide the transport value among its members rather than paying for several separate taxis or excursions.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this experience to a group that wants several activities in one day and values private transport. It suits first-time visitors who want a driver and guide to handle the route, as well as families or friends who prefer not to share their day with strangers.

It is also a good match for mixed riding ability. Beginners can participate, while experienced riders do not have to spend the entire day in a basic sightseeing vehicle.

The tour may not suit you if you need a strict finish time. The river can be crowded, and the distance between stops makes delays more likely. It may also disappoint if you expect a long horseback outing with plenty of riding time.

Cruise-ship passengers should be especially careful. If your visit lines up with a busy ship day, the Martha Brae queue may consume much of the schedule. Ask about the day’s expected traffic and consider avoiding Tuesday if the provider confirms that it is likely to be crowded.

Booking, cancellation, and practical questions

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. Most people can participate, and the activity is private for your group only.

The cancellation policy is straightforward. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Because the tour combines several activities, I would contact Jamaica Terrific Travel Tours before the day begins and confirm four points: pickup time, expected time at Martha Brae, riding duration, and how swimming fits into the schedule. These questions are especially important if you are visiting on a cruise-ship day or have plans later.

Bring a flexible attitude. The tour is designed around outdoor activities and road transfers, and the day may not run to the minute. The private format gives you room to communicate, but it cannot control attraction crowds.

Should you book the Martha Brae and horseback tour?

Book it if you want a private Jamaican day with two distinct activities, included transport, and room to make requests along the way. The combination of rafting, swimming, and horseback riding offers more variety than a single-stop excursion, and the experience works for both new and experienced riders.

Think twice if your schedule is tight or if you want guaranteed, extended time on horseback. The reported wait at Martha Brae and the long transfer to St Ann’s Bay can reduce the time available for the second activity.

My best advice is simple: choose a less crowded date if possible, confirm the riding time before booking, and allow extra hours beyond the advertised five to six. With those precautions, this tour can be a convenient way to sample several sides of Jamaica without arranging the transport yourself.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The estimated duration is five to six hours. The day can take longer if Martha Brae is crowded or if transfers run late.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Montego Bay are included, along with private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

What activities are included?

The experience includes Martha Brae bamboo rafting, horseback riding, and swimming. Entry fees, the rafting fee, and the horseback-riding fee are included.

Is the tour private?

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

Is horseback riding suitable for beginners?

Yes. The horseback-riding activity is intended for both beginner and more experienced riders.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.