Horseback riding at Blue Hole, Ocho Rios: Swim with horses

Ride into the hills and straight into the water with your horse

Horseback riding near Ocho Rios combines a 45-minute to one-hour guided ride through the Jamaican countryside with a swim in the ocean alongside your horse. The experience includes access to Blue Hole's natural pools, waterfalls and cliff-jump spots, plus hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide who leads the horse and shares details about local culture and history. The full outing runs three to four hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Blue Hole and horseback riding tour

• Swim in rainforest pools
• Shower beneath waterfalls
• Cliff jumps and Tarzan swing
• Enjoy 45-minute horseback countryside ride
• Swim with horse in ocean

The experience

What makes this different from a standard Blue Hole visit is the horse itself. You ride for 45 minutes to an hour through the countryside with a guide leading the horse beside you, taking in the scenery at pace. Then the horse goes into the ocean with you. You actually swim together in the water, which is the part most people come back talking about. The ride is the setup. The swim is the payoff.

Blue Hole itself sits in the hills above Ocho Rios and works like a natural water park: you'll swim in rain forest pools, stand under waterfalls, and jump from cliffs or swing out on a rope. A guide in English walks you through it all and fills in the history and culture as you go. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport yourself. The whole thing (ride, pools, waterfalls, ocean swim) fits into three to four hours.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• English-speaking guide who leads the horse and provides live commentary on Jamaican culture and history.
• 45-minute to one-hour horseback ride through the countryside.
• access to Blue Hole's natural pools, waterfalls, cliff jumps and rope swing.
• ocean swim with your horse.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 09:00

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 86 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Courtney Taylor Private Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English and leads the horse beside you, so no prior riding experience is needed. This works well for families with children (who must be accompanied by an adult) and cruise passengers looking for a shore excursion that fits a port day, though it does require at least moderate fitness and is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I ride a horse if I've never done it before?

Yes. The guide leads the horse for you during the 45-minute to one-hour ride, so you're not steering or managing the animal on your own. Riders should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens at Blue Hole after the horseback ride?

Blue Hole is a natural attraction with multiple pools fed by waterfalls, cliff-jump spots, and a rope swing. You'll swim in the rain forest pools and shower under the waterfalls as part of the same outing.

Do I actually get in the ocean with the horse?

Yes. After the countryside ride, you swim in the ocean alongside your horse. It's included in the experience and is one of the main reasons people book this particular activity.

Is hotel pickup really included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the price. Your guide will collect you from your accommodation in Ocho Rios or nearby areas and return you at the end of the outing.

How long does the whole thing take?

The full experience runs three to four hours, which covers the horseback ride, the Blue Hole pools and waterfalls, and the ocean swim.