Martha Brae Rafting from Montego Bay: Private Bamboo Raft

One hour on a bamboo raft, a licensed captain steering, the river's current doing the work

Private rafting on the Martha Brae River from Montego Bay includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, a 30-foot bamboo raft piloted by a licensed captain, and a three-mile float down the river lasting about an hour. You board from a concrete pier after visiting Miss Martha's Herb Garden, where you learn about Jamaican medicinal plants, then spend the raft ride swimming or hearing the legend of Martha Brae.

The experience

The raft ride covers three miles of the Martha Brae River, the island's established rafting draw for over forty years. You board a 30-foot bamboo raft from a concrete pier under a licensed dispatcher's watch, then settle in with a captain who knows the water. The float lasts approximately one hour, moving at the river's pace rather than a schedule: time enough to swim if you want it, or to listen while the captain tells the story behind the river's name.

Before the raft launches, you visit Miss Martha's Herb Garden, a short stop where you learn which Jamaican plants carry medicinal and healing properties. It sets the tone for the day without eating into the river time itself. The Martha Brae sits about twenty miles from Montego Bay, and your private transport gets you there and back in an air-conditioned vehicle, so the logistics stay out of your way.

A licensed captain runs each raft, and the operation has employed eighty-five of them over decades: people who read the river and know how to keep the raft steady. Children from age five are welcome, though infants ride on an adult's lap. The setup is straightforward: you show up, you float, you return to your hotel without arranging a separate ride home.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Montego Bay hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a licensed raft captain for the three-mile river float.
• access to Miss Martha's Herb Garden.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 13:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by RPT Tours Jamaica

Is this one for you?Private transport from Montego Bay means you don't need a rental car or a separate ride to the river. The pickup and return are built in, so the day works whether you're staying in the city or just passing through on your way between resorts.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

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.

How far is the Martha Brae from Montego Bay, and how do I get there?

The Martha Brae sits about twenty miles inland from Montego Bay. Private transportation is included in your booking, so a driver picks you up from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and brings you back after the raft ride.

What happens during the raft ride itself?

You float three miles down the Martha Brae River on a 30-foot bamboo raft steered by a licensed captain, a journey that takes approximately one hour. You can swim in the river or listen to the legend of Martha Brae while the current carries you downstream.

What is Miss Martha's Herb Garden?

Miss Martha's Herb Garden is a presentation of Jamaican plants known for their medicinal and healing properties, located at the rafting site. You visit it before boarding the raft, learning about the plants' uses and significance to the island.

What should I know about fitness or health before booking?

The rafting experience requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. Pregnant travelers should not participate. If you have concerns about your fitness or health, check with the operator before booking.