Martha Brae Rafting in Montego Bay: Bamboo Raft & Horseback Ride

Bamboo rafts carry small groups down a river named for a legend.

Private rafting and horseback tour from Montego Bay combines a three-mile float down Martha Brae River on a bamboo raft with a guided ride through Jamaican countryside, ending with jerk chicken at Scotchies. Hotel or cruise port pickup is included, along with a licensed raft captain and guide who narrate local history and point out landmarks like an abandoned World War II airstrip. The river stretch lasts about an hour. The full outing runs four to five hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bamboo rafting and horseback riding

• Pickup at hotel or cruise port
• Drive through Jamaican countryside
• Horseback ride through local villages
• Rafting on Martha Brae River
• Learn about Martha Brae legend
• Swim during raft ride
• Visit Miss Martha’s Herb Garden
• Enjoy meal at Scotchies with jerk chicken

The experience

Thirty-foot bamboo rafts board from a concrete pier at Rafter's Village, a six-acre facility twenty miles from Montego Bay that sits on a natural horseshoe island. Before you push off, walk through Miss Martha's Herb Garden to see the medicinal plants Jamaicans have used for generations. The raft captains (eighty-five of them, all licensed) give you a safety briefing, then pole you down a three-mile stretch of the Martha Brae. The ride lasts roughly an hour. Once on the water, you can listen to the legend of Martha Brae or jump in for a swim. The choice is yours.

After rafting, you move to the horseback portion. A guide meets you at the stables and takes you through the countryside on gentle horses, passing farmland and local villages. The narration covers Jamaican history and geography, including the story of that old airstrip, built during World War II and later used for smuggling. The ride is unhurried, built around what you see rather than a fixed pace.

The day ends at Scotchies, one of the island's most popular spots for jerk chicken, pork, and sausage with sides and a Red Stripe beer. Transport between each location, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are included. Bring your own towel for the river swim. The total time accounts for drive time to each stop, so plan for the full four to five hours.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel or cruise port.
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• alcoholic beverages.
• lunch at Scotchies with jerk chicken, pork, sausage and sides.
• WiFi on board the vehicle.
• a licensed raft captain and guide throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 12 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio 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 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 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bucketlistja

Is this one for you?Book this as a private tour if you're traveling with family or a small group and want both activities in one outing without coordinating separate bookings. The fixed route (river first, then horseback, then food) keeps the day simple and leaves no gaps between stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (2 to 12 years).

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.

What is the Martha Brae River like when you get there?

Martha Brae is Jamaica's number-one rafting attraction, a three-mile stretch of river you float down on a bamboo raft with a licensed captain. The raft ride lasts about an hour, and you can swim in the water or listen to local history as you go.

How does the horseback riding part work?

After rafting, you ride gentle horses through the Jamaican countryside, passing farmland and local villages. A guide narrates the scenery and tells stories about the area, including landmarks like an abandoned World War II airstrip used later for smuggling.

What is included in the price?

The package covers private transportation from your hotel or cruise port, the raft ride with a licensed captain, the horseback ride with a guide, lunch at Scotchies, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. You'll need to bring your own towel for swimming.

How long does the whole experience take?

The full outing runs four to five hours, including drive time to the rafting site near Falmouth, the one-hour river float, the horseback ride, and the meal at Scotchies.