Montego Bay: Bamboo Rafting & Limestone Massage Great River

Float the Great River on a Hand-Built Bamboo Raft, Then Get Your Feet Worked On

You float down the Great River on a bamboo raft built by hand, listen to your own music or the water's rhythm, and come back to a limestone foot massage that leaves your skin smooth. Round-trip transport from your Montego Bay hotel is included, along with a life vest and a local guide who knows the area. The whole thing takes 75 to 90 minutes, and food at a local cook shop is available if you want to add it on.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jamaican bamboo rafting and massage

• Board 30-foot bamboo raft
• Raft down the Great River
• Listen to river and music
• Learn some Patios language
• Enjoy limestone foot massage
• Option for full-body massage
• Interact with locals and learn history
• Optional local cuisine at cook shop
• Return to starting point

The experience

The raft captain hands you a life vest and points to the 30-foot bamboo raft bobbing at the dock: two people per raft, no more. He's already got your Bluetooth speaker ready, which means you can load your own playlist or just listen to the river move under you for the next hour and a half. The Great River runs through Montego Bay and the surrounding communities, and this isn't a tourist chute. It's the actual water source people depend on. You're floating through something that matters.

Once you're on the water, the captain talks about the area: the history, the land, maybe some Patois if you want to pick it up. There's no script here. The limestone massage happens when you get back to the starting point, and it's the kind of thing that sounds small until your feet actually feel it. The limestone works on your skin in a way that leaves it smooth, and you can upgrade to a full-body massage if you want to spend more. Food and drinks are available at a local cook shop nearby (curried goat, oxtail, brown stew chicken, the real stuff), but that's extra and optional. The whole bamboo rafting experience in Montego Bay takes about 75 to 90 minutes, and you end up back where you started unless the river's running high from rain upstream, in which case safety comes first and the captain lets you know.

Your hotel pickup is included, and you'll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to the dock and back. If you're celebrating something (a birthday, an anniversary), you can ask ahead for balloons or a sign on your raft. The weight limit is 250 pounds per person (350 if you're going solo on a raft), and if you're running late, there's a $10 fee per person for anything over 40 minutes. Reschedule less than 24 hours before and it costs $40 per person. Confirm your hotel address when you book so they pick you up from the right place.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, admission to the bamboo rafting experience on the Great River, a life vest, and a limestone foot massage at the end. You can upgrade to a full-body massage for an additional cost, and food and drinks are available for purchase at a local cook shop near the dock.

Options for this experience

4 options

Birthday sign with name and balloonUp to 2 people · Guide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 16:00Add-on: valid for one decoration per raft. This is an add-on only, not a rafting tour.

Without TransportationUp to 8 people · Guide in English · 9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00Lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Montego Bay hotels onlyUp to 8 people · Guide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00Lasts 1 hour 30 minutes, by van, mini-van or bus. Valid only for hotels located in Montego Bay, so please check your hotel's location before booking this option. Pickup is included.

Solo traveler, Montego Bay onlyUp to 4 people · Guide in English · 9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00Lasts 1 hour 30 minutes, with a van for solo riders. This option is only for guests staying in Montego Bay and excludes Trelawny and Negril hotels. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00

AgesAdult (13 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 90 years) · Youth (8 to 12 years) · Child (5 to 7 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 7 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by YoutoursJamaica

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to float a river without arranging transport or figuring out logistics: the pickup, the raft, the massage, and the ride back are all handled. The weight limits and medical restrictions mean you'll want to check those details before booking, but if you're good there, this is a straightforward half-day that gets you on the water and back to your hotel.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 12 years); Child (5 to 7 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 many people fit on one bamboo raft?

Two people per raft. Weight limit is 250 pounds per person, or 350 pounds if you're the only person on the raft.

What's included in the price?

Round-trip hotel pickup, admission, air-conditioned transport, a foot limestone massage, and a life vest.

How long does the bamboo rafting experience last?

75 to 90 minutes on the water, plus time for the massage and transport.

Can I upgrade the massage?

Yes, you can upgrade from a foot massage to a full-body massage for an additional cost. Ask the raft captain.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available at a local cook shop nearby for an extra charge. Typical options include curried goat, oxtail, and brown stew chicken.

What happens if the river is high?

If rain upstream raises the water level, the raft may not return to the starting point for safety reasons. The captain will let you know.

Can I bring my own music?

Yes. A Bluetooth speaker is available on the raft, and you can connect your device to play your own playlist.

What if I'm late?

There's a $10 per person fee for arrivals 40 minutes or later. If you need to reschedule less than 24 hours before, it costs $40 per person.