Rafting from Ocho Rios to Portland Rio Grande: Scenic river adventure

The river ride is what stays with you: a morning steering the raft yourself, not watching from a boat.

A private rafting tour from Ocho Rios to Portland Rio Grande on Jamaica's northeast coast, with driver pickup from your hotel and a 90-minute guided raft ride up and down the river. The tour crosses through St Mary, Port Maria, Annotto Bay, Buff Bay, Hope Bay and Saint Margrit Bay before reaching the water. Groups run from four to fourteen people. Children under four travel free, and ages four to eleven pay half price. The full outing takes around six hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ocho Rios to Portland Rio Grande Rafting

• Meet your driver at hotel
• Depart Ocho Rios
• Pass through St Mary and Port Maria
• Pass Annotto Bay without stopping
• Pass Buff Bay without stopping
• Pass Hope Bay
• Arrive Saint Margrit Bay
• Meet rafting captain
• Board raft for 1.5-hour river ride

The experience

Your driver picks you up at the hotel and heads northeast out of Ocho Rios, passing through St Mary parish and the town of Port Maria, then continuing through Annotto Bay, Buff Bay, Hope Bay and Saint Margrit Bay. The drive itself is the setup. You see the parishes roll past, and the guide talks through what you're passing. When you reach the river, your captain meets you at the water's edge and you board the raft.

The 90-minute ride is the core of the day: you're on the water steering the raft up and down the river, not sitting in a tour boat watching someone else work it. The guide is there, the water is moving, and the rhythm of the paddle and the river is what fills the afternoon. Room temperature bottled water comes with you on the raft.

The whole outing runs about six hours from pickup to return. A minimum of four people books the tour. A maximum of fourteen travel together. Infants sit on an adult's lap at no charge. Children four to eleven pay half the adult rate. Public transport options exist nearby if you want to arrange your own way to the river, though the driver pickup from your hotel is included.

What’s included

• Driver pickup from your hotel in Ocho Rios.
• live guide commentary in English throughout the drive and on the river.
• entry to the Portland Rio Grande.
• 90-minute guided raft ride.
• room temperature bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tour Jamaica Today

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle and steer your own raft rather than sit as a passenger. You'll navigate the river yourself while your driver handles the overland route through multiple parishes.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How long is the actual time on the river?

The raft ride lasts 90 minutes, going up and down the Portland Rio Grande. The full tour from hotel pickup to return is around six hours.

What's the drive like from Ocho Rios to the river?

The route passes through five parishes (St Mary, Port Maria, Annotto Bay, Buff Bay, Hope Bay and Saint Margrit Bay), so you see the northeast coast unfold. The guide provides live commentary along the way.

Do I need rafting experience to book this?

No. The tour suits all fitness levels. Your captain guides the raft and you participate. No prior skill is required.

What's included in the price?

Driver pickup from your hotel, the guide, live commentary, entry to the river, and bottled water are included. Alcohol, other beverages and food are not.

How many people can book together?

Groups run from a minimum of four to a maximum of fourteen people per booking. Infants under four travel free. Children four to eleven pay half the adult rate.