Bamboo Rafting & Horseback Ride n Swim Guided Tour In Montego Bay

The best part of this outing is the change of pace: a quiet Martha Brae bamboo raft ride followed by horseback riding through the countryside and into the sea. You get a mix of Jamaica’s rivers, farms, coast, and food in one short trip, with pickup from Montego Bay and private transportation.

I like the warm, personal guiding, especially when Alex explains sights along the road or Jessica and Dwight help with the horse ride. I also like the chance to ride bareback with a horse in the Caribbean, a rare and memorable activity that goes well beyond the usual resort schedule.

The main caution is that the rafting can feel short, and the private-tour wording may not match the horseback setup on every departure. One serious report also describes a missed pickup and late cancellation, so confirm the details with BOJ Adventure Tours before travel.

Key points at a glance

• Martha Brae rafting: Spend about an hour on a handcrafted 30-foot bamboo raft with a local guide.
• Horseback ride and swim: Ride through countryside and farmlands, then enter the Caribbean with the horse.
• Local guides: Alex has been praised for explaining sights on the drive, while Jessica and Dwight are associated with the horseback portion.
• Scotchies stop: Allow time for jerk chicken and other Jamaican food, but lunch is not included in the $145 price.
• Private transport: Your group receives air-conditioned transportation, bottled water, and WiFi on board.
• Important limits: The horseback minimum age is 6, the weight limit is 230 pounds, and the private horseback arrangement should be confirmed.

Why this Montego Bay day trip works

At $145 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but you are paying for three separate activities, private transportation, admission fees, and a guide who handles the day’s connections. For someone staying in Montego Bay without a car, that convenience matters.

You also get more range than a single beach excursion. The rafting brings a slow river setting, the horse ride moves through rural Jamaica, and the swim adds a direct encounter with the sea. The combination lets you see several sides of the island without committing to a full-day tour.

The listed duration is about 3 to 4 hours. That makes it manageable for families and couples who want an active morning or afternoon rather than a long road day. Keep in mind that the stops are roughly an hour each, with driving time and the Scotchies visit filling out the schedule.

The tour is sold as a private activity, with only your group participating. That description clearly applies to the vehicle and overall booking, but one unhappy customer reported joining a horseback group of about 10 other people. I would ask one direct question before paying: Will the horseback ride itself be private, or only the transportation and booking?

Martha Brae rafting: a calm start on the river

The rafting portion takes place on the Martha Brae River, about three miles inland from Falmouth. The river attraction is roughly 20 miles from Montego Bay and about 40 miles from Ocho Rios, so the pickup route is part of the outing.

You ride on a handcrafted bamboo raft about 30 feet long. The guide handles the raft while you sit back and watch the banks slide past. This is a gentle activity, not a whitewater run or a test of physical strength.

That calm pace is the point. You get warm sun, a cooler breeze, and time to hear about Jamaican culture and local heritage from someone guiding you along the river. If your resort days have been noisy or packed, this hour offers a welcome pause.

The main limitation is length. Two separate pieces of feedback single out the rafting as a little short, even while praising the guide. I would set your expectations correctly: this is a scenic river interlude, not a long expedition.

The quality of the hour will depend heavily on the person handling the raft. Joe is named in the feedback as a good rafting guide, though the assigned guide may vary. Ask your driver who will lead the river portion and how much time you will actually have on the water.

Because the rafting depends on weather, the river portion may be moved or canceled if conditions are poor. In that case, the operator offers another date or a full refund under the stated policy.

Braco Stables and the horseback ride into the sea

The horseback portion begins from a private beach at Braco Stables. You first ride through scenic countryside, passing farmland and homes near the local community. The trail gives you a look at rural Jamaica before returning to the coast.

The ride ends with the unusual part: entering the Caribbean while riding bareback with a horse. You do not simply watch the animals from the shore. You have the chance to splash in the sea with a friendly, trained horse, which is the feature that gives this excursion its identity.

Several details make the experience especially appealing. The horses are described as well trained, and the hosts are repeatedly praised for being welcoming and helpful. The limestone leg or foot massage also appears in the feedback as a pleasant part of the outing, but it is not consistently included in the advertised package. Treat it as a possible extra, not a guaranteed feature.

Jessica and Dwight are named as especially helpful hosts for the horseback activity. Another account praises the horse owner for making the setting feel friendly and allowing time with her pets. Those small personal touches matter on an animal activity, where patient instruction and a relaxed pace can make the difference between fun and nerves.

The minimum age is 6, and the weight limit is 230 pounds. You should take both rules seriously and confirm them for every member of your party before booking. The available information does not provide detailed instructions about swimming ability, so ask the operator what happens if you prefer not to enter the water with the horse.

There is also a practical privacy issue. The package is presented as private, but one booking did not receive a private horseback ride. If privacy matters to you, get written confirmation of the riding group size. A private van does not automatically mean a private trail ride.

Scotchies gives the day a Jamaican food stop

Scotchies Montego Bay is described as a casual, no-frills place for jerk chicken and other Jamaican food. The setting uses rustic booths and a relaxed family feel, so it offers a more local lunch stop than a meal inside your hotel.

Lunch is not included. The tour includes fees and taxes, but you pay for food yourself. Shopping is also at your own expense. That distinction matters when comparing the $145 price with other excursions.

The stop can be useful even if you are not very hungry. Alex is praised for taking time to explain sights on the drive and for stopping at a local eatery for fresh jerk chicken with rice and peas. Ask your driver if the Scotchies visit will be a full meal stop or a shorter food break, since the schedule is only 3 to 4 hours.

Jerk cooking is often seasoned and smoky, so anyone with food restrictions should ask about ingredients before ordering. The supplied details do not list a fixed menu, meal allowance, or dietary alternatives.

The guides can shape the whole day

This tour is more than a transfer between three attractions. The driver may set the tone before you reach the river or stable. Alex is specifically praised for explaining the views along the route, while other hosts have been described as friendly and willing to share information about places you pass.

That local commentary adds value because the drives connect resort areas with Falmouth, farmland, and the coast. You are not left to guess what you are seeing from the vehicle window.

Names vary across the available feedback. Jessica, Dwight, Alex, and Joe are all associated with positive parts of the day, but you should not assume that one person will guide every activity. Ask for the names of your driver and activity guides after booking.

The strongest praise centers on the human side of the outing: supportive transport, patient horse handlers, good explanations, and a warm welcome. The weakest reports focus on communication and expectations, not on the river, horses, or food itself.

What the $145 price really covers

The $145 fee includes admission fees, taxes, air-conditioned transportation, private transport, bottled water, and WiFi on board. It does not include lunch.

For a couple or family without a rental car, that can be fair value. You avoid arranging separate rides to Martha Brae and Braco Stables, and you have one operator coordinating the day. The price also makes sense if you want both the horse swim and the raft ride but do not want to book two separate excursions.

The value drops if you mainly want a long rafting trip. The river portion lasts about an hour and may feel brief. It also drops if you expect a fully private horseback ride and are placed with a larger group.

Group discounts are available, so ask about them if several people are booking together. The experience is listed as mobile-ticket friendly, and confirmation is received at booking. Those are useful conveniences, but they do not replace confirming pickup time, ride privacy, and the exact activities included.

Timing, fitness, and what to bring

Most visitors can participate, but this is still an active outing. You will ride a horse, walk around the stable and beach, and possibly enter the sea with the horse. The operator sets the horseback minimum at age 6 and the maximum weight at 230 pounds.

Wear clothing you can get wet and shoes suited to both a stable and a beach. The supplied details do not specify changing facilities, towels, lockers, or footwear, so ask before departure. Bottled water is included, but bring any personal drinks or supplies you need.

Sun protection is sensible because the raft and beach portions expose you to the Caribbean sun. Keep valuables to a minimum. The tour includes transportation and activities, but no promise is made about secure storage at the stable or beach.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, refunds are not available and changes are not accepted.

The communication issue you should not ignore

Most of the available feedback is strongly positive about the actual activities. The horseback swim earns the most enthusiasm, and the driver and hosts receive repeated praise. Still, two one-star accounts raise concerns that deserve attention.

One person reported that the driver did not arrive and that the cancellation was not communicated until the customer contacted the company. Another described the private horseback claim as inaccurate. These are not minor details when you are arranging a paid excursion from a resort.

I would contact BOJ Adventure Tours shortly before the activity and confirm four points: pickup time, pickup location, the names of the driver or guides, and whether the horseback ride is private. Save that confirmation on your phone.

This does not mean you should automatically reject the tour. It means the booking needs a little follow-up. The operator’s written response to the private-ride complaint apologized and said the matter would be investigated, but the practical fix is still to clarify your own booking before you leave Jamaica.

Who should book this Jamaica excursion?

I would recommend it to couples, families with children 6 and older, and first-time Jamaica visitors who want several signature activities in a short window. It works particularly well for people staying in Montego Bay who want transportation handled for them.

It suits an active group that values variety more than long time at one attraction. The horse swim is the main draw, while the raft ride and Scotchies stop make the outing feel broader.

I would be more cautious if you want a long, quiet river trip, have strict accessibility needs, need a guaranteed private horseback ride, or dislike last-minute uncertainty. Ask about group size and operational details before committing.

Should you book the Bamboo Rafting and Horseback Ride n Swim Tour?

Book it if the chance to ride a horse into the Caribbean is your priority. That part receives the clearest praise, and the combination of countryside riding, sea time, and friendly hosts gives the day real character.

The rafting is pleasant but short, and lunch costs extra. At $145, the package is best judged as a convenient three-part outing with private transport, not as a dedicated rafting tour.

My advice is simple: book after confirming the pickup and private-ride details in writing. If BOJ Adventure Tours gives you clear answers, this is a good way to leave the resort, meet local guides, eat Jamaican food, and fit two distinctive activities into one compact day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 to 4 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $145 per person.

Is pickup from Montego Bay available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the tour includes air-conditioned private transportation.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Food at Scotchies is paid for separately.

What river is used for the rafting?

The rafting takes place on the Martha Brae River.

How long is the bamboo rafting portion?

The Martha Brae stop is scheduled for about 1 hour.

What is the minimum age for horseback riding?

The minimum age for the horseback ride is 6 years old.

Is there a weight limit for the horseback ride?

Yes. The stated weight limit is 230 pounds.

Is the tour private?

The activity is listed as private, with only your group participating. However, the private nature of the horseback ride should be confirmed before booking because group arrangements may vary.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.