Horseback Riding in Jamaica
Let's Go Horseback Riding in Jamaica ... in the Sea!
Wouldn’t it be really cool if you could go horseback riding in Jamaica?
Let’s take it a step further. How about not just a horse ride on the beach, but actually in the sea?
Are you with me?
Table of Contents
3 Amazing Places to Go Horseback Riding in Jamaica … in the sea
Here are 3 Jamaica horseback riding tours that you should check out if you are staying anywhere between Ocho Rios and Falmouth. And they all include horseback riding on the beach and in the water.
Note that these rates are 2019 rates without transportation costs and are subject to change without notice.
Hooves Horseback Riding Jamaica
Hooves is located in St. Anns Bay, which is about 25 minutes east of Discovery Bay, between Runaway Bay and Ocho Rios.
Hooves was the first horseback riding tour that we ever did in Jamaica and that was in 1999. So, they have been around a long time.
The tour starts at the site of Seville Great House, a World Heritage site, the site where Columbus was stranded for a year in 1503. You will see remnants of bygone history. Then you continue on to the beach ride.
Ride Time: 9 am and 2 pm
Ride Duration: 2 hours for the tour, about 1.5 hours for the ride
Minimum age: No minimum age but there is a 3 ft minimum.
Maximum weight: 240 lbs
Costs: Adults – starting at US$70, children – starting at US$50
Website: Hooves Horseback Riding in Jamaica
See a video of the Hooves Horseback Riding Experience.
CHUKKA HORSEBACK RIDING JAMAICA
Chukka Cove is located in Llandovery, just west of St. Anns Bay, about 20 minutes from Discovery Bay.
On Chukka’s tour, you will pass through areas that are former movie locations – Papillon in 1973, Return to Treasure Island in 1985 and Passion and Paradise in 1988. In addition to horseback riding, you can also choose to do ATV riding and cliff jumping from the same location.
Ride Time: 2 pm
Ride Duration: 2 hours
Minimum age: 6
Maximum weight: 220 lbs
Maximum group size: 38
Cost: Adults – from $US89 per person; Children – from $US62.30 per person
Website: Horseback Back Ride n Swim Chukka Cove
Watch this video of Chukka’s Horseback Riding Experience.
BRACO HORSEBACK RIDING JAMAICA
Braco Stables is 15 minutes from Falmouth, an hour from Montego Bay, 45 minutes from Ocho Rios, and less than 10 minutes from Discovery Bay. It is the closest horseback riding tour to Mais oui Villa.
Ride through the country-side to the beach. Along the way you will pass an airstrip that was built around the time of World War II and was used in the illegal marijuana smuggling that used to go on in the 1970s.
Ride Time: 10:30 am and 2:30 pm
Ride Duration: 2 hours
Minimum age: 5
Maximum weight: 240 lbs
Maximum group size: 30
Cost: Adults – starts at US$70
Website : Braco Stables
Read our Braco Stables Trip Report – Ride a Seahorse into Paradise
Watch a video of the Braco Horseback Riding Experience.
Common Questions Visitors Ask About Horseback Riding in Jamaica
IS IT TOURISTY TO GO ON A HORSE BACK RIDING TOUR IN JAMAICA?
In many ways, yes. This is largely due to the large size of some of these tours. Some tours take 20-50 people at a time, especially if they are accommodating cruise ship passengers.
If you want a more authentic feel, do the private ride that all these companies will arrange. It is not crowded and is more personalized. Private rides do cost more; but, are well worth the extra price.
For a more local, non-touristy experience, you can arrange with the folks at Cranbrook Flower Forest, just up the road from Chukka, for a private horseback ride in the hills of St. Ann. They do not offer a beach ride.
AREN’T THESE TOURS CRUELTY TO ANIMALS?
I would imagine this depends on your perspective. If you think it is, then don’t even waste your time going to any of these establishments. You will not enjoy it.
From what I can tell, Hooves, Braco, and Chukka, all seem to care about the health and safety of these animals. Some of these horses are actually rescue animals that they have nurtured.
ARE THE HORSES BEING FORCED TO SWIM?
Do you know the expression, “You can take a horse to water but you can’t force them to drink”? Actually, it seems to be true of getting horses to swim in water also. Apparently, if the horses don’t want to go in the water, they won’t. And of course, the guides don’t force them.
There is a strange, almost moaning, sound that the horses make in the water. It is normal for them to do this when they are in the water. It doesn’t mean they are in distress.
WHAT DO YOU WEAR TO GO HORSEBACK RIDING IN JAMAICA?
Always wear long pants. Sometimes, the foliage is a little overgrown and can brush against your legs, which can cause itching. Plus, the horse can rub against your thighs and legs, which can be uncomfortable, very uncomfortable. Cotton pants are good because they dry quickly. Some people like to wear yoga type pants.
Wear a bathing suit under your clothes. Bring a beach towel.
Bring a small waterproof pouch for your cell phone and some spending money for snacks and drinks on the beach and gratuities for the guides. Avoid carrying any unnecessary items. Most of these places don’t have lockers.
A cell phone is good to take pictures but make sure you have a waterproof case to prevent it from getting wet..You could also consider a waterproof camera like a Go-Pro.
You and your shoes will get wet on the ride. Wear well-fitting, closed shoes, that won’t slip off. No flip flops.
Water shoes are ideal. Sneakers are fine if you don’t mind them getting wet.
Remember the sun – don’t forget a hat, sun glasses, and sunblock.
How can we get photos of the experience, especially the horse ride on the beach and horse ride in the sea?
A cell phone is good to take pictures but make sure you have a waterproof case to prevent it from getting wet.You could also consider a waterproof camera like a Go-Pro.
I don’t think many people have mastered the art of taking a selfie while horseback riding in the sea so you will need someone to take pictures of you.
These tours usually have photographers available but the package is often pricey. If you and your travel partners are in the sea together, it will be more fun; but, you won’t be able to take pictures of each other. For the best pictures, someone who isn’t riding on a horse needs to take the pictures.
DO YOU HAVE TO BOOK YOUR HORSEBACK RIDING TOUR IN ADVANCE?
Some of these tours can get pretty busy on cruise ship days. It is best to book ahead to prevent disappointment.
Most companies have a morning ride around 9 or 10 am and an afternoon ride around 2 pm. Booking a day or two is usually fine. I like to be flexible and so don’t mind calling the afternoon before to see what is available for the following day.
WHICH RIDE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND – THE MORNING OR THE AFTERNOON HORSE RIDE IN JAMAICA?
Both rides are popular. I tend to prefer the morning ride just because mornings tend to be cooler and sometimes less crowded.
ARE THESE HORSEBACK RIDING TOURS FOR EXPERIENCED RIDERS?
The rides are designed for riders with little to no experience. In fact, experienced riders might be bored on the trek to the beach where the horses are riding nose to butt. If you are a more experienced rider, you might want to get the private tour.
DO YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SWIM TO BE ABLE TO DO THESE JAMAICA HORSEBACK RIDING TOURS?
The horses do go up to their necks in the water so it is fairly deep. As far as I can tell, at most of these places, the horses aren’t really “swimming”, and if they are, it isn’t for the whole time in the water. They can place their feet on the sand. If you choose to do this adventure, I would suggest letting the guides know so they will stay beside you during the ride. Also, do wear a life vest.
When I did the Hooves ride, the line of horses went in the sea together. For the Braco ride, there were two horses at a time that went in for the swim in the sea. So if you let the guides know ahead of time that you can’t swim, they will know how to take care of you.
ABOUT THE HORSE POOP …
When we did our ride, I guess we were lucky and did not end up swimming in the sea along with horse poop. Unfortunately, it can happen. I’m sure you can find reviews online about people grossed out by this. There is nothing really that can be done to prevent this from happening. Horseback riding is a very popular activity in Jamaica and I would be surprised that these tours would keep getting great reviews if swimming in horse poop was a common occurrence.
HOW LONG IS THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE?
Most of these tours take about 2 hours. The ride to the beach may vary from 30-40 minutes each way. The actual time in the water is not very long, maybe 5-15 minutes, depending on the tour. Between matching riders to horses, saddling up, and giving the horses a little rest for the return trip, it can feel like there is quite a bit of time spent waiting around.
IS THIS ACTIVITY GOOD FOR CHILDREN?
Children have to be a certain height to be able to ride. They also need to be able to follow instructions to keep the horses in line. Swimming in the sea can be a little bit of a challenge and does require some coordination. Also, it is a bit deep. The guides generally will take kids out themselves if they are having difficulty. They do have horses which are best for children.
So doesn’t it sound like fun?!
Be sure to check out one of these three places if you want to go horseback riding in Jamaica in the sea, especially if you are staying anywhere between Ocho Rios and Falmouth.
Have you done any of these horseback riding tours in Jamaica? If so, leave a comment or tip below.
If you are visiting Jamaica with a group and are looking for a large villa in Ocho Rios Jamaica region, look no further than the 8-bedroom Mais Oui Villa in Discovery Bay, offering the best of both worlds – close to not only the attractions of Ocho Rios but also to those in other nearby regions like Rio Bueno-Falmouth, 30 minutes closer to Montego Bay’s airport than Ocho Rios, but without all the crowds and hustle and bustle of a large town.
‘Til next time.
Think and dream Jamaica!
Sherry, Darrell, and Darrian
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