Enjoy a leisurely cruise down the Rio Grande while seated on an elevated platform in the back of a traditional bamboo raft as a raft captain steers with a pole in the front. Soak up the scenery, look for wildlife, or make stops along the way to swim in the river or grab a bite to eat. Guided tours are available and include transfers from Port Antonio, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, or Kingston.
Most rafting trips start at either Berrydale or Grant’s Level. If you plan to drive, park your car at Rafter’s Rest at St. Margaret’s Bay, then take a taxi to the starting point for rafting. You can also drive to Port Antonio and join a tour that includes transport to the river. For a hassle-free experience, book a tour that includes transfers from your hotel elsewhere on the island.
Bamboo rafting is offered seven days a week (weather permitting), and can take 2 to 3 hours, depending on the starting location on the river, and stops along the way. Rafting on the Rio Grande can be enjoyed year-round, though hurricane season from June through November can impact the schedule. December to April is the peak season, and will be the busiest time for rafting and other activities.
Bamboo rafts were originally used to transport bananas down the Rio Grande. Actor Errol Flynn, who lived in Port Antonio, is credited with popularizing bamboo rafting on the river as a leisure activity, and it’s still a favorite pastime around Jamaica. In addition to the Rio Grande, you can also go bamboo rafting down the Martha Brae River and the White River, where it’s also possible to go tubing.
