Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting

Bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae River has been a Jamaican tradition since the days when plantation workers floated produce downstream to market. Today, a licensed raft captain poles a two-person bamboo raft along a 5-kilometre stretch of the river, gliding beneath overhanging bamboo groves and through dappled shade for about 90 minutes. The pace is deliberately slow - this is relaxation, not white-water adventure. The river is calm, shallow in most sections, and warm enough for a dip when the captain pauses at a swimming spot. Cold Red Stripe beer and fresh coconut water are often available from vendors along the bank. The rafting village, located about 5 minutes south of Falmouth, includes a gift shop, bar, and gardens. The experience is popular with cruise passengers docking in Falmouth - go on non-ship days or early morning for a quieter run. The Martha Brae also feeds the nearby Luminous Lagoon, making it easy to pair afternoon rafting with an evening bioluminescence tour. Aurum Transfers delivers you from MBJ Airport to Martha Brae in about 1 hour 10 minutes for $165 for up to four guests.