Rafting on The Martha Brae River

Rafting on the Martha brae river started about 30 years ago and has become one of the top attractions on the island.

The three mile ride on the 30 foot bamboo raft starts from a concrete pier, under the supervision of a licensed dispatcher...and last for about 1 1/2 hours with your friendly rafting guide at the helm.

There are over 90 such highly skilled and experienced raft captains trained to poll your raft along the river and make your ride as enjoyable as possible.

Along the way, you can stop for a swim and swing at the Tarzan corner...or, you can just sit back and enjoy your ride uninterrupted.

Celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth II, Lennox Lewis, Spike Lee, Chuck Norris, Patrick Ewing, Dionne Warwick and others... have all been there.

After a relaxing 1 1/2 hours, the ride ends at "Martha's rest" where your ride waits in the parking lot. If you choose, You can shop for souvenirs, lounge around and have a drink, do whatever else make you happy.

There is a picnic area, bars, souvenir shops, swimming pools, and "Miss Martha's herb garden" with famous medicinal herbs for health and healing.

so what should you wear when you visit? shorts, tee-shirt, and sneakers and bathing suit if you plan to take a dip.

...and What kind of setting can you expect? a peaceful and romatic setting which offers a very relaxing peaceful way to spend an afternoon away from the hotel and beaches.

It is perfect if you just want to relax and see some of the natural beauty of the island.

The rafting village itself is built to handle large crowds. You will often find between 10-15 full tour buses there at the same time.

There is practically little waiting time as there are enough rafts and raft captains to handle the flux.

The tranquil waters of the Martha Brae River received its name from an Indian legend, Martha Brae.

This legend claimed that the spanish settlers believed that she knew of secret location of gold on the island. They captured her tried to get her to lead them to the gold. She used magic to change the weather causing the river to destroy them...hence the name Martha Brae river.

Today the Martha river is a major supplier of water for the town of Falmouth and much of agriculture in Trelawny since the Falmouth Water Company introduced piped water to Falmouth in 1798.

The river rises at Windsor Cave in the Cockpit Country, and meanders slowly through the Trelawny countryside for over 51 miles, watering acres of sugar cane, citrus groves and forests and finally ends in the ocean.

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