Review: Runaway Bay Horseback Ride and Swim Tour

Alright, are you someone who’s maybe looking for an adventure in Jamaica that combines that beautiful countryside with a refreshing ocean dip? Well, the Runaway Bay Horseback Ride and Swim Countryside Tour could be just your thing. As someone who has spent quite some time bouncing around the island, I took the chance to check this particular excursion, and I thought I could share what that experience felt like, very frankly, as well as offer some insights to potentially help you decide if it might just be something that could be up your alley.

Getting Started with Your Horseback Adventure

So, that tour normally starts with, well, pickup from your hotel or, that is, a designated meeting spot. It’s pretty convenient, really, especially if you are not keen to worry much about driving yourself. That ride to the stables is often pretty interesting, providing you a peek at that regular Jamaican life as you go through communities. On arrival, there’s normally a quick safety briefing, which is rather important; pay attention! They will, you know, get you matched up with a horse based on your experience level and size, and then, almost just like that, you’re ready to roll. Oh, one other detail is that I really recommend wearing things that you won’t mind potentially getting dirty; it is a countryside tour, after all.

Meeting Your Equine Pal

It is almost kind of cool getting to know your horse. I was paired with this rather calm, kind of gentle fellow they call “Captain,” and it was very clear that the guides, they know their horses really well. They take some time to sort of make you both get comfy with each other before you head out, too it’s almost a proper introduction. As a matter of fact, you do not really need that past experience riding, so there’s no reason to feel anxious; the guides will definitely give you the tips and the instructions you would need.

Exploring the Jamaican Countryside

The ride in itself really meanders through trails that pass by green fields, little communities, and even spots where there’s chances of gorgeous views of that coastline. You’re likely going to hear all kind of facts as you go along as your guide will very likely point out several plant types as well as discuss that Jamaican culture. It’s a fairly leisurely pace, so there will be ample time to sort of take that scenery as well as soak things in. Very possibly you’ll want to bring your camera to kind of capture that beauty, but you definitely want to secure that real good or keep it away, that is, in a zipped pocket so it doesn’t end up lost along your trip.

Swimming with Your Horse

Here’s the big one! After you ride through the bush, you will head on down to that shore where it’s time you cool off with your horse. I thought it’d be quite scary at first, though, actually, these horses are all well trained for all this swimming. You sort of hop onto that bareback, hold on tight (and by all means, really listen to your guide), then off into that water you would go. That feeling, with that water surrounding you with the horse wading and swimming, too it’s almost quite unreal. Very likely they would take all sort of pictures here to sort of capture this memorable experience.

Preparing for the Swim

Now, I would suggest wearing your swimsuit under what you were wearing since you’re definitely going to want a dip. As well, those water shoes would definitely be great; the sea bottom there could get a bit rocky. When it comes down to any of your possessions, you want to secure that either leave them back at the stables or get them put in a waterproof bag. The horses really are comfy in that water, even so, following those directions that your guide gives to you, that could mean maintaining a balance along with how to hold, you, like your reins—that’s really important for that overall safety.

The Experience of Swimming

Okay, getting into the water is for sure something. That feeling that the horse is, like, moving through that water as it starts swimming; that’s sort of a feeling like no other. That water is so very clear as well as refreshing, plus all those horses, they seem to actually love everything about it. That guide will be there right with you, which could mean keeping things rather controlled, and really just to see that, you are very okay. That moment definitely delivers memories worth something special; you should know, actually, before signing for this, it is, by any chance, really quite unusual.

What to Bring on Your Tour

So, planning does really play an important thing in order to take the maximum enjoyment out of any tour. Here’s, actually, just a small list what I would say I will recommend bringing.

• Swimsuit: It is really quite a no-brainer if you intend for a horseback swim.
• Water shoes: Keep things nice as well as protect your feet from rock situations, not to mention, anything slippery when out walking.
• Sunscreen: Under that Jamaican sun you may want skin protection at every opportunity.
• Bug spray: Particularly if there’s lots of foliage where you’re riding, so make sure that the pests don’t annoy.
• Towel: So you are actually very good when leaving that sea portion behind.
• Camera: Just to record everything; but check everything for security when there, too.
• Cash: To tip your guide for that job done pretty well; not totally something you should have, it is still actually quite well appreciated by those running the tours.

Things to Consider Before You Book

So, here are just potentially several considerations so you sort of know the issues you will face.

• Physical Fitness: When horseback riding there is generally a necessity for sitting upright sometimes, even so, should there be certain kinds of trouble which affect such abilities this kind of touring probably would present too much burden?
• Age and Weight Restrictions: Tour suppliers do probably need strict guidelines that govern the right passenger selection to allow themselves on those guided tour things; ensure one checks this beforehand.
• Weather Conditions: If during periods with too high seas going, then this swim part needs cancelling outright to, you know, provide the safety aspect as highest on list priority level.
• What’s Included: Make, that is, to absolutely ascertain if costs that cover the pickups include lunches perhaps; clarity about packages could allow that full awareness of value gained.

Overall Impression of the Tour

All in all, the Runaway Bay Horseback Ride and Swim Countryside Tour is something to enjoy which might be very welcome; providing something slightly beyond that plain old resort type escapade one usually considers a chance occurrence when in this land. It presents you to what there appears like on a Jamaican day, too it’s almost more real with its country vistas that stand right behind everything being on these parts. In spite of this being actually quite fun, knowing everything with some preparations that mean taking just simple steps will make things truly work out fabulously, therefore I can strongly support the option assuming that kind that blends relaxation when mixed through what is adventure tends sounding great in whatever type thing may excite persons! I guess one can then just get geared or just await what ends bringing forth so grand, by having just done proper preparing.

#jamaica #runawaybay #horsebackriding #adventuretravel