This tour satisfies the people who are looking to have a great/wonderful experience on their vacation, which we think is everyone. Best way to do this is booking with SSJTOURS.
Posted By : YankeeinFL
It was a fantastic combination tour. Our chief guide met up with us just outside the cruise center in Ocho Rios. First he took us to the horseback riding part of the excursion. The staff there were excellent. They have a step up to assist riders in mounting the horses. A walking guide stayed with each horse and rider as we walked along the beach and in the water. The horses were great, very tame, very responsive to commands. I had never ridden a horse before and I liked it. Felt a little like John Wayne high in the saddle.
The second part of the excursion was a visit to the famous Blue Hole. The Blue Hole, really a series of swimming holes are deep natural pools in the White River. And you walk along the trail to each of the 4 water holes. There are two opportunities to “cliff jump” into the water and two opportunities to “Tarzan swing” into the water. You can also just swim I the natural pools. It’s a little scary at first making that initial cliff jump right at the start but do it. It’s exhilarating. The mountain water is cool but tolerable. We never felt “freezing.” Our guide, Nicardo, was fantastic. He never put any pressure on anyone to jump. He showed us wear to walk along the trail and most importantly he held our phones for us and took video and pictures of us as we made our jumps and swings. The Blue Hole facility has restrooms and changing rooms so you can get out of wet swim suits at the end of the tour. We kept our dry things and money in the tour van while we were jumping and swinging. No problem. Our chief guide/driver stayed with the van. Bring some cash for tips for both the guys helping you with the horses (one guide per horse), for your escort guide at the Blue Hole and for the chief guide/driver. I believe the guides who work at the Blue Hole are lifeguards. I am 60 years old. If I can do the cliff jumps and Tarzan swings then you can too. It was a great day. You will love it. We were cruise passengers and booked this excursion on our own through TripAdvisor. However I am sure that local hotel guests could also do this tour.
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Posted On : 2024-02-06 10:24:17 
Posted By : annniagara_8
Are you kidding me right now??!!
Jamoy is everything the good reviews say. He is honest, caring, professional, super competent and so, so kind. We have done a trail ride in Arizona before, and were able to (safely) lead our own horses. After reading about companies and tons of reviews, SSJ looked like it would allow the same.
Yes.
Info:
Horses -
You can either be led by a guide, or lead yourself with a guide always watching to make sure you're safe.
Yes, the riding portion isn't super long. For us, it was a just right amount of time.
You go to the stables, get set up, ride out to the water and down the beach, and back to the stables.
Blue Hole -
The kids (young teens) loved it. So did I and that was just for the hike and water.
There's all kinds of descriptions of Blue hole so I'll leave that off.
Tips:
1. Know that the driving will take time. Jamoy was happy to explain anything we wanted or answer questions etc.
2. Bring water shoes for both the ride (your feet get wet, maybe even up to your thighs depending on you and your horse etc) and Blue Hole
3. Bring a change of clothes and towels. Either sit on the towel in the car if damp, or change after Blue Hole.
4. You might be asked to buy stuff a lot. Ask your guides or tour guide how to handle that, based on what your preference is.
5. Bring cash with you. Tip generously. The horse guides, the Blue Hole guide, and your SSJ tour guides.
6. The phone number is on the website. The email addresses may or may not work.
7. Remember that it's Jamaica. What matters counts, and what doesn't, don't let it bother you. Here, everything is Irie because life is too short to be fussed about everything. Don't sweat the small stuff and have tons of fun.
Thank you so much to Jamoy and Rickel, and the guides to fun - Juvie, Romario, Quewayne and our horses Country Boy (bc he is from the country), Black Stallion (bc he is a black stallion), and 21 Savage (we will find out his story next time! Never got around to asking!!)
SSJ - Mi see yuh likkle more. Blessings!
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Posted On : 2023-12-30 15:25:09
Posted By : Marlet_J
Jamoy was great. He picked us up from Sandals Ocho Rios on time. He provided a clean car with cool air conditioning; we didn’t have to worry about a thing. The horseback riding was beautiful and the horses were friendly. Blue hole was equally amazing; I recommend jumping in. We received pictures at the horseback riding for additional fee. I recommend Jomoy everytime.
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Posted On : 2023-12-12 13:11:33 
Posted By : brandonpI1731SI
First things first! From the driver to the blue hole tour guide and everything in between they were absolutely phenomenal. They took care of us and kept us safe and told us fun facts about the tour and island during. These people don’t get paid enough for what they do on a day to day basis. So please tip them generously! It’s how they make a living. So for the review! The horse back riding was pretty cool and I definitely recommend it. It’s a fairly short excursion but you ride through the jungle and the guides tell you facts about the jungle. At one point they had the horses trot and it scared the heck out of me but with the guides simple instructions I was able to stay on the horse. After you walk through the water and the guides take pictures of you. For the second excursion it was the blue hole! This one was unexpectedly the best one out of the two. As you progress through the tour the guide shows you blue holes and you get to jump off various elevations into the blue holes. We jumped off the highest which was maybe 25-30 ft high and that was awesome. They’re are also many ripe jumps into the water holes which you can definitely do. Also we enjoyed the blue hole a lot more because the guides are a lot absolutely amazing and the things you get to do is a lot more! so far Jamaica 2023 is a hit! We definitely recommend doing these excursions when you stop by Jamaica and you’re in the ocho rios area!
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Posted On : 2023-07-31 13:07:10
Posted By : Nigel_S
The day started well, picked up on time in a modern comfortable car.
Arrived for the horse riding 10 minutes or so later. Unfortunately, the riding organiser had a more important trip - went to the supermarket, forgetting about us! The guide was very apologetic and after around 25 minutes decided it was better to visit the blue hole first.
This we did and the guide arranged for us to be looked after whilst we were there - we were well looked after. The guide at the blue hole was all you could ask for.
We then went back to the estate for the horse riding. Both of the guys taking us around the estate were very good but the ride was on bumpy/uneven ground and as a consequence the ride was not relaxing.
Riding in the sea was great and pleased we did it.
In essence, if it had gone to plan, the score would have been higher (not 5 though, due to the ride), however Jamoy, our guide did his best and cannot be faulted.
I'm confident on any other day it would have been better but my review is based on our experience on the day.
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Posted On : 2023-04-24 16:00:48
Posted By : garyeX5917BZ
The blue hole was cool , horse back riding cool but what really blew me away was our driver JJ ! She was amazing absolutely amazing. She took us to the city to shop , then to get some authentic food . The whole time our group felt safe and secure . 10/10 there is no other driver I would use .
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Posted On : 2022-07-25 11:07:37
Posted By : Robertminy
Had a great time, the people guiding us made us comfortable ridding the horses. I honestly felt like a pro even tho it was my first time. It was fun going to the blue hole which Jay suggested, they had lifeguards so even if you don’t know how to swim they’ll be there for you. Blue hole waterfalls was very safe and the water was very refreshing. I would doit all again
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Posted On : 2022-04-24 22:06:47
Posted By : shaterraw2022
I loved it! Very beginner friendly. My experience was unforgettable. Definitely worth the money spent!
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Posted On : 2022-04-07 20:49:27
Posted By : Niqniq93
Our group really enjoyed this excursion.Our tour guide Jay with SSJ tours was very hospitable, accommodating, and informative about the beautiful island! The guys for the horseback tour was very nice and the guys at the blue hole helped me overcome my fear of jumping at the hole!
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Posted On : 2022-04-05 10:47:36
Posted By : Deniqua_M
Our group had so much fun with the horseback riding and blue hole! Our tour guide Jay with SSJ tours was very hospitable, accommodating, and gave us informative about the beautiful island. The guys on the guided horse tour were super nice and the guides at the blue hole helped me overcome any fears of jumping!
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Posted On : 2022-04-05 09:13:32
