Going to the Blue Hole in Jamaica

[DouglasG]

The Blue Hole looks great, but there is no Disney excursion there. I was thinking about booking a private tour, but is this safe? Anyone have experience with this or have suggestions?

 

[Bella29]

We used Liberty Tours, a private tour for our group of 6. Like you, I am cognizant of the safety issues in Jamaica and I would not get into a car with just anyone. We felt very very safe with Liberty and they met us inside the port gates and dropped us off there again. I would suggest checking trip advisor for reviews whoever you decide to book. The Blue Hole was AMAZING!!!

 

[CTdaizy]

We also used Liberty Tours this past August to go to the Blue Hole and horseback riding on the beach. Both were amazing! We felt very safe with our driver, and it was nice to have someone there just for us. We stopped at a little store to buy some stuff (water, towels, postcards,snacks) and our driver took us to a post office to mail off the cards. Everything worked out just fine. And Blue Hole.. incredible experience! It was DH, DS13, DD11 and myself, and we never felt we were in any sort of danger! Have a great time!!

 

[cschaaf]

The Blue Hole looks great, but there is no Disney excursion there. I was thinking about booking a private tour, but is this safe? Anyone have experience with this or have suggestions?

Hey DouglasG

I don't think any cruise line has an excursion to Blue Hole. So, any reviews you see are people that took private operator tours. That should probably give you an idea of how safe it is.

We booked a tour for June with Errol of Travel Jamaica Tours. There are a lot of different operators. Take a look through reviews here and on tripadvisor and pick one that you like.

 

[ChariD]

We booked with Courtney Taylor Tours. They have tons of great reviews, and also a few of the other families booked as well.

 

[BigJon]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/falmouth-port-private-tour-to-the-blue-hole-trip-report.3357936/
Here is my trip report, when I went back in November....jonathan

 

[DouglasG]

Thank you all for the kind and informative messages. I am a cautious person by nature, and will be traveling with my 11 year old daughter. I really want to go to the Blue Hole as I think it will be a once in a lifetime experience. I have read the great reviews for the various tour operators on tripadvisor and cruisecritic, but I am having a little difficultly getting past the fact that I will be in a foreign country with my daughter, we will be docking at Falmouth (over an hour away from the Blue Hole), and I will be trusting a stranger to treat us well, and get us back and forth safely so we don't miss the cruise ship! I will be going on the June 13th departure of the Disney Fantasy's Western Caribbean cruise. Anyone else going on this cruise that wants to go to the Blue Hole? I think I would feel better about it if I were with a group of people from the ship. Also, would anyone mind me calling them so I can ask further questions about the tour company they chose? Thank you again.

 

[annacali]

Not sure I am brave enough to go to Blue Hole either but just wanted to say HI! We will be on the same cruise and I have 10 and 12 yo daughters.

 

[JK2004]

We were just on the Disney Magic cruise 3/22 - 3/29 and the Blue Hole was one of our favorite excursions (tied with Stingray City in Grand Cayman). We went with Courtney Taylor Tours and had Dean as our driver. He was great and the guides at the Blue Hole were fabulous. We had 6 people in our group - twin girls (6 yrs), hubby, myself & grandparents (62 yrs). Our guide carried the girls over rocks, helped my parents navigate and even swam with my digital camera held above water (our waterproof camera was used up at Stingray City the day before so I decided to take a chance & bring the digital camera). Grandma was a little worried about using a private tour company at first, but I had researched & read enough reviews to feel pretty confident. We met Dean shortly after arriving in Jamaica, so were able to get out to the Blue Hole early & beat the crowds. The road is very narrow and bumpy, but it wasn't an issue for anyone. We left all of our belongings in the van with Dean and made the short trek up and across the falls. Had a waterfall massage with the girls sitting on my lap, we jumped into the pools, I went backwards down through the small cave and swam out from under the falls (was a little claustrophobic at first and somewhat scraped my legs shimmying down, but was so worth it), we tried out the rope swing - was a wonderful excursion for everyone. After heading out we stopped and had lunch at Scotchies (girls LOVED the cats) & then spent about an hour playing at a nearby beach before heading back to the ship early. Our family felt very safe & secure the entire time.

 

[DouglasG]

Not sure I am brave enough to go to Blue Hole either but just wanted to say HI! We will be on the same cruise and I have 10 and 12 yo daughters.

Hi annacali. Great to hear you will be on our cruise. This is our 3rd Disney cruise and my 11-year old daughter loves making new friends on the ship. I have decided we HAVE to do the Blue Hole. The reviews of the Blue Hole are off the charts and I don't want to miss this opportunity (check out the reviews at www.tripadvisor.com). I have done a lot of research and narrowed it down to two tour companies. I have not booked the tour yet as I am still deciding between the two tour companies. I would love to go on this tour with another group from the ship. Would you be interested annacali?

 

[annacali]

I am travelling with my parents and my girls and I think the Blue Hole would be too much for everyone to handle. Still haven't figured out what we are going to do. I hope we run into each other on the ship though! Always like to meet other DISers

 

[Pinkos]

The blue hole is amazing!!! I loved it!!! You won't be dissapointed, it's beyond beautiful.

 

[DouglasG]

I am travelling with my parents and my girls and I think the Blue Hole would be too much for everyone to handle. Still haven't figured out what we are going to do. I hope we run into each other on the ship though! Always like to meet other DISers

Hi Pinkos. What tour company did you use for your trip to the Blue Hole?

The blue hole is amazing!!! I loved it!!! You won't be dissapointed, it's beyond beautiful.[/QUOT

 

[Bella29]

We also used Liberty Tours this past August to go to the Blue Hole and horseback riding on the beach. Both were amazing! We felt very safe with our driver, and it was nice to have someone there just for us. We stopped at a little store to buy some stuff (water, towels, postcards,snacks) and our driver took us to a post office to mail off the cards. Everything worked out just fine. And Blue Hole.. incredible experience! It was DH, DS13, DD11 and myself, and we never felt we were in any sort of danger! Have a great time!!

CTdaizy, could you share pics/reviews of the horseback riding? Were the horses healthy, how long was the ride, was it in Ocho Rios? Did you also have time for a quick dip in the ocean? Thanks!

 

[noahsmom]

We are visiting the Blue Hole later in June. I booked with Courtney Taylor. Question for those who have recently been there. Are water shoes necessary or would Teva type sandals work? How far do you walk? My DS hates water shoes.

 

[DouglasG]

We are visiting the Blue Hole later in June. I booked with Courtney Taylor. Question for those who have recently been there. Are water shoes necessary or would Teva type sandals work? How far do you walk? My DS hates water shoes.

Hi noahsmom. I have not been to the Blue Hole yet, but I do believe water shoes are highly recommended. By the way, what cruise are you going on? My daughter and I are going on the Disney Fantasy Western Caribbean cruise departing on June 13th. We are going to the Blue Hole, but still deciding on what tour company to book with. What made you decide on Courtney Taylor? Thanks, and have a great time at the Blue Hole.

 

[Bella29]

We are visiting the Blue Hole later in June. I booked with Courtney Taylor. Question for those who have recently been there. Are water shoes necessary or would Teva type sandals work? How far do you walk? My DS hates water shoes.

Keen sandals were perfect for our group, except my hubby who wore a beat up pair of running shoes that he was planning to throw out anyway. I wouldn't wear the zip up slipper type water shoes, personally but I think that is what they sell there. Teva sandals might work if they are very secure but I would worry about them slipping.

 

[noahsmom]

Our sail date is June 27. I picked Courtney Taylor based on trip advisor reviews and recommendations here. We are also tubing. In grand cayman we are going with Native Way. We've toured with them before and I highly recommend them.

Thanks for the info on the shoes!

 

[DouglasG]

Our sail date is June 27. I picked Courtney Taylor based on trip advisor reviews and recommendations here. We are also tubing. In grand cayman we are going with Native Way. We've toured with them before and I highly recommend them.

Thanks for the info on the shoes!

What tour are you doing with Native Way on Grand Cayman? We are currently booked with a Disney excursion to Sting Ray City, but I suspect the boat will be crowded and thinking about booking a private tour. Thanks!

 

[noahsmom]

There are 11 of us so this time I booked a half day charter. I highly recommend the stingray, starfish and coral garden excursion. We did that with them 2years ago and it was fantastic. It should be cheaper then the Disney excursion and a much smaller group.