John and Marc still laugh when they recall CHUKKA’s first jeep tour, a carefully planned, exciting off-road ride into the jungle, over rivers, and into the wildlife. As the jeep ventured across one river, John and Marc realized—just a moment too late—that the recent rains had left the water level a bit too high. The jeep stalled mid-river, and with water reaching the doors, John and Marc were forced to climb out the jeep windows to push the jeep and its passengers to the far shore. When the guests returned to their cruise ship, they reported to their excursion desk that their tour guides had provided a truly exhilarating 4×4 tour—complete with a perfectly orchestrated jeep breakdown mid-river!

At a trade show, Marc discovered canopy zipline tours, which were previously unknown in Jamaica. Marc, Alexander and John ventured to Costa Rica to learn more about this new phenomenon. Banking on the extensive adventure tourism experience, the three bravely signed up for an extreme canopy tour involving numerous zip lines at dizzying heights. The first zip line left a platform at a height of 14 feet and, hundreds of yards later, arrived at a platform 100 feet high in a tree.
Marc soared along the line, arriving exhilarated and ready for more. But after John parted from the first platform and flew over a vast expanse of rainforest suspended from a 1-inch cable by nothing but a harness, he wrapped his arms around the tree on the second platform, began to hyperventilate, and refused to budge. Alexander was left dangling in mid-air, unable to land on the second platform until John released the tree.

By the end of the canopy tour, though, all three agreed that Jamaica needed a zipline tour, and CHUKKA would provide it. John imposed the caveat, though, that each canopy tour would start with a zip of modest length and height, in an effort to quell the fears of any anxious guests.

CHUKKA has always been close to the communities in which it operates. John grew up playing at an oceanfront property at Sandy Bay, west of Montego Bay. Up the hill from Sandy Bay, in the seven-year riverside floodplain, lies Pumpkin Bottom, a rural community where John made many friends as a child, riding horses in the hills, swimming in the saltwater, and fishing with makeshift poles.
At one time, the main road traveled a circuitous oceanfront route, and farmers routinely cut across the Sandy Bay property. John and his childhood friends imposed small “taxes” on the shortcut, collecting yams and cassava from the kind farmers passing through. John exchanged some of the yams for fish and other fixings, and the children repurposed a huge kerosene can as a pot for a stew. Everyone contributed what they had, and everyone ate out of the same pot.
That same sense of community permeates CHUKKA today. When the river breached its banks in 2012, as it does every seven years, Pumpkin Bottom was destroyed and its community suffered terrible losses. CHUKKA donated food and shelter and helped the community rebuild its homes.
The Chukka Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CHUKKA, strives to be responsible to communities in which we live and work, recognizing that as a large organization, we have a great capacity to make a difference. The Chukka Foundation believes strongly in developing relationships and partnering closely with the rural and local schools offering support where possible. Providing assistance with back to school supplies and equipment for classrooms has been an annual commitment. Through the Carvell McDonald Memorial Scholarship established in 2017, financial assistance has been awarded to students to help with their academic studies. Initiatives in partnership with the St. James Police Division in St. James, establishing a School Breakfast Feeding Program for the children of the challenging inner city community. CHUKKA prioritizes the health care sector and purchasing medical equipment
CHUKKA’s commitment to its community is reflected in its offerings to our guests as well. Because CHUKKA tours are designed to give its guests a taste of the real Caribbean, 30% of tour guides are hired from the immediately surrounding areas. Also, ATV, dune buggy, and 4×4 tours explore not only the lush rainforest and stunning trails but also the beloved communities in the area.

At CHUKKA, we are more than a tour company; we are passionate locals crafting unforgettable adventures that resonate with the spirit of the Caribbean. Our commitment is to offer the highest quality experiences, where every adventure is an authentic immersion into the natural beauty, vibrant culture, and rich history of our homeland. Whether our guests seek the thrill of untouched landscapes, cultural enlightenment, or simply a moment to bond with their team in a unique setting, we stand as the sole purveyors of consistently safe, reliable, and exceptional experiences.

Embracing the entrepreneurial spirit that defines us, bolstered by our deep-rooted family values and the dedication of the finest professionals in the region, CHUKKA pledges to lead the way in dynamic, embedded experiences. For the thrill-seekers and the culturally curious alike, we don't just guide tours—we ignite a lifelong passion for exploration and play, allowing each visitor to create their story, woven into the tapestry of the Caribbean's soul.

Envisioning a future where the spirit of the Caribbean is felt in every heartbeat of adventure, Chukka aspires to be the timeless bridge between the unspoiled beauty of nature and the soul's yearning for exploration. As passionate locals, we provide lifelong memories through embedded authentic adventurous experiences. As we journey forward, our ambition is for the name 'Chukka' to become synonymous with nature adventure, standing as the pinnacle in our industry. With our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and authenticity, we aim to be the torchbearer of transformative experiences, illuminating paths for adventurers and culture enthusiasts. Our horizon is boundless, our spirit undying, and our purpose clear: to inspire, to rejuvenate, and to let the world truly play with the vibrant pulse of local passion at its core.

CHUKKA is dedicated to the creation and enhancement of quality adventure tours/attractions and in so doing provide a positive work environment for our staff. Integral to this is our commitment to the protection, growth and development of the Cruise Ship Industry and Land-based Tourism. To achieve our goals we will be guided as follows: - We will strive to provide tours designed to fulfill the needs of our guests - We will at all time work together as a dynamic, professional and integrated team of professionals with complete focus on providing the highest level of customer service to our guests’ complete satisfaction. - We will seek to design unique tours, which will optimize the enjoyment of the tours