Does anyone know if the horses are tacked western or English?  I know they are untacked in the water, and the pictures look like English, but I'd like to confirm.

Last time I rode on the beach, (wasn't Ocho Rios, but similar) the horses were saddled with a modified McClellan since it's lighter and doesn't take the kind of damage that a flocked saddle would. That's prob why it looks like english tack. It pretty much is, just with a higher pommel and cantle. FYI, if it's McClellan tack, make sure you're in sturdy jeans. The stirrup straps on those things can bite your legs pretty hard (yep...found out the hard way... :D)
Have fun, and hope this helps!

I did this horseback riding in Ocho in April.  The sadles are English ( which I'm not used to).  Wear sturdy pants because you will get bruised""  It was a great experience.  They do take the sadles off for the ocean ride.

We are doing this excursion in Ocho Rios in a few weeks and I can't wait!  We booked it on our own because we wanted a ride geared toward more experienced riders.  Can those of you that have ridden tell me what stables you booked with and what the horses were like?  Some of the other riding tours I have done in the past put you on dead head lesson-type horses.  It's better than not riding at all, but I'd prefer to ride something with a little spunk. :)

Most horses at horse back riding places the world over are "dead head lesson-type horses".

It may not help because of liability, but you could ask for a horse that has yet to be cleared for use with the public. When I was much younger, I spent my summers working at a horseback riding place, and I was tasked with riding the new arrivals until they were deemed safe enough for the public.