Appleton Estate Rum Tour & Pelican Bar from Montego Bay

Two hours inside a working rum distillery, then a boat ride to a bar floating on sand.

A private tour from Montego Bay combines a 2-hour guided walk through Appleton Estate rum factory with a trip to Pelican Bar, a beach bar built on a sandbank. You tour the molasses station, history station and sugar cane juice station, watch the aging house and factory floor, sample rum, then boat out to the bar to swim in shallow water and sunbathe. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Appleton Estate tour and Pelican Bar visit

• Take 2-hour guided Appleton Estate tour
• Visit Molasses, History, and sugar cane stations
• Tour factory and aging house
• Watch rum making documentary
• Boat ride to Pelican Bar
• Relax, sunbathe, and swim at Pelican Bar

The experience

The Appleton Estate tour runs 2 hours and covers the working parts of the distillery. You stop at the molasses station, the history station and the sugar cane juice station to taste the by-products that go into rum. Then you walk through the factory floor to see the process itself, tour the aging house where the rum sits in barrels, and watch a short documentary on how the estate makes its rum. Complimentary beverages are served throughout. The guide is live and speaks English, and the pace is set for comfortable walking in shoes you can move in.

After the estate, a 10-minute boat ride takes you out to Pelican Bar, which sits on a sandbank in the sea. There's no schedule once you arrive. You swim in the shallow water, sunbathe, order a drink and do nothing else. The bar stays open for as long as you need before the boat brings you back to the mainland and your hotel.

Two departure times are available: 7:30am or 8:30am. A minimum of two people per booking is required, and the minimum drinking age is 18. The tour runs 8 hours total from pickup to drop-off. Children from age 11 are welcome. Pricing is per person for adults and children separately.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• 2-hour guided tour of Appleton Estate with stops at the molasses, history and sugar cane juice stations.
• factory floor and aging house tour.
• short documentary on rum production.
• complimentary beverages at the estate.
• 10-minute boat ride to Pelican Bar.
• time to swim, sunbathe and relax at the bar.

Options for this experience

2 options

7:30am DepartureGuide in English · 07:30Departs at 7:30am, pickup is included

8:30am DepartureGuide in English · 08:30Departs at 8:30am, includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SaturdayDepartures at 07:30 and 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (11 to 16 years) · Under 11: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 33 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by VIP TOURS JAMAICA

Is this one for you?Choose the 7:30am departure if you want to finish by early afternoon and have the rest of your day free. The 8:30am start suits travelers who prefer a later morning pickup.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (11 to 16 years). Children under 11 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly do you see and do at Appleton Estate?

Appleton Estate is a working rum distillery, and the 2-hour tour takes you through the stations where sugar cane becomes rum. You visit the molasses station, history station and sugar cane juice station to taste the raw materials, walk the factory floor to see production, tour the aging house where barrels sit, and watch a documentary on the rum-making process. Complimentary drinks are included.

How long is the boat ride to Pelican Bar and what do you do there?

The boat ride is 10 minutes out to the sandbank. Once there, you swim in shallow water, sunbathe, order drinks and relax for as long as you want before heading back to the mainland.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not part of this tour. Complimentary beverages are served at Appleton Estate, and you can order food and drinks at Pelican Bar.

What should I bring and wear?

Wear comfortable walking shoes for the estate tour. Bring water shoes or sandals, a beach towel, a change of dry clothes, a camera and cash for the Pelican Bar.

Is this tour suitable for someone with mobility concerns?

The estate tour involves walking through the distillery and aging house. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, and a moderate level of physical fitness is needed. Pregnant travelers should also check with their doctor before booking.