Appleton Estate Rum Tour & Pelican Bar: South Coast Jamaica

Taste rum at its source, then watch the sunset from a bar built on stilts at sea.

A full-day tour of Jamaica's South Coast combines a guided visit to Appleton Estate rum distillery with a boat ride to Pelican Bar, a rustic wooden bar a quarter mile offshore. You'll sample freshly pressed sugar cane juice and 10 different Jamaican rums at the estate, then travel by fishing boat to the bar for swimming, fresh fried fish, and sunset views. Private transport from your hotel is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Appleton Estate and Pelican Bar tour

• Travel to Appleton Estate
• Tour Appleton Rum distillery
• Sample sugar cane juice and wet sugar
• Take photo at Appleton Rum sign
• Sample 10 types of Jamaica rum
• Boat ride to Pelican Bar
• Relax, swim, and sunbathe at Pelican Bar
• Enjoy fresh fried fish and drinks
• Watch sunset and listen to reggae band

The experience

Appleton Estate sits on the picturesque South Coast, and the tour starts there with a detailed walk through the historical rum distillery. Your guide explains how Appleton makes one of the world's best-tasting rums, and you'll taste the process itself: freshly pressed sugar cane juice and "wet sugar" straight from the refining stage. Then comes the tasting room, where you sample 10 different types of Jamaican rum liquors. You'll have time to photograph yourself at the estate's large VX sign, and depending on the option, you might receive a complimentary bottle to take home.

The second half is the boat ride to Pelican Bar. Between Treasure Beach and Black River, a fishing boat carries you a quarter mile out to sea to reach the bar: a rustic wooden structure built on stilts, the dream of local fisherman Floyd Forbes, completed in 2001. The boat ride takes 30 to 45 minutes. Once there, you can swim, order fresh fried fish and cocktails, and watch pelicans rest on the sandbank (the bar is named after the large flocks that gather here). If the weather holds, you'll catch the sunset from the water, and a reggae band plays in the background. The whole day runs 8 to 10 hours, with private air-conditioned transport picking you up from your hotel and returning you at the end.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• entry to Appleton Estate rum distillery.
• guided tour of the distillery.
• samples of sugar cane juice and 10 types of Jamaican rum.
• boat ride to Pelican Bar.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day.

Options for this experience

4 options

From NegrilGuide in English · 08:30Pickup is included

From Montego BayGuide in English · 08:00Pickup is included

From Grand PalladiumGuide in English · 09:00Pickup is included

From Runaway BayGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:00Pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Saturday7 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Jamaica Mesmerizing Tours Limited

Is this one for you?Book from your hotel location (Runaway Bay, Grand Palladium, Negril, or Montego Bay) and the private transport picks you up and returns you at the end of the day, so you don't arrange any of the logistics yourself. The 8 to 10 hour span fits both the distillery tour and the sunset at Pelican Bar into a single outing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I taste at Appleton Estate?

Appleton Estate lets you sample freshly pressed sugar cane juice and "wet sugar" from the refining process, then taste 10 different types of Jamaican rum liquors in the tasting room. Your guide walks you through how each rum is made.

How long is the boat ride to Pelican Bar?

The fishing boat ride from the South Coast to Pelican Bar takes 30 to 45 minutes. The bar sits a quarter mile out to sea on a sandbar, built on wooden stilts.

What can I do at Pelican Bar?

Pelican Bar is a swimming and dining spot where you can order fresh fried fish and cocktails, sunbathe, and watch the sunset over the water. A reggae band plays, and you'll often see pelicans resting on the sandbank nearby.

Is there a minimum age for this tour?

You must be 18 years or older to drink alcohol on this tour, which includes rum tastings at Appleton Estate.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation from your hotel, entry to Appleton Estate, the boat ride to Pelican Bar, and an air-conditioned vehicle are all included. Gratuities are optional.