Black River Safari, YS Falls & Pelican Bar: Private Full-Day Tour

Crocodiles, waterfalls and a driftwood bar on sand dunes in one day

This private full-day tour covers three distinct stops on Jamaica's south coast: a 4-mile Black River Safari where you spot crocodiles and visit a crocodile nursery, seven-tiered YS Falls with natural pools for swimming, and the Pelican Bar, a driftwood structure built on sand dunes offshore. Hotel pickup, all entrance fees, transport and lunch are included. A live English-speaking guide leads the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Black River2h · entry included
2. YS Falls2h · entry included

Explore Black River, YS Falls, Pelican Bar

• Take Black River Safari boat tour
• Visit Crocodile Nursery
• Climb and swim at YS Falls
• Try canopy zipline at YS Falls
• Relax in Natural Spring Pool
• Explore YS Falls Relaxing Gardens
• Boat to Pelican Bar
• Swim or snorkel near Pelican Bar
• Enjoy food and drinks at Pelican Bar

The experience

The Black River Safari starts the morning with a 4-mile boat journey up the river, where your captain points out crocodiles in their natural habitat and shares the river's history. After the boat ride, you visit the Crocodile Nursery to get close to rehabilitated crocodiles and hold one for a photograph. From there, you head to YS Falls, a seven-tiered waterfall on the island's south coast that cascades into natural pools deep enough for swimming. The site sits off the beaten path in lush greenery, and you can walk the ginger lily gardens or take the optional canopy zipline 40 feet above the falls.

The day ends at the Pelican Bar, a 20-minute boat ride from the mainland. The bar itself is built from driftwood on sand dunes, and the shallow water around it is calm enough for swimming or snorkeling. You can play dominoes, order a cold Red Stripe Beer, and watch the water from a structure that feels like it shouldn't exist. Your cooler of drinks and local lunch are provided throughout the day, and your private driver handles all transport between stops.

A minimum of two people per booking is required. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours depending on how long you spend at each stop. YS Falls is closed Mondays. Pickup is available from Grand Palladium, Montego Bay or Negril hotels, and you're dropped back at your hotel at the end of the day.

What’s included

• Entrance fees for Black River Safari, YS Falls and Pelican Bar.
• private vehicle transport between all three stops.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• cooler of drinks throughout the day.
• local lunch.
• live English-speaking guide.

Options for this experience

3 options

Montego Bay PickupUp to 14 per booking · Guide in English · 07:30Pickup is included, with departures from Montego Bay hotels at 8:30am.

Grand Palladium PickupUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 07:00Pickup is included, with departure from the Grand Palladium Resort & Spa at 8am.

Negril PickupUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Pickup location, with pickup included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesUp to age 75

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 28 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Your Jamaican Tour Guide

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a private vehicle to move between three separate locations (Black River, YS Falls, Pelican Bar) in one day, keeping your group together without switching to shared transport between stops.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

7 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What will I see on the Black River Safari?

The Black River Safari is a 4-mile boat journey where you spot crocodiles in their natural habitat and learn the river's history from your captain. After the boat ride, you visit the Crocodile Nursery to interact with rehabilitated crocodiles up close and hold one for a photo.

Can I swim at YS Falls?

Yes. YS Falls has seven tiers that cascade into natural pools. The spring-fed pools are clear and about 4 feet deep, so you can swim comfortably. You can also walk the ginger lily gardens or take an optional canopy zipline 40 feet above the falls.

What is the Pelican Bar actually like?

The Pelican Bar is built entirely from driftwood and sits on sand dunes about 20 minutes by boat from the mainland. The water around it is shallow and calm, so you can swim or snorkel. You can play dominoes, order drinks, and experience what locals call the coolest bar in the Caribbean.

What meals and drinks are included?

Your cooler of drinks and a local lunch are provided throughout the day. Drinks at the Pelican Bar itself are not included in the tour price.

Which hotel pickups are available?

You can choose pickup from Grand Palladium, Montego Bay or Negril hotels at checkout. Your driver drops you back at the same hotel at the end of the day.