Montego Bay to Appleton Estate & Pelican Bar: Private Ride

Summary

Private transfer from Montego Bay with rum tasting and boat trip

You’ll taste raw molasses at Appleton Estate, swap stories with your local guide, then ride a small boat out to Pelican Bar for grilled fish and cold beer over clear Caribbean water. Expect laughter, real flavors, and sunset views that stick with you long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the thick, sweet smell of molasses hanging in the air as we pulled up to Appleton Estate. Our driver, Andre, had reggae humming low on the radio most of the way from Montego Bay — he pointed out breadfruit trees and told us stories about his uncle who worked at the distillery years ago. The tour itself was more hands-on than I expected; we dipped fingers into raw syrup, sticky and warm, while our guide explained how each batch of rum gets its character. I tried to pronounce “sugarcane” in patois — pretty sure I butchered it because everyone laughed, even me.

After the tastings (I lost count after three), we piled back into the van for the drive toward Parottee. The road got bumpier and you could smell salt in the air before you saw water. There’s this moment when you step onto the little wooden boat out to Pelican Bar — it’s just fifteen minutes but feels like leaving land behind completely. The sea was that unreal blue you see in postcards, but there were old fishing nets drying on the dock and a guy selling grilled fish right off a smoky grill. We carved our names into one of the driftwood beams (it’s sort of a thing there) while sipping Red Stripe and watching pelicans glide by. I still think about that view sometimes.

The sun started dipping low as we headed back, everything golden and slow. Andre waited for us with cold water in the van, joking about how tourists always forget sunscreen here. My shirt smelled like salt and smoke all evening — not complaining though. It felt like we’d actually lived a piece of Jamaica for a day instead of just passing through.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Appleton Estate tour and Pelican Bar visit

• See how Appleton Rum is made
• Sample original Appleton rum blends
• Take 15-minute boat ride to Pelican Bar
• Enjoy drinks and freshly grilled fish
• Relax and craft name in rustic lodging

Top questions

How long is the drive from Montego Bay to Appleton Estate?

The drive from Montego Bay to Appleton Estate typically takes around 2 hours each way.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup is included in your day trip.

What do you do at Pelican Bar?

You take a 15-minute boat ride out to Pelican Bar where you can relax, have drinks like Red Stripe beer or Jamaican rum, eat fresh grilled fish made to order, and carve your name into the wood if you want.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and infant seats are available.

Is lunch included at Appleton Estate?

No specific lunch is mentioned at Appleton Estate; food options are available at Pelican Bar such as freshly grilled or roasted fish.

Is this tour suitable for people with health issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers due to travel conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transportation from Montego Bay with hotel pickup and drop-off, guided entry at Appleton Estate for rum tasting (including raw syrup sampling), plus a boat ride out to Pelican Bar where you can enjoy drinks or fresh-cooked fish before heading back in comfort.