YS Falls, Appleton Estate & Pelican Bar tour from Montego Bay

Seven tiers of waterfalls, a rum distillery, and a shoal bar three-quarters of a mile out to sea

A private tour from Montego Bay crosses the mountains to Jamaica's South Coast, where you swim in the mineral pools beneath YS Falls' seven-tiered cascade, tour Appleton Estate's rum production, and finish at Floyd's Pelican Bar, a fisherman's hut on a shoal with 360-degree ocean views. An English-speaking guide leads the full day. Pickup from your hotel is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit YS Falls, Pelican Bar, and Appleton Rum

• Travel to YS Falls
• Explore seven-tiered waterfalls
• Swim or relax in mineral pools
• Visit Floyd’s Pelican Bar
• Have seafood lunch and snorkel
• Enjoy panoramic sea views
• Tour Appleton Estate rum distillery
• Sample Appleton rum

The experience

The route climbs through the hills to YS Estate, a working cattle and horse farm in a secluded valley on the less travelled South Coast. YS Falls drops in seven tiers into an expansive wading pool fed by underground springs. You swim or wade in the cool mineral water, or simply sit poolside. The farm setting means the falls stay quiet compared to the crowded northern beaches.

From there, the tour stops at Appleton Estate to learn how Jamaica's rum is made and taste it straight from the source. The final leg takes you to Floyd's Pelican Bar, a wooden hut built on a shoal three-quarters of a mile offshore. You can snorkel, order seafood and a cold beer, or just stand on the deck and take in the unbroken ocean view in every direction. The bar sits far enough out that the South Coast feels genuinely remote.

A private vehicle picks you up from your Montego Bay hotel and handles the full day's driving. The tour runs about ten hours total. Minimum age is twelve. Children younger than that need to sit this one out. The guide speaks English throughout.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Montego Bay hotel.
• entrance fees to YS Falls and Appleton Estate.
• an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to FridayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 13 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Real Tours Jamaica

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the commentary and the history of each stop without translation. This works best if you're comfortable spending a full day in a vehicle and on your feet at three different sites, and if you want the flexibility of a private tour rather than joining a shared group.

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Top questions

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 is YS Falls like when you get there?

YS Falls is a seven-tiered waterfall on a working farm, dropping into a large natural pool fed by underground springs. The water stays cool and mineral-rich. You can swim, wade or just relax on the banks. The falls themselves are the main event, not a quick photo stop.

Can you snorkel at Pelican Bar?

Yes. Pelican Bar sits on a shoal in open water, so snorkeling is possible right there. The bar also serves seafood and drinks, so you can mix swimming with eating and drinking without leaving the shoal.

How long does the drive take from Montego Bay?

The full tour runs about ten hours, which includes driving time to and from the South Coast, time at each stop, and the return to your hotel. Most of that is the round-trip drive through the mountains and back.

What does Appleton Estate show you?

Appleton Estate is a working rum distillery where the tour includes a walkthrough of how Jamaica's rum is made, from sugar cane to bottling, followed by a tasting of the finished product.

Is this tour just for strong swimmers?

No. At YS Falls, you can wade in the shallow areas or sit on the banks without swimming. At Pelican Bar, snorkeling is optional. Many people just relax on the deck with a drink and the view. The minimum age is twelve, and you should have at least moderate fitness for the day's activities and the amount of time on your feet.