Pelican Bar Jamaica: How the Boat Ride Out to the Sea Bar Works

Pelican Bar is a wooden bar on stilts built on a sandbar off Jamaica's south coast, and the only way out to it is by boat. From the landing at Parottee, just outside Black River in St. Elizabeth, the boat ride takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Most of our guests do it as a full day trip from Montego Bay or Negril and pair it with YS Falls on the same drive.

What is Pelican Bar, exactly?

It started as one fisherman's idea. Floyd Forbes put it together from driftwood, boards and thatch on a shallow sandbar, and it opened around 2001. The name comes from the pelicans that used to rest on that bank. It is still a simple place today: a deck, a bar counter, some benches and a small kitchen cooking whatever fish came in.

What makes it worth the trip is where it sits. You are out on open sea with the coastline behind you, and the water around the bar is shallow enough to stand in. The walls and beams are covered in flags, signatures and notes from people who came before you, and you are welcome to add your own.

How do you get to Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or Negril?

Our driver picks you up at your hotel and heads south. From Negril it is about an hour and a half to the boat landing. From Montego Bay, plan on roughly two hours, a little more if traffic is slow. It is a long day in the car, so we try to make the drive part of the fun with a stop for snacks or a cold drink along the way.

At the shore a local captain takes you out in a small fishing boat. The ride is short but it can be bouncy if the wind is up, and you will probably catch some spray. The captain drops you at the bar and comes back at a time you agree on, so nobody is rushing you. Most people stay between one and two hours.

What do you do once you are out there?

Mostly you slow down. People swim off the deck, stand in the shallow water with a drink, take pictures and watch the boats come and go. The water around the bar is clear and ranges from about knee deep to chest deep depending on where you stand.

Food is cooked to order. Fish is the main thing, fried or steamed, and lobster shows up when it is in season. It is cooked fresh, so it takes a while. Our tip is to order as soon as you climb onto the deck, then go for a swim while it cooks. Red Stripe, rum punch and sodas are the usual drinks.

How much money should you bring to Pelican Bar?

Bring cash. The bar does not take cards. Small bills work best, in Jamaican dollars or US dollars. Prices are higher than you would pay on shore, which makes sense when every bottle and every bag of ice has to come out by boat. Whatever you order at the bar is paid there, so set aside some cash for food, drinks and a tip for your boat captain.

What should you wear and bring?

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes so you can get in the water without hunting for a place to change. Water shoes help, since the sandbar bottom is uneven in spots. Bring a towel, a dry change of clothes for the ride home, sunscreen and a hat, because there is not much shade on the boat. A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch is a good idea for the boat ride. If you want to leave your mark on the wall, bring a marker or a small flag.

Can you combine Pelican Bar with YS Falls or Appleton Estate?

Yes, and since it is a long drive from the north coast we usually suggest it. YS Falls is not far inland from Black River, so a morning at the falls and an afternoon at Pelican Bar fits well in one day. The Appleton Estate rum tour is in the same parish and makes another good pairing if your group prefers rum to rope swings. Plan to leave your hotel early, around 7 or 8 in the morning, to give yourself time at each stop without rushing.

Is Pelican Bar good for kids and non-swimmers?

It can be. You do not have to swim at all. Plenty of people sit on the deck the whole time, eat, and enjoy the view. Kids like the boat ride, but keep a close eye on them on the deck and in the water. If anyone in your group is not confident in the water, tell us when you book and we will mention it to the captain.

One more thing: the sea decides. If the water is rough, the boats may not go out. We check conditions that morning and, if needed, we will adjust the day so you are not stuck.

If Pelican Bar is on your list, we can build a private day around it from Montego Bay, Negril or anywhere on the west coast. Book a tour and tell us which other stops you want to add, and our driver will handle the rest.