black river safari

Appleton Estate Rum Factory Tours in Jamaica

 Heritage Tours, Jamaica, Places to visit in Jamaica, Things to do in Jamaica  No Responses »
Apr 102010
 

Appleton Estate Rum Factory is the oldest rum factory in operation since 1749 and one of the coolest tours in Jamaica. The Appleton Rum Factory Tour takes you through the inner workings of this centuries old factory for a journey back in time when life was simple and more natural. Many of the old factory machines and processes are still in use today and make for a wonderful and informative heritage tour where you will learn the history of rum in the Caribbean and the process Appleton uses to manufacture a world class rum famous around the world as one of the finest.

This historic tour of Jamaica offers a glimpse back into time to the beginning of a nation and covers much of the islands history from the very first use of the Appleton estate in the early 1600′s through the entire history of slavery and settlement to the modern times of today where they are now the largest manufacturer of premium rum. Your Jamaican tour guide will detail the history of the Appleton Factory and also the ancient process for making Appleton Rum as you walk around the lush scenic property tucked away in the Nassau Valley and surrounded by the massive sugar cane farms which provide the raw materials necessary to produce rum.

The factory is located near the Black River Safari which feeds the fast growing cane fields used not only for the extracted sugar but also for fueling the entire factory from the giant cookers and steam engines down to every light and power receptacle on the property. Appleton Estate is a self sustaining off the grid enterprise producing over 1,000,000 gallons of rum each year using no fossil fuels and is an excellent example of sustainable development in Jamaica.

Appleton Estate Rum Factory is often the best part of a full day tour to the area which might include zip line rides and nature hikes at the majestic YS Falls with some of the most beautiful waterfalls or the Black River Safari for some Jamaican wildlife and a ride on the river boats. The tour concludes with a stop by the Appleton Estate bar and gift shop where you can buy some rum to take home with you and also drink as much of the many fine rum samples they offer as you can manage. Here is the tricky part as if you plan things just right you can really cap off a great day with some fine spirits and a few good friends.

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Tours to Floyds Pelican Bar in Parottee Bay Jamaica

 Eco Tours in Jamaica, Places to visit in Jamaica, Things to do in Jamaica  No Responses »
Mar 282010
 

Floyds Pelican Bar in Jamaica is one of the most unique places to visit that you may ever have the pleasure to experience. The bar and restaurant are located about a mile offshore on a sand bar located in Parottee Bay on the South Coast of Jamaica inbetween Black River and Treasure Beach and it is by far the coolest place I have ever drank a Red Stripe beer.

Pelican Bar is a well weathered but remarkably stable thatch hut built in the middle of the Caribbean Sea from driftwood, palm fronds and coconut tree trunks driven down into the sand like stilts on the edge of a small reef offering some of the best snorkeling, freshest seafood and homestyle Jamaican cooking on the island. Pelican Bar is owned and operated by Floyd who decided he wanted to do something different to attract people away from the tourist traps and down to his cool spot and it worked out perfectly. Floyd gets a steady stream of visitors to his unique paradise hideaway and the tourists who end up there and the wonderful conversations had are as much fun as the sun, snorkeling and panoramic views. I read an article recently that listed Pelican Bar as one of 15 most unique places to visit but I cannot seem to find it now. I certainly agree it’s a special place.

My first trip to meet Floyd was with friends Sara and Alan on an eco tour in Jamaica which included stops for the Black River Safari and YS Falls which are always great but Pelican Bar was too cool and I go back as often as possible now. We spent a lazy afternoon snorkeling the shallow waters and laid out in the sun before we enjoyed a wicked fresh lobster dinner and one of the best views in the world. Unfortunately on this trip we did miss the great sunsets because a small rainstorm blew in but the sheer power and beauty of nature made up for things and we had an excellent time just chillin out with some cold Red Stripe beers and a spliff to make the time pass.

Not every Pelican Bar tour includes a tour to Treasure Beach but doing both is very easy and many people who visit Floyds do so on an extended boat ride from Jakes Place in Treasure Beach and select private boats will make the trip up from Black River Safari for a full day tour on the water. Every tour to Pelican Bar does include a cool boat ride and some of the most beautiful scenery in Jamaica and makes for a great way to enjoy a leisure afternoon and beautiful sunset with loved ones and friends.

If you want to visit one of the most unique places to travel or visit in Jamaica then you will certainly want to take a tour to Pelican Bar in Jamaica with us. I hope you do because I’m always ready for a trip to Floyds place. :-)

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Black River Safari and Irie Tours

 Black River, Eco Tours in Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica Flora, Jamaica Wildlife, Pictures of Jamaica, Things to do in Jamaica  1 Response »
Jun 102009
 

No matter how often I find myself on a Black River Safari it is a treat to me each and every time. I had the pleasure of taking Angus and Kelley on a tour of the South Coast of Jamaica with stops at Black River and YS Falls. Our trip to Black River from Negril was short and sweet and we were at the Black River tour location before lunch.

We got the full tour with tons of information about the local ecology and the Black River ecosystem. The big draw on the river are the Jamaican Crocodile which can only be found here in Black River in small numbers. These rare animals spend their days cruising the rivers in search of food which often comes in the form of chicken carcasses tossed out by the Black River safari guides and tour operators who keep the crocs well fed.

The crocodiles in Black River are so tame and predictable that tour guides will often jump in the water or at least hand feed them for your enjoyment. There are sections of the river that are crocodile free where visitors can take a swim in the cool clear waters of the Black River. The river is called black because of the peat settled on the bottom but the river water is actually pretty clear although they say you should filter it before drinking.

A Black River and YS Falls tour is a wonderful way to spend the day traveling the lesser developed section of the island and the South Coast of Jamaica on a full day tour with stops in Scotts Cove or Middle Quarters for fresh fried fish and bammy or delicious hot boiled “peppa shrimp” and a real taste of Jamaica.

Purple Cattleya Orchid at Black River Jamaica

Purple Cattleya Orchid at Black River Jamaica

Irie Pontoon Riverboat Tours on Black River Jamaica

Irie Pontoon Riverboat Tours on Black River Jamaica

White Egret birds and Jamaican Wildlife at Black River Safari

White Egret birds and Jamaican Wildlife at Black River Safari

Santa Cruz Mountains from Black River Safari Tour

Santa Cruz Mountains from Black River Safari Tour

Red mangrove at Black River Safari Tour Guides

Red mangrove at Black River Safari Tour Guides

Black River Dread Locks in Red Mangrove Tree

Black River Dread Locks in Red Mangrove Tree

Jamaican Water Lily on Black River Safari

Jamaican Water Lily on Black River Safari

Black River Basin

Black River Basin

Jamaican Crocodile with mouth wide

Jamaican Crocodile with mouth wide

Angus and Kelley with JamaicaMAX Tours

Angus and Kelley with JamaicaMAX Tours

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Zip Line Tours to YS Falls from Negril Jamaica

 Jamaica, Jamaica Adventures, Jamaica Travel, Things to do in Jamaica  1 Response »
May 282009
 
YS Falls Zip Line Tall Run

Two people stand in the YS Falls at the Tallest Zip Line Ride

Close up view of YS Falls Zip Lines Tour Guide

Close up view of YS Falls Zip Lines Tour Guide

Zip Line Rider screaming over the YS River extreme adventure zip lines with Jamaica MAX Tours

Zip Line Rider screaming over the YS River extreme adventure zip lines

YS Falls river gorge with Zip Line Rides

Wide view of the YS Falls river gorge where you go for fast Zip Line Rides

Are ready for an extreme vacation in Jamaica? Would you like to take a zip line tour in Negril to YS Falls and enjoy the rush of flying over the roaring river from 100 feet above the gorge? It’s a pure rush and a must do for any adrenaline junkies out there who look for something more out of an adventure vacation.

The day starts from Negril with a ride down the south coast of Jamaica for a relaxing and scenic drive through primarily undeveloped territory along the coastline facing the Caribbean Sea. This trip comes with many different options and can begin with a stop at the Black River Safari where you will take a boat ride down the historic river to experience the wonderful Jamaican wildlife including the Jamaican crocodile and many different endemic bird species. The boat safari takes between one to two hours and takes you through the scenic wetlands where you will feed the crocodiles and even take a dip in the water if you wish to. Don’t worry it’s very safe and you actually swim in a part of the river where you rarely find crocodiles. So we have been told.

After our tour of the Black River we will head over to the YS Falls passing through Middle Quarters and the fishing village of Scotts Cove where we can stop to sample the many wonderful delicacies served by the local Jamaicans in their roadside stands. Fried fish and bammy is a popular Jamaican meal or you can sample the conch soup, fresh vegetables and other local treats being offered in roadside marketplace with as much flavor as your spciy food. Middle Quarters is a low land area where you will find roadside vendors offering pepper shrimp caught in the local wetlands. The shrimp are actually more like a crayfish and a delicious treat when boiled in the flavorful Jamaican spices.

Once we were each YS Falls it is time to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding tropical rainforest and the lush Jamaican jungle where you can enjoy the large lawns of rich green grass for a picnic or jump right into the activities and climbed the staircase to the top of the river where you can see some of the most magnificent waterfalls in all of Jamaica. YS Falls is a spectacular property with many wonderful views and waterfalls which are of course the highlight of this expansive piece of land. The waterfalls are actually located on the YS Farm and horse stable which is a renowned breeder of thoroughbred racing horses used at the racetrack in Kingston or also exported around the world.

At the top of the waterfall you will reach a platform where the zip line tours begin. After some instruction by the certified support professional you will suit up in your harness and drop into the first of three zip line adventure’s. Your ride will have you zigzag across the river as you travel down their gorge flying high above the river and your friends below. It is an exhilarating ride and lasts quite a long time when you are screaming from the mad rush of adrenaline and fear that almost every rider faces.

For those less adventurous you can enjoy a swim in the river or simply walk back down the river trail on a safe and stable wooden walkway that runs the full length of the riverwalk. Zip Line rides at YS Falls are $35 each with group rates and multiple ride discounts available. You can also count on one of the tour guides asking for a tip and if you feel he was worth it than $5 goes a long way in Jamaica. If you are ready to book a zip line tour reservation with the coolest tour guides in Negril by checking out the contact us page listed above.

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J Charles Swaby Black River Safari Boat and Eco Tours

 Birdwatching, Black River, Jamaica, Jamaica Adventures, Jamaica Cities, Jamaica Flora, Jamaica Wildlife, Pictures of Jamaica, Places to visit in Jamaica, Things to do in Jamaica  No Responses »
Feb 182008
 

The pontoon boat at j Charles Swaby Black River Safari

White Egret on Black River Safari in Jamaica

Blue Heron on Black River

No South Coast Jamaica trip is complete without at least driving through Black River and on this occasion we decided to stop and take a trip with J. Charles Swaby on his Black River Safari and Riverboat Cruise. It was an exceptionally hot day and the sun was shining as bright as ever so we decided that a ride on the boat was a great way to spend the day. We set out for Black River from Treasure Beach and arrived in the early afternoon while most of the towns people of Black River we’re off to lunch or whatever they do in the heat of the mid day sun.

This Jamaica attraction was rather slow on this day and we were able to get reservations on the very next boat leaving. We we’re glad to do so because sitting around in the sun and waiting was sucking the life out of me fast. It was really hot this day and I was hopeful that the clouds would blow over and we might end up with an overcast day because the sun was blazing. As it were I was in luck and the clouds came over us just after lunch and cooled the day off for us all. With all the shade it was still a hot sunny boat ride around a very beautiful river and wetlands area.

Jamaican Crocodile

Jamaican Crocodile sits on a log

White Egrets and Jamaica Crocodiles

I really do love the natural beauty of Jamaica and Black River is one of the highlights of any nature or eco tour of the country. The Black River is home to some of the rarest and most unique of all Jamaican wildlife and there are all sorts of animals to see on this tour. The most popular of all wildlife on the Black River tour is the Jamaican Crocodile. There are no alligators in Jamaica and the only crocodile species is the American Crocodile found all over North America. The Jamaican crocs hang out in the brackish waters of South Coast rivers and Black River is a hot spot for croc activity. You can also find manatees in the river but we did not encounter any on this trip.

The Black River is also a birdwatchers dream with dozens of birds to be seen on any given day. I’ve become much more of a birdwatcher since our return and I was glad to be able to get some pictures of birds in Jamaica on this trip. The birds here in Jamaica scare easily but the ones on the Black River tour seem to be used to the boats and noise and they allowed us to approach them rather close. It was really cool to see the Egrets hanging out with the Crocodile in the shots above. I don’t think I could have asked for a better shot from them.

The Black River Safari runs about 1 1/2 hours and costs $15 per adult and half price for children. Resident pricing is available if you present a Jamaican ID or TRN card. I suggest you bring a lunch with you as there are limited choices in the area for dining and it is a bit out of the way. Travel time from Negril is just over one hour with good traffic conditions. There is no swimming area on the Black River and lots of folks head on to YS Falls and Bamboo avenue after spending a half day on the River.

Check out over 300 more pictures from the Black River Safari in our photo gallery here

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