Review · YS FALLS TOURS

YS Falls, Black River Safari, Floyd’s Pelican Bar

★ 5.0 · 6 reviews From $179 Operated by Catch A Cab & Tours · Bookable on Viator
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YS Falls, the Black River, and Floyd’s Pelican Bar make an unusually varied day out from Negril. You get cool freshwater pools, a boat ride through crocodile country, and a barefoot stop at a bar built in the Caribbean Sea. That range is the main appeal.

I like the private transport, since your group does not share the vehicle with strangers. I also like the freedom built into the day: at YS Falls, you can swim and take photographs, or add the zipline canopy ride. The main drawback is price. At $179.50 per person, you still pay separately for admissions, lunch, and certain added costs.

Key points at a glance

YS Falls, Black River Safari, Floyd’s Pelican Bar - Key points at a glance

  • YS Falls combines swimming and ziplining: You can keep the visit relaxed or add a canopy ride above the falls.
  • The Black River stop is a one-hour boat safari: Crocodiles, plants, and other local wildlife are the focus.
  • Floyd’s Pelican Bar sits in the Caribbean Sea: You can swim to the bar area and buy drinks while surrounded by open water.
  • Private transport keeps the day flexible: Only your group takes part, and the vehicle is air-conditioned.
  • The tour lasts about six to eight hours: That makes it a major day trip rather than a quick Negril outing.
  • Several costs are extra: Admission tickets, lunch, landing and facility fees, and the listed Segway use are not included.

Three very different Jamaican stops in one day

YS Falls, Black River Safari, Floyd’s Pelican Bar - Three very different Jamaican stops in one day

This is not a single-theme excursion. It links three places with completely different moods, which is useful if you have limited time in Jamaica and want more than a beach day.

At YS Falls, the focus is water, photographs, swimming, and optional ziplining. The Black River brings a slower boat ride and wildlife watching. Floyd’s Pelican Bar finishes the day with salt water, drinks, and a memorable setting far from shore.

I like that mix for a first visit. You see several sides of Jamaica without arranging separate transport for each place. The tradeoff is time on the road and a full schedule. With six to eight hours in total, you should expect this to fill much of your day.

The tour is operated by Catch A Cab & Tours. James is named as one guide who may lead the outing, and the personal service described for him included being professional and making an effort to keep the day enjoyable. Since this is a private activity, you can ask questions and coordinate the pace with your own group more easily than on a large coach tour.

More Safari Trips in Negril

YS Falls: swimming, photographs, and a choice about ziplining

The YS Falls portion is listed twice at about 45 minutes each, but the supplied information does not explain whether that means two separate entries or a duplicated stop. Treat the total YS Falls time as roughly 45 minutes unless the operator confirms otherwise.

That is enough time for a taste of the place, a swim, and photographs, but it is not a long visit. If you want to linger by the water, you should ask about the exact schedule before booking. The same applies if the zipline canopy ride is a priority.

You can choose to swim in the falls area, take pictures, or add the zipline experience. This flexibility helps groups with mixed interests. One person can focus on photographs while another chooses the canopy ride, though the short stop may make careful timekeeping important.

The falls are also the first major activity on a day that includes two more stops. I would bring swimwear, a towel, and a way to protect your phone. The tour details do not specify changing facilities or equipment, so ask the operator about those practical points before departure.

Admission to YS Falls is not included in the tour price. That matters when you compare the $179.50 cost with other day trips. You are paying for private transport and the arrangement of the day, but the actual attraction fee is added separately.

The Black River by boat, with crocodiles and plant life

YS Falls, Black River Safari, Floyd’s Pelican Bar - The Black River by boat, with crocodiles and plant life

The Black River safari lasts about one hour and is the most nature-focused part of the outing. You travel by boat, looking for crocodiles, plants, and other animals living along the river.

A boat safari changes the pace after YS Falls. Instead of swimming or moving between activities, you have time to sit, watch the river, and keep your eyes open for wildlife. Crocodiles are the headline sight, but the plants and other animals are part of what makes the ride worthwhile.

Wildlife is never a guaranteed performance, so I would approach this as a quiet observation trip rather than a promise of constant sightings. The supplied details do not say how many animals you will see or how close the boat gets. Your guide can provide the best information on the day.

The Black River stop is especially useful if you want more than Jamaica’s famous beaches. It gives the outing a clear connection to the natural world, and the one-hour duration is long enough to feel like a proper activity rather than a quick photo stop.

Admission is not included here either. Ask whether the boat safari fee is paid directly at the site or handled another way. The tour price alone does not cover every activity listed in the day.

Floyd’s Pelican Bar: drinks over open Caribbean water

YS Falls, Black River Safari, Floyd’s Pelican Bar - Floyd’s Pelican Bar: drinks over open Caribbean water

Floyd’s Pelican Bar is the most unusual stop. The bar is located in the Caribbean Sea, and the planned 45-minute visit includes swimming and drinks.

This is the part of the day with the strongest sense of place. You are not simply stopping at a beachside restaurant. You are heading out into the sea to spend time at a bar surrounded by water. A customer specifically praised the Pelican Bar and also mentioned Rick’s Café as part of the day, although Rick’s Café is not included in the formal stop list supplied here. Confirm that detail before booking if it matters to you.

The stop is short, so think of it as a memorable finish rather than a long lunch break. You can swim and have drinks, but lunch is not included. Bring extra money for food and beverages, and confirm how the boat transfer or facility charges are handled.

The water setting also means conditions matter. The operator states that the experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. That policy makes sense for an outing built around boat travel and swimming.

Why private transport matters on this route

YS Falls, Black River Safari, Floyd’s Pelican Bar - Why private transport matters on this route

The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is offered, including hotel or airport pickup according to the tour details.

This is one of the strongest practical features. The route links several attractions, and private transport means only your own group takes part. You avoid sharing the vehicle with a large crowd, which gives you a more personal day and can make the long outing feel less tiring.

The air conditioning is another useful detail in Jamaica’s heat. You can cool down between the falls, river, and coast instead of spending the whole day in an open vehicle.

The details say the tour is near public transportation, but that does not mean you need to use it. Pickup is provided, and the private arrangement is aimed at people who want the day organized from the start.

Still, confirm the pickup point and departure time. The total duration is approximate, and the route includes several stops with separate admissions. A clear conversation with Catch A Cab & Tours before the day will help you understand how much time is planned at each location.

Is $179.50 a fair price?

YS Falls, Black River Safari, Floyd’s Pelican Bar - Is $179.50 a fair price?

At $179.50 per person, this is not a budget attraction visit. Its value depends on how much you want private transport and how difficult it would be for you to arrange YS Falls, the Black River, and Floyd’s Pelican Bar separately.

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle and private transportation. It does not include attraction admissions, lunch, landing and facility fees, or the listed use of a Segway. Those extras can make the final cost higher than the headline figure.

A past booking described a much lower payment of $20 per person for YS Falls, the Black River, food at the Pelican Bar, and tips, totaling $120 for a group. That figure does not match the stated $179.50 per-person price, so I would not use it as a current quote. It may reflect a different arrangement, a group calculation, or additional pricing not explained here.

The right comparison is not simply this tour against a cheap taxi ride. Compare it with the cost and effort of arranging private transport, paying each entrance fee, and coordinating the boat activities yourself. For a small group that values privacy, the price may be reasonable. For one person or a couple watching every dollar, the extras deserve close attention.

Group discounts are available, which could improve the value for families or friends traveling together. Ask for the current group rate rather than assuming the advertised per-person price applies unchanged.

Who will enjoy this day most?

YS Falls, Black River Safari, Floyd’s Pelican Bar - Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this outing to a first-time visitor who wants several major experiences in one organized day. It suits people who like variety and do not want to spend the whole holiday on one beach.

It also fits groups with different interests. One person can swim at YS Falls, another can take photographs, and someone else can choose the zipline canopy ride. The Black River gives nature lovers something to watch, while Floyd’s Pelican Bar provides a relaxed social finish.

You should think twice if you dislike long days, extra fees, or changing from freshwater swimming to a boat safari and then saltwater swimming. The schedule is active, and the exact travel time between stops is not provided.

The tour may also be less suitable if your main goal is a slow day at one attraction. Forty-five minutes at YS Falls and 45 minutes at the Pelican Bar are enough for an introduction, but not enough for unhurried exploration.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information. Even so, you should discuss mobility concerns, swimming ability, and the zipline option with the operator before booking, since detailed accessibility information is not provided.

What to bring and what to confirm

YS Falls, Black River Safari, Floyd’s Pelican Bar - What to bring and what to confirm

Pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and money for admissions, food, drinks, and other fees. A phone case or dry bag is sensible for a day that includes two swimming locations and boat travel.

Before you pay, confirm four points:

  • The exact pickup location and start time
  • The current admission prices for YS Falls and the Black River safari
  • Whether the zipline canopy ride is available and what it costs
  • How the Pelican Bar transfer, drinks, lunch, and facility fees are handled

The listing also says use of a Segway is not included. That item does not fit naturally with the stated activities, so ask whether it applies to your booking or is simply an unrelated exclusion.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the same 24-hour rule applies to refunds.

Should you book YS Falls, Black River, and Floyd’s Pelican Bar?

Book this tour if you want a private, full-day sampler of Jamaica and are comfortable paying attraction fees and lunch separately. The strongest reasons are the unusual combination of freshwater falls, crocodile country, and a bar in the Caribbean Sea.

I would not book it blindly at $179.50 per person. First, ask Catch A Cab & Tours for a complete cost estimate that includes admissions, facility charges, and any add-ons. If the final figure fits your budget, the private vehicle and broad mix of experiences make this a practical choice for a first visit to Negril.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six to eight hours.

Is pickup provided?

Yes. Pickup is offered, including pickup from a hotel or airport.

Is the transportation private?

Yes. The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, and only your group participates.

What happens at YS Falls?

You can swim and take photographs. A zipline canopy tour is also available as an option.

How long is the Black River safari?

The boat safari lasts about one hour.

What wildlife might I see on the Black River?

The safari focuses on crocodiles, local plants, and other animals that live in and around the Black River.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

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