The Coolest Bar in Jamaica: Floyd’s Pelican Bar
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Floyd’s Pelican Bar is hands down the coolest bar I’ve been to and it actually won the “Best Bar in the World” award in 2021! It was 2017 when I visited Floyd’s Pelican Bar and I highly recommend checking it out no matter what town you’re staying in Jamaica. Floyd’s Pelican Bar opened in 2001 by a local man named Floyd who’s original intent was to create a bar that was convenient for his fellow fisherman to stop at throughout the day. He chose a spot near a sandbar that was always crowded by pelicans, hence the name, and shortly after opening, word spread and its popularity ignited. About three years after opening, Floyd’s Pelican Bar was destroyed by a hurricane, but the community came together to help build back the treasured establishment. It’s truly an amazing place for locals and tourists alike, and with so many things to do in Jamaica, this bar is a must! Floyd’s Pelican Bar is a great place to end your day by relaxing in the waist deep waters with a rum punch or Red Stripe in your hand while the staff catches and cooks fresh lobster. This now bucket list experience is great for a group of friends or couples alike. As you're enjoying your time at one of best bars in Jamaica, be sure to check out the memorabilia left by past guests in the main bar area and the names carved into the wooden docks, and don't forget to carve your own!
Where is Floyd’s Pelican Bar Located?
Floyd’s Pelican Bar is located in Salt Spring Junction, Jamaica about 1 mile off the Southwest coast. Salt Spring Junction is situated between Black River and Treasure Beach. When I visited, I was staying in a hotel in Negril and booked a car service to take us from our hotel in Negril to Floyd’s Pelican Bar. It’s best to plan this as a day trip since the time it takes to get there is completely dependent on traffic and it’s pretty far from most major destinations within Jamaica. Our car picked us up at 9am and our car unfortunately broke down midway there so it took us much longer than expected, but eventually we made it! We ended up spending about 3 hours out at the bar. I would recommend planning to at least spend 2 hours there since it is quite a hike from your accommodations.
Distance from popular towns in Jamaica:
Negril - 1 hour and 34 minutes (51 miles)
Montego Bay - 2 hours (58 miles)
Kingston - 2 hours and 45 minutes (96 miles)
Ochos Rios - 3 hours and 15 minutes (118 miles)
How to Get to Floyd’s Pelican Bar
Since Floyd’s Pelican Bar is located a mile out into the ocean, the only way to get to the bar is by boat. There are a few options and because this bar has become so popular over the years, some of the larger beach resorts in Montego Bay even offer private transportation to Floyd’s Pelican Bar. Because we were staying at a smaller hotel, we caught a boat at Sheldon’s Boat Tours which is also located in Black River. Sheldon is actually Floyd’s son so we like this option the best! If you’re staying in Negril and don’t want to worry about booking a car, there’s now a tour that leaves from Negril and takes you to Floyd’s Pelican Bar. Something I wish was around when we went is this amazing tour from Negril that not only takes you to Floyd’s Pelican Bar, but also takes you to YS Falls and a river cruise along the Black River! If you're taking a boat from Sheldon's, the boat ride only lasts about 15 minutes. Once you arrive at the Pelican Bar, you'll hop out of the boat and into the shallow water where you'll then climb up the ladder to reach the landing.
Tips for Visiting Floyd’s Pelican Bar in Jamaica
Bring cash! Although most countries accept Visa and Mastercard on the regular, I’ve noticed that many Caribbean Islands still prefer their currency over plastic. On top of that, this bar is practically in the middle of the ocean so wifi is not their friend.
Get in the water! The docks at the bar are nice, but the bar itself is rather small so it can get crowded. If you feel like you need some space, feel free to hop in the water. It’s usually only about waist high depending on the tide.
Don’t visit too hungry as the food options are limited to pretty much just lobster. But on that note, do make it a point to try the lobster! It’s fresh (probably caught when you order) and tastes amazing!
Be patient. This is a tiny bar that was not intended to be a tourist destination and you are on island time after all. When I ordered lobster, it took about 20-30 minutes before it was ready, so grab a drink, dangle your feet in the water, and enjoy your time.
Be flexible. Check the weather prior to heading to Floyd’s Pelican Bar, but don’t be surprised if a rain storm pops up. Our forecast was completely clear, but since the bar is located in the ocean, we had a surprise thunder storm roll in and although it was a little scary to be out there with lightening, it was definitely an experience I’ll never forget.
Keep an open mind. Jamaica is known for being a marijuana-friendly country and it’s rooted deep in their culture. No matter where you go, there’s a 99% chance that you will catch a whiff of marijuana in the air. Personally, I think that’s a very known issue when Jamaica comes to mind and if you have strong feelings against it and you still choose to visit then please be respectful.
Happy travels!
- Tess
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
