Excursion Descriptions
Rhodes Hall Plantation Cruise
Time: 4-1/2 hours, 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM - Monday, Wednesday
or Friday
Cost: Cruise and lunch is $55.00 per person. The Cruise, lunch,
and horseback Riding is $80.00 US per person.
Sail along the beautiful undeveloped north coast of Jamaica, past
historic Bloody Bay and Orange Bay to arrive at the private beach
of Rhodes Hall Plantation. But first, you stop to snorkel one of
the finest unspoiled reefs around. Enjoy a beach BBQ featuring famous
old time plantation-recipe chicken and fish, along with a medley
of various Jamaican vegetables. You will find a variety of delicious
seasonal fruits, Jamaican Punch, Red Stripe Beer, and other beverage
await you while your horses are being saddled and readied for your
ride on the beach. Crocodile lagoon is a great stop for wildlife
photo opportunities.
 Sunset
Cruise
Time: 3-1/2 hours, 3:30 - 7:00 PM
Cost: $45.00 per person.
Sail along famous Negril beach and the tall, rocky cliffs of the
Negril's West End toward the Negril Lighthouse. It is a very scenic
cruise, so be sure to bring your camera to take pictures of Negril's
beautiful coastline.
There, you can snorkel and do a little cliff jumping if you are
brave. Otherwise, watch the cliff divers while enjoying the free
pizza, soda, beer & rum punch.
Parasailing
Time: Anytime
Cost: $35.00 per person (Two fly together).
Enjoy the warm Caribbean breezes while viewing the Negril countryside
and Negril's famous seven miles of beautiful sandy beach from the
air. There will be free pickup from White Sands Negril to the shuttle
boat that will take you to the parasail boat.
Black River and YS Falls
Time: 8 hours, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $70.00 per person.
We will first go to Black River where we board a river boat and
do the Black River Safari Tour. Upon returning we will eat at the
Riverside Dock Restaurant and have a buffet Jamaican lunch. After
lunch, it's back on the bus for the 25 minute trip to YS Falls.
 Black
River Safari
Discover the beauty of the South Coast up Jamaica's largest navigable
river and through what is Jamaica's largest wetland area, the Black
River lower morass. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded
in the Black River morass and many are seen during your trip. The
endangered American Crocodile inhabits the area and sightings are
very frequent. The wetland vegetation is of special interest with
three species of mangrove, Thatch palms, Royal palms and freshwater
swamp forest dominating.
YS Falls
These falls are among Jamaica's most spectacular, consisting of
a 7 waterfalls, surrounded by flora and fauna, many indigenous to
the area (eg. Bromeliads). Several of the waterfalls cascade into
natural pools. Some areas are fairly rocky and do not allow swimming.
Lifeguards on site, indicate which areas are for swimming, however,
being able to swim is a requirement. There is a natural pool, fed
by underground and above ground springs, which is more suitable
for children and others unable to swim.
The falls are unspoiled and non-commercialized. A wooden stairway
leads to a platform beside the highest waterfall, and ropes are
available for brave swimmers who wish to play at being Tarzan in
the pools below each fall. To get to the waterfalls compound, you
board the tractor and jitney for the 10 minute journey. (At the
area where you board the tractor, there is an eatery, a bar and
gift shop stocked with local crafts.)
 History
of YS Falls
YS was originally a cane farm, with a factory. YS Estate was also
a supplier of logwood for export to Europe. The heart of the logwood
tree was used for the purpose of making dye. By 1887 the property
had changed hands many times and was held in the Encumbered Estates
Court in London. At that time, Great Grand Uncle (John Browne) of
the present owner, Cecil Browne, had traveled to London to purchase
a property in St. Ann. However, upon arrival in London, that property
had been sold. John Browne, wanting a property with a river running
through it, bought YS Estate, sight unseen.
YS continued to grow cane, reap logwood trees and raise cattle.
With the introduction of synthetic dyes, the need for logwood dwindled
and in the 1960's cane was phased out. In the 1950's, the present
owner, Cecil Browne, started to breed and raise thoroughbred horses.
Cecil Browne continued the breeding and raising of cattle, but now
focuses on the Jamaica Red Poll cattle, which is a pedigreed herd.
Simon Browne, youngest son of Cecil Browne, opened YS in 1992 to
the public, living out his lifelong wish. Simon Browne only wanted
to admit 25 persons a day, but the popularity of YS Falls exceeded
that. Simon monitors numbers to ensure that the natural beauty of
YS is not destroyed by inquisitive feet.
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