Rocklands Bird Sanctuary ( Montego Bay)

Rocklands Bird Sanctuary ( Montego Bay)

Rocklands Bird Sanctuary ( Montego Bay)
4.5
Nature & Wildlife Areas
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, just drop in between 10AM and 5PM any day. TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence awarded 10 times 2011-22. Entry fee Adults USD$25. kids u13 US$10. Guests enjoy this tranquil country cottage, patios & garden feeding the hummingbirds & finches. Just 35 minutes from Montego Bay. Open since 1952. Visitors may feed amazing colorful wild hummingbirds birds by hand, & see other birds on a patio in our cottage garden. Fritz & Kimani your soft spoken hosts will show how to feed & spot the other birds. The country road to the sanctuary is 1/2 mile, winding uphill & bumpy, all part of the wilderness adventure. The experience isn't recommended for kids under 4 yrs they may find it hard to sit still, movement scares the birds. Rest room on site. Do come and enjoy the relaxing experience, sip our complimentary perked coffee. Average visit 1.5 hours, relax & make happy memories. Experience the wonderful beauty of God's creation.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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  • PFJE
    Cambridge, Canada332 contributions
    Short visit on January 29, 2020.
    We travelled from the Falmouth Cruise Port to this Sanctuary by Jamaican taxi, the operator that is mentioned on the Sanctuary's website. We found a helpful and pleasant driver who was quite accommodating. Upon arrival at Rocklands we were met by Fritz the resident manager and bird guide. It cost $20 per person for entrance, and another $20 to have Fritz give a personal birding tour of the nearby forest. There was a clear toilet available for visitors, The site has lovely decks and balconies in the forest. There are many types of bird feeders; seeds, fruit, bananas and nectar. The birds are excellent. I found 24 species, many of which are Jamaican endemics. The stars of the show are Red-billed Streamtail Hummingbirds that are spectacularly beautiful and active. They come right to people who are holding little bottles of nectar. I had a great time photographing the birds while my wife fed the hummers. I absolutely loved this site. It is wonderful to see this site conserving the bird species and their forest habitat.
    Thanks for the kind review l, we're so glad you enjoyed the visit. We have worked to improve the site over the years .
    Written February 6, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2020
    Written February 5, 2020
  • Marion W
    Seattle, Washington795 contributions
    an experience that will thrill you
    from the Montego Bay Hilton it took about 40 min. to get there (the people drive fast and weave in/out of traffic. Amazing). Before arriving in Jamaica we couldn't decide which tour to take. The prices were all over the landscape, it was hard to tell exactly what to expect there and when the tour length is stated as 1-3 hrs. you wonder why that would be. Here's the scoop: at the hotel tour desk we wound up booking a tour for a pricey $160 plus admission. That is based on 2 people. The 160 is strictly for the cost of getting you there and back. The admission is sometimes listed as $25pp and sometimes $20pp. When we arrived nobody collected the money. There was a bowl and people put their money into it. Based on what we saw not everybody is honest which is tragic. The size of the sanctuary should be described as somewhat small but in a lovely setting with a huge wooden porch from where you can see Montego Bay. There's a little concrete walkway that takes you underneath the porch.. but that's it for the walking ability. When you arrive you are greeted by the nephew of Lisa Salmon who founded this place. She died in 2000. He asks you to sit in one of numerous chairs, puts a little seed on your pants, gives you a small bottle and shows you how to hold it, including your finger … and voila, the hummingbirds come. It's quite an experience to watch these lovely Swallow Tailed Hummingbirds who are totally tame, sit on your finger and extract the nectar out of the bottle while the other little birds (forgot their name) come on your leg and pick away at the seeds. All around is a buzzing of a variety of birds from the Jamaican Orioles, Common Ground Doves, Jamaica Mango, Red Billed Streamers, etc. plus a couple of female Peacocks. You are surrounded by lovely trees and flowering plants with lots of feeders to attract these birds. Wonderful photo op opportunities! Don't know if there's a bathroom. The walk from the road can be a bit of a challenge for someone with walking disabilities (brink hiking poles). You can spend an hour there or three. Up to you. It's a most enjoyable and unique experience.
    Thanks for visiting Rocklands Bird Sanctuary , and taking time to review, yes there is a bathroom available and entry is USD $20 per adult. The plastic container is for staff tipping. Do come again soon we’re so glad you enjoyed your visit
    Written March 10, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2020
    Written March 9, 2020
  • Paul Eagles
    10 contributions
    Three hour visit on January 29 2020
    We used Jamaican taxis to bring us from the Falmouth Cruise Terminal to Rocklands Bird Sanctuary. This was a pleasant experience. Upon arrival we were met by Fritz the resident manager and bird guide. The house and gardens are wonderful, well laid out and attractive. The birds were excellent. I found 27 species of birds, of which 14 were lifers, meaning I had not seen this species before. I got excellent photos of about a dozen species. The Red-billed Streamertails are the stars of the show; with the males fighting over access to the nectar feeders. Females were also there. The Jamaican Mango Hummingbird is also there, but in much lower numbers. The small Vervain Hummingbird was present, but was bullied by the other species so stayed away from the nectar feeders. The banana feeders were used by Orangequits and Jamaican Orioles. The White-chinned Thrushes sometimes came in to feed on the bananas. Several species of neotropical wood warblers were also there. A Common Potoo was shown to me by Fritz. For a small fee Fritz took us on a short birding hike into the forest. Fritz has excellent sound detection, and a keen eye. He has great local knowledge of the species and their habits. This is an excellent site for observing many of the Jamaican endemic bird species. I highly recommend a visit.
    We are so happy that you had a good experience and were able to add lifers to your list. Thanks for taking time to review and give the good rating. Do come again soon.
    Written February 5, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2020
    Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
377 reviews
Excellent
268
Very good
66
Average
19
Poor
11
Terrible
13

Warren A
Arizona20 contributions
Aug 2021
Big win with the wife. Saw review on Youtube blog - "Jamaica with Irie" and what she says is on the money. Having the national bird land on your finger for a sustained sugar water drink is priceless, definitely worthy of 20 bucks a head to support this unique tranquil escape. Quick ride up the hill side above Montego Bay, beautiful. Just returned home so pictures posting to follow.
Written August 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting and for your review, please share your experience with friends, hope to see you again soon !
Written December 6, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

UnaW
Watford, UK2,031 contributions
Mar 2022
If you are fascinated by hummingbirds, do not miss this place. It is hard to find up a dusty road full of potholes and limited signage. When you get there, you enter a patio with chairs where people are sitting feeding the beautiful hummingbirds. The birds are predominantly the red billed streamer tail, the "Doctorbird" of Jamaica.
You get to hear the buzz of the wings and the small thrill noises they make to intimidate rivals. You feel the gentle breeze from their wings on your face. The smaller females will perch on your finger. The Jamaican Mango hummingbird is shyer but will come close too.
The caretaker of the property is a quiet presence who will direct you optimally for your experience. There is no pressure for time. He took me down to see an owl, a Rufus flycatcher and we also saw a large woodpecker. There are large feeders around the patio but binoculars are useful for the short garden circuit.
I have done a similar experience near Negril but this was tops for the sheer number of hummingbirds you got to be close to.
Pure Jamaican magic.
Written March 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking time to do a review. we are glad to know you enjoyed the experience.
Written April 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Maria H
Frimley Green, UK61 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Absolutely amazing place with excellent views of Montego Bay. Feeding the humming birds was brilliant and there were so many. Took a pre booked cab from Cornwall Beach Hotel for 100usdollars which included the driver waiting for 1.5hours
Written February 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

T9496LDrobertn
Crosslake, United States22 contributions
Feb 2022
We loved our time at the bird sanctuary. The road getting to is rough, as well as parking, but the WAZE app was very accurate in finding it. The view overlooking Mo Bay was amazing and listening to all of the birds was so peaceful. The highlight was hand feeding the hummingbirds and having the other birds eat seed right in our laps. That was very cool and we will remember it forever. We also loved walking through the gardens and learning about all the different trees and plants from the guide. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Written February 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting and taking time to review Rocklands. Do visit us again!
Written February 27, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Shanker B
Alpharetta, GA1,171 contributions
Dec 2019
This is a small bird sanctuary nestled up in the mountains. The drive up the sanctuary is fantastic and refreshing. We were greeted as soon as we reached there. They open at 10 AM and we got there about 5 minutes prior to opening -- they accommodated us. The staff there is very knowledgeable of all the birds and had a lot of stories for us as we spent our time there. Great views of the Montego Bay from up there as well.

The star and highlight of the sanctuary is the Humming birds. Once you hold the sugar syrup / nectar in bottles the hummingbirds will come and sit on your finger and feed. It is a surreal experience which brings immense joy. My 8 year old son was delighted. They also put some grains on your lap and the finches will come sit on your lap and feed.

we walked around for about 30 minutes after the feeding in the trails nearby and loved the birds and the fauna. fantastic place for a quick stop and an unforgettable experience.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for coming we are glad that you enjoyed your visit. Do come again soon.
Written January 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Agnes C
27 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
Yes, you can feed hummingbirds, but for an entrance fee of a whopping 20 U$ a head, I had expected a nicer set-up. For a photographer it's a disappointing place. The feeders are in the dark or installed in an unappealing way. You have to go down into the garden for better opportunities.
Written March 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting, sorry you were disappointed by the experience. had you asked Fritz the host to make some adjustments for you by moving feeders he would have been happy to help. The entry fees go to operating this small privately run facility facility, paying staff , purchasing supplies for the birds and, covering other expenses. we do hope you enjoy your vacation.
Written April 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Melissa1918
Arnold, PA123 contributions
Jan 2020
Went to this Bird Sanctuary on a whim. So very glad we did this. The tour guide put seeds on our legs and all the little finches came and ate it off our legs, arms, and hands. The best part is when the hummingbirds landed on my finger and stared to eat out of the ting bottle of food. All you could feel was their tiny claws and nothing else. The colors of the birds was awesome. The Mango hummingbird was purple and red! The greens and reds were so vibrant, I would suggest this to anyone to go. It was $20.00 per person and 100.00$ to get there, but to me worth it. We left with giving money to help feed the birds.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind commemts we are always delighted to know our guests enjoy the experience
Written January 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Louis Chiu
Toronto, Canada53 contributions
May 2023
We went as a group of 6 (4 adults and 2 kids - 5 and 7). Guide was knowledgeable. Took about 45 mins from Hilton Rose Hall. Spent about 1.5 hours there. Main activity is to feed the hummingbirds and other birds at the sanctuary. Also did a short walk around the property. Does require kids to be still in order to feed the birds. Temperature on the mountain was nicer than the hot scorching weather on the ground. Cost was $25 per adult and $10 per kid. Transportation to and from the hotel was about $120 USD. It was a great excursion outside of the all-inclusive experience. Worth the pictures and would do again.
Written May 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for Visiting Rocklands Bird Sanctuary. We are delighted to know you had a good experience feeding and seeing the birds. Do come again soon and tell your friends. Enjoy your stay in Jamaica.
Written May 15, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Williestravels
Saint Paul, MN13 contributions
Dec 2021
poor roads getting there, but for 70 years a woman trained the humming birds and others to come get food. if you are a nature person it's a child hood dream come true. Be mellow and don't startle the birds, After the bird visit we got a " nature walk" thru the surrounding area and was given insights on medicinal Jamaican plants. It was about $40 each but this place is peaceful, not phony (like Dolphin Cove) and worth every penny. Listen. Learn. Be amazed.
Written February 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting & the good review, we look forward to you visiting us again.
Written February 27, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

foodie243
57 contributions
Jan 2023
We were blown away with our experience at rocklands bird Sanctuary. It wasn’t what we were expecting - it was very intimate and the birds are completely free to roam. At first it was just us there which was perfect. Hummingbirds flew straight up to us as soon as we arrived. Feeding them with the sugar water by hand was just magical. We also really liked seeing around the cottage a bit and seeing the plants growing on the land. It was very peaceful and tranquil there. Thank you for being so friendly! Would recommend
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting do come again.
Written January 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Rocklands Bird Sanctuary ( Montego Bay) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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Rocklands Bird Sanctuary ( Montego Bay) is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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