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Caye Caulker is the place to be laid back. Most eloquent
of the caye's spirit is the sign on the main road exhorting "Go
Slow". Hammocks, sandy streets, and cool Caribbean breezes
greet arrivals. If you catch a taxi, a golf cart is what you'll
get. From the asphalt landing strip lead just a handful of streets
through the small village of seaside restaurants, lodges, pubs,
shops and clapboard houses in bright colors. The barrier reef
can be seen from the main road.
Caye
Caulker is relatively small, at five miles long by one half mile wide.
Of this, only the southern end is inhabited by villagers and visitors;
the wet northern section is a mangrove and forest reserve, the abode
of mangroves, nesting birds, and palm trees, with trails for visitors.
The two sections are separated by a narrow water passage, the
Split, created by Hurricane Hattie in 1961 and which has become
popular with snorkelers, boaters, swimmers and sunbathers.
It
is thought Caye Caulker's name came from pirates caulking their
ships, although another possibility is from the Spanish name "Cayo
Hicaco" for the island, so named after the cocoplum tree found
abundantly in the island's reserve.
Caye
Caulker's 1,000 residents are a mix of Belizean and foreigners who
have settled to enjoy the unique atmosphere.
attractions
Apart from the pleasures of taking it easy and enjoying life
on the island, the caye has the widest range of watersports
and is well-positioned for day trips to many attractions in the area:-
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Snorkeling
at the Split, or excursions to Goff's Caye, Sergeants Caye,
Half Moon and Long Caye.
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Diving,
with over 20 dive sites within a 5 minute boat ride, and
with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Blue Hole, Pyramid
Flats, Long Caye, Coral Caverns, Turneffe and St George's
Caye all within easy boat distance.
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Fishing
on flats, reefs, or offshore for bonefish, permit, snapper,
tarpon, kingfish, wahoo etc. There are many sportfishing
boats available for half- or full-day trips.
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Windsurfing
and kayaking (both available for rental, and lessons)
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Birding
as the caye offers more than 150 species including the rufous-necked
woodrail, mangrove warbler and black catbird.
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Mainland
trips to Mayan ruins and other attractions
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