Belize cayes

Just off the magnificent Barrier Reef along the coast of Belize, hundreds of coral and mangrove isles known as cayes bask in the shimmering, clear turquoise and emerald green waters of the Caribbean.  Ranging from isolated stretches of sand and palm trees to large islands like Ambergris and Caulker, Belize’s cayes offer excellent swimming, scuba diving, fishing and snorkeling opportunities.  Three of the four atolls in the Western Hemisphere are also located in Belize.  Situated beyond the barrier reef these long coral isles surrounding lagoons are popular and idyllic destinations as well as ideal places for water sports.

AMBERGRIS CAYE
25 miles long, Ambergris Caye is the largest and most developed caye, with plenty of resorts, lodges and organized activities around the only town, San Pedro. click for more info

CAYE CAULKER
The second largest, at five miles long by one half mile wide, with more budget-oriented lodges, B&Bs and a good range of activities. click for more info

GLOVER ‘S REEF
White sand beaches predominate the palm-fringed Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, a World Heritage site. Once the base of pirate John Glover, now boaters, divers and anglers flock to this isolated island.  The most remote of the atolls, Glover’s Reef is about 70 miles southeast of Belize City.  The far-out location makes this one of the most pristine areas in Belize. Brilliant blue waters in the 80-square-mile lagoon are dotted with some 700 coral patches and surrounded by 50 miles of sheer drop-offs ranging from 40 to 2,600 feet long.  Excellent scuba diving, snorkeling, fly-fishing, kayaking and camping are all available here.

On Northeast Caye, Glovers Atoll Resort has cabins, camping, scuba diving, snorkeling, fly-fishing and marine instruction.  Sea kayakers can explore patch reefs and the vertical wall surrounding the atoll through Slickrock Adventures, based on Long Caye.  Their Water Sports Center resort features scuba diving, windsurfing and kayak surfing.  There is also the chance for scenic camping on Long Caye.  

Southwest Cayes consists of two islands.  Kayaking can be done on the northernmost of the two islands.  Manta Resort features thatched-roof cabanas, diving, snorkeling and fishing on the 14-acre southernmost island.

LIGHTHOUSE REEF
Located 50 miles southeast of Belize City, Lighthouse Reef is a panorama of swaying palms, powdery white beaches, striking coral formations and turquoise waters.  It is the only atoll with a private airstrip and the nearest atoll to the Blue Hole.  Looking from the air like a dark blue cavity in a field of turquoise, this almost perfectly circular underwater cave is Lighthouse Reef’s most spectacular natural wonder.  The cave measures 1,000 feet in diameter and 480 feet deep, and was made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who explored the fascinating site in 1972.  

At the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef is the 45-acre Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, the country’s first national park (1982). It is home to reptiles, turtles and a large diversity of birds, including thousands of red-footed boobies. The only other similar booby colony is on an island near Tobago.

Lighthouse Reef Resort is an upscale beachfront dive resort located on Northern Caye and includes 11 villas, suites, mini-suites and cabanas

SOUTH WATER CAYE
Located less than half an hour by boat from the town of Dangriga, South Water is one of Belize’s most idyllic cayes.  The 15-acre coral island, resting right atop the barrier reef is an excellent area for diving.

Blue Marlin Lodge is a dive/fishing resort in tropical luxury, and is the only full service diving resort near Dangriga.  International Zoological Expedition’s cottages and student dorms are based near the center of the island.  Pelican Beach Resort offers student group facilities near the island’s center and honeymoon/family cottages on the southern end.

ST. GEORGE’S CAYE
Located about 20 minutes by boat from Belize City, the tiny, crescent-shaped St. George’s Caye is the most historic of all the offshore cayes.  It was here that the British established the territory’s first real settlement and where the Spanish made their last-ditch effort to conquer Belize on Sept. 10, 1798.  Belizeans still commemorate this battle annually as St. George’s Caye Day. 

St George’s Caye is a popular destination for fishing, snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach.  St. Georges Lodge dive resort provides an intimate romantic setting, and Colonial-style Cottage Colony is close to the water’s edge.

TOBACCO CAYE
Located on the northern tip of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve the nine-acre Tobacco Caye was used for years as a trading post and fishing camp.  Now, because of its close proximity to the Barrier Reef it is a frequent destination for divers and anglers.  Many rustic resorts offering diving, fishing and tours are situated here.  Boats travel daily to the caye from Dangriga.

TURNEFFE ISLANDS
Located about 25 miles east of Belize City, the Turneffe Atoll is the largest of Belize’s three atolls.  It is home to several small, pristine cayes accented with palm trees, white beaches and mangroves.  Only a few hundred yards from the Barrier Reef, the islands offer excellent diving, snorkeling and fishing opportunities.

Turneffe Flats (Northern Bogue), Turneffe Island Lodge (Caye Bokel) and Blackbird Caye Resort (Blackbird Caye) all offer diving and fishing on the islands.

attractions
fishing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, beach combing, nature.

Ramon's Village Resort, Ambergris Caye
other cayes hotels

visitor info
Although all cayes cater to divers, snorkelers, and beach-lovers, you can really choose the caye for you as each is different in size, depth of activities, facilities, types of lodging, night-life, and remoteness. 

Transport once there is not a problem; you either walk, take a boat, or use a golf cart or bike on the larger islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye.

getting there
Of course boat is the main form of transport to and between the islands, although several of the cayes have landing strips. Only Ambergris has scheduled flights. Boats leave from Belize City, or from Dangriga for the more southerly cayes.