Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DIVING AND SNORKELLING AROUND CAYE CAULKER
Caye Caulker is filled with snorkel and dive operators offering a wide range of trips, from
half-day snorkel jaunts to serious dives that result in PADI certification.
All dive shops on the caye offer reef diving and visits to coral gardens, and many have
night dives
. A diving trip to the
Lighthouse Reef
and the
Blue Hole
is an unforgettable
experience (although some people are disappointed by the lack of marine life in the depths).
After the unique, slightly spooky splendour of diving over 115ft into the hole, many groups
visit the fantastic 260ft wall off
Half Moon Caye
. A brief stop on the island itself lets you
observe red-footed boobies and huge hermit crabs before climbing back in the boat for the
Long Caye wall. The
Turneffe Atoll
has world-class dive sites, too - some believe the best
diving in Belize. North Turneffe and Turneffe Elbow are the most popular trips from
Caye Caulker.
You can snorkel on your own, but the most rewarding
snorkelling
experiences are likely
to be on an organized tour, which can educate you on what you're seeing. Some trips visit
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
and
Shark-Ray Alley
, but these tend to be busier and more
expensive, and you'll be just as happy in either Caye Caulker's own marine reserve or the outer
atolls, Turneffe in particular (p.114) - keep an eye out for the
dolphins
that often accompany
boats on the way.
Other popular snorkelling destinations include Goff's Caye, English Caye and Sergeant's Caye,
tiny specks of sand and coral with a few palm trees. A trip to any of these may be combined
with a stop at Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary (see p.113), a mangrove caye with seagrass
beds near Belize City, where you can view (but not swim with)
manatees
.
Prices are similar to those in San Pedro, with two-hour, single-tank dives in the nearby reef
starting at US$50-65; double-tank dives at US$75-100; and PADI certification at US$300.
Diving trips to the Turneffe Atoll and Blue Hole begin at around US$250. Snorkel tours cost
around US$30-50 for two to four hours, depending on destination and other extras.
3
7.30am-5pm; 25min), calling at Caye Caulker along the
way (on request; same price). Caye Caulker's airstrip is
about 1 mile south of the centre. From here, you can catch
a golf cart taxi into the centre (from Bz$7).
By boat
The Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association (
T
226
0992,
W
ccwatertaxi.com) and San Pedro Express Water
Taxi (
T
226 2194,
W
sanpedrowatertaxi.com) both have
regular boat services between Caye Caulker and Belize City
of similar duration and price (5-8 daily departures,
8am-6pm, confirm schedules online or via phone; 1hr;
Bz$20 one way, Bz$35return). Both companies also offer
trips between San Pedro and Caye Caulker (2-4 departures
daily; 1hr; Bz$20 one way, Bz$35 return). Boats pull up at
docks right near the centre of the village on the eastern
side of the island. Another smaller boat company is San
Pedro Water Jets Express (
T
226 2194,
W
sanpedrowater
taxi.com), though check ahead, as schedules and departure
locations change frequently.
Tourist information
There's no o
cial tourist o
ce in
Caye Caulker, but you can find lots of info on a variety of
websites, including those of the Belize Tourism Industry
Association (BTIA;
W
gocayecaulker.com) and the Caye
Caulker Village Council (
W
cayecaulkerbelize.net).
TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
Caye Caulker is dotted with tour companies offering everything from diving and snorkelling to sailing and jet skiing. Diving
trips start at US$200-250, while snorkel tours cost around US$30-50 (2-4hr). A day or evening sail starts at US$50-100,
or you can try out jet skis starting at US$100/hr.
snorkelling), and tours that explore underwater wildlife
including manatees and seahorses. Anwar also has tours
and inland trips to Altun Ha, Lamanai and river cave tubing.
★
SNORKELLING AND DIVING
Anda De Wata Tours
Luciano Reyes St
T
666 7374,
W
snorkelandadewatabelize.com.
Friendly, long-
established outfit that offers snorkelling and inland tours,
with a personalized approach and a focus on smaller
groups. Its fun slogan? “Cos it's Hotta Anda De Wata”.
Anwar Snorkel Tours
Front St, two blocks north of
Front Dock
T
226 0327,
W
anwartours.com.
Established,
top-notch company, with snorkel trips (including night
Belize Diving Services
Back side of the island, near
the football field
T
226 0143,
W
belizediving
services.com.
One of the best dive services on the island
- if not in the entire cayes - with an unwavering
commitment to safety, along with knowledgeable and
patient guides.
