Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The cayes of Glover's Reef
W
wcsgloversreef.org
The principal cayes along Glover's Reef lie in the atoll's southeastern section.
Northeast
Caye
, covered in thick coconut and broadleaf forest and with evidence of Maya fishing
camps, lies just across the channel from
Long Caye
. Just under three miles southwest,
Middle Caye
is a wilderness zone, with a marine research and monitoring station run by
the Wildlife Conservation Society. Fisheries Department
conservation o
cers
are based
here, rigorously patrolling the reserve. Only staff, scientists and students stay on the
caye, but you can usually visit with permission; the ecology of the atoll is explained in
interesting displays, and you may see research in progress. Contribute to conservation
efforts by purchasing an excellent T-shirt here, found only on the caye.
Southwest Caye
, three miles beyond Middle Caye, was sliced by Hurricane Hattie in
1961 into two distinct islands, separated by a narrow, swimmable channel.
6
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
THE CENTRAL CAYES
to arrive here under your own steam, by boat or kayak, or you
could ask at the
Riverside Restaurant
(see p.183) if there's a
skipper around who will take you. Be warned, hotels and
private boats alike tend to have a minimum charge per boat,
based on four passengers, so a couple can pay as much as
US$175 per person for the return trip.
TOBACCO CAYE
By boat
Boats leave from near the bridge in Dangriga, but
there are no regular departures; check at the
Riverside
Restaurant
(see p.183), where you can meet the skippers.
Captain Buck runs a reliable daily service leaving the caye at
9am and returning later, though any of the island lodge
owners will take you if they're in town. It's a 30min trip and
the one-way fare is Bz$40 per person.
GLOVER'S REEF
By boat
Since a chartered boat from Dangriga or Hopkins/
Sittee River will cost you US$350 each way, package
transport from your hotel is the best way to arrive and
depart. For charters, ask at your hotel or try Michael
Jackson (
T
620 8913), who may be inclined to give a
Rough Guides
discount.
SOUTH WATER CAYE
By boat
There is no scheduled service between Dangriga
and South Water Caye. If you're planning to stay on the island,
it's essential to reserve accommodation in advance, in which
case your hotel will provide a transfer. Otherwise, it's possible
ACTIVITIES
Diving
Tobacco Caye Dive Center based at
Reef 's End Lodge
(
T
670 3919 or
T
502 2419). A two-tank dive just off the
island with divemaster Eric costs US$100, plus US$25 if you
need equipment rental, while trips to dive sites further
afield, which require a minimum of four divers, include
Glover's Reef atoll (US$185) and Lighthouse Reef (US$225).
ACCOMMODATION
THATCH CAYE
Thatch Caye Resort
T
603 2414,
T
800 435 3145 in
US,
W
thatchcaye.com.
Luxury resort on a tiny private
island, just 8 miles from Dangriga. Five
cabañas
, propped
on stilts above the water and cooled by the breeze, plus
four
casitas
with open roof decks, and a three-part
family villa. No children under 12. Rates include all
meals and transfers, plus use of kayaks a
nd paddle
boards. Three-
night pack
age for two:
cabañas
US$1942
,
casitas
or villa
US$2122
Reef 's End Lodge
T
670 3919,
W
reefsendlodge.com.
Dive and adventure resort beside the jetty at the southern
tip of the island. Stay right on the shore in the large
wooden building, where the simple rooms are all en-suite
and share a balcony; in separate
cabañas
; or in the smarter,
stand-alone a/c honeymoon cottage, lapped by the waves.
The restaurant/bar, perched on stilts over the sea, with a
spacious open deck, serves delicious food and makes a
fantastic place to enjoy the sunset. Rates include
all meals
;
multi-d
ay dive
package
s availa
ble. Rooms
US$120
,
cabañas
US$145
, cottage
US$200
Tobacco Caye Lodge
T
532 2033,
W
tclodgebelize
.com.
Self-contained little enclave at the north end of the
island, with a good beach bar beside its own dock, six two-
or three-bedded sea-view cabins with hot-water showers,
deck with hammocks and solar lights. Rates include all
meals at the c
osy resta
urant, serving great seafood, bbq
and fresh fruit.
US$108
TOBACCO CAYE
Blue Dolphin Lodge
T
542 2032 or
T
665 9837.
Simple cabins on the sand on the eastern side of the island,
and rooms in a main wooden building, with and without
private baths. Most of the hotel is run by solar power, and
there's a thatched shelter
with ha
mmocks
and sno
rkel
equipment for rent. Rooms
US$100
,
cabañas
US$120
