Belize Catamaran Charter Cruise

Embark the ship at Cucumber Beach Marina and sail to Goff’s Caye, an island that exemplifies why postcards were invented. The two-acre island sits right on the barrier reef, enabling snorkeling straight from the shore, or simply relax in the water on the sandbar with an icy cold beer. Dolphins frequent the waters and on occasions a manatee has been spotted amongst the kaleidoscope of marine life. Look out for the graceful spotted eagle rays, there are several who come to visit the boats to check on any scraps from the catch of the day.

South Water Caye is a pristine 12-acre private island that is one of the most beautiful and exclusive islands in Belize. South Water Caye sits on the reef on the north side of South Water Cut, which is a quarter-mile-wide gap in the reef. Grunts, black groupers, snappers and moray eels all hide out in the overhangs, making for a spectacular snorkeling experience. Sundowners are a must at the Blue Marlin Lodge, a favorite little bar and one of the best in all of Belize.

Man-O-War Caye is a designated bird sanctuary. From afar it looks like any other tiny mangrove island, but upon approach the shore is a frenzy of activity, with birds soaring in the sky above in every direction and the males strutting their stuff (or inflating their red gular pouches) for the females during breeding season. The three different types of mangrove vegetation provide a perfect sanctuary to a variety of indigenous bird species, including pelicans, brown booby birds and the magnificent frigate birds (also known as man-o-war birds).

Tobacco Caye is a five-acre, palm-fringed coral island perched on the barrier reef, which makes it a great place to snorkel or dive from the shore, plus its central location means it is within 10 minutes by boat to some of the best snorkel sites in all of Belize. There are a couple of small laid-back resorts and a tiny beach bar serving fresh coconut water and icy cold rum cocktails with hammocks to lounge in. A group of 39 local islanders call this rock their home and it’s a great place to learn about their way of remote island life.

Placencia was once a sleepy seaside village that is slowly growing up into a small popular beach town, with a collection of local hangouts and some more international and upscale spots, making it a great stop off point for those wanting to indulge in a spa treatment, have dinner on shore, check out the local arts and crafts shops and lots more. The main street has won the Guinness World Record award for being the narrowest main street in the world, making a popular photo op! The mixology at Rumfish Y Vino is not to be missed and a recommended cocktail is the ginger mojito.

Ranguana Caye is a remote island on the barrier reef home to a tiny resort with colorful wooden structures, plus a fun beach bar that is welcoming of sailboats and day visitors. The resident parrot, Charlie, is a star attraction, along with the tall swaying palms and pristine white sands of the island.

Pelican Cayes is a great anchorage on the journey north or south, as this hidden-away collection of mangrove islands are surrounded by some of the most impressive coral heads in the country and teem with incredible marine life. Furthermore, there is a tiny bar tucked away that runs on solar panels and a generator, which makes for a fun pit stop after a day on the water and is not surprisingly called Hideaway Caye, as if it would be missed by blinking.

North Long Cocoa is a crew favorite island as it’s a mecca for fishing and snorkeling, with a maze of sand bars, coral reefs and deep channels in between. There are some palapa structures over the water that make for a perfect place to enjoy an al-fresco lunch and 9 times out of 10 not a soul to be seen for miles around.

Enjoy a day sail back to Belize City for a late afternoon departure.

Embark the ship at Cucumber Beach Marina and sail to St. George’s Caye. Steeped in history, St George’s Caye was the first capital of the British settlement in Belize. The island is principally home to private families, however it is possible to use this as a base for some great snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. On the island there is a very special aquarium in the boathouse at the St George’s Caye Lodge. Today’s tour guide is the resort owner’s young son Karly Ricky Bischof. Karly is a budding marine biologist and if his impressive little aquarium and his knowledge of the 100-plus fish inside is any indication, he’s going to be a good one.

Sail to the sleepy island of Caye Caulker, fish along the way and enjoy a swim on arrival. “No shirt, no shoes, no problem” is the motto of this island and typifies the vibe. The white sandy beaches, ocean breezes, fresh seafood, azure waters and a fantastic barrier reef on its doorstep make it a perfect place to relax and unwind. A trip to Caye Caulker is not complete without a late afternoon beer or a rum punch at the Lazy Lizard bar at The Split–a lively swimming area which separates the two islands of Caye Caulker.

Enjoy a morning of snorkeling at one of the Northern Marine Reserves. Select from the north cut of Caye Caulker, Coral Gardens or Tuffy Channel for a morning’s snorkeling.

The not-to-be-missed Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley has to be done in a smaller tour boat, which can be arranged for an extra charge using the local tour shop. Swim amongst beautiful shoals of tropical fish, turtles, eagle rays, stingrays, moray eels and grouper. Follow this with a dip at Shark Ray Alley, a site where local fishermen used to clean their catch, which attracts more carnivorous species such as big southern stingrays and nurse sharks!

Ambergris Caye is the most northerly Caye in Belize and touches the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. Lying only a quarter mile from the barrier reef, it’s one of the best locations in the world for scuba diving, snorkeling and sport fishing. The main town San Pedro has the broadest range of tourist amenities in Belize, including art and craft shops, boutique hotels, fine dining establishments and plenty of fun local eateries to explore.

For those wanting to get off the boat and explore, consider renting a golf cart and going north. There are some internationally acclaimed fun beach bars, boutique retreats for spa treatments and some of the best beaches on the island to relax on, including the (not so secret) Secret Beach.

Swallow Caye has been declared a wildlife sanctuary to protect the manatees and other marine life that call it home. Manatees, also known as sea cows, are gentle, slow moving, plant-eating herbivores and their closest living relatives are elephants and aardvarks. They can grow over 13 feet in length and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. Despite being an endangered species, manatees are present in the waters of Belize and can be seen throughout the year. (Please note it is not possible to swim with the Manatees).

Goff’s Caye is an island that exemplifies why postcards were invented. The two-acre island sits right on the barrier reef, enabling snorkeling straight from the shore, or simply relax in the water on the sandbar with an icy cold beer. Dolphins frequent the waters and on occasions a manatee has been spotted amongst the kaleidoscope of marine life.

Enjoy breakfast under sail as the ship makes her way back to Belize City for a late morning departure. This is a wonderful time of the morning for dolphin watching and trolling for fish.