The Islands of Belize
Cayes & Atolls
There are over four hundred islands off the coast of Belize, and they're called cayes. You might know the Florida Keys, well it's the same word, pronounced the same way. Most of Belize's cayes are located withing the Barrier Reef, protected by harsh tidal activity, wind and waves. There are pelicans and iguanas living on them, but that's about it on most of the cayes. Whoever named the cayes of Belize had a sense of humor, since lots of the names are quirky and silly. Wee Wee Caye, Bread and Butter Caye, you get the picture.
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If you go way offshore from Belize, about thirty miles and beyond, you will reach the Atolls. These aren't quite full-blown islands, but rather pit-stops in the sea, like submerged islands. They have sandy bottoms and sometimes mangroves growing, and they are beautiful to see. Several travel guides would recommend checking the Atolls in this part of the world. The depth of the water surrounding Belize's atolls drops to a dramatic 3,000 feet. Probably some good fishing here!
The Mayans were the first people to find the atolls, and they used them as pit-stops on trade routes. Archaeologists have found piles of rocks shells placed there by the Maya as markers, on some of the atolls.
Some of the best diving takes place around the atolls off the coast of Belize. It's great diving, but the trip out will take a few hours, so plan ahead. Even if you stay on Ambergris Caye or other cayes, the atolls diving trips will take a major chunk of time. One option is to splurge for a dive trip where divers live aboard the ship, or a live-aboard dive trip. This way, you get to spend more time at the atolls and you get to dive more. Plan on paying top prices for these trips.
Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is by far the most popular caye destination in Belize, and by far the most developed for tourism as well. It's just 35 miles northeast of Belize City, and has the full range of accommodations, restaurants, nightlife, and shops. It's only 25 miles long and 4.5 miles wide. Old maps will show Ambergris Caye as Costa de Ambar, which means Amber Coast. This is because whales secrete ambergris, which is blackish in color, and washes up on the shores of Ambergris Caye, supposedly.
The main town on Ambergris Caye is called San Pedro, and for all the reputation of this caye having become overdeveloped, it only has one paved road, most people get around by bicycle, foot, or golf cart, and there are no buildings over three stories. The population is just under 4,500 and there is a small-town oceanside charm everywhere you go. Literacy is high here, even for Belize which has a 94% literacy rate anyway. People are concerned and educated about the barrier reef that makes their home so special.
If you want to see nature on Ambergris Caye, head to the northern part, where you can enter the Bacalar Chico Marine & Nature Reserve, which is 41 square miles of nature, both land and water. There's a visitor center, diving and snorkelling and fishing trips, and some say there are jaguars and pumas in the trees here.
One of the best things to do while on Ambergris Caye is to visit Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is 4 miles off the tip of the island, where San Pedro is located. It takes twenty minutes by boat to get to this gap in the reef which is 100 feet wide. Fish swim through the gap with the tides and it's great fishing or diving. There's Blue Hole, a cave that attracts teh fairy basslet, a beautiful fish. Lots of moray eels at this reserve, too! Hol Chan is Maya for little channel.
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is five miles south of Ambergris Caye, or 18 miles northeast of Belize City. This used to be known as the cheap place to stay in Belize, but more and more upscale resorts are discovering the charms of Caye Caulker. There aren't many cars on this island, and life is so casual here you don't even need shirt and shoes in many bars. There's a new public pier here and some hotels even have AC now. You will also find cybercafes and fancy restaurants and a few condos. The modern world is encroaching, but slowly.
Caye Chapel
Caye Chapel is half a mile south of Caye Caulker, or 6 miles south of Ambergris Caye. This 265-acre island is privately owned and supports an 18-hole golf course. Need we say more? Caye Chapel Island Resort is the center of all activity on Caye Chapel.
St. George's Caye
St. George's Caye is nine miles northeast of Belize City and played a large part in the history of Belize. The British held off the Spanish from St. George's Caye in 1798, against all odds, in less than two hours.
You can take a boat from Belize City and it only takes about twenty minutes.
Turneffe Atoll
This is 25 miles east of Belize City and is a chain of tiny islands and mangroves. It's quite large, and makes one of the best spots for diving in Belize. There are very steep drop-offs, so it's good for fishing too. Divers know about the famous Elbow, which is a wall of reef under the surface, at the southern part of the Turneffe Atoll. You could see a huge school of eagle rays or who knows what. Be careful, currents are strong so it's for advanced divers only.
Lighthouse Reef Atoll
This atoll is 50 miles eat of Belize City, the furthest out at sea of Belize's atolls, but it has an airstrip. The airstrip is at the Lighthouse Reef Resort.
Tobacco Caye
Tobacco Caye is 11 miles southeast of the town of Dangriga and offers quaint, rustic accommodations and it's right on the reef. Snorkellers on a budget, this is your island!
South Water Caye
This one is fourteen miles from Dangriga. You can swim to the reef from shore! Be sure to make an appointment to visit the Smithsonian Institution's Marine Research Laboratory. Stay at the Blue Marlin Lodge, where they can tell you how to make an appointment.
Gover's Reef Atoll
Seventy miles southeast of Belize City. Nice lagoon here, good diving. Check out Emerald Forst Reef, where you will see tons of green elkhorn coral. It's only in 25 feet of water in some spots. There's also Southwest Caye Wall down to 130 feet then 350 feet. It's an underwater cliff that experienced divers find beautiful and unique.
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