About
Embark on a journey to Belize, a hidden Caribbean treasure where tranquility reigns and the daily grind fades into the turquoise horizon. Belize offers an unspoiled paradise, akin to the South Pacific’s serene havens. Renowned for its spectacular underwater tapestry and sheltered cruising waters, a voyage here promises an extraordinary blend of adventure and serenity. With over 450 islands and cays, your Belize yacht charter is a canvas of possibilities. Discover the wonder of South Water Caye, a jewel within Belize’s World Heritage Site, or bask in the sun on Lark Caye’s untouched shores. Dive into an aquatic escapade at the Mesoamerican Reef and let the vibrant life beneath the waves captivate your spirit. Your Belize adventure begins in Placencia, where the easterly trade winds, consistent and inviting, promise a delightful cruise each day. Here, the climate is your ally, with gentle breezes and warm sun year-round, ensuring your journey is as pleasant as it is unforgettable. Navigating Belize’s waters is a delightful challenge, with line-of-sight passages and short sails between destinations. While vigilance for reefs is a must, the rewards of this beautiful locale are boundless. The allure of the Western Caribbean’s best snorkeling and diving spots beckons both novices and seasoned mariners alike to return for endless discoveries. Belize offers an onboard experience like no other, with scenic anchorages framed by palm trees or mangroves, and some of the world’s clearest waters for snorkeling and scuba diving. The Belizean cays’ local cuisine and culture are as inviting as their shores. But your Belizean journey could expand beyond your charter. Consider adding an excursion to the awe-inspiring Great Blue Hole or an exploration of ancient Mayan ruins to your itinerary.
Sample Itinerary
All itineraries are customised according to the guests preferences and can include excursions to the outer atolls.
DAY 1
WHIPRAY CAYE
Whipray Caye is located 4 miles northeast of Lark Caye. Just a five minute boat ride away is some of the best fishing you’ll find anywhere with tarpon, bonefish, snapper, grouper, and more. Whipray Caye Lodge’s open air Sea Urchin Bar and Restaurant serves up a variety of Belizean and American food, mostly fresh catches, and the fully stocked bar serves the coldest beer for miles around. Cruising in Whipray Caye waters is a delightful part of any cruise in Belize. The fishing is world-class in these waters. Taking some time to try your hand at landing the catch of the day is a pleasant addition to the sheer pleasure of yachting in Belizean waters.
DAY 2
SOUTH WATER CAYE
Part of Belize’s World Heritage Site, South Water Caye is situated on the barrier reef on the north side of the quarter-mile-wide South Water Pass. Palms rise skyward from pristine beaches. On the east side of the caye, the barrier reef drop-off is close to the beach, providing an ideal location for some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Belize. South Water Caye yachting is not to be missed! Fishermen plying these waters named South Water Caye for the fresh water wells on the island. The two-story, red-roofed Pelicans Pouch, the main lodge of Pelican Beach Resorts on the south end of the cay, was a convent for the Sisters of Mercy when it was built in the 1940s. The Fangipani House (meaning gray house) is said to have a friendly ghost in residence. At the northern end of the island is the Blue Marlin Lodge, also part of Pelican Beach Resorts. It has a restaurant and bar. Dive excursions are also available. At the center of the island is an educational facility, International Zoological Expeditions, which has accommodations for students studying tropical biology and reef ecology; they also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner for boaters (dinner reservations required). A path runs down the middle of the caye, making for a pleasant afternoon stroll. The wonders of a Belize sailing holiday unfold primarily amid marine parks. In 1996, the United Nations World Heritage Committee approved the Belizean barrier reef as a World Heritage Site, now formally called the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. Four of the seven segments of the system within the realm of a Belize yacht charter: South Water Caye, Gladden Spit (Silk Cayes), Laughing Bird Caye, and the Sapodilla Caye. Gladden Spit encloses the Queen Cayes and, like Laughing Bird Caye, is a strict no-fishing zone. Other areas in the cruising grounds are also designated as marine preserves, collectively encompassing a wide swath of Belizean waters. The undeveloped cayes and the coral atolls are evocative of South Pacific islands, but instead of a long airline flight away, they’re close to home. The extensive reefs, drop-offs, sand ridges, sinkholes, pinnacles, caves, and many other features of the ocean floor teem with colorful undersea life.
DAY 3
COCOA PLUM CAYE
Cruising in Cocoa Plum Caye waters brings you to the northern boundary of the protected South Water Marine Reserve, in the Coco Plum Range of islands. Scenic, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful, a visit to these waters is a highpoint of a cruise in Belize. The beaches are superb, and there’s a restaurant and two bars at Thatch Caye Resort, making a trip ashore even more appealing. Take a relaxing stroll on the nature paths and observe wildlife ranging from rabbits, coatimundi, and Belizean raccoons, to exotic birds and sea iguanas. Enjoying dinner and drinks at the Thatch Caye Resort is a pleasant way to spend a late afternoon or early evening.
DAY 4
LAGOON CAYE
Situated midway between Quamino Caye and the Slasher Sand Bore at the north end of Victoria Channel, the two cayes that comprise Lagoon Caye are breathtakingly beautiful. The deep-water lagoon at the northernmost caye is quite scenic, enhancing your experience of yachting in Lagoon Caye waters. Exploring the lagoon by kayak is delightful as you paddle quietly along the shores and view the abundant and very beautiful seabirds. A ring of shallow coral around the island offers good snorkelling possibilities.
DAY 5
RAY CAYE
Experience all the desirable traits of a deluxe private island at Ray Caye. Nestled just 25 nautical miles off the coast of Placencia, Ray Caye offers a delightful mix of natural beauty, fun activities, and best-in-class accommodations. Home to the premier Ray Caye Resort, seclusion and leisure take on new meaning at this exclusive little island, which only hosts about 16 guests at a time. The island staff’s warm hospitality will make you feel right at home, even though you’re miles away from ordinary, without a care in the world. From the resort restaurant to the luxurious menu of spa services, Ray Caye is a place unlike any other. Lionfish Grill Restaurant is highly recommended for a fine dining experience that is every bit as delicious as it is authentic. Enjoy superior snorkelling conditions all around the caye.
DAY 6
LARK CAYE
Before an overnight at Lark Caye take a day sail to Ranguana Caye. Situated on the barrier reef near Ranguana Pass, Ranguana Caye is the largest of several others that extend southward from Queen Cayes. Cruising in Ranguana Caye waters is very scenic, simply lovely by any standards. The unspoiled white-sand beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. After a day of exploring head to Lark Caye, a pristine location ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. Snorkeling on the patch reefs near the anchorage is impressive and pleasant. Check out the Ranguana Reef Resort’s small restaurant and bar. Fishing is great in this area, as is diving. Snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing are highly recommended on Lark Caye.
DAY 7
PLACENCIA HARBOUR
Yachting in Placencia waters brings you to a delightfully picturesque village. A lovely, crescent-shaped beach lined with a long row of palms borders the small town. Beautiful flowers, thick stands of trees, and quaint framed houses on stilts add to the idyllic tropical setting. The people of Placencia are warm and friendly, making your visit even more pleasant. Dining out at one of Placencia’s many restaurants is a delightful way to spend an early evening. There are also a number of bars. The market in town is a great place to browse, and you can buy all kinds of local products. Situated on Placencia Lagoon, sometimes home of the endangered manatee, Placencia Harbour is both picturesque and quaint. Fishing has been a keystone of the local economy for generations, and it’s still important to the 600 or so people living in the village and the surrounding area. Walking the mile-long, pedestrian-only sidewalk meandering among the houses built on stilts is like stepping back in time, but modernity is making inroads in the form of several luxury beachfront resorts offering numerous amenities, including fine dining. The laid-back atmosphere of Placencia is a perfect way to leave the cares of a busy life behind and ease into a sailing adventure in one of the most serene and beautiful countries in the Western Caribbean.
Before You Travel
TIME ZONE UTC/GMT -6 hours TOURIST INFO CENTRE Belize Tourism BoardNew Central Bank Building, Level 2 Gabourel Lane P.O. Box 325 Belize City, Belize Tel: 1-800-624-0686 Email: info@travelbelize.org Website: travelbelize.org GENERAL INFO Area: Approximately 8,866 square miles. Belize’s mainland is approximately 180 miles long and up to 68 miles wide. Belize also consists of over 200 cayes (islands), ranging in size from a few hundred feet to 25 miles long and four miles wide; most of which are located inside the 200 mile Belize Reef. Location: Belize lies on the eastern coastline of Central America, bordered on the north by Mexico, on the west and south by Guatemala, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. It’s separated by sea from its neighbour to the southwest, Honduras. Capital city: Belize City Population: 350,000 People: There is a great deal of ethnic diversity among Belizeans, who include Creoles (African-European), Mestizo (Spanish-Indian), Garifuna (African-Indian), Mayan, Anglo-European, Middle Eastern and Asian. Language: English is the official language and is widely spoken, as is Spanish. Other languages include Creole, Mayan and Garifuna. Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant, others. Government: Independent nation since 1981, member of British Commonwealth of Nations.
How to Get There
By air from Belize International Airport with transfer to Placencia Regional Airport; then by taxi from the airstrip to the Laru Beya Marina. Flight is approximately 45 minutes.
What to Bring
CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION Entry, exit, and visa requirements depend on the locations you are departing from and traveling to. You are responsible for having the correct documents so make sure to check with the consulate of the countries you plan to visit before you travel. Visit travel.state.gov for the latest information. LUGGAGE & PACKING LIST Soft-sided luggage or duffel bags are best, as luggage storage space on your yacht may be limited. We have no facilities for holding luggage at the base. Pack lightly and review our suggested packing list for required and necessary items to bring. Pack essential prescription medicine and change of clothing in a carry-on bag* Passport and other travel documentation Tickets and paper confirmations for pre-planned activities Light-colored, light-weight clothing Formal wear for upscale dining establishments Swimwear and cover up Hats and sunglasses Sandals and flip-flops Athletic shoes and hiking boots Insect repellent and OTC pain relievers/ointments. DRONES The use of flying drones may be restricted in some areas. For current drone regulations in this destination, please visit belizetourismboard.org/tourism-resources/belize-drone-requirements/ CURRENCY The local currency is the Belizean dollar. Most restaurants, markets, and other service providers will readily accept US dollars. They will generally give you change in Belizean dollars unless you request otherwise. Accepted Forms of Payment: US Dollars and US travelers checks accepted throughout. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted at resorts and most restaurants on the mainland but supermarkets in Placencia and restaurants at the cayes will require cash. GRATUITY 15-20% dependent on guest's satisfaction.
General Conditions
Belize is subtropical, with a mean annual temperature of 80°F (27°C ). Winter storms may bring the temperature down to the low 60's (16 to 18°C); it can reach the mid-90's (around 35°C) on the mainland at the height of summer. Trade winds blow along the coast and on the cayes most of the year, keeping temperatures pleasant even in the hottest months, except for a few weeks, generally around mid-August to mid-September. The dry season generally lasts from December to May; the rainy season is typically June to November. Hurricanes occur occasionally; they are most likely to hit in August and September. Rainfall is heaviest in the south and the jungle areas, lightest in the north and on the Cayes. Water temperature averages between 79°F to 83°F (26°C to 28°C). Waves inside the barrier reef are minimal but the breeze is fresh creating superb sailing conditions. Outside the barrier reef in the blue water Turneffe Islands and Glover’s atolls are each a half day’s sail away and Lighthouse Reef can be reached in another half day sail. TIDES The tidal range is very small: 30cm to 60cm (one to two feet) including the variation of level due to atmospheric pressure and dominant winds.