sailing and snorkeling in Shark/Ray Alley and at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on Belize’s Barrier Reef

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Category: Tours

Published on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 00:59

Written by Trys

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Tour Descriptions: sailing and snorkeling in Shark/Ray Alley and at the Hol

Chan Marine Reserve on Belize’s Barrier Reef

Second only in size to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Belize Barrier Reef is one of the

natural wonders of the world. It is actually a series of coral reefs straddling the coast of Belize,

roughly 300 metres (1,000 ft) offshore in the north and 40 kilometers (25 mi) in the south. It

features the spectacular “Blue Hole”, formed when the roof of a massive underground cavern

collapsed, and attracts snorkelers and divers from all over the world.

The 186 miles long Belize section is less than one third of the 900 kilometres (560 miles)

long Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which runs from Cancún on the northeast tip of

the Yucatán Peninsula through the Riviera Maya down to Honduras. It is Belize's top tourist

destination, attracting almost half of its 290,000 visitors annually, and vital to its fishing

industry.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Swimming costume and towel!
• A tee-shirt to cover your shoulders and back – you burn really easily on and in the sea.
• IMPORTANT optional extra for you to consider if you’re exhibiting the classic symptom
• of male-pattern baldness: another tee-shirt, or a cloth, to put over your head, to be held on
• in the water by your goggles (honestly, even though I was smothered in 50 factor I was
• still like a well-cooked lobster by the evening)
• Sunblock + certainly a hat of some sort if, like me, you are follicly challenged.
• Bug spray, containing at least 25% deet for application before you hit land at lunchtime,
• and again after you’ve had your final snorkeling session.
• Drinking water – plenty of it, as you can dehydrate really fast out there!
• Camera (for some awesome shots from the boat; and if you’re lucky enough to have a
• waterproof camera, from down below as well).

It IS possible to do this day while based on the mainland, as long as you are within reach of the

water-taxi terminal in Belize City. It means an early breakfast in order to catch a boat that will

get you to Caye1 Caulker in time for the departure of your tour. Of course, it is easier if you

have spent the previous night on one of the Cayes, because then all you have to do is fall out

of bed into your tour boat. It will depart about 10.30am, and take you to two or three locations

which are known to be excellent snorkeling spots. You will certainly stop at an area known as

Shark/Ray Alley, because of the reliable presence of nurse sharks and giant eagle rays, and it

really is a special feeling to be in the water with these sizeable creatures, all of which flip lazily

about, mildly intrigued and not at all bothered by the arrival of four-limbed aliens floating on

top of their world. Not uncommonly there are also turtles, and a variety of other fish, all perhaps

expecting some of these weird creatures to have come bearing gifts of food….

Your other certain snorkeling session will be at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, right on

the Barrier Reef. Here the number and variety of fish increases exponentially; you will be

surrounded by brightly coloured shoals of up to a hundred different species, spectacular as they

flip and dart in and around an amazing variety of coral formations. Some big fish here too –

varieties of grouper, and sometimes barracuda. You will need to be careful not to touch, or to

inadvertently bump into, any of the coral formations because they and you will damage easily

(the coral is brittle, and lacerations from sharp coral can make a nasty mess of whichever part of

your body came into contact with it).

The order in which you have these snorkeling sessions may vary, but in all probability after the

first one you will head for San Pedro for lunch. The price of this is not included in your tour,

which frees you to choose one of the many very reasonably priced restaurants on the island,

depending on your mood and your taste buds; after which it is back on the boat and a very

pleasant sail to the location of your second snorkeling session

The tour operators will be aware that those of you staying on the mainland will need to be back

in time to catch the last boat to Belize City, where your transport back to your hotel will be

waiting for you.

This is a wonderful day, of free movement over sparkling turquoise water, cool magic in it and

a blazing sun above it. Weather permitting (and it nearly always does permit) you will have

an experience to remember wistfully long after you’re home again, maybe with bitingly wintry

conditions outside, when you will fairly regularly wish you could be back in those enticing

Caribbean waters enjoying world class snorkeling, a warm, welcoming climate and friendly laid-

back people telling you “dis jooel is fer evribadi.”

Keep a bottle of good rum in the drinks cabinet, for just those occasions…

1. “Caye” (pronounced “key” as in Florida Keys) is from the Spanish Cayo, meaning a

small island.

Placencia

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Category: Tours

Published on Friday, 16 September 2011 23:14

Written by Trys

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Sixteen miles of natural sandy beach, a virgin mangrove-fringed lagoon, a wonderland of coral-studded cayes, nearby jungle rivers and pristine rainforest Garifuna, Creole and Mayan cultures and ancient Mayan ruins make Placencia the ideal location for the adventure traveler!

The people of Placencia are from as diverse a background as the visitors who choose their home as a destination in their travels (travel tips).  A wide selection of hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants are available from which to choose, most with access to their renowned beaches and crystal blue waters. Slip into a hammock, relax, and enjoy the view.

Placencia is a paradise for the nature lover in you, as its many knowledgeable guides will show you. Start by exploring the beauty of the abundance of plants and flowers, and the birds, butterflies, and iguanas they attract throughout the peninsula.

Lamanai, The Ancient City of Mayan

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Category: Tours

Published on Thursday, 29 March 2012 23:21

Written by Trys

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The Lamanai

Travel by boat along the New River and witness abundant flora and fauna in much the same way the ancient Mayan traders must have done when traveling to and from the ancient city of Lamanai.

Lamanai, (the name means "submerged crocodile,") may be off the beaten track now, but the New River WAS the beaten track before there were roads, and the city thrived for over 3000 years.

Lamanai is also a botanical and wildlife reserve and showcases many native exotic birds and plants used for medicinal and commercial purposes. Most trees are labeled along the trails for ease of identification.

Caye Caulker

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Category: Tours

Published on Friday, 16 September 2011 23:01

Written by Trys

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Alocated one mile west of Belize Barrier Reef, Caye Caulker is a a four mile long island, part of a chain of islands forming the Belize Barrier Reef. Caye Caulker has a relaxing atmosphere with white sand streets, golf carts for transportation, and casual dress with no shoes. The weather is usually quite pleasant year around. You can enjoy sailing, diving, birding, jungle tours, fishing, and windsurfing in the clear azure waters of the Caribbean.

The diving is incredible, a whole world awaits you. Our local tour guides can arrange trips to see manatees, jungle trips up the rivers of the mainland, where you will see orchids, bromeliads, cactus, a variety of birds, monkeys, bats and other wildlife. For visitors interested in bird watching, you will likely see green Aztec parakeets, Ringed Kingfishers and tropical Mocking birds, there are hundreds of varieties.

The laid back atmosphere of Caye Caulker is something you must see to appreciate. There are over 30 hotels, and many restaurants and shops, but Caye Caulker remains friendly and easy-going, avoiding the commercialism of other destinations. Shoes are a no no, and the golf cart mode of transportation is unique and fun. You can get all over the island very easily by boat, golf cart, or bike.

Enjoy the website and  email us with any questions