Beneath the surface lies a world beyond imagination, where silence speaks volumes and every swim is a story. Joined by fishy friends and awed by nature’s artistry — this is snorkeling.
Caye Caulker is a beautiful place in Belize and people mostly go there for snorkeling. Snorkeling is one of the best things to do in Caye Caulker therefore, I have compiled a complete guide for Caye Caulker snorkeling tour so have a read to get the best experience.
Things to do in Belize City
Snorkeling & Diving: In order to get the best diving and snorkeling experience in Belize, please book a guided tour from San Pedro, Caye Caulker, or Hopkins.
Cave Adventures: ATM cave is a famous place in Belize where people find remains of ancient humans and also Mayan archaisms.
Visiting Mountain Pine Ridge: Mountains are very beautiful here in Belize so hiking is also a good option, moreover, there are beautiful waterfalls and swimming pools over here, so visiting mountain pine ridge will definitely be fun!
Hummingbird Highway Tour: This place is really worth visiting with scenic beauty, waterfalls, caves, cenotes, chocolate experiences and much more.
Places to Stay: Good places to stay in Belize include; Weezie in the Caye Caulker and jungle treehouse in Hopkins.
Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tour Expectations
- Local tour guide
- No marine life feeding
- Snorkel equipment (fins, mask, snorkel)
- Professional and trained tour staff
- High quality reviews.
Is Caye Caulker Snorkeling Possible Without a Tour?
Yes, snorkeling is possible without the tour but please take notice of the boats and marine life.
Mesoamerican barrier reef is a good place to snorkel and you can reach there easily via boat or kayak. However, it is recommended to join a tour to have the best experience and you should know that Hol Chan (best snorkeling place) is only accessible via local guide.
Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tour Stops
Hol Chan Marine Reserve: It is a popular snorkeling place because of canyons, corals, and marine life diversity.
But you should be careful about the watercurrent here, because tides are strong so only visit it with an experienced guide.
Manatee Area: You can find manatees off the Caye Caulker coast but unfortunately it is not possible to spot these everytime. If you are lucky you will see them because some tourists miss this chance.
Shark and Ray Alley: There are two different places to see the rays and sharks in Belize. At these places various fishermen feed these so rays and sharks are used to it coming out when listening to the sound of boats so ye can easily spot them. I have found two alleys in Belize one is close to Caye Caulker where smaller sharks are present in the shallow water while another is close to Hol Chan and sharks here are larger and water is deep.
Coral Gardens: Caye Caulker Marine Reserve is a very enchanting place where you can witness corals and small fish.
Sea Turtle Area: Sea turtle spotting is also a famous place in Caye Caulker where you can see a lot of turtles coming in and out of water.
Belizean Titanic (Sunken Barge): This is a shipwreck and a very exciting place to visit and snorkel but tides here are strong so be careful while snorkeling.
The Best Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tours
1. Full Day Snorkeling Tour with 7 Spots
This is considered the best snorkeling tour because they allow you to stop at seven different places and reviews for this tour are just perfect. This full day tour takes you to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, Coral Gardens, Sunken Barge, Manatees spot, turtle spot, and Tarpon Feeding Dock.
Tour also offers snorkel packs, lunch, rum punch and fruits. The good thing is that they also include vegan options. They practice “no feeding to marine life” . That is another thing I liked about the tour.
2. Shark and Ray Alley Tiki Cruise
This is a short tour of around 1.5 hours so, if you are running short of time or do not want to spend too much time on snorkeling then this tour is best for you. You can enjoy the Shark and ray alley at the small tiki cruise. These cruises are small and comfortable.
3. Ambergris Caye Snorkeling Tour
This snorkeling tour to the Hol Chan Reserve is definitely a fun-filled activity via sailboat. It is also a guided tour that offers swimming with stingrays and sharks, and wandering around the small and lovely island.
4. Caye Caulker Night Snorkeling
Snorkeling at night is really thrilling and you will get a chance to see the diversity of sea life that is otherwise not possible. The snorkeling tour starts at sunset and they ask to jump in water when the time is right. The tour is completely guided and it is also recommended to not do it on your own. Anda da Wata provides one of the best night Caye Caulker snorkeling experiences.
5. All Day Snorkeling via Private Tiki
Private tiki cruise is the best thing if you are with friends or family. Book a private tour to get the ultimate snorkeling experience. They will get you to the different spots all day with fun-filled activities.
Transportation in Belize
Rental car: If you are good at driving and following maps then renting a car is the best adoption to get around in Belize. However, it is not safe to drive in the dark.
Private Shuttles: Shuttles are available for booking at the Belize airport and can provide a variety of guided tours to travel across the city.
Public buses: Public buses are also a good option for the regular travelers and those with a tight budget. However, if you have money to spend on transportation then buses are not recommended because they are mostly crowded and slow.
Where to Stay in Belize
Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort in Hopkins: It is an awesome place to stay in Belize with Caribbean taste. Their services are incredible and the view is enchanting. Moreover, they provide guided tours to islands and forests.
Gaia Riverlodge in Mountain Pine Ridge: It is present on the cliff and provides a beautiful view of the mountains and waterfalls. They also have a restaurant where you can enjoy the tasty food while viewing the great sight.
Conclusion; Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tour
Caye Caulker is near to the 2nd greatest barrier reef in the world so various people come every year to visit this place and enjoy snorkeling here. Various public and private snorkeling tour options are available and although most people prefer doing it in the daytime, night snorkeling is also a diverse option that is worth trying.
Caye Caulker Snorkeling FAQs
Can you snorkel off Caye Caulker?
Yes, you can snorkel at the Caye Caulker but always do it with the guided tours because they know the best spots and follow the precautionary measures.
Is Caye Caulker cheap?
It is not a very expensive place but still you cannot say it is cheap. You have to maintain your budget to visit this place because it provides a lot of options like good food, snorkeling and swimming places, rides, parks, and other activities.
Is Caye Caulker family friendly?
Yes, it is a family friendly place that has a variety of options for kids as well such as swimming, hiking, parks and beaches. It is a serene and tranquil place where you can sit and relax with the family.