Journey to the furthest edge of Belize's reef system to Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Relax into your tropical tent camp and prepare for adventure. Your days will be filled with kayaking, snorkeling and larening about the marine ecology from expert naturalist guides. There's plenty of wildlife to watch for on land as well! Climb up a series of view platforms to observe the nesting sites of the numerous bird species, including the 4,000 strong red-footed booby colony.
Highlights
Snorkel or dive the renowned Great Blue Hole
Visit Ermlund shipwreck, a testament to these waters difficult navigation
Allow your expert naturalist guide to teach you the ecology of the island
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Meet your guide in the lobby of the Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City and transfer to the sea to board a motor charter which takes you through white sand cayes and mangrove ranges. Pass the main Barrier Reef and continue to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, at the furthest edge of the Belize Reef System. 60 miles offshore mainland Belize, reach Halfmoon Caye. Get familiarized with your new island getaway and settle in to your accommodations. Enjoy a late lunch and an afternoon snorkel or kayak around Halfmoon Caye.
Due to its isolation from the mainland, the waters of Lighthouse Reef Atoll are exceptionally clear with inspiring scenery and a fabulously rich reef system which offers some of the best kayaking, snorkeling, and diving in the Caribbean. To begin, the guides provide instruction; teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling, and safety in the tropics.
Over the next several days, explore the area. Visit the Ermlund, a shipwreck that looms just north of the caye, which wrecked in 1971. This 4000 ton wreck sits silently as a landmark, and is one of many shipwrecks in the area that serve as constant reminders of the hazards of navigating these waters. Another day, visit the renowned Great Blue Hole with a motor supported kayak sailing excursion. Take the chance to learn from your guides about the marine reef ecology and the island’s mangrove habitat which spreads over the park’s 45 acres. Many species of birds nest on the island, including a 4,000 strong red-footed booby colony for which the Audubon Society has built a series of viewing platforms to intimately observe the many nesting sites. Alternatively, there is always time to rest in a hammock and read a good book.
Day 5: Depart Lighthouse Reef
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The choice of activity is yours on your last morning at Lighthouse Reef. Don a mask, snorkel, and fins for a visit to a favorite patch of reef, enjoy walking the island trails, take a last visit to the red footed booby colony, or comb along the beaches before the motor charter arrives to pick you up for your return boat trip back to the mainland. Transfer to the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel, where you can enjoy a fresh shower and a swim in the pool, before transferring to the airport for your onward travels.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.