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Glover's Getaway - 3 Days / 2 Nights:

3 Days of Sea kayaking & Snorkeling on
Spectacular Glovers Reef Atoll!

The Setting...

One of three atolls offshore of Belize, Glover's Reef was  named after the pirate John Glover who used this remote offshore ring of islands and coral reefs as a base from which to raid Spanish merchant ships. The shallow waters offshore of Belize with innumerable coral reefs, mangroves and small islands were ideal waters for pirates and buccaneers to hide their raiding ships after plundering Spanish galleons laden with riches, destined for the Old World. Today, the attractions found within the atoll (20 miles long by 7 miles wide) are the clarity of the water and the remarkable profusion of marine life. In 1993, the atoll was declared a marine park, and 25% of the area and lagoon was protected from fishing and harvesting. To continue the conservation efforts to preserve this extraordinary environment, the site was designated as a World Heritage Site, in 1996. We travel and explore this area by sea-kayak, paddling and sailing the shallow 82 square mile lagoon with an unequaled variety of over 700 patch reefs. The reefs of Belize have long been known as the richest in the Caribbean, and Glovers is the best in Belize!

Typical Daily Itinerary:

Day 1 to 3: We depart early in the morning by charter boat out past the main Barrier Reef to our private base-camp on Southwest Cay, at Glovers Reef Marine Reserve. We are introduced to our new environment and get settled into our accommodation. Once settled, the guides provide instruction, teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling and safety in the tropics. Then, we paddle out to a nearby patch reef and start to explore some of the 700 sites that Glovers Atoll has to offer. Glovers is one of only four atolls in the Caribbean Sea, and is truly the most spectacular marine environment in Belize. Due to its isolation from the mainland, the waters are exceptionally clear with inspiring scenery and a fabulously rich reef system that offers the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. We spend the days exploring the atoll with both single and double kayaks (rigged for sailing). If all this sounds a little too busy, you always have the choice of just kicking back in a hammock and relaxing with a good book and a cold drink.
Accommodation: (Tent-Walled Cabanas)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We depart in the morning on Sunday by charter boat out past the main Barrier Reef to our private basecamp on Southwest Cay, at Glover's Reef Marine Reserve. The transfer to Glovers typically takes 2 hours during fair weather conditions and longer during inclement weather conditions.

Return to the mainland
We depart Glovers Reef in the early afternoon and usually arrive back to Dangriga on the mainland at approximately 3 pm.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is advised that any other travel arrangements you have in and around our departure and arrival schedule for Glovers Reef should have some time flexibility as weather and other factors may cause delays in the transfers.

What's Included...

• All meals (fully catered) while you are at our Southwest Cay base-camp
• Limited alcoholic beverages available during meals
• Unlimited use of our Equipment and facilities
• Professional guides and sports instruction services with Belizean and/or North American leaders
• Safari-style Tent Accommodations on Southwest Cay
• Glovers Reef Marine Park user fee of $10US per person
• Comprehensive pre-trip information package
• Financial Support for Conservation and Education programs in Belize.

What's Not Included...

• Transfer back to Belize City after the trip
• Beer & soft drinks at Glovers
• Gratuities
• International Flights & Airport Departure Tax
• Snorkeling or Dive Gear & Scuba Diving fees
• Extra costs due to late Arrivals, and other circumstances beyond our control

Accommodation...

  On Day 1 to 3 at Southwest Cay, we are "base camping", sleeping in tent-walled cabanas. These spacious safari-style tents are have ample headroom to walk around and are on raised wooden floors with double or single beds. On the island, we have a fresh-water collection system for drinking water, fresh-water showers, modern composting toilets, a fully equipped kitchen. We also have a large dining area and resource library lounge.

A Note About the Ecology...

Flora...
  Belize's Barrier Reef is the largest in the northern hemisphere, second largest in the world, extending 185 miles (300 km) along the coastline. Nineteen miles seaward from the eastern border of the Barrier Reef, lies Belize's most spectacular atoll - Glover's Reef. The oval shaped reef walls of the atoll climb from the ocean floor and surround a central lagoon. The surrounding reef is primarily made up of two kinds of coral, the hard hydro-coral (reef- forming coral), such as brain coral or elkhorn coral, and the soft corals, such as sea-fans and feather plumes. The sheltered lagoon at Glover's Reef harbors one of the world's most diverse sea environments; an extensive community of fish, shellfish, and patch reefs. One mile off the eastern shore of the atoll, the reef wall quickly drops 2600 feet to the ocean floor below. The interaction between the deeper open waters of the Caribbean Sea and the sheltered lagoons of the atoll results in a diversity and abundance of marine life which is unsurpassed for sea kayaking, snorkeling and diving.

Fauna...
 From our base on Southwest Cay, we will have the opportunity to view a diverse range of sea-life and tropical birds. While exploring and snorkeling the atoll and the many patch reefs, there are opportunities to see grouper, bonefish, angel and parrot fish, stingrays, eagle rays,conger, moray eels, goatfish, just to name a few. Some of the bird-life includes osprey (the Billy hawk), sea gulls, brown-footed & white-footed boobies, frigate birds, hawks, mangrove warblers, and white-crowned pigeons. Around the atoll and the barrier reef, there are nesting sites for loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles. If we're lucky, we may see them while out snorkeling or kayaking. We will definitely have a chance to see and sample the main staple for Belizean fishermen, the queen conch and (in season) the spiny lobster.

Getting back to Belize City...
  We will make arrangements for you to return to Belize City the day after the trip ends, unless you have made other arrangements with us. We will book a domestic flight from Dangriga to Belize City. The cost of this flight back to Belize City (25 minutes) is approximately $56.00 USD per person or you can travel overland by bus (2-3 hours) for approximately $7.00 USD

Thinking about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions Co?
  The Glover's Getaway combines well with an inland adventure. The Maya World Extension is a popular addition to the Glovers trip to explore the ancient world of the Mayan people and the wildlife-rich habitats of the interior.

Also, experienced paddlers often combine 3 days out at Glovers reef with a self-propelled adventure. Details on kayak rentals can be found at our kayak rental web site<www.belizekayaking.com>

Thinking About Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip?
  With close to two decades of exploration in Belize, our knowledgeable office staff can offer you a wealth of travel information. However, we do recommend that you read up on Belize and find what interests you. Once you find an area of interest, give our office a call, and we can help you plan the best vacation possible!

Click here for Printable trip itinerary

Glovers Getaway 3 Days / 2 Nights $499.00 USD & CAD incl $45 Gov't Fees & Taxes 2007 / 2008 Season Weekly departures Sunday to Tuesday Dec to May Day 1 - Trip Start Date Day 3 - Trip End Date   Dec 07 / 08 Dec 14 / 08 Dec 21 / 08 Dec 24 / 08 Dec 28 / 08 Dec 31 / 08 Jan 04 / 09 Jan 11 / 09 Jan 18 / 09 Jan 25 / 09 Feb 01 / 09 Feb 08 / 09 Feb 15 / 09 Feb 22 / 09 Mar 01 / 09 Mar 08 / 09 Mar 15 / 09 Mar 22 / 09 Mar 29 / 09 Apr 05 / 09 Apr 19 / 09 Apr 26 / 09 Dec 09 / 08 Dec 16 / 08 Dec 23 / 08 Dec 26 / 08 Dec 30 / 08 Jan 02 / 08 Jan 06 / 09 Jan 13 / 09 Jan 20 / 09 Jan 27 / 09 Feb 03 / 09 Feb 10 / 09 Feb 17 / 09 Feb 23 / 09 Mar 03 / 09 Mar 10 / 09 Mar 17 / 09 Mar 24 / 09 Mar 31 / 09 Apr 07 / 09 Apr 21 / 09 Apr 28 / 09   Please contact our office at info@islandexpeditions.com or 1-800-667-1630 for availability.

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