Embark on a 3-night remote Basecamp Snorkeling Adventure to discover the vibrant coral reef and pristine white sand cayes of Lighthouse Reef, with a night in Belize City to start.
Trip Highlights
Travel to Belize’s most remote island group at Lighthouse Reef Atoll - a marine protected area and UNESCO world heritage site, located fifty-six miles off the shore of the Belize coast. Stay on Half Moon Caye, where you will spend three memorable nights. Managed by the Belize Audubon Society, Half Moon Caye is the perfect base to go out and explore the wonders of the coral reef system. On this trip you’ll discover all of our local house reefs and snorkel the rim of Jacques Cousteau's legendary Great Blue Hole. Sip your morning coffee while watching the nesting colony of red-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. This trip is perfect for families, groups or traveling companions with mixed abilities and interests.
Lighthouse Reef: Due to its isolated location from the mainland, the waters of Lighthouse Reef are exceptionally clear with the most abundant fish populations in Belize. This rich ecosystem offers access to some of the best snorkeling (as well as scuba diving) in the Caribbean.
Half Moon Caye: Managed by the Belize Audubon Society, HMC is an incredible 45-acre nature preserve hosting Belize’s oldest site of wildlife conservation - a bird sanctuary for the Red-footed booby and Magnificent frigate bird. The island is host to a rare littoral forest (more common to the interior of the mainland), an endemic species of gecko (Leaf-towed), and a variety of other flora and fauna.
Basecamping: involves sleeping in wall-tented cabanas. These spacious safari-style tents have ample headroom to walk around, are on raised wooden floors, and have real wood-framed beds (6-inch foam mattresses). Tents can be configured with either double or single beds. All bed linen is provided.
Package includes:
- 1-night Hotel Accommodation at Belize Biltmore Plaza
- 3-night safari-style “basecamp” accommodations
- Meals (as per itinerary)
- Boat transfers Belize City/Half Moon Caye
- Guided activities and equipment (as per itinerary)
- Park fees and taxes
Trip Itinerary
Meals: n/a
Arrive in Belize City International Airport (BZE), and be met with an IE representative, where we will transfer you to the Belize Biltmore Plaza. Check into your your first night's accommodation and acclimatize to your new environment. Meals are on your own, and can be purchased at the hotel. You will meet other travellers in the lobby the following morning.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Meet an Island Expeditions representative at 8:30 am in the Biltmore hotel lobby, make a quick stop at a local shop for last minute snacks and provisions then head to our awaiting motor boat charter for a 10:00AM departure. We travel by boat 56 miles out to sea, passing through mangrove ranges and white sand cayes before arriving at Belize's furthest island group. Expect the boat ride to take 2-3 hours. Upon arriving at Half Moon Caye, your guide team will orient you to the island and settle you into your accommodations. You will enjoy a late lunch and then an intro session of walk-in snorkeling at one of our local reefs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Over the course of the next few days, we will give you the chance to discover all of our local walk-off snorkel sites. In between snorkels we host information sessions on the history of Belize, its unique marine ecosystem and the local culture. We will also travel to the famous snorkel site “The Aquarium” and world renowned “Great Blue Hole”. A huge collapsed sinkhole that was discovered and made famous by ocean explorer, Jacques Cousteau. This perfectly circular formation is bejewelled with an array of hard and soft coral and a wide variety of colorful reef fish. This is a great place to practice more advanced snorkeling techniques or observe others doing so from the surface.
All guided sessions are optional and laying in a hammock is considered an “official” activity.
Evenings at our basecamps are filled with happy hour gatherings, delicious dinners, beach games, star gazing, cold beverages, cultural presentations, and incredible Caribbean sunsets.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
The choice is yours for your last morning at Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Snorkel your favorite patch reefs, walk the island trails, and swing in a hammock or beach comb along the island shores. After lunch, a motorboat charter picks everyone up for the return trip to the mainland. This return journey takes you back through Turneffe Atoll across the barrier reef, and arrives in Belize City. Expect to be back at the Biltmore Hotel by late afternoon.
Marine Activity Notes: This itinerary is designed to be “Snorkelling Focused”. Kayaks and SUP’s are available for use; however, our guides will be utilized mostly for snorkelling sessions. If you’d like more guided kayaking and SUP check out our Glover’s trips, Lighthouse Reef 5 Night, Lighthouse Reef 8 Night, or Double Atoll Adventure.
Travel Notes: For travelers leaving Belize after this trip, you must spend a night in Belize City. International connections out of the country require a departure the next day.
Contact our Trip Planners for hotel reservations in Belize City, Flight & Hotel Packages or to extend your Belize itinerary by combining this trip with another Island Expeditions adventure or extension.
The Places We Stay
We are privileged by special arrangement to stay within the Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument. Our basecamp within this pristine marine park is designed to provide maximum comfort with a minimal ecological footprint.
Sleep in seaside tent-cabanas furnished with wood-framed beds, nightstand, lighting and room to store your personal gear. Tents can accommodate singles, doubles and families.
Meals are served in our comfortable dining room with spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea. Our central bathhouse has modern eco-sensitive composting toilets, running water and solar warmed showers.
The Belize Biltmore Plaza, close to the Municipal and International airports is the perfect jumping off point in Belize City. Located just north of the city center, the Biltmore has modern rooms, restaurant, bar and a lovely inner courtyard with inviting pool.
Dates and Prices
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Extensions
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Maya World Extension
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Sacred Caves & Temples Extension
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