Upon arrival at the Belize International Airport, rendevouz with your driver and transfer north-west to Bird's Eye View Lodge in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. This area is renowned for its extensive wetlands, and four main lagoons which are home to hundreds of species of birds and other fauna. After checking into your accommodations, meet your fellow travellers for dinner and discuss the days ahead.

You will have a full day of exploration as you travel north by road, then west by river to the Mayan ruins of Lamanai. We travel down the New River by riverboat, making stops to view wildlife along the way. Iguanas, Parrots, Toucans, Aracaris, and Morelet's Crocodiles are frequently seen. Once we reach the shores of Lamanai, we explore the many temples, plazas and palaces within the park's boundaries. We have lunch at the site, and continue to the colonial sugar mill built at the Mayan site. In the afternoon, we depart Lamanai by riverboat, and return to toast a spectacular sunset over the lagoon at Bird’s Eye View Lodge.

Today's adventure starts with a morning birding tour on the lagoon, with some down time at the lodge. After lunch, we head to the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha, then return to the lodge for an evening sunset over the lagoon and our final dinner in Crook Tree Village.

We rise early for breakfast and transfer to Belize City for a 10:00AM boat charter. You will have a chance to stop for snacks and provisions along the way. 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 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.

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 Half Moon Caye are filled with happy hour gatherings, delicious dinners, star gazing, cold beverages, beach games, cultural presentations, and incredible Caribbean sunsets.

The choice is yours for your last morning at Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Snorkel your favorite patch reef, 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, we also strongly suggest spending 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.