Overview
Experience the Caribbean’s best-kept secret – Belize! From endless sun-drenched beaches to extensive coral reefs you will experience an ocean oasis unlike any other. This Central American nation is home to the second largest coral reef in the world alongside thousands of coastal cayes. These small sandy islands make great launching points for oceanic life and beach relaxation. Dive the seas, snorkel with turtles, discover local cultures, and get up close with jungle wildlife on this unforgettable journey.
Itinerary
Expand All FieldsDay 1: Welcome to Belize! Transfer to Hopkins and get settled into your beachside accommodations.
Fly to Belize City where you travel by van to the Garifuna village of Hopkins on the Caribbean Coast. Check into your cabana and enjoy a walk along the beach, relax in a hammock, and get settled in for the next several days. Dinner and an orientation will be in the dining palapa.
Day 2: Learn about SCUBA equipment, signals, and details before exploring the surrounding area in the afternoon.
After a hearty breakfast, head to Hopkins Underwater Adventures to begin your Discover SCUBA course. You will learn about equipment, signals, and details of the dives. The afternoon is free for some beach time or a walk into town for shopping and exploring. We will try some Belizean cuisine in a local restaurant tonight.
Day 3: Enjoy a day filled with astonishing dives, followed by a relaxing afternoon on the beach.
Board the dive boat as we head out to South Water Caye for a day of diving! We will be completing two dives with our dive instructors at a depth of up to 40 feet. Enjoy lunch out at the reef and return mid-afternoon for some relaxing hammock and beach time.
Day 4: Travel to the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve followed by a waterfall hike.
Today we travel to Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve run by the Belize Audubon Society. We'll grab inner tubes and hike into the jungle to the river where we'll take a lazy float through this National Park. We’ll take a short hike up to a small waterfall with a cool, clear pool for a refreshing dip. Those wishing to be more adventurous can continue on the trail to Ben’s Bluff for a magnificent view of Victoria Peak!
Day 5: Enjoy a zip line adventure across the jungle canopy.
A thrilling adventure awaits you today with a trip to the Mayflower Bocawina National Park and a zip line across the jungle canopy! Enjoy the longest zip line in the country at 2300 ft, almost a half mile long! With 12 platforms high in the treetops to zip between, there's plenty of time for viewing this beautiful park.
Day 6: Search for birds and turtles as you paddle the Sittee River.
Grab a paddle as we head to the Sittee River for a paddle along this wildlife hotspot with excellent birding, crocodiles and turtles basking along the riverbanks. Experience the Garifuna culture as we enjoy some traditional drumming and dancing on the beach tonight.
Day 7: Travel by boat to Tobacco Caye Marine Station, home for the next three nights
Leaving the town of Hopkins, we head to nearby Dangringa where we will board a boat taking us to Tobacco Caye Marine Station located on a very small caye (island) directly over the barrier reef. We will be staying on the caye for three nights as we learn more about the preservation and challenges facing the reef. For those interested, you'll have an opportunity to participate in a nighttime snorkel as you step off the dock and into a nocturnal world of cephalopods, moray eels, arthropods, and echinoderms. Underwater lights are provided, but they must be shut off to enjoy the phosphorescent dinoflagellates.
Day 8: Spend the entire day exploring the South Water Caye Marine Reserve.
Spend the entire day exploring the South Water Caye Marine Reserve including a visit to the Smithsonian Institute’s CCRE Facility at Carrie Bow Caye, Man ‘O War Caye Bird Sanctuary, Tobacco Range Mangroves and other protected areas to examine these unique marine ecosystems.
Day 9: Enjoy a full day trip to Glover's Reef Atoll, one of only fur atolls in the Atlantic Ocean.
Travel by boat across the Caribbean Sea for 15 miles for a full day trip to Glover’s Reef Atoll, one of only four atolls in the Atlantic Ocean. After passing over the ringing coral you will be surrounded by the exquisite turquoise waters and lush patch reefs. We will explore the fore reef that falls over the edge of this plateau before it drops off into the abyss.
Day 10: Enjoy a final meal before transferring back to the mainland for your return flight.
Rise early, have a light breakfast, and travel back to the mainland and to the airport for your flight home.
Dates & Fees
Wilderness Inquiry leads trips to Belize but currently has no dates scheduled for this itinerary. If you have a group of people interested, we can set up a customized adventure just for you! Please contact us or request a trip quote below if you are interested in a group trip to this destination.
Request Trip Quote »What to Expect
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: This trip is filled with adventure on land and in the water! Enjoy learning to scuba dive before heading out to the many caye’s for your first look at the aquatic wildlife. During this trip, you will also float through National Parks, giving you the chance to experience the wildlife.
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