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Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize

Destination: Paradise Islands, Belize

| Activities: Kayaking and Snorkeling

The Paradise Islands of Belize, located in the less developed southern region of Belize's Barrier Reef, remain close to a pristine marine ecosystem. We'll kayak through the shallow reef-strewn waters, snorkel to our hearts content, go to sleep lulled by the sound of ocean waves breaking on the shore, and fill each day with lots of exercise, delicious food, and the kind of relaxation that stems from immersion in a very different world and way of life. Maximum group size: 12

Highlights

Kayak in warm Caribbean waters over reefs full of diverse marine life
Snorkel among reefs teeming with brightly colored fish
Try your hand at kayak sailing or stand up paddleboarding
Learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit this unspoiled marine environment
Stay in small, hospitable, locally run lodges
Feast on freshly prepared Belizean cuisine

Departures and Prices

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Inclusions

A local Belizean guide (male) for 8, 2 local guides and an AGC guide for more than 8
Six nights double occupancy lodging
Meals from dinner on Saturday through breakfast the following Friday
All kayaking and snorkeling equipment and instruction, primarily using double kayaks
Airport pick-up if you arrive on the first day of the trip, or pickup-up from the Belize Biltmore Plaza if arriving earlier
All taxes and park fees

Not included: Travel to and from Belize City, or from Dangriga to Belize City at the end of the trip (about $110 by plane that we will coordinate, or $5 by local bus), alcoholic beverages, snacks, guide gratuities, and travel insurance. Optional Extensions are not included.

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Trip Summary

Packing List

Optional Extensions

Trip Intro

These are suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes. There are typically 3 to 5 hours of daily activity.

This trip is designed for women in good condition who want an active vacation in a warm winter environment. Our days are full, although there is time to relax built into each one and also the option to opt out of activities if you want more downtime. The kayaking and snorkeling on this trip are truly intertwined, as we will do most of our snorkeling from our kayaks. The most kayaking we do in one day is 6 miles, with 3-4 miles being more typical. You should have some prior kayaking experience and be comfortable on the water as you may be paddling in rough or windy conditions at times. Rating: 1 [2]3 4 5.

We'll kayak, snorkel, and swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean. The coral reefs of Belize are known for providing both an excellent snorkeling environment and (usually) tranquil water. Some kayak experience is required; your guides will teach you safety skills and basic boat handling and paddling strokes. The kayaks are primarily double kayaks, but you can talk with the guides while you are on the trip if you would like the opportunity to try single kayak.

We'll spend the first night at the Tropical Education Center in Belize City, adjacent to the Belize Zoo, and five nights at small Belizean owned lodges.

Tropical Education Center: Rustic forest cabanas, each on a raised platform, fully screened and equipped with two twin size beds complete with linens. One full size bed is another accommodation option upon request. This is ideal for travelers seeking that "jungly" experience. There is a shared shower and restroom facility for the cabanas.

Tobacco Caye: Tobacco Caye Paradise is a small Belizean-style vacation property with six private "over the water" beach cabanas. All cabanas face north to the Belize Barrier Reef and have wonderful decks perched over turquoise tropical waters. Each deck has a hammock and an amazing view of the Caribbean Sea. The accommodations are clean, comfortable and charmingly rustic. There are five 1 bedroom/1 bathroom cabanas, and one 2 bedroom/1 bathroom cabana. Each bedroom has either one or two beds. Each cabana has a private bathroom and cool, rainwater-fed showers.

Southwater Caye: Seaside cabanas are nestled in the mangroves on the eastern shoreline of the island to take advantage of the cooling trade winds. They are so close to the water's edge that you will awaken to a view of the barrier reef and the sound of waves gently lapping the shore beneath you. The cabanas have private bathrooms with hot water showers.

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1

Arrive at the Belize International Airport by 2:00 p.m. today; you'll be met and transferred to the Belize Biltmore Plaza where the group gathers at 3:00 p.m. From there we go to the Tropical Education Center, adjacent to the Belize Zoo and our lodging for the first night. We will be staying in Forest Cabanas, situated in the midst of idyllic tropical pine forest with a network of interpretative trails and wildlife viewing platforms at our doorstep. You can start getting ready for the adventure at the Interpretive Centre, which details the diverse ecology of Belize and is an ideal introduction. About 6 pm we'll gather for introductions and share a "Welcome to Belize Dinner." If you're not too tired, we highly recommend joining us for an optional nocturnal tour of the Belize Zoo. Jaguars, ocelots, tapirs and other native species provide our first introduction to Belize's amazing wildlife. Overnight at the Tropical Education Center. (D)

DAY 2

Our first day in the Tropics. We start the morning with a drive over the Maya Mountains to our Operations Base in Dangriga. Here we'll transfer all our items into dry sacks (provided) and hop onto a charter boat that takes us to our first of the aptly named Paradise Islands on the Southern Barrier Reef. We'll meet our Belizean guide team who will give us an overview of tropical marine safety. We'll then begin with kayaking instruction: safety, group and self-rescues, and touring techniques with an emphasis on how to use our muscles most efficiently and how to get in and out of kayaks safely. If you've never received formal instruction, you'll be surprised how much a few basic tips can improve your kayaking. After a break for a swim, some time to explore the island shoreline, and a tasty Belizean lunch, we'll practice our new strokes and become familiar with the local waters. We'll return to our lodging, enjoy drinks and dinner, and be lulled to sleep by the sound of ocean waves. Overnight on Tobacco Caye. (B, L, D)

DAY 3

For those who love the early morning, watching the sun rise is the perfect way to start your day. After breakfast we'll have our first snorkeling demo and instruction, learning both beginning and advanced skills as appropriate, at the Tobacco Caye cut and outer reef walls. In the afternoon we'll paddle to nearby reefs to snorkel and explore healthy and vibrant coral and brightly colored fish. Staying right on the Barrier Reef in the heart of the Southwater Caye Marine Reserve, we are ideally situated to explore all the surrounding reefs and cayes. For experienced divers, we can also look into arranging an optional scuba dive. This requires advanced notice and and is subject to availability. We'll return that night to our lodge on Tobacco Caye and another delicious dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 4

This morning we'll pack all our personal gear into our kayaks and paddle south along the Barrier Reef crest to Southwater Caye and our lodge for the next 3 nights. We'll start with an introduction to kayak sailing - nothing like letting the wind do some of the work for you! We'll paddle and sail our kayaks along one of the most beautiful sections of the entire reef system. The clear, shallow waters reveal an abundance of marine life: southern stingrays, eagle rays, nurse sharks (they're safe, don't worry), grouper, and more. Landing on the beach near our lodge, we'll be glad for a cold drink, a chance to relax, and a swim to cool off. In the afternoon we take a short paddle to a nearby island that is home to the Smithsonian Institute, here we are treated to a tour of the research lab. As the sun sets it's time to enjoy a well-earned dinner that will recharge us after our full day. We'll spend tonight and the next two nights at Southwater Caye. (B, L, D)

DAY 5

We're staying at the same lodge tonight, so we have lots of flexibility today and lots of time to kayak, snorkel, fish, enjoy the marine life of Belize and - dare we say it - even relax if we choose. We'll explore both the inner and outer walls of the reef, follow wandering paths through mangrove ranges, and dip into protected lagoons. We gain insight into the lives of the fishermen who make this area their home and their living from the sea. Ho Hum, just another day in Paradise. Overnight Southwater Caye. (B, L, D)

DAY 6

Today we spend our last full day kayaking to Billy Hawk Caye, formerly a Garifuna Fishing Camp, located in the Blue Ground Range. Arriving in time for lunch, we'll have time to relax in the most idyllic hammock setting and recharge for an afternoon of snorkeling. Sadly, we leave our kayaks on this island and enjoy a fun boat ride back to South Caye. This evening we'll celebrate our final evening together with a feast and a chance to enjoy island festivities. Overnight on Southwater Caye. (B, L, D)

DAY 7

After an early breakfast our water taxi carries us back to the mainland and the town of Dangriga, where the trip finishes. We'll collect and repack any clothing/suitcases we left at the Operations Base and arrange taxis for those who have the short connecting flight to the Belize International Airport or local bus station. It is safe for women to take the local buses by themselves so if this is your preferred mode of transportation, don't hesitate to try it. If you are making an international connection that day, be sure to book your flight after 12:30 p.m. if you fly from Dangriga. If you take the bus, you will arrive in Belize City around 2:00 p.m. (B)

EXTENSIONS: If you think its way too soon to head home, don't. Instead, join us on one of two Optional Extensions.

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "Did this trip meet your expectations?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

The great support for the kayaking. The amazing islands and facilities on them.

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 2/29/2020-3/6/2020

The diversity of what we did, the outstanding organization and the camaraderie.

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 2/29/2020-3/6/2020

Extremely well organized. Variety of activities

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 2/29/2020-3/6/2020

It was harder than I thought it to kayak on the reef. I had pretty open ended expectations.

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 2/29/2020-3/6/2020

The entire trip was a highlight. The water, the snorkeling, the sun, the water. Did I mention the water?

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 3/9/2019-3/15/2019

The accommodations exceeded our expectations, we were expecting primitive and no adjoining bathrooms. The activities were perfect and we felt perfectly safe the entire time.

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 3/9/2019-3/15/2019

Overall, the trip was terrific. I loved the kayaking, snorkeling, zoo, boat rides, Smithsonian lab, and drummers. My only disappointment was that some of the women were not very experienced in kayaking and/or snorkeling, and that limited what the rest of us could do. I would have liked to venture farther on my own while snorkeling, rather than being constrained to stay with the group, which really frustrated me, and diminished the experience. I would have liked to be more challenged with the kayaking.

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 3/9/2019-3/15/2019

The trip met my expectations. I am not sure it exceeded them. The highlight for me was learning to sea kayak and snorkeling in the mangrove

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 3/9/2019-3/15/2019

Where do I start. Night snorkel was great and terrifying. Kayaking in clear blue water. Kayak sailing! Great guides with patience of saints and great company

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 3/9/2019-3/15/2019

Liz was an awesome guide! She is the best, very caring and a joy to travel with. All of the ladies were awesome and the on-site guides (Mike and Omar) were very supportive and fun. The activities were all well organized and a lot of fun. I will have great memories and photos of this amazing trip for a long time.

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 3/9/2019-3/15/2019

Supportive guides

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 3/9/2019-3/15/2019

While the snorkeling and kayaking, reefs and fish, were the reasons I chose this trip, the highlights were totally unexpected. They were my feelings of accomplishment and pride when I challenged myself, and the bonding with my group and guides. Renewal of body and spirit. :)

Kayaking and Snorkeling Belize 3/9/2019-3/15/2019

I already filled out the evaluation, but I forgot to say in my response that I think it would be nice to ask the participants to try switching around a bit on the kayaking bits. I realize that there are many reasons you might not choose to do this, but it would have been nice to be asked. My friend and I had a great time kayaking and rooming together, but there were others in our friends group as well as the bigger group that would have been fun to spend some time with, and having the whole trip partnered with the same person meant some opportunities for interchange were missed.