 |
Belize
Beautiful Belize with its blend of Caribbean, Mexican, Spanish, and Mayan traditions lies on the eastern coastline of Central America, bordered on the north by Mexico, on the west and south by Guatemala, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. It is separated by sea from its neighbor to the southwest, Honduras. Travel to Belize from Florida is just over 2 hours, making it a close and accessible location to most. Considered one of the best places to dive and snorkel in the world with sites such as Great Blue Hole in Ambergris Caye which is rated #11 on the Scuba Travel Top 100 Dives of the World; it is sure to be a treat for our members who enjoy diving and snorkeling.
This is a sample itinerary. Weather or other outside factors may mean that your skipper sets an alternative course.
Arrival Day
Embarkation is possible from 5PM. You can check in at the reception of the Belize Yacht Club and drop off your luggage when you arrive though. Your catamaran will be moored at Belize Yacht Club in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. Upon arrival you will be greeted by our operations manager who will take you through the check in procedure. Then you will be introduced to your crew and fellow sailors. After a refreshing Welcome cocktail you will be shown to your cabin and helped to settle in to your new home for the week. Enjoy a delicious dinner aboard. Your yacht remains at the mooring for the evening to allow you to either enjoy a relaxing time onboard or take an easy 10 minute stroll along the beach to sample the San Pedro night life.
Cruising Day 1
Following breakfast we set sail for Turneffe Island. This is more or less three hours of exhilarating sailing with some great fishing and respectable sized waves. We have lunch when we arrive to Turneffe Island. Afterwards you can dive or snorkel the underwater walls of Turneffe which descend to more than 200 feet. The water here is crystal clear and there is an abundance of marine life to entertain you. We enjoy dinner on board in a very calm anchorage. Unfortunately you cannot go ashore because the island is a muddy mangrove swamp.
Cruising Day 2
After breakfast we prepare to leave. There is a very comfortable two hour sail two to English Caye. A visit to the lighthouse is recommended where you can hear the hurricane stories the lighthouse keeper has to tell. We have lunch and go snorkeling around this Caye which is very similar to Tobago Cays in the Grenadines. Later in the afternoon we move a very short distance to anchor at Water Cay for the night in a beautiful calm spot where there is every chance at seeing a manatee up close.
Cruising Day 3
Following a sailors breakfast we sail to Goffs Caye, another Tobago Cays look alike, and make another beautiful dive or snorkel when we get there. You can snorkel from the beach, collect shells and work on the tan or simply contemplate life whilst letting it pass you by.
We stay here for lunch and then a good sail of around 90 minutes to St George Caye where we will dine ashore at St George's lodge. There is plenty of fresh lobster in season and wonderful fish dishes.
Cruising Day 4
When breakfast is cleared away we have a lovely calm, inside the reef sail to Cay Chapel, a private island with an 18 hole golf course and a few chic gift shops. Enjoy some shopping while the crew prepare the boat and fill the water tanks ready for the second half of the week.
We'll eat lunch whilst we sail, still inside the reef, to the outer reef. Then we'll spend the afternoon in calm, shallow clear water, snorkeling on the reef and having fun with an afternoon of water sports. In the evening we dine in a calm inlet and fall asleep to the sound of the waves breaking on the nearby reef.
Cruising Day 5
After breakfast today we sail the boat to Caye Corker where the reef is host to a fabulous site named stingray alley. Feed the sting rays while you stand in chest deep water. You can snorkel the reef or scuba divers can take a 10 min boat ride to a spectacular dive site on the outside of the reef. Lunch on board is followed by a 5 min journey to Caye Corker and you can catch up again on shopping on this pretty little Caye while sampling some of the local fresh cocktails available at some of the beach bars. After dinner on board there is a chance to hit the town before bedtime.
Cruising Day 6
Breakfast today is followed by a short sail to Coral Gardens where we will enjoy some outstanding snorkeling scenery. We'll follow that with lunch on the barbeque and then a 90min sail back to Belize Yacht Club and the sailing portion of the vacation ends. Tonight we diner ashore at the Celebrity Restaurant and for those who still have some energy there are plenty of dancing opportunities in town afterwards.
Departure Day
After breakfast onboard, it is time to gather your belongings and memories. Your crew will arrange transport back to the airport before exchanging fond farewells. You will already be planning your next cruise...
|
Belize (formerly British Honduras until the name of the country was changed in 1973) lies on the eastern or Caribbean coast of Central America, bounded on the north and part of the west by Mexico, and on the south and the remainder of the west by Guatemala. The inner coastal waters are shallow and are sheltered by a line of coral reefs, dotted with islets called 'cayes', extending almost the entire length of the country. |
