Escape to Middle Caye for a five-day Belize beach break. After a brief stop in Belize City, you'll head straight to the paradise island of Southwest Caye to stay in a safari-style tented cabana among the palms. Spend sun-soaked days snorkeling and kayaking around Glover's Reef Atoll, a protected reserve where you'll discover an underwater world teeming with colorful coral and biodiverse marine life.

Highlights

  • Stay on Southwest Caye in a safari-style tented cabana
  • Go snorkeling to discover exotic marine life at Glover's Reef Atoll
  • Enjoy kayaking and standup paddleboarding trips in a protected marine reserve
  • Relax on white-sand beaches and learn about Caribbean culture

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Belize City Belize City
Day 2 Boat to Southwest Caye, Paddle the Reef Southwest Caye
Day 3 Snorkel & Relax at Glover's Reef Southwest Caye
Day 4 Paddle & Explore Glover's Reef Southwest Caye
Day 5 Free Morning, Depart Southwest Caye  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Belize City

Take a leisurely walk around Belize City

Welcome to Belize! A driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Belize City, the former British colonial port. Settle in and then head out for a seafood lunch or explore the city on the Caribbean Sea, bisected by the Belize River. Take in the vibrant markets, bobbing sailboats, and colonial buildings, including the Supreme Court and Central America's oldest Anglican church, St John's Cathedral.

If you want to get out of the city, take a trip to the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm. Meet the Blue morpho, one of the world's largest butterfly species with wings spanning up to eight inches. The butterflies have microscopic scales on their wings that reflect light, creating their signature blue color, and are native to the forests of Mexico, South America, and Central America. Tour the farm to observe the butterflies and learn about their life cycle, from egg to caterpillar, pupa, and butterfly.

Day 2: Boat to Southwest Caye, Paddle the Reef

Sunset at Glover's Reef Basecamp on Southwest Caye
Watch the sunset from your tented cabana on Glover's Reef Atoll

This morning, you'll board a boat from Dangriga Town to Southwest Caye, an exotic island in the Belize Barrier Reef. Travel by water taxi beyond the main reef to a private base camp on Southwest Caye, which lies within Glover's Reef Marine Reserve. Named after the English pirates John and Rodger Glover, who landed here in the 1750s, the atoll is part of the UNESCO-listed Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System.

Settle into your tent cabana and then head out to discover the island. Your guide will first introduce you to the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling, and tropical water safety. Then you'll paddle to a nearby patch of reef and begin exploring some of the 700 snorkel sites Glover's Reef offers. This pretty atoll is known for its rich underwater life and supreme diving opportunities, with a steep underwater cliff that descends 350 feet (106 m).

Plan your trip to Belize
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Day 3: Snorkel & Relax at Glover's Reef

Snorkeling at Glover's Reef Atoll
Discover the underwater world of Glover's Reef

Start your day with an early-morning swim or a sunrise yoga session with the resident instructors. Guides will host informative sessions on various topics, sharing their expert knowledge of Belize's biodiverse marine life and local culture. If you want time to relax, spend the rest of the day in a hammock with a good book and a cold drink.

There are various activities to pursue on Glover's Reef Atoll, including sea kayaking, snorkeling the inner and outer reef walls, and learning to sail a kayak. Look out for diverse coral and sealife, including turtles, giant sponges, eagle rays, and marlins. Try your luck in a high-stakes hermit crab race to finish the day.

Day 4: Paddle & Explore Glover's Reef Atoll

Paddleboard on Glover's Reef
Try out some standup paddleboarding on Glover's Reef

Spend another full day enjoying Glover's Reef's white sands and topaz waters. Traverse the sea in a kayak or take one of the stand-up paddleboards for a spin. You can while away the hours snorkeling the outer boundary of the Belize Barrier Reef, spotting huge schools of fish and otherworldly coral.

Guides are on hand to help you try Belizean handline fishing or provide fascinating talks on the cultures of the Caribbean, with a focus on the Garifuna people. The soft sands are perfect for soaking up the sun, or you can swing in a hammock under the palms of a coconut tree for some quality relaxation.

Day 5: Free Morning, Depart Southwest Caye

Enjoy a final morning on Glover's Reef Atoll's white sands

Today your island adventure comes to an end. Enjoy a final morning on Glover's Reef absorbing the views, or take one last swim or snorkel on the reef. Later, a private motorboat charter will take you back to Dangriga on the mainland, where your trip ends. Safe onward travels!

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Map

Map of Southwest Caye Belize Beach Escape - 5 Days
Map of Southwest Caye Belize Beach Escape - 5 Days