7 Things to Do on the Northern Cayes of Belize

Belize is a diverse country located in Central America. With half of the country being bordered by the Caribbean Sea, and the other half split between Mexico and Guatemala, it comes as no surprise that there are numerous things to see and do in this tropical nation. A trip to Belize wouldn't be complete without venturing to its two famous northern cayes - Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. Here are a few of the must see's and must do's on, and around, the islands:

Manatee Tour

These giant, gentle herbivores graze on the grass found on the sea floor at the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary. You can book a tour on Caye Caulker and spend the day in awe of the slow-moving sea cows. We were able to spot six during our trip! Exploring beautiful mangroves, snorkeling along the Belize Barrier Coral Reef and enjoying a meal on a deserted caye are also on the agenda during a manatee tour. For more, check out our article here.

Go Swimming

Caye Caulker is unique in that the island has actually been split in two. There are a few stories regarding how this happened - some say it was a hurricane, while others say people it was man-made to make crossing the island faster! Regardless, this split has now become the hangout spot on the caye and is a great place for swimming. There is a slow-moving current running through the split, but it won't take you out to sea, it'll just drop you back at the other end of the split.

On Ambergris Caye, you can swim at the lesser known beach of Tranquility Bay, or the vibrant, lively X’Tan Ha beach. Both of which are gorgeous spots.

Watch Sunset

There's just something special about a sunset, and the ones found on the western side of Caye Caulker are spectacular! As the sun begins its decent to the horizon, people flock to this side of the caye to enjoy a bucket of beer from one of the restaurants and watch the golden sun light up the sky. This is a gorgeous time of day, with pelicans flying by and boats bobbing in the distance.

Rent a Bicycle

Caye Caulker is small enough that you can walk everywhere, and some of the roads aren't really even roads; they're sand. However, at 25 miles long and 1 mile wide, Ambergris Caye is much larger, and renting a bicycle to explore is highly recommended. The center of San Pedro Town is quite busy with traffic, so be careful there, but outside of the town, cycling is a great way to explore. Some people opt for renting a much more expensive golf cart, but we suggest getting some exercise and hiring a bike instead!

Go Fishing

You can either book a tour on a proper fishing boat, or you can try your luck from shore. Belize is a great fishing destination year-round, and if you choose to go deep-sea fishing, you'll most likely catch a grouper, barracuda, tuna, snapper, or one of the other many fish available. Many of the hotels will offer to cook up your catch as well.

Try Paddle Boarding

Paddle boarding is the latest fad on the water these days, and it's definitely not as easy as it looks. Many of the hotels will rent these boards out to their guests, or provide them for free of charge. The waters around the Cayes are nice and calm, which is exactly what you need when trying to stand up on these wobbly boards!

Go Scuba Diving

The Blue Hole is one of the most popular dives in the world, but if you can't afford that expensive excursion, or the thought of a deep hole to nowhere freaks you out, you can always just explore the beautiful Belize Reef on a normal dive. The marine life around Ambergris Caye is abundant - you'll spot rays, sharks, eels, fish and possibly dolphins! The coral and sea life is pristine.

Book your trip

Regardless of what you end up doing while on the cayes, your trip will be a memorable one. For where to sleep, check out Victoria House on Ambergris Caye, a stunning, relaxed resort option. For accommodation on Caye Caulker, check out the funky, colorful huts of Mara's Place, or one of the beautiful, affordable rooms at De Real Macaw.

Have you been to the Cayes? What do you recommend doing? Share in the comments below!

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