Bannister Island?

[UtahCruisers]

I was wondering if anyone has been to the western caribbean lately, and know if Bannister Island is re-opened yet. We will be heading there in December, and would like to know ASAP! Thanks for any help in advance (:

[cruisinatdawn]

We have not been there, but I believe I read they re-opened 11/10.

[tyrannosaur]

A vendor replied to me that the island only opens when certain RCCI and Norwegian cruises were in port, though remains closed when Carnival cruises were in port.

The island is closed on the day when my Carnival cruise visits Belize in 2 weeks, and the closest alternative would be Goff's.

Chuck

[MonkeyBiz]

im supposedly going to bannister island on an ecotours excursion in the beginning of december. glad to hear its likely going to be open for us. i wasnt crazy about the looks of that goff's caye

[MonkeyBiz]

i just heard back from ecotours regarding the status of bannister island. they said its partially open, but they recently did some dredging, and until the silt settles, ecotours is going to goff's caye instead.

[MissRabbit]

we went to Bannister Island on Nov 10th with Coral Breeze.

 

I'm not sure if this is how it always is, but the ocean floor in the sectioned off swimming area had this funky bottom to it. There's seagrass, but that's no biggie. What was wierd was this thick layer of clay that felt like you were walking in wet gooey cement. It was probably a couple inches thick too so you sink in as you walk. It might be what the previous poster talked about regarding dredging, but it wasn't the most pleasant to walk on.

 

However, if you just want to sit in a lounger or float on a floatie, Bannister Island would be a great place to go. The food was excellent albeit pricey and the view was pretty good too. But if you want to swim and wade around, just be prepared for an unusual feeling ocean floor.

[wadethegringo]

we went to Bannister Island on Nov 10th with Coral Breeze.

 

I'm not sure if this is how it always is, but the ocean floor in the sectioned off swimming area had this funky bottom to it. There's seagrass, but that's no biggie. What was wierd was this thick layer of clay that felt like you were walking in wet gooey cement. It was probably a couple inches thick too so you sink in as you walk. It might be what the previous poster talked about regarding dredging, but it wasn't the most pleasant to walk on.

 

However, if you just want to sit in a lounger or float on a floatie, Bannister Island would be a great place to go. The food was excellent albeit pricey and the view was pretty good too. But if you want to swim and wade around, just be prepared for an unusual feeling ocean floor.

 

What you felt was the natural sea floor in most of Belize. There are some naturally sandy beaches but most are enhanced by dredging or importing of sand of sand from other areas.

 

From the reef to the main land and off shore of the Cayes the water depth ranges from 6-20 feet and no waves to create the beaches. Also Belize's Mangroves and the sea grass are nurseries for young fish.

 

ENJOY!!!!!