Belize-Bannister island questions

[donnas902]

Has anyone one to Banister Island recently? Does NCL no longer offer a tender to the island? Has anyone visited the manatee reserve? Are there palapas or shade on the island? Can you purchase food there? Beer?

Thanks,

Donna

[beyer4]

Has anyone one to Banister Island recently? Does NCL no longer offer a tender to the island? Has anyone visited the manatee reserve? Are there palapas or shade on the island? Can you purchase food there? Beer?

Thanks,

Donna

We went to Belize in April and visited Banister Island. We did not book thru NCL. Once off the ship we walked all the way to the left end of the docking area, thru the "gates", and across the street to a "hut" and booked on our own. There was a guy sitting there using a hachet cutting coconuts and pouring rum in and serving them for $4 and also a 3 or 4 person drum type music playing next to the "hut" area. We had 10 people in our group and paid $30 each for a 4 - 5 hour excursion.

 

First we walked to the pier (5 minute walk) and they took us out to Bannister Island. Anyone not wanting to continue on to snorkel could stay at Bannister Island, we chose to go snorkel first so we continued on with them another 15 minute boat ride to a wonderful place to snorkel. After an hour or so we went back to Bannister Island and spent the rest of our time there. It is GORGEOUS!!! We have a cruise booked for March 2012 and it was a must that Belize was on the intinery so we could return to Bannister Island. It was such a relaxing wonderful beach. We used the kayaks, longed in the chaise chairs, had some food served on the island. The only negative thing was, after we ordered our food, ate, and were visiting a waitress came up and asked if we wanted a chicken strip meal. She said someone ordered it and didn't come back to get it. So we said sure. She came back after we finished and said we owed $10 for it. It wasn't the $10 that was the issue, it was the way she went about it.

 

Yes there is some shade, outdoor palm tree type showers, clean bathroom area, sand volleyball, gorgeous sand & water, kayaks to use, full bar, covered picnic tables, chairs and chaise lounges. Bar & food is extra, everything else is included.

[cruiseat50]

Well this is depressing... I was going to suggest to you to using http://www.ecotoursbelize.com/faqs.html but just went to their website and it doesn't list Bannister Island in their tours. We used them in 2009 and loved the company they were all very nice and went out of their way for you. We loved Bannister island and if you go there be sure to order a Bannister Island iced tea. It was so yummy I asked the bartender how to make it and he told me but he also wrote it down on a napkin because I think he knew I might not remember.:D

 

Here's a few pics...

 

This was the driver who took us there... very nice guy.

 

 

DH... we were the first on the island and last to leave. The NCL ship's excursions were there much shorter time.

This was the worst it ever got crowded... but if you walked down a little you there was far less people.

 

 

[cruiseat50]

Few more

[cruiseat50]

Not sure this will work and lousy pic.. but :)

<embed src="http://p.webshots.com/flash/smallplayer.swf?videoFile=http://videoserve.webshots.com/video/30933/3016793700105246444sQOYBS_v_0.flv&audio=on&displayImagePreview=http://videothumb14.webshots.com/thumb/30933/3016793700105246444sQOYBSstill_002_0.jpg&videoPageUrl=http://travel.webshots.com/video/3016793700105246444sQOYBS&autoPlay=false&shareLink=http://cards.webshots.com/ecard/personalize?photoId=3016793700105246444%26source=v" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" quality="best" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br/><br/><a href="http://travel.webshots.com/video/3016793700105246444sQOYBS">Roatan musicians - video</a>

[donnas902]

Wow ! Thanks for the responses. The pics are great! :rolleyes:I am going to make sure I get to Bannister Island!

Donna