Beach Snorkeling in Belize?

[Catsway]

We are making our first trip to Belize. We are avid snorkelers. We would like to find somewhere we can go to a beach and then snorkel without having to take a group excursion. Has anyone found a good beach on one of the Cayes where we can find a comfortable beach chair, a cool cocktail and some coral to snorkel around?

Thank you any suggestions.

Wayne and Cathi

Miramar Beach, Fl.

[Cruzaholic2000]

catsway,

 

There is no snorkeling off the beach in Belize you have to take one of the organise tours that takes you to one of the Islands, we went to Caye caulker and did the snorkeling with the nurse sharks and also the Barrier Reef, Belize has no beaches on main land:(

[OttoCal]

People do snorkel at 'the split' on Caye Caulker- you can just plop right in. Currents can be active, you should be good swimmers AND ask the locals where the best spots are. Probably more fish than coral though. We were sitting at the bar and a whole bunch of bright fish came right up by us. Seargeant Majors and some others I can't remember.

 

Google Caye Caulker Split and you should get some more information.

[in2cruzin7]

We will be cruising on Jan 26th also, let me know if you find anything out about snorkeling

[Catsway]

You were right. We Googled Caye Caulker Split and came up with several informative links. I think this is where we will be headed for our day at the beach while in Belize. Thank you for your help.

Wayne and Cathi

Miramar Beach, Fl.

[OttoCal]

Oh, and be sure to bring some TP for the women's restroom at the bar right at the split... it was certainly an experience! You should have better luck if you are at one of the nicer restaurants- and nicer doesn't mean fancy there, everything is totally laid back.

 

Have a great time and take an underwater camera!

If you get a chance, walk around the island, there is a pretty cool cemetary where we saw some huge iguanas, and we saw great shore birds, and a fun pelican show when some fishermen were coming in with their catch. The caye is small enough that you can do all of this, including lunch, snorkel, explore, shop and get back for the water taxi in time. And if you are there when school is on a lunch break, watching the schoolchildren walk about would be charming.

 

And a tip for the restaurants- the more run down the place looks, probably the better it is. The slicker looking places are more likely to be tourist traps. Although we did have the best lobster nachos ever a one of the restaurants that sat over the water.

[DEL67]

Be very craeful if you snorkel at the Split. I am a good swimmer and had some difficulty with the current.