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Manatee Tour

Mistaken for mermaids by early sailors (who must have been out on the water a VERY long time), and called sea cows by the locals, Manatees are large, gentle creatures (they are vegetarians) that live in the turtle-grass shallows surrounding nearby cayes. Chocolate, a leader of eco-tourism on the island, spearheaded the establishment of the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary (2002) to protect the Manatees and their habitat. In 2003, at 73 years of age, Chocolate received a lifetime achievement award for his tireless environmental work. His manatee tour includes a visit to Swallow Caye where the Manatees seem to know his boat. Snorkeling with the manatees is not allowed, but from the boat, you will see them poke their noses out of the water (please keep in mind, this is still the wild, so a sighting is not guaranteed, but almost always happens). All the while, Chocolate will provide information and history about the manatees, the ecology of the area, and local lore. Chocolate will usually find dolphins playing in the water for you, and he will take you to a caye near the reef for some snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. The tour departs at 9:30 and returns at approximately 4:30. All gear and entrance fees are included. Bring your own packed lunch. You’ll find a cooler on board. $75/person.

Mayan Ruins

Altun Ha and Northern River Tour

Archeologists uncovered one of the largest carved jades of the Maya world at Altun Ha, an important trading center more than 2,000 years ago. Today the ancient plazas and ceremonial grounds are covered in green grass and create a park-like feeling as you marvel at the thirteen temples rising overhead. You may climb to the tops of these pyramids and experience the energy of the past while looking out over the jungle canopy at eye level.

The trip to Altun Ha begins with a Northern River Tour. After a short boat ride from Caye Caulker to the mainland, you’ll enter the mouth of the Northern River where you’ll cruise slowly (about 45 minutes) as your guide points out the native flora such as orchids and huge Mahogany and Mango trees, and the fauna such as insect bats, birds, and possibly crocodiles. When you arrive at the small river village of Bomba, you’ll have a few minutes to view local crafts, and then board a private school bus that will take you half an hour through the Belize jungle to the Altun Ha ruins.

You’ll spend 1.5 hours at the ruins, accompanied by your guide, and then head to Maruba Resort for a relaxed lunch, and a swim in the pool, if you like. If you choose, you may indulge in a massage at the resort. You will see howler monkeys (and if you’re lucky, will hear their unearthly vocal chords), and a Spider Monkey which lives around the resort. After lunch, you will return to Caye Caulker.

The trip includes water, fruit, transportation, and entrance fee. You will buy your own lunch at Maruba. Depart at 8AM; return at 4PM.

Lamanai and New River Tour

Traveling to Lamanai is a bit further than to Altun Ha, but the wildlife of the journey makes up for the trip.

Lamanai (which means submerged crocodile) was occupied from 1500 B.C – 1675 A.D, one of the longest Mayan- settlement occupation periods. Focal points of Lamanai include one of the largest Preclassic Mayan structures – the 108- foot-tall El Castillo pyramid; a well-preserved mask of a Maya ruler emerging from a crocodile headdress; and one of Belize’s largest ceremonial centers. You may climb to the tops of various pyramids and see panoramic views of the surrounding jungle, inhabited by Howler monkeys and many species of birds.

You’ll leave at 6AM, and travel to Bomba (as described in the Altun Ha trip, but without slowing along the river) where you’ll have a local Belizean breakfast of Johnny Cakes (biscuits) with ham and cheese and fresh juice. Then, you’ll take a private school bus to nearby Orange Walk, where you’ll board a boat on the New River. The wildlife on this river is plentiful. It is almost a sure thing to see crocodiles, howler monkeys (you’ll never forget their amazing howls), insect bats, and countless bird species. From the New River Lagoon, you’ll emerge into Lamanai, just as the Maya did centuries ago. You’ll spend 1.5 hours at the ruins, accompanied by your guide, and then eat a traditional Belizean lunch (chicken, rice and beans, and side dishes) under a large palapa. You’ll return to Caye Caulker at 5PM.

The trip includes breakfast, lunch, water, fruit, transportation, and entrance fee.

Scuba Diving

Belize is one of the world’s premier dive destinations, with its warm water, incredible visibility (150 feet is average), and countless variety of fish and corals which live within the barrier reef that runs along the entire coast of the country, and the outer atolls such as Turneffe and Lighthouse Reef (where the famous Blue Hole is located). Diving opens up a vast world that is not accessible by the snorkeler and is an exhilarating, meditative experience that is literally out of this world. Heidi is a dive instructor and will happily provide any information about diving in the area or the process of learning to dive (available in one-day introductory experiences or four-day full certifications). Prices for diving vary from $70 for a two-dive trip to the local reef to $345 for a three-dive trip to the Blue Hole, and instruction ranges from $100 for a one-day, two-dive introduction to $260 for a four-day, six-dive certification.

Snorkeling

What better way to enjoy the warm, Caribbean waters than with a mask and snorkel, peering down at the life that teems below (we like to remind ourselves that we’re bathing in a body of water that covers 70% of our globe). The best snorkel spot on the island (if going on your own) is at the fallen wall at the “split.” You’ll find various fish such as puffer fish, needle fish, small tangs, and pseudochromis, and if you’re lucky, a moray eel, a lobster, or a nurse shark. To see coral heads and a much larger variety of fish, you’ll need to go with a guide to the reef.

A great trip to take is to Hol Chan Marine Park where the reef is protected from fishing and marine life is plentiful. You’ll see plenty of hard and soft corals in relatively shallow water (usually 5-20 feet), a variety of reef fish; harmless nurse sharks; often moray eels; and occasionally, spotted eagle rays. You’ll make three stops which include Hol Chan Park, Coral Gardens and Shark and Ray alley, where you’ll snorkel with dozens of nurse sharks (remember, they are harmless) and huge southern sting rays. Both of these animals are absolutely beautiful to watch in the water. The trip includes all snorkel gear, a licensed tour guide, entrance fees, a lunch (or we will pack one for you), fruits, and water. Choose between going by speed boat or sailboat. Sailing departs at 10:30 and returns at 4:30; the speed boat departs at 9AM and returns at 2PM. Price: $45/ person for sailing; $62.50/per person for the speedboat.

*Local, half-day trips are also available.

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Ocean Academy Fly Fishing Class

Belizean high school students are learning the art of fly fishing and guiding in their P.E. elective at Ocean Academy Non-Profit High School on the island of Caye Caulker. Going beyond paper and pencil to fly rod and line, I share my passion with students who had never touched a fly rod before. Like us on Facebook and watch the evolution. We are always in need of equipment and scholarships. www.cayecaulkerschool.com/flyfishing. Thanks!