Hol Chan by morning light
Earlier boats see calmer water, better visibility, and fewer fins in the frame.
Destination guide
Caye Caulker
Go Slow basecamp for Belize's reef, reserves, and atolls
Protected watersShort boat ridesBucket-list add-onsCar-free island life
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Overview
Go Slow basecamp for Belize's reef, reserves, and atolls
Caye Caulker is a car-free island with fast access to Belize's protected reef. From village docks you can reach the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, and day-trip offshore to Turneffe and Lighthouse Reef Atolls. Conditions are generally easy on the inside reef with classic Caribbean walls and passes offshore. Snorkelers get nurse sharks, turtles, and rays in shallow, clear water. Divers can add Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye Wall to the logbook. The island is small, social, and walkable, with golf carts and bikes for longer hops. Conservation rules are strict: no gloves, no touching or taking, and guides are regulated inside the reserves.
What makes Caye Caulker different
- The island sits close to the Belize Barrier Reef, so boat rides to the marine reserves are short. The vibe is relaxed and car-free, making surface intervals effortless.
Marine reserves and easy variety
- Caye Caulker Marine Reserve protects patch reefs, seagrass, and mangroves right off the island. Hol Chan's zones include coral gardens and Shark Ray Alley. Offshore atolls deliver steep walls, pelagics, and famous sites like the Great Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye Wall.
For whom
- Snorkelers and new divers will love the shallow, calm sites. Experienced divers target Turneffe and Lighthouse for deep walls, spur-and-groove, and swim-throughs. Freedivers find sheltered training water inside the reef and blue-water lines by boat.
Rules to know
- Inside reserves you must follow Fisheries rules: register with rangers, use moorings, no gloves, no fishing or spearfishing in no-take zones, and respect diver-to-guide ratios. Shark feeding at Shark Ray Alley is regulated for licensed guides only.
Logistics
- Fly into Belize City then connect by water taxi or puddle-jumper to Caye Caulker. Operators like Frenchie's Diving, Belize Diving Services, and Blue Wave Divers run daily trips, with early departures for Blue Hole and Turneffe.
Season notes
- Dry season is roughly December to May. April to June often has excellent visibility. June to November is the Atlantic hurricane season, with the calmest seas sometimes occurring in September and October alongside higher rain potential.
Highlights
Don't miss while you're here
Field notes from guides and contributors on what stands out immediately.
Half Moon Caye bird lookout
Climb the boardwalk platform to view red-footed boobies and frigatebirds between dives.
The Split swim
Float the channel on slack tide and watch the sunset with your feet in the water.