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Belize Lighthouse Reef Kayak Adventure: 9 Days / 8 Nights Itinerary

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“This is the best adventure trip I have ever had! Thank you for introducing me to a tropical paradise I have only ever dreamt about. I was totally enthralled by the Belize coral reefs – The clarity of the water & the variety of corals & fish was outstanding & revealed new treasures every day. I learnt so much about the country and culture as well as the exquisite natural environment. The guides were superb and ran the whole trip in an unassuming yet efficient manner with a high degree of professionalism. A huge amount of work must go on behind the scenes to achieve such a smooth operation.”

Carlie Holland
Lighthouse Reef

Group Size: 6-25

Guides: 2-6 Leaders

Accommodations: Bird’s Eye View Lodge, Half Moon Caye Basecamp, Belize Biltmore Plaza

Activities: Swimming, Stand-up Paddle Boarding, Snorkeling, Sea Kayaking (Paddling), Sea Kayak Sailing, Scuba Diving, Archeology, Mayan Ruins, Hiking, Fishing, Birding, Yoga

Please find PRICE and DATES Here (Belize Main Page)

The Adventure

Maps-LH[1] We begin our trip with an introduction to the inland waterways of the crooked tree wildlife sanctuary, here we experience, close at hand, the astounding diversity of birds and wildlife for which Belize is renowned.

Located 33 miles northwest of Belize city the sanctuary provides both the abundant food sources and the safe resting areas necessary to support a large and diverse population of birds.

The best time for viewing resident and migrant birds is December until June, during Belize’s dry season.                   --Read More--

The Setting

Lighthouse Reef: Our journey to Lighthouse Atoll takes us 60 miles offshore to Belize’s most remote and spectacular atoll.

On our way to Lighthouse we weave our way through channels and picturesque islands within Belize’s Barrier Reef then, after crossing the reef wall, we enter a keyhole passage and wind through narrow mangrove-lined channels to reach the eastern Coral Wall of Turneffe Atoll and then continue another 20 miles to the world-renowned Lighthouse Reef Atoll and Half Moon Caye.--Read More--

Note About the Ecology…The Flora: The Mesoamerican Coral Reef stretches from Cancun, Mexico through Belize to Honduras. 

It is the largest reef in the western hemisphere and the second largest in the world. In Belize, this reef is a well-formed wall extending 185 miles (300 km) along the coastline. Approximately 35 miles beyond the Barrier Reef lies one of Belize’s most spectacular atolls – Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

These circular-shaped reef systems climb up from the ocean floor and surround a central lagoon. The reef structure is primarily made up of two kinds of coral, the hard hydro-coral (reef-forming coral) such as brain coral or elkhorn coral, and the soft corals, such as sea fans and feather plumes. 

The lagoon shelters one of the world’s most diverse sea environments; harboring an extensive community of fish, shellfish, and patch reefs. One mile off the eastern shore of the atoll and the shallow waters of the lagoon the reef wall drops precipitously over 3000 feet to the ocean floor below 

The interaction between the deeper open waters of the Caribbean and the sheltered lagoons of the atoll results in diversity and abundance of marine life, which is unsurpassed for sea kayaking, snorkeling, and diving.

 

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The Fauna: On Half-Moon Caye there is a diverse range of marine life and birds. While snorkeling in the area there are opportunities to see grouper, bonefish, angel and parrotfish, stingrays, conger eels, and goatfish – just to name a few. Some of the bird life includes osprey, terns, red-footed boobies, frigate birds, and mangrove warblers.

Half Moon Caye has one of the Caribbean’s most important nesting colonies of red-footed boobies. Around the atoll and the Reef, there are nesting sites for loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles, and often we see them while out snorkeling or kayaking.

Typical Daily Itinerary:

Day 1:

Accommodations: Birds Eye View Lodge, Dinner is included on this night  

Arrive at the Belize International Airport where a representative will meet you and welcome you to the country. You’ll be taken to the Bird’s Eye View Lodge in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, with its swamps, wetlands, and four lagoons, provides an ideal resting place for thousands of migrating and resident birds.--Read More--

LH 6 Day 2:

Accommodation: Half Moon Caye Basecamp Meals: B, L, D

Coffee is served at sunrise. With your binoculars in hand, you’ll enjoy the sounds and sights of the awakening wilderness. There are usually several hundred birds of many species feeding in front of the lodge along the shores of the Crooked Tree lagoons.

After a healthy Belizean breakfast, you’ll embark by boat to explore the surrounding areas. Throughout this adventure, our aim is to provide you with tremendous birding and wildlife opportunities. Turtles, parrots, ibis, Morelet’s crocodiles, and Iguanas are frequently seen. One of only four coral atolls in the Caribbean, Lighthouse is home to the famous Blue Hole.

LH 9 Your boat charter departs at 10 am and takes you through white sand cays, mangrove ranges, and beyond the main Barrier Reef to Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

Lighthouse Reef Atoll is located at the furthest edge of the Belizean Reef System.--Read More--

lh-kayak-patch-reef_0[1] Day 3-5:

Accommodation: Half Moon Caye Basecamp Meals: B, L, D

Due to its isolated location from the mainland, the waters of Lighthouse Reef Atoll are exceptionally clear, with inspiring scenery, and a fabulously rich reef system.

This ecosystem offers some of the best kayaking, snorkeling, and diving in the Caribbean. To begin, our guides will provide professional instruction – teaching you the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling, and safety in the waters of the tropics.

lh-kayak-sailing Over the next few days, you’ll have many options to explore, including a shipwreck, which looms just north of the Caye. In 1971, a ship named the Ermlund lost power during a storm and was deposited on the reef by a large wave.--Read More--
LH 12 Day 6 :

Accommodation: Half Moon Caye Basecamp Meals: B, L, D

The “aquarium” is today’s big adventure. You’ll pack a hearty lunch and your snorkel gear in our kayaks and paddle with motor support to this exciting location. This dive spot is known for its profusion of fish and towering coral formations. Snorkeling at the ‘Aquarium’ is usually one of the favorite activities among our guests.

You’ll return home, stopping at the Half Moon Wall for a spectacular drift snorkel over the undersea cliff of the atoll.--Read More--

LH 13 Day 7:

Accommodation: Half Moon Caye Basecamp Meals: B, L, D

Today you’ll paddle along the protected waters of the Southern Reef towards Long Caye.

At this location, you’ll have a chance to snorkel some of the atoll’s best patch reefs.

After a full day of exploring, you’ll return just in time for a wonderful seafood dinner prepared especially for you by our cooks.

Double Atoll 11 Day 8

Accommodation: Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel Meals: B, L

For your last morning at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, the choice is yours. Snorkel your favorite patch reefs, walk the island trails, swing in a hammock or beach-comb along the immaculate island beaches. After lunch, a motor charter arrives, and you’ll begin to prepare for your trip back to the mainland. This return journey takes you through Turneffe atoll across the Great Barrier Reef, and you’ll arrive at the Belize Biltmore Hotel usually by late afternoon--Read More--

Day 9

Accommodation: N/A Meals: N/A

This last day is yours to enjoy at your leisure before you fly home or continue on your travels.

Relax by the pool or investigate the optional tours offered by the hotel activity desk

Travel Notes: Dinner on day 8, and breakfast and transportation to the airport on day 9 are not included. Due to the remote location of the Lighthouse Reef Basecamp, the activities on the reef portion of this trip are weather-dependent.

This itinerary is a ‘guide’ and must remain flexible and open to changes at the trip leaders’ discretion. We hope you
bring a spirit of adventure with you, we cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails

Accommodations….

When beginning our itinerary with the Reef component on ‘Day 1’, we will be staying at the Bird’s Eye View Lodge at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

While out at Half Moon Caye, we are “Basecamping”, sleeping in tent-walled cabanas. These spacious safari-style tents have ample headroom to walk around and are on raised wooden floors with double or single beds, with all linen provided. On the island, we have a fully equipped kitchen, a fresh-water collection system for drinking water, fresh-water showers, and modern composting toilets. We also have a large dining area and resource library lounge.

LH 15-250 LH 5-250 08-biltmore-poo-250l
Night 1: Birdseye View Lodge Nights 2-7: Half Moon Caye Basecamp Nights 8: Biltmore Plaza Hotel

Transportation…At the start of the trip, we pick you upon arrival at the Belize International Airport on Day 1. On the last day of the trip, we can drop you off directly at the Belize International Airport or the Biltmore Plaza Hotel. All transportation by land and water from Day 1 to Day 8 on the trip is included.

Equipment…While at our base-camp on Half-moon Caye, our guests have unrestricted use of the following equipment: Double Kayaks (outfitted with special sails), Single Kayaks, Stand Up Paddle Boards, Complete Research Library, On the island, we are in communication with the mainland via satellite phone and VHF Marine radio.

What’s Included…

1. Comprehensive pre-trip information package
2. All meals, accommodation, and transfers described in the itinerary
3. Professional Guiding Services
4. Unlimited use of our Equipment and facilities
5. Government Fees & Taxes

What’s Not Included…

1. Post-trip transfer to Belize International Airport
2. Gratuities
3. Fishing Licences
4. Scuba Diving
5. International Flights and Airport Departure Tax
6. Extra costs due to late arrivals, lost baggage and other circumstances beyond our control

Fishing… Lighthouse Reef is now a reserve and therefore there is a 1 mile exclusion zone for fishing. There will be a day on your trip when a guide will be available to take you out on our motor skiff to fish outside the exclusion zone with hand lines which is a very exciting way to catch a fish for the table. If you’re a fly-fisher then Glover’s Reef is the trip you want to do. Here there is no exclusion zone and you can fish right off the shore or from a kayak.

Scuba Divers…
The Belize Barrier Reef offers great wall dives, as well as gentle slopes. scuba-tube-sponge 3

Optional diving is available for certified divers on certain days of the trip. 

There are some great opportunities to scuba dive at Lighthouse Reef including diving the Great Blue Hole if you are a PADI  certified Advanced Open Water Diver or have an equivalent certification.

Please let us know in advance.--Read More--

Single Traveler Pricing

Many of our guests travel on their own. Our style of trip is ideal for single travelers combining the benefits of group camaraderie and group security with lots of individual flexibility in what you want to do each day. Single supplement options vary by trip style. Standard trip pricing is based on double occupancy. Solo guests can request either to share twin accommodations with another traveler or request single accommodations for an additional fee. If you are willing to share and we are able to match you up – no problem and no extra cost. If we cannot match you up then we have a simple, affordable $200 USD supplement fee for trips of 6 nights and longer. Please Note that the shared accommodation option is not available during Covid. Please see the Private Room Rare below.

Should you prefer private accommodations, we can provide you with your own room and the following charges apply:

Private Room: Lighthouse Reef – $400 USD

NOTE: The number of single rooms available on most departures is limited, and may not be available at each location. If we are not able to provide your own room throughout the trip, we will pro-rate the supplement fee.

Recommended Tour-books:
Eltringham, Peter. 2002. Belize: The Rough Guide, London. Penguin Publishers. Perottet, Tony. 2000. Belize: Insight Guide Singapore. Houghton Mifflin Publishers. -Great photographs and written by a Belizean!

Recommended Reading:
Rabinowitz, Alan. 2000 Jaguar, One Man’s Struggle to Establish the First Jaguar Sanctuary New York. Island Press.

GETTING TO BELIZE

Direct Flights from Canada to Belize

Direct non-stop seasonal (Nov to Apr) flights to Belize are available with Air Canada from Toronto, and with WestJet from Toronto and Calgary.  

Direct Flights from USA to Belize

Direct non-stop flights to Belize are available with United AirlinesAmerican Airlines and Delta Airlines.
Direct non-stop seasonal (Nov to Apr) flights to Belize are available with Sun Country Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

Direct Flights from Cancun to Belize

Tropic Air has 2 daily flights from Cancun to Belize International that offer good connecting opportunities. 

Seamless Flight Connections from the UK and Europe to Belize

American Airlines also offers a flight that does not require an overnight connection. This flight departs London Heathrow and has a short connection in Miami before landing in Belize City.

Tips on Searching for the Best Flight Deals to Belize

Be sure of your flight dates. Call or email us to check trip availability and to confirm your arrival and departure dates. Being flexible within one to two days each way is often a good way to find the best prices.

The internet is the main place to find the best prices and routes for airfare. Google Flights is a great place to start, it is non bias and produces all available routes and prices.  Online Travel Agents (OTAs) such as Expedia and Orbitz are also popular.

Airline Website Directly: We find that searching the airline websites directly will give you the best possible fare. Here are links to the major airlines that fly directly into Belize City (airport code BZE). All other cities route through these gateways.

Air Canada – Departs & Returns Toronto on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
WestJet – Departs & Returns Toronto on Wednesdays and Saturdays and weekly on Fridays from Calgary
American Airlines – daily via Miami, FL or Dallas, TX
United Airlines – daily via Houston, TX and Newark NJ
Delta Airlines – via Atlanta GA and weekly from Los Angeles CA
Southwest Airlines – via Houston Hobby TX, Ft. Lauderdale FL, Denver CO
Sun Country Airlines – via Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
Avianca Airlines – via San Salvador, El Salvador
Copa Airlines – via Panama City, PA
Tropic Air – via Cancun, Merida, Roatan, San Pedro Sula, Flores MX and Belize In-Country Flights
Maya Air – Belize In-Country Flights       

We recommend you purchase flight cancellation insurance. Almost all flights purchased these days are considered non-changeable/non-cancellable so please consider coverage.

Still have questions? Please give us a call toll free in North America at: 1-866-383-9453 or email us at wildernessadventures1@gmail.com

Booking: The booking requires a 30% deposit by Visa or MasterCard with the balance due 60 days prior to trip departure. 

The trip dates do sell out so please book early to get the trip dates you want.

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