Glovers Reef

On the eastern edge of the atoll, five post-card perfect sand cayes, fringed with coconut palms, lie atop the reef crest. The prevailing Northeasterly Trade winds blow across hundreds of miles of open sea before reaching the atoll where the swells break and dissipate in foaming white surf.This east wall of the atoll is breached in three places by channels, allowing for a tidal flow of water into the lagoon that sustains one of the most diverse coral ecosystems in the Caribbean.

Led by guides who are skilled naturalists, fishermen, marine biologists, and kayakers, your experience at Glover’s and Lighthouse are a blend of adventure, island culture, tropical vacation, and learning. The remarkable abundance of life and the staggering beauty of these rich tropical marine environments leave their mark on all those who are fortunate enough to visit each location, but you will be lucky enough to visit both!

A Note About the Ecology

The surrounding reef 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 sheltered lagoon at Glover’s Reef harbors one of the world’s most diverse sea environments with an extensive community of fish, shellfish, and patch reefs. One mile off the eastern shore of the atoll the reef wall quickly drops 2600 feet to the ocean floor below.

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

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 and extends 185 miles (300 km) along the coastline.

Nineteen miles seaward from the eastern border of the Barrier Reef lies Belize’s most spectacular atoll – Glover’s Reef where oval-shaped reef walls of the atoll climb from the ocean floor and surround a central lagoon.

Some of the bird life includes osprey (the Billy hawk), seagulls, brown-footed & white-footed boobies, frigate birds, hawks, mangrove warblers, and white-crowned pigeons. Around the atoll and the barrier reef, there are nesting sites for loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles. If we’re lucky, we may see them while out snorkeling or kayaking. We will definitely have a chance to see and sample the main staple for Belizean fishermen, the queen conch and (in season) the spiny lobster.

The Fauna

Day 1:

Accommodations: Pelican Beach Resort  Meals: None

Upon arrival at the Belize City International airport, you check in with the Maya Island Air desk and board a plane to Dangriga.  We overnight at the Pelican Beach Resort overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Day 2:

Accommodations: Glovers Reef Basecamp  Meals: L, D

Today we get an early start, meeting at 7:30 a.m. for an 8 a.m. departure from Dangriga. We travel beyond the main Barrier Reef to our private Basecamp on Southwest Caye, arriving around 10 a.m. Upon arrival, your guides will introduce you to your new environment, give you a camp orientation, and allow you to settle into your tent cabana.

After lunch, we get out on the water where you’ll receive professional instruction, learning the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling, and tropical water safety. We paddle to a nearby patch reef and begin exploring one of the 700 snorkel sites Glover’s Reef Atoll has to offer.

Accommodations: Glovers Reef Basecamp  Meals: B, L, D

Start your day with an early swim or grab a mat and practice sunrise yoga by the beach. We keep our itinerary flexible to respond to the interests and abilities of the group and the current weather conditions. Activities include sea kayaking, snorkeling the lagoon and outer walls of the reef, Belizean-style handline fishing, and learning to sail a kayak.

“Hammock surfing” with a good book and a cold beverage is also a popular option. We host informative sessions on Belize, the marine environments, and local culture. We end each day with a “boca” and drink to share stories of the day’s adventure.

Accommodations: Bocawina Rainforest Resort Meals: B, L, D

Choose your own adventure for your last morning on Glover’s Reef! Grab a mask, snorkel, and fins for a final visit to your favorite coral reef spot or fly fish on the flats. Our boat returns to Dangriga where your adventure continues with a short 30 minute drive into the southern Maya Mountains. Situated in the middle of Mayflower Bocawina National Park, Bocawina Rainforest Resort is the perfect location to experience the broadleaf tropical rainforest and the amazing flora and fauna.

You’ll start your trip by settling in and learning about the property and the experiences that lie ahead in the surrounding mountains and rainforest. You may want to sign up for the optional afternoon activities or a nocturnal hike

Accommodations: Bocawina Rainforest Resort  Meals: B, L, D

Rise with the first light of day emerging through the jungle mist, and experiencing the sounds of the tropics is a pure delight, with the chatter of parrots and parakeets flying overhead. Finding a quiet spot to sip a coffee with binoculars close at hand is a sure way to soak in the essence of the rainforest.

After a hearty breakfast, we will make a quick stop to the adventure center and get outfitted with a harness. This exhilarating and invigorating hike to Antelope Falls carries us deep into the national park, past an unexcavated Mayan Ruin and up steep rainforest trails. We make a slow and steady pace up towards the falls, stopping to learn about the jungle flora and fauna from the guides. At the crest of the hike, there is a rewarding cool off in the refreshing emerald pools at the top of the falls. From the top of the hill, we can see past the lowland savannah to the Caribbean sea. Just a breathtaking setting.  After a break, the guides set us up to rappel down . This is optional and highly recommended for those looking for a thrill. Guests are welcome to hike back down rather than rappel down.

We hike back to the restaurant for our pre-ordered lunch.

Note: Antelope Falls is a 2 pitch, 250 foot drop. A minimum of 100 lb per participant. An alternative for families with children and those looking for a less strenuous experience, we recommend Bocawina Falls hike and rappel

Accommodations: Bocawina Rainforest Resort  Meals: B, L, D

Day seven is completely flexible. You can stay close to the lodge or follow a trail to a favorite pool or waterfall. 

The Mayflower Bocawina National Park is a haven for hiking enthusiasts, offering a captivating network of trails for various skill levels.

The park features the family-friendly Bocawina Falls Trail or the Bird Loop, ideal for a leisurely hike.  Adventure seekers can test their limits on the strenuous Big Drop Falls trail, leading to a spectacular waterfall.

Accommodations:  Half Moon Basecamp  Meals: B, L, D

 We rise early to transfer to the Maya Air terminal in Dangriga and fly to Belize City to head to our waiting motor boat charter. We travel by boat 56 miles out to sea, passing through mangrove ranges, white sand cayes, arriving at Belize’s furthest island group, on Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

Upon arriving at Half Moon Caye, your guide team will orient you to the island and camp to settle you into your accommodations.

You will then enjoy a late lunch and then a session of sea kayak and snorkeling instruction before heading out on the water.

Accommodations: Half Moon Basecamp  Meals: B, L, D

Due to its isolated location from the mainland, the waters of Lighthouse Reef are exceptionally clear with the most abundant fish populations and colorful coral reefs in Belize. This rich ecosystem offers access to some of the best sea kayaking and snorkeling (as well as scuba diving) in the Caribbean.

Half Moon Caye is a beautiful and rich 45-acre nature preserve, hosting a red-footed booby colony as well as a magnificent frigate bird rookery. We tour the viewing platforms built by the Belize Audubon Society to observe the many nesting sites on the island. Over the next few days, you will have many options to explore, including a quickly disappearing shipwreck just north of the caye. The guides will present activities each day based on the weather conditions, and the group’s desires. And of course, we always give you the option of hanging out in a hammock with a good book and a cold beverage!

Accommodations:  None  Meals: B, L

The choice is yours for your last morning at Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Snorkel your favorite patch reefs, walk the island trails, and swing in a hammock or beach comb along the island beaches.

After lunch, a motorboat charter picks everyone up for the return trip to the mainland. This return journey takes you through Turneffe Atoll across the Great Barrier Reef, and you’ll arrive at the Belize City Biltmore Hotel, usually by late afternoon.

Travel Notes:  For travelers leaving Belize after this trip, we strongly suggest spending a night in Belize City. International connections out of the country require a departure the next day.

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. Accommodation the day before the trip (‘Day 0’)
6. Government Fees & Taxes

What’s Not Included…

1. Gratuity
2. Fishing License
3. Scuba Diving
4. International Flights and Airport Departure Tax
5. Extra costs due to late Arrivals, lost baggage and other circumstances beyond our control