Belize Paradise Islands 6 day / 6 night Lodge Based Kayak Adventure
Belize Paradise Islands Adventure Trips Departure / End Dates 2025-26
Dec 6-12, Dec 27-Jan 2, Jan 10-16, Jan 31-Feb 6, Feb 28-Mar 6, Mar 7-13, Mar 28-Apr 3, Apr 11-17
Duration: 6 Days / 6 Nights
Begin From: Belize City
Ends In: Dangriga
Group Size: 6-13
Guides: 2-3
Activities: Stand-up Paddle Boarding, Snorkeling, Sea Kayaking (Paddling), Sea Kayak Sailing, Fishing, Photography & Birding, Optional Scuba Diving (at extra cost), Natural History Interpretation
Accommodations: Bocawina Rainforest Resort, Paradise Lodge Tobacco Caye, Glovers Reef Basecamp
Please find PRICE and DATES Here (Belize Main Page)
About the Trip
Explore Southwater Caye Marine Reserve on Belize’s Southern Barrier Reef, a United Nations’ designated world heritage site.
Days will be spent exploring lesser travelled areas of the reef by sea kayak and snorkel, with nights at family-run island cabanas enjoying fresh seafood and local cuisine and a comfortable bed and shower. This trip is Ideal for those seeking the adventure of a guided paddling journey combined with the comforts of family-run island lodges. No previous paddling experience required.
- The only guided lodge to lodge paddling and snorkelling journey in Belize.
- Visits small islands that see fewer visitors: Tobacco Caye, Southwater Caye and Billy Hawk Caye
- A safe, protected reef setting, ideal for exploring the uninhabited islands, coral reefs, mangroves and abundant marine life by sea kayak, kayak sail, snorkel or Stand Up Paddleboard.
- Travels inland to the savannah of the Tropical Education Center; forest cabanas, interpretive trails and a specially arranged nocturnal tour of the Belize Zoo – a great introduction to local ecology and wildlife.
The Setting
The Barrier Reef, which runs the full length of the Belizean coastline, is considered one of the richest marine ecosystems on earth. The 185 mile (300 km) long reef runs from 10 to 25 miles offshore, is the longest continuous reef in the Caribbean, and the second longest in the world. Along the Barrier Reef are over 225 cays, ranging from small, sand-fringed islands perched along the reef’s edge, to larger islands of partially submerged mangroves.
Historically, ships avoided this area of the Caribbean because of inaccurate charts and the difficulty of navigating the shallow reef-strewn waters. Teeming with brilliantly colored fish, sea grass beds and patch reefs, the reef systems have not seen nearly the level of human impact as witnessed in Mexico to the north and Honduras to the south.[read more]
It is in this region that we find the best sea kayaking and snorkeling. Our base of operation, in the southern coastal community of Dangriga, is the ideal launching point for us to explore this spectacular region.
We travel in the less developed southern regions of Belize’s Barrier Reef, which remains a near-pristine marine ecosystem that is unparalleled in the Caribbean.
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A Note About the Ecology…The Flora: The ecology of the Belizean coast is a complex combination of coral reefs, sand flats with extensive turtle grass and mangrove ranges.
The ‘breakwater’ action also enables the diverse ecosystems of the mangrove and turtle grass to flourish. These tangled partially submerged “forests” provide essential feeding and nursing habitat for hundreds of species of fish, shellfish, reptiles, marine mammals, and birds.
The Fauna: On our journey to Dangriga to start our Kayak Adventure, we travel through broad leaf, semi deciduous forest. All around us are signs of life, from the tropical birds high in the canopy like the keel-billed toucan and mot-mots to the many wild mammals that inhabit the forest floor, including Belize’s largest herbivore, the Baird’s Tapir.
While traveling along the Barrier Reef, paddling from cay to cay among the many “patch” reefs, we will have the opportunity to view a diverse range of sea-life and tropical birds, such as: bone fish, angel and parrot fish, stingrays, conger, moray eels, goat fish, just to name a few.
Trailing a line from our kayaks, we also may get a chance at a tug from barracuda, grouper, tarpon, or snapper. Over our heads, we may see various birds including osprey (the billy hawk), sea gulls, brown-footed and white-footed boobies, frigate birds, hawks, mangrove warblers, and white crowned pigeons.
Throughout the reef and along the coast are nesting sites for loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles.
If we’re lucky, we may see them while out snorkeling. We will definitely have a chance to see and sample the main staple for Belizean fishermen-the spiny lobster (in season) and the queen conch.
Typical Daily Itinerary:
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Day 1
Accommodations: Bocawina Rainforest Lodge Meals: D Upon arriving at the International Airport, connect for a scenic 20 minute flight to the coastal town of Dangriga (flight included) and then by road to Bocawina Rainforest Lodge in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. Tonight, we dine (dinner included) in the rainforest at the acclaimed Wild Fig restaurant. On some departures, you may be staying your first night in Dangriga at the Pelican Beach Resort if the Bocawina Rainforest Lodge is full.
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Day 2 – 4
Accommodations: Glover’s Reef Basecamp Meals: B, L, D After breakfast we travel by boat charter 38 miles offshore of the mainland, to Glovers Reef Atoll. We check into our furnished tent cabanas, enjoy lunch al fresco, then guides provide professional instruction – teaching sea kayaking, SUP, snorkeling, and safety in tropical seas, before heading out on the water. From here we explore the Atoll by SUP and sea kayak with motorboat support. For the next 3 days you can expect to be pampered by our staff with delicious food and enjoy perfect days of turquoise clear waters, coral reefs and a full range of activities to choose from each day
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Day 5 – 6
Accommodations: Paradise Resort at Tobacco Caye Meals: B, L, D For the next stage of the adventure, we head to the 17,000 acre Southwater Caye Marine Reserve on the Southern Barrier Reef. Based from Tobacco Caye Paradise Lodge, our playground for the next two days is a fairy-tale setting of palm trees, coral islands, mangrove forests and abundant coral reefs. Each evening, back at our lodge, we take in the friendly laid back ‘Island Culture’ of Belize |
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Day 7
Accommodations: N/A Meals: Breakfast After an early breakfast your water taxi will carry you back to the mainland town of Dangriga where the trip finishes. Any extra luggage that you have stored at our Operations Base will be returned to you. Taxis can be arranged to the Dangriga airport for your connecting flight to the Belize International Airport, or to local bus stations to continue exploring Belize on your own.
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Travel note: Upon Arrival, once you clear customs, proceed to the departures terminal of the airport and locate the Maya Island Air desk. Provide them with your passport for identification and they’ll get you on to your domestic flight to Dangriga. Here you are met by an IE representative and shuttle you to your first night’s accommodation. For those arriving after 4pm, you may need to consider coming in a day before.
Departure from Belize: You will stay on the cayes for the last night of your trip. The following morning after breakfast, our charter boat will bring you back to the mainland – usually arriving around 9:00 am. On your return to Dangriga the group will be taken to our Operations Base. Here you can pick up your luggage, change, and then make your connections for further travel in Belize or your international flight home.
Travel note: For those making connections home on this last day, international connections departing Belize should be booked after 1 PM. You will require a 20 minute flight from Dangriga to the International Airport at a cost of approx. $115 USD per person and we are happy to make this reservation for you in advance. We will have a vehicle waiting to take you to the Dangriga airstrip.
For those departing Belize the following day we offer a Dangriga to Belize City Flight & Biltmore Hotel Package. Package Cost: Single – $260 USD, Double – $190 USD per person, Triple – $170 USD per person, Quad – $155 USD per person.
Note: You will be carrying your personal equipment and clothing in waterproof bags which go into the hatches of each kayak. Our Staff will supply each person with a number of 20 litre bags for this purpose.
Please note: All itineraries are subject to change depending on weather or safety considerations. Flexibility as our guest and as an international traveler is the key to an awesome experience
Accommodation…
While out on the cayes we kayak from 2 different islands along the southern barrier reef and stay in small Belizean-owned lodges. Facilities include running water and fully serviced bathrooms where we stay. We stay a total of 5 nights along the eastern edge of the barrier reef and the next morning after breakfast we take a water taxi back to the mainland in time to make your flight connections home or connect with the next stage of your trip.
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| Night 1: Bocawina Lodge | Nights 2 & 3: Glover’s Reef | Nights 4-6: Tobacco Caye |
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What’s Included… 1. All meals, accommodation, and transfers described in the tour |
What’s Not Included… 1. Gratuities |
Fly-fishing… There is now a $25 bz ($12.50 USD) fishing license for fly-fishing within the reserve at Glover’s Reef. New regulations require that all fishing is catch and release and that anglers use barbless hooks. You can get your license before arriving in Belize here. We will have new Fishing Kayaks available for your use at our Glover’s Reed Base Camp.[read more]
FLYFISHING
The best fishing is done right from where we stay, particularly if there are accessible sand flats, mangroves, or abrupt drop-offs. When paddling or sailing your kayak you can troll a weight forward or sinking line. This is a good way to catch barracuda, grouper, or snapper.
For bonefish, you want to have a 7, 8, or 9 weight rod, nine-foot or slightly longer depending on the size of the fish and the flies you are using. A 5 or 6 weight stream fishing rod will do for smaller bonefish and can be great fun, but you will wish you had heavier gear if you hook into a 3 or 4-pound fish. Effective bonefish flies are Crazy Charlies #4, #6, #8 in gold, tan & pink; Horror’s # 4, 6, 8 in orange, and Snapping Shrimp # 4, 6 in tan. A heavier tippet of 10-12 lb will hold up well in the shallow coral and rubble-strewn waters. The heavier rod weights will work for jacks and barracuda as well. If you plan to fish for tarpon we suggest 10, 11 or 12 weight rods.
Apart from matching the right reel to the type of fish, you are going after, the most important thing is a reel that can handle the harsh saltwater conditions. You need to be religious about washing your reel in freshwater each day, particularly if you are using the reel you bought for trout fishing at home. Many of the fish you will hook are fast and unbelievably strong, therefore your reel should hold a minimum of 150 yards of backing, and 20 to 30 pounds test or more for tarpon. A weight-forward tapered floating line is good for bonefish – you will want a sinking line as well for tarpon. If you are serious about your fly-fishing you should bring an extra line with you. Nine to twelve-foot leaders are fine – heavier and shorter leaders are easier to use within the difficult, windy conditions that are often encountered on the Belize reef. 2X & 4X for calm conditions in shallow waters and 1X, 0X, or 02X are also okay.
Barracuda, grouper, jacks, snapper, mackerel, and tarpon are some of the more prized fish we catch with spin-casting gear or simple bait-trolling rigs. Fly-fishing for bonefish is best at Glovers Reef. It is catch and release only and you will need to bring your own gear. Our Lighthouse Reef trips are not as well suited for flats fishing, as there is a 1-mile square “no fishing/no-take” zone on Halfmoon Caye. We do Belizean handline fishing at both Basecamps, where to travel outside park boundaries to fish for the pot.
However, for people that love fishing, here are some suggestions on what to bring:
TACKLE
The type of tackle that you bring with you will depend on what type of fish you want to catch and how serious you are about fishing. With many hundreds of miles of fishing grounds, Belize is a superb sport-fishing destination. In Belize, bonefish, tarpon, barracuda, jacks, and king mackerel are most common. Permits are also a prime catch but can be very difficult to find.
If you are bringing your own equipment the following list of items may be useful:
- Small spin-casting rod and reel (6-12 1b test)
- 100 yds of 20-50lb test fishing line for hand-line fishing
- 5-10 wire leaders
- A small assortment of single hooks and a very large hook for trolling bait
- Silver/pink/green trolling and casting spoons, large Rapalas, or Tomic plug.
- A variety of weights
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Scuba Divers… There are some great opportunities to scuba dive on the Paradise Islands trip. Optional diving is available for certified divers on certain days of the trip.
The Belize Barrier Reef offers great wall dives, as well as gentle slopes.
For those who’d like to try diving for the first time, we can arrange Discover Scuba courses or diving sessions with advance notice.[read more]Scuba Diving Rates…(average rate) $75 USD – single dive, $125 USD – 2 dive package with BC and Reg, $165 USD – 3 dive package with BC and Reg.
Surrounding our Island Basecamps are wall dives, channel dives, wrecks, and stunning marine life waiting to be discovered. Diving is available at Glovers Reef, Lighthouse Reef, and at Tobacco Caye but is not operated us and thus not always guaranteed on every departure. We work with different dive operators for each of our individual trips.
Diving equipment is available for rent through the operator or you can bring your own BC and regulator.
Scuba Divers, Please Come Prepared…
- Dive cards are required by the operator, please bring them with you along with a credit card for payment.
- BCD sizes need to be submitted to us ahead of time.
- If a wetsuit rental is needed, sizes will need to be submitted ahead of time.
- Guests should have their own snorkel & mask ready for the dive.
- Diving costs will be paid directly to the dive operator.
- Our guides will facilitate this activity by connecting guests with the operator on arrival.[/read]
Single Traveler Policy
Our standard trip pricing is based on double occupancy. Solo guests will be charged a Single Supplement fee and get private accommodations for the entire trip.
Private Room: Paradise Islands – $475 USD
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 Airlines, American 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.
