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While Belize’s mainland has lots to offer, it’s the tropical paradise off its Caribbean coast that steals the show. Home to the second-biggest barrier reef in the world, Belize’s coastline is dotted with more than 450 coral-created islands known as cayes. The best things to do in the beautiful cayes—fringed with palm trees and colorful coral gardens—involve diving, snorkeling, or chilling in a hammock. But there’s more too, from soaking up the laid-back Caribbean-cool vibes of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye to exploring desert islands and relaxing in private resorts.
The best time to visit the cayes in Belize is in the dry season—roughly December–March. This is also the best time to go diving and snorkeling as the water is clearest. However, the trade-off is that it’s also the busiest. Travelers hoping to avoid crowds should try November or April or staying on a private resort island. You can visit the cayes in the rainy season, but it's trickier, especially since squally seas can mean canceled ferries.
The best way to get around the cayes is by boat, with ferries and water taxis running daily from Belize City to bigger islands such as Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Smaller private boats head to more remote resort islands. Ambergris Caye is accessible by air; flights from the mainland to San Pedro Airport take around 15 minutes. Or, take island-hopping day trips from the mainland and join dive and snorkeling tours to Belize Barrier Reef and Blue Hole.
Most visitors stay on Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye and take day trips to hot spots like Lighthouse Reef, home of the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye, or Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark-Ray Alley. Travelers looking for solitude with their sun, sea, and sand can stay on Belize’s smaller and more scenic islands. Highlights include Tobacco Caye, South Water Caye, St. George’s Caye—home to Belize’s biggest settlement in the 1800s—and Southwest Caye on Glover’s Reef Atoll, a marine reserve.
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There are around 450 cayes (islands) in Belize. Although the two biggest cayes—Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye—are the most commonly visited, there are lots of other islands that travelers can visit on day trips or for overnight stays, including Tobacco Caye, South Water Caye, St. George’s Caye, and Turneffe Atoll.
...MoreCaye is a word that describes small islands made up of sand and coral (and the odd palm tree) and formed around coral reefs. Belize is home to the world’s second biggest coral reef—the Belize Barrier Reef—and most of its islands are part of this marine ecosystem.
...MoreThere are so many cayes in Belize that it can be tough to choose a favorite. Most travelers tend to base themselves on either Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker and take day trips out to other cayes, like Half Moon Caye, St. George’s Caye, South Water Caye, and Tobacco Caye.
...MoreThe easiest Belize caye to get to is Ambergris Caye. Travelers can either fly or take a ferry from Belize City, with multiple boats running daily. From Ambergris Caye, it’s also easy to get to Belize Barrier Reef and some of Belize’s best diving spots, including the Blue Hole.
...MoreYes, it’s easy to island-hop around Belize’s many cayes, islands, and atolls. While overnight island-hopping trips are possible, most travelers join private or group day trips and tours from Belize City, Ambergris Caye, or Caye Caulker. Or, take a day trip to Laughing Bird Caye or Silk Caye from Placencia.
...MoreYes, there are ferries and water taxis running multiple times daily from Belize City to both Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. Travelers can also take private boats out to Tobacco Caye and other smaller islands or hop on day trips and tours to the cayes from Belize City.
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