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Itineraries
14-day beach & islands
The complete reef experience, atolls, whale sharks, Great Blue Hole, and three island perspectives.
Relaxed pace · 14 days
14 days
in Belize
Belize's Barrier Reef, 185 miles long and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, creates a protected corridor of calm, warm, clear water between the cayes and the open Caribbean. San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia each offer a completely different island experience.
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve, nurse sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles in 30 feet of water
- Great Blue Hole, 1,000 ft across, 450 ft deep; Jacques Cousteau's top 10 dive list
- Caye Caulker's 'Go Slow' culture, no cars, no rush, the best snorkelling value in Belize
- Gladden Spit whale sharks (March to June full moon), largest gathering in the Western Hemisphere
- Placencia's 17-mile peninsula, Belize's finest mainland beach and best restaurant scene
Phase 01
Island arrival
01
Days 1 to 3
Ambergris Caye, San Pedro
Three days on the island. Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley on Day 2; Turneffe Atoll day trip on Day 3, the closest coral atoll to the mainland, exceptional for diving and world-famous for Grand Slam fly fishing (bonefish, permit, tarpon).
02
Day 4
Great Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef
Full-day liveaboard to Lighthouse Reef. The Great Blue Hole is 1,000 feet across and 450 feet deep, with massive stalactite formations from a collapsed cave system. Jacques Cousteau named it one of the world's top 10 dive sites. Combine with Half Moon Caye Natural Monument to see nesting frigatebirds and red-footed boobies at the elevated bird platform.
03
Day 5
Ambergris Caye, Recovery + Water Sports
Rest day or water sports: parasailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, or a spa afternoon at one of the island's resort spas. San Pedro's north end has some of the best sunset viewing in the country.
185 miles of barrier reef. All yours.
The second-largest coral reef system in the world, and Belize has it entirely to itself.
Browse island regionsPhase 02
Reef & diving
04
Day 6
Caye Caulker
Water taxi south to Caye Caulker, the laid-back contrast to San Pedro's energy. 'Go Slow' is both motto and lifestyle: no cars, no agenda. Swim at The Split, kayak the lagoon side, and settle in for an easy evening.
05
Day 7
Caye Caulker, Manatees + Reef
Morning manatee snorkel tour to Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary. Afternoon: windsurfing on the lagoon (constant trade winds in a protected area) or second reef snorkel from Caye Caulker's own boat operators.
06
Day 8
Tobacco Caye
Boat south from Caye Caulker (or from Dangriga) to Tobacco Caye, a 5-acre island sitting directly on the Barrier Reef. Snorkel right off the beach. This is one of the simplest, most direct reef experiences in Belize.
07
Days 9 to 10
Placencia
Domestic flight or water taxi to Placencia on the 17-mile peninsula. Two days: explore the village and Sidewalk, kayak the lagoon, and take a day trip to Monkey River for howler monkeys and crocodiles.
08
Day 11
Gladden Spit / Silk Cayes (seasonal) or Glover's Reef
March to June: whale sharks at Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, the world's most accessible whale shark aggregation event during full moon snapper spawning. Other months: Glover's Reef, a UNESCO marine reserve accessed from Dangriga with pristine diving and accommodation on private cayes.
Phase 03
Go slow
09
Days 12 to 13
Glover's Reef or South Water Caye
Two days at a remote reef destination: Glover's Reef (Caribbean's most pristine atoll, accessed from Dangriga, accommodation from tent to thatched water-bungalow) or South Water Caye (Belize's largest marine protected area, UNESCO World Heritage Site, snorkel off the beach at the reef drop-off).
10
Day 14
Departure via Belize City
Domestic flight from Dangriga or Placencia to Belize City for international connections.
Insider tip
A 14-day trip is the minimum needed to visit all three of Belize's coral atolls (Turneffe, Lighthouse Reef, and Glover's Reef). The Great Blue Hole dive at Lighthouse Reef requires a full day and should be prioritised when visibility is highest, typically February to April.
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