Are you looking for a little paradise on earth where time stands still? Caye Caulker is a tropical island that is part of the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere with unique marine life. It is not uncommon to swim here alongside schools of rays, dolphins, or sea turtles. On Caye Caulker, you can enjoy a laid-back vibe, beautiful sunsets, snorkeling trips, and delicious cuisine. In this article, you’ll discover my tips for things to do on Caye Caulker in Belize, inluding beautiful places to stay, amazing tours and why you should definitely visit this perfect island.
The motto of Caye Caulker in Belize is “Go Slow,” and it’s easy to adopt that laid-back mindset here. This tropical island, just eight kilometers long and one kilometer wide, welcomes you with swaying palm trees, a gentle sea breeze, reggae beats, and an incredibly relaxed vibe. Completely car-free, the island’s only transportation consists of bicycles and small golf carts ferrying people and luggage. Most residents live in Caye Caulker village, with its c unpaved streets and numerous colorful houses.
As soon as you arrive on Caye Caulker, all the hustle and bustle of daily life instantly melts away. This laid-back island lets you soak up the sun, swim in turquoise waters, and fully embrace its relaxed vibe for days on end. Believe me, Caye Caulker is one of those places you never want to leave. Here are my top tips for the best things to do on Caye Caulker, Belize, to help you make the most of your stay.
Swimming with rays, starfish, dolphins, and sharks? It is possible in Belize. One of the top things to do on Caye Caulker is for sure, to go on a snorkeling tour, which takes you to the most beautiful spots around the island. You’ll visit the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where you swim alongside countless species of fish, coral, sponges, sea turtles, rays, and sometimes even manatees. At Shark Ray Alley, you won’t believe your eyes when hundreds of sharks over 2 meters long swim around you. Fortunately, these are Nurse Sharks, which are not dangerous. It’s a thrilling and unforgettable experience, especially as they brush past you while rays glide along the ocean floor below.
Do you want to enjoy a snorkeling tour on Caye Caulker Belize? You can find a great and professional organised tour here.
What’s better than ending the day with a stunning sunset over the Caribbean Sea? On Caye Caulker, you can book sunset cruises from several spots around the island. Picture this: the sky turns orange and pink, reggae music plays softly in the background, a cold drink in hand, and a gentle breeze in your hair: the ultimate holiday feeling in my opinion. And if you’re lucky, playful dolphins might even join you for part of the ride, making the experience feel truly magical.
I joined a sunset tour with El Ben Cabañas, which offers a catamaran-style boat complete with wine, tropical cocktails, fresh ceviche, and tasty snacks, everything you need for a perfect evening on the water.
It is also possible to book a sunset tour from the split, you can book a tour here.
The small village on Caye Caulker is a charming place to explore, with just a handful of streets lined with pastel-colored houses, perfect for taking some beautiful photos. Wander beyond the main road, Front Street, and you’ll get a genuine glimpse of local life in the quieter backstreets.
Caye Caulker is car-free, with only golf carts allowed, making it perfect for exploring by bike. One of the best things to do on Caye Caulker to see the island is to rent a bike and cross the Split using the “split to split” ferry to reach the quieter northern side. Here, where hotel El Ben is located, you’ll cycle through peaceful nature, with plenty of stops for beaches or a bite to eat. Bikes can be rented at most hotels or in town.
If you arrive on Caye Caulker by plane, you’ll immediately spot it from above: The Split. This narrow channel was created by a hurricane and now divides the island into two parts. Today, it’s home to The Lazy Lizard, the island’s lively hangout spot, perfect for enjoying music, drinks, and a swim. You’ll find sunbeds to relax on, or you can rent a SUP board or kayak if you’re up for a bit of adventure.
When people think of Belize, the iconic Great Blue Hole often comes to mind. This giant, perfectly circular marine sinkhole lies within the Belize Barrier Reef, near Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Formed during the last ice age as a limestone cave, it later collapsed and flooded as sea levels rose, leaving behind massive underwater stalactites that divers can still admire today. The Great Blue Hole measures an impressive 318 meters across and plunges 124 meters deep, covering over 70,000 square meters. Seen from above, it’s a breathtaking sight, and together with the Belize Barrier Reef, it holds a well-deserved place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
One of the most famous things to do on Caye Caulker is taking a flight over the Great Blue Hole. In a small plane with no more than 10 passengers, you’ll soar above this incredible natural wonder. The 40-minute flight gives you plenty of time to admire the stunning deep blue sinkhole from multiple angles. You can easily book this experience through Tropic Air or Maya Island Air.
The Great Blue Hole is also one of the most special places to dive because of the numerous sharks, turtles, rays, corals, and stalactites you’ll encounter. Jacques Cousteau even named it one of the top 10 dive spots in the world. But to get the most out of your dive visit, you need to have some experience.
A visit to Iguana Reef Inn is one of the must things to do and see on Caye Caulker, especially if you want to catch a beautiful sunset. It’s also the perfect spot to see stingrays gliding in the shallow water and search for tiny seahorses hiding among the mangroves. You’ll need a bit of patience to spot them, but once you do, more will soon follow.
Every afternoon, stingrays swim right up to the shore at Iguana Reef to feed. While feeding wild animals is usually discouraged, this is part of a protected reserve where, according to our guide, it’s done with care and respect. Seeing these graceful creatures so close was unforgettable, and completely changed my view of rays, which I used to find a bit scary. At the same time, pelicans dive for fish just a few meters away, adding to the magic of the moment.
Just around the corner from The Lazy Lizard is Tarpon View, where huge tarpon swim in the water. These saltwater fish can grow up to 2.5 meters long and weigh as much as 150 kilos. At certain times, they’re fed and leap out of the water with their massive mouths wide open, a truly spectacular sight.
Every June, Caye Caulker hosts the Lobster Festival, a celebration marking the start of the lobster season. You can try freshly prepared lobster in all forms, grilled, in tacos, or stewed, while enjoying live music, beach parties, parades, and even a lobster cook-off competition. Traveling to Caye Caulker is definitely one of the things you want to do, when you are on the islands of Belize in June.
On Caye Caulker in Belize, most hotels are located in the south, close to restaurants, cafés, and The Split, the island’s most popular swimming spot. For more peace and space, head to the quieter north, where you’ll find stylish eco-lodges and beach resorts. Here are some of my tips but the island is small and laid-back, so no matter where you stay, everything is within easy reach.
One of the most beautiful places to stay on Caye Caulker is Hotel El Ben Cabañas. This complex is located directly by the sea, in the quiet part of the island. A boat takes you from the village on Caye Caulker to the pier in just 10 minutes.
El Ben Cabanas consists of several wooden cottages with comfortable rooms and balconies, spread over the grounds in a tropical garden. Everywhere you look, you see flowers, pelicans, and iguanas that have completely embraced the island’s slow life. And of course, you’ll want a cottage by the sea. It’s wonderful to relax in one of the two swimming pools, and the restaurant serves the best fish dishes on the island.
Do you also want to spend the night at El Ben? Check prices and availability here.
No room at El Ben? Or are you looking for a more modern vibe? Blu Zen is a stylish resort, located on the same side of Caye Caulker as El Ben. The modern apartments and villas offer views of the turquoise water and sit right on the beach. With a pool, yoga deck, restaurant, and wellness facilities, it’s the perfect place to fully relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the island’s southern side.
Curious about more hotels in Caye Caulker? You’ll find an overview here.
When booking your tours, try to choose a professional and eco-friendly organization. Here are some tips for booking tours on Caye Caulker.
It probably won’t surprise you when I tell you that you that Caye Caulker offers the most delicious fish dishes. But of course there are many great spots for a bite and a drink. Here are my tips for restaurants on Caye Caulker:
From the port in Belize City, ferries and water taxis depart several times a day, taking you to Caye Caulker in an hour. Check available routes, timeschedules and prices here. If you have a bit more money to spend and want to experience the Belize Barrier Reef from the air, book a flight from Belize City with Maya Air or Tropic Air. These are small planes, taking you to the island within 15 minutes. The views of the blue sea and the small islands are breathtakingly beautiful, making it already worth it. You can easily search, compare, and book flights via Skyscanner.
Almost everything on Caye Caulker island is within walking distance. Traveling with luggage? There are golf carts available to take you from point A to point B. Heading to a hotel on the other side of the Split, such as El Ben Cabañas? The hotel will arrange a boat for you. Renting a bike is an easy way to explore the island by yourself.
Planning a trip to Belize or just starting your research? In the next travel guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about traveling to Belize, including practical tips, essential travel info, and inspiration for where to go and what to see. Hopefully, my articles will help you get the most out of your trip, or convince you to add Belize to your travel bucket list.
Did you enjoy reading this article with tips and things to do on Caye Caulker in Belize? Let me take you on a further journey along the most beautiful destinations and attractions in Belize in the next articles.
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Are you interested in the world? Do you want to learn more about a country and its culture? Let me take you on a journey with Passport the World.
As a travel reporter, producer and tour guide, I have been traveling around the world for the last 20 years, looking for the most scenic places and stories that are worth sharing. In Passport the World, I am guiding you along scenic and cultural places, cities, art, viewpoints, hiking trails and unique experiences. To help you get the most out of your travels or to just get to know a country and culture better!
Are you interested in the world? Do you want to learn more about a country and its culture? Let me take you on a journey with Passport the World.
As a travel reporter, producer and tour guide, I have been traveling around the world for the last 20 years, looking for the most scenic places and stories that are worth sharing. In Passport the World, I am guiding you along scenic and cultural places, cities, art, viewpoints, hiking trails and unique experiences. To help you get the most out of your travels or to just get to know a country and culture better!
