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Planning & Packing for Belize

Packing for your Paradise Islands Trip

Essential Information that you need to review prior to your departure

Essential Information that you need to review prior to your departure

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Click here for  General Packing Tips

Paradise Islands Specific Information 

On your first evening at our mainland accommodation your inland guides will talk with you about packing for this trip. You will be provided with dry bags if needed and informed how your gear is moved and stored. When you arrive in Dangriga at the boat dock your gear that is going with you will be loaded onto the motor boat. Your leave-behind luggage will be stored in our office in Dangriga until you return at the end of your trip.  Please ensure your name is clearly marked on your bag and that you do not leave any passports, money, electronics, or other valuables in your bag.  These items should always travel with you.   

We advise you bring a small personal dry bag (5-10 liter) for your documents, camera, etc., that you can carry in the cockpit of your kayak and have handy on motorboat trips.  It is especially important that electronic equipment such as digital cameras, video cameras, etc. is fully waterproofed on the boat ride to and from the reef.

PLEASE NOTE: we cannot be deemed responsible for people’s personal property while travelling.  There are a variety of luggage and personal property insurance policies available to purchase.

A few tips …

  • Bring some colour ribbon to tie to your dry bags so you are quickly able to identify your bags from others. 
  • Consider bringing some ziplock and larger plastic bags to line these dry bags and to separate wet from dry in the same bag. 
  • Each day you should be managing two sets of clothing; one wet for the sea and one dry for the evening. 
  • A sturdy pair of sport sandals or water shoes is very important.

Personal Packing List

  • 1 pair light running shoes or hikers
  • 1 pair watersport sandals or water shoes (Teva’s or Keens are a good choice) 
  • 1 or 2 pair lightweight quick-dry long pants
  • Underwear
  • 2-3 pairs of socks
  • 2 pair quick-dry nylon shorts and/or loose skirt or sarong
  • 1 bathing suit
  • 3 t-shirts
  • 2 long sleeve shirts preferably with a collar (for protection from the sun & bugs).  
  • 1 fleece jacket (this will keep you warm even when wet)
  • 1 good quality rain jacket
  • 1 wide brimmed sunhat or lightweight baseball cap (to keep the sun off your face and neck)
  • Sunglasses with band (Chums, Croakies, etc.)
  • 1 bandana or buff (handy for sun protection)
  • 1 headlamp and spare batteries 
  • Small (10L) dry bag for camera, wallet, phone, snacks, etc
  • Small day-pack
  • Mask, fins, snorkel *IMPORTANT*.  Please click here for more information on snorkel gear
  • Shortie wet suit, especially for kids (not essential but water temperatures in Dec. and Jan. can be cooler)
  • Capilene or other synthetic long underwear (great for snorkeling)
  • 1 liter water bottle
  • 1 or 2 Beach/Bath Towels
  • Toiletries, personal medication and prescriptions
  • Small personal First Aid Kit: i.e. Band-Aids, aspirin/Tylenol, scissors, tweezers, safety pins 
  • Sunscreen - Please click here for more information on biodegradable reef-friendly sunblock & soap.  We do highly recommend the use of environmental products if you are certain the product does work for you
  • Vaseline, Aloe Vera lotion, or skin care cream
  • Caladryl/After Bite/Benadryl Cream or lotion to ease itching from bug bites
  • Insect repellent (20 - 100% Deet)
  • 2 to 3 garbage bags - serves as extra waterproofing protection and keeps wet gear separate 

Optional Packing List

  • Earplugs - there can be noise from the ocean, wind, wildlife and more, particularly noticeable at night & in the morning. 
  • Camera equipment – with waterproofing.
  • Binoculars 
  • Fishing rod and tackle 
  • 1 pair light cotton gloves/bike gloves (for protection from the sun/blisters when paddling)
  • Foot powder
  • Anti-Nausea medication if susceptible to motion sickness