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Activities:
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Sea Kayaking
in Belize
With Island Expeditions you have the choice
of sea kayaking from our island base camps on Glover's Reef
and Lighthouse Reef, or journeying between islands on a classic
sea kayak expedition along the pristine southern Barrier Reef.
Tropical sea kayaking in Belize means crystal clear waters,
thousands of coral reefs, extremely abundant and varied marine
life, camping on remote and undisturbed tropical cayes and
enjoying balmy evenings under the stars. The water temperatures
in Belize range from 78f - 80f during the months of December
and January, warming to 80f - 82f in February through August.
On
each trip we begin with expert and personalized instruction
covering the fundamentals of sea kayaking to get you started.
On your adventure holiday you have the opportunity to learn
paddle strokes, bracing strokes, self rescues and group rescues,
then move on to hone advanced skills like kayak sailing or
even learning to roll your kayak. On Island Expeditions trips
you have a choice of double and single kayaks. Our double
kayaks are rigged with sails enabling us to travel with the
northeasterly tradewinds. Single kayaks, which are more agile
and responsive, are selected for performance and stability,
doubly important in Belize as we use our kayaks as a base
to snorkel from.
Kayaking
trips in the tropics differ from northern climates in that
much of our exploration is under the water amongst the coral
reefs. A typical day will include paddling/sailing from one
location to another stopping along the way to snorkel. We
take advantage of the northeasterly tradewinds to fill our
sails for many exciting traveling days. The protection of
the Barrier Reef and atolls along with shallow inshore waters
provide one of the best places in the world for sea kayaking.
The following trips involve sea kayaking and snorkeling Coral Islands & Mayan Caves , Glovers Reef
and Mayan Caves, Lighthouse Reef Adventure, Ultimate
Adventure and the Coral
Jaguar Expedition
Kayak
Sailing
All our double kayaks are equipped with custom-designed
sails to take advantage of the trade winds. Novice through
expert kayakers will find the sails easy-to-handle after instruction
from your guides. Sea kayaking in the warm waters of Belize
would be incomplete without the chance to raise sail and run
with the prevailing northeasterly trade winds. Trips that
allow us to set sail include the Glovers Reef & River of Caves, Lighthouse Reef Adventure, the Coral Islands & Mayan Caves , the Ultimate
Adventure, and the Coral
Jaguar Expedition. |
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River
Kayaking
Paddling
a river through the rainforest is an exceptional experience. The rivers we run are chosen for superb scenery and wildlife
viewing, and combine flat-water, underground paddling, and exhilarating
whitewater challenges. If you are at all interested in exploring
the rainforests be sure to look into our diverse selection of river
trips -there is no better way to experience the true nature of the
tropical rainforests!
Island
Expeditions has pioneered many river descents in Belize, and
our highly experienced Mayan rainforest guides combined with
our North American river guides, enable us to take you on
multi-day river trips through remote rainforest wilderness.
Our Mayan guides have impressive credentials - on top of a
lifetime of experience in the rainforest, our top guides have
been chosen to lead National Geographic expeditions and major
expeditions for the Belize Zoo and the Belize Audubon Society.
Our North American leaders are veteran river guides, and are
trained and certified in Extended Wilderness First Aid.
Trips
in Belize that involve multi-day river travel include the following:
 Ultimate Adventure
Coral
Jaguar Expedition |
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Whitewater Kayaking
Paddling specially designed two-person inflatable river kayaks which
combine the stability of a raft with the ease and performance of
a kayak, we navigate some of the most exciting waters that Belize has to offer. Travertine, or pool-drop, rapids are common in the rivers of southern Belize and offer accessible whitewater river experiences to paddlers of all levels. Our specially trained Mayan guides, and North American leaders will lead you through fantasic pristine rainforest settings with warm water paddling through exciting rapids, boulder guardens, and pour-overs.
Our trips that have whitewater on the river experiences include the following:
Ultimate Adventure
Coral
Jaguar Expedition |
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Snorkeling
Belize is renowned for having the richest
coral reefs in the entire Caribbean - miles upon miles of
shallow protected waters with thousands of patch reefs, ideal
for first-time snorkelers. Undersea walls, spur and groove
coral formations and deep water channels provide lots of challenge
and excitement for experienced snorkelers. Initially, we enter
the water from a beach but as our skill level increases we
learn to enter and exit the water from our kayaks enabling
you to experience longer and deeper dives, wall dives as well
as spectacular drift snorkels as you float alongside an unexplored
coral reef with the bowline of your kayak in hand. Often a
highlight of the snorkeling experience is joining your Belizean
guide as they use their remarkable skills to hunt for lobster,
conch and fish amongst the coral reefs. Of course an added
benefit is our evening feast of fresh caught seafood cooked
up over an open fire on a deserted Caribbean island!
On
our sea kayak trips we take you to the most pristine snorkeling
areas where we are able to explore reefs and islands where
few other people have been. We are not only sightseeing in
this underwater paradise, with marine biologists, naturalists
and Belizean fishermen as your guides, you are able to learn
a great deal about the corals and marine life you see while
snorkeling. Around camp in the mornings and evenings your
guides will teach you their knowledge of the incredible life
that exists beneath the tropical seas. Trips that involve
snorkeling are the Coral Islands & Mayan Caves, the Glovers
Reef and Mayan Caves, Lighthouse
Reef Adventure the Ultimate
Adventure and the Coral
Jaguar Expedition |
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Diving
Glover's Reef Atoll offers spectacular diving.
Surrounding our island basecamp are wall dives, channel dives,
wrecks and stunning marine life waiting to be discovered.
The dive operator provides top quality dive gear for rent
or you can bring your own BC and regulator. The dive operator, can provide resort
courses and certification with advance notice. The trips best
suited for people interested in scuba diving is our Glovers Reef & River of Caves, Lighthouse
Reef Adventure, Ultimate
Adventure program. Scuba diving is not included in
trip prices- please call us at 1 800 667 1630 for costs to
add scuba diving to your trip. |
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Fishing
Turquoise
waters, a light breeze rising with the sun over the eastern horizon,
and a dawn that holds the promise of bell clear skies. Imagine yourself
stalking bonefish on expansive flats with a 9-weight rod, a selection
of proven flies in your hip pack and the whole day before you to
fish and enjoy. Or try your hand at Belizean style trolling from
your kayak with a dollar hook, wire leader and bait cut just right
to entice a patrolling barracuda to take you on a wild ride.
These
are some of the fishing experiences available on our sea kayak
trips in Belize. We'll help you plan your trip and we'll bring
you to some of the most productive fishing grounds in the
Caribbean. Our Belizean guides can show you how to prepare
bait , where to go, or for an exceptional and unique experience,
why not accompany your guides as they free dive to hunt for
fish, conch and lobster. On river trips machaca, tuba and
snook are in the rivers. Little is known as the best ways
to catch these fish so count on experimenting with different
gear and techniques. Call
1-800-667-1630 to discover more about the many fishing opportunities
that await in Belize.
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Sea-Breathe™
Exclusive
to Island Expeditions Co. and our Glovers Reef & River of Caves program, the Sea-Breathe system is an underwater
breathing apparatus designed to accommodate two divers at once.
Built into a special kayak, this battery- powered system pumps surface
air through a standard dive regulator providing 30 minutes of air
supply to depths of 20 to 25 feet. No Scuba Certification is required. |
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Exploring
the World of Maya
Our discovery of the Maya world involves both
historical and contemporary exploration. We take you to the
classic Mayan sites - Lamanai, Altun Ha, Chau Hiix, Lubaantun,
Xunaantunich, as well as the Tiger Hill, Actun Tunichil Muknal, Caves Branch,
and Hokeb Ha cave systems. Our most comprehensive exploration
of the Maya culture in Central America occurs on our popular
two day Maya World trip.
The Kekchi and Mopan Maya not only exist in the
ruins and artifacts of a time gone by; they are a vibrant
and thriving culture in Belize today. Our interaction with
Mayan villagers and time spent with our Mayan guides provide
a unique insight into how the Mayan people have evolved into
the modern age! Our Maya World
Extension, Lighthouse
Reef Adventure Ultimate
Adventure, Coral Islands & Mayan Caves and Glovers Reef & River of Caves take us into areas with ancient Mayan Ruins or
Mayan Ceremonial Caves
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Wildlife Viewing
Wherever you are in Belize, there are chances of coming face to face with a strange and wonderful creature. Whether you are on a hike in the rainforest, diving into the touquoise waters on the outter atolls, or paddling along a jungle river you will see a variety of birds, fish, reptiles, or mammals. The list of animals that are seen in the field is too long to list here, but be assured that wherever you are in Belize, in a natural setting, something lurks just around the corner to take your breath away.
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Ecology and Marine Biology
The abundance of flora and fauna found in Belize is startling. There is much to learn, and much to know about this strange and wonderful world. The tropical world of Central America is certainly a foreign environment, but learning and exploring with local guides that have a lifetime experience living and working in the environment, combined with Marine Biologists make a huge difference in interpreting and understanding the world around you. It is the marrying of these elements that often sets Island Expeditions trips apart from the rest. Whether you are paddling a remote rainforest river, or sea kayaking a patch reef 40 miles from the mainland, we will lead and teach you about this amazing part of the world.
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Caving
Because of the porous limestone/karst geology
and humidity of Belize, the land is riddled with literally
thousands of caves. Through many of our trips, we explore
caves that were at one time Mayan ceremonial centers. Surrounding
ourselves with fantastic flow-stone formations, delicate cave
pearls, and translucent draperies of calcium carbonate, we
begin to understand why these caves were held so sacred by
the Maya. In each of the caves we find centuries-old artifacts
or learn of the rituals, symbols and mythology of the ancients
from our local guides. Our Ultimate
Adventure, Coral Islands & Mayan Caves and Glovers Reef & River of Caves trips take us into some of the most interesting
cave systems in Belize. |
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Hiking
There is no better way to experience the extraordinary
sights and sounds of the rainforest than a hike into the bush
with your local guide. At the Tropical Education Center, Blue
Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, along the banks of the Moho or the
South Stann Creek Rivers, there are a number of excellent
cut trails, which give us a remarkable opportunity to explore
the exotic world of the broadleaf tropical rainforest. On
our Coral Jaguar Expedition , there is an 5 mile hike through the Cockscomb Basin
Jaguar Reserve into the river put-in. For this trip, porters have been arranged to carry group gear such as boats, kitchen, and tents,
and can be arranged for carrying personal gear as well. There
are also some hiking opportunities through interpretive trails
on our Glovers Reef & River of Caves, Paradise Islands, Coral Islands & Mayan Caves, Ultimate
Adventure, Maya World Extension |
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Photography
Belize
is a country where every turn seems to lead to a great picture.
From excited kids swarming a village street in their school
uniforms, an wizened sombre face framed by a weathered wooden-shuttered
window, a wild peccary rooting on a riverbank or an awe-filled
panorama as the morning sun burns off the rainforest mist
in the Maya Mountains. These are some of the timeless images
that await the traveler. Most of the images on this website
have been taken on Island Expeditions trips and provide a
good sense of the photographic opportunities that await you
with Island Expeditions in Belize.
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Birding
Beautiful Belize bosts some of the best birding in the Americas. Supporting over 540 species of Birds recorded, but over 20% migratory visitors, escaping winter in Northern climates. Although there is great birding virtually anywhere in Belize, most people interested in viewing as many species as possible head inland to the rainforests, and waterways of the country. Probably the most popular spot for birding is the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, in northern Belize, whose lagoons and swamps support a huge variety of birds that become more and more concentrated duruing the dry-season, including the Jabiru Stork - the largest bird in the Americas. |
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Yoga
A few years ago we introduced Yoga practice and instruction to a few select basecamp departures. After just a few sessions, with a magnificient backdrop of the sun rising over the Caribbean, we were wondering why it took us so long to join the two! Our guests - most of whom had never tried Yoga - told us how much they enjoyed the daily practice. Not only is Yoga a perfect form of excercise to loosen up before or after our day of active adventures, it also brings relaxation, balance and mindfulness to ease away the complexities and stresses of our busy lives.
Join us for yoga by the sea at Glovers Reef or Lighthouse Reef for on select departures during our season. Please call or email for details. |
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Kids Kayaks
New to our island basecamps are a fleet of kid-friendly boats that are designed for smaller paddlers in mind. |
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