"The best vacation in years! Great food, great people, great activities, great wildlife, great snorkeling, great water, great weather, great lodging, great variety. I'll be back."
Pat Owen
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Apr 16, 2007
"I have guided canoe trips in Canada ...and I cannot express how impressed I was with the efficiency of the entire organization from the day I booked until we completed our last trip"
Glynis Williams
Glovers Reef & Mayan Caves
March, 2008
“The staff and guides set my experience far above anything I could have desired. My arrival in Belize was three hours late, but Island Expeditions stepped up and took care of me like family.”
Steve Paladie
Glovers Reef & Mayan Caves
December, 2007
“Once again the trip was perfect and I’m recommending you to friends. Next time Lighthouse Reef!”
Albert Wald
Glovers Reef & Mayan Caves
December, 2007
This trip was one of the best vacations (if not the best) I have ever had. Each day was filled with terrific fun, challenging activities and wonderful food. Our group of 14 was from all over North America and we had great rapport. The guides were so knowledgeable and clearly love their jobs.
Patricia Evans
Keansburg, NJ
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Mar 19, 2007
I really think this is one of the best trips I have taken. It had plenty of variety and a schedule that wasn't too aggressive. I was able to get in two wall dives at middle key and long key, while still keeping my wife company and involved in the trip.
Glenn Honeyager
Delavan, WI
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Mar 26, 2007
"All in all, a true adventure to be reviewed, relived, relieved, rejoiced, and remembered."
Hilary Clark Cole & Alex Tilley
(Of Tilley Endurables) www.tilley.com
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Jan 13, 2006
"Excellent organization, excellent trip, great country, outstanding knowledgeable guides and outstanding food. I really enjoyed the fact that guides and us clients were really just one big happy group. Very knowledgeable staff re the country, culture and coral biology. I would highly recommend this trip and this company. We will be back in the future to try your other destinations!"
Greg Oconnor
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Mar 2, 2009
" Selected as one of the top adventure
trips by Outside Magazine in 2000 "
Glovers Reef & River of Caves - 7 Days / 8
Nights:
Float rainforest caves, then out to the white sand cayes of Glovers Atoll
On
arrival in Belize, before heading out to Glovers, we
have an opportunity to experience the diversity of the
rainforest and the rich Mayan culture of the interior.
Working with guides from the Belize Tropical Education
Center, our itinerary includes a rare chance to view
the nocturnal wildlife of Belize, and then, in the jungle,
we enjoy a leisurely float down a rainforest river with
inner large tubes, exploring a fantastic limestone cave.
Thirty
six miles offshore of the Belize mainland lie a group
of tropical islands cradled within a turquoise lagoon
and surrounded by a living coral reef. Glover's Reef
Atoll is considered to be one of the richest tropical
marine environments in the entire Caribbean. Our private
island base of over 13 acres is perched on the southern
edge of the atoll with a dramatic view facing east over
the main reef crest and the open Caribbean. Based from
our comfortable field camp we are fully equipped to
spend six and a half days sea kayaking and kayak sailing,
snorkeling, diving, and fishing. After
our adventures each day we like to reward ourselves
with a bounty of fresh seafood, island baking, tropical
fruits and yes, even rich, decadent deserts! Glovers
is ideal for those who wish to enjoy the comforts of
a well-appointed field camp yet want an active and flexible
day-to-day schedule. Exclusive to Glovers,
is our underwater Sea-Breathe System (TM) which provides
air for divers and non-divers to depths of 25 ft. Also
available are optional Scuba certification courses,
resort courses and equipment rentals.
"It was a top class trip. All your employees were top notch, very respectful, caring & professional. Every inter connection happened flawlessly."
Ewan Wilson
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Mar 9, 2009
Trip
Summary:
Begin
from: Belize City End in: Belize City Duration: 7
Days / 8 Nights Trip Departures & Prices: See Trip Schedule at bottom of this
page Group Size: 6-18 Guides: 2-4 North American & Belizean Leaders.
Accommodations: Tropical Education Center, Glovers Base Camp, Belize Biltmore Hotel.
Activities:
Rainforest Hiking, Caving, River Float Trip, Rainforest Canopy Zip Lining, Sea Kayaking (Paddling & Sailing), Snorkeling
(Conventional & with our Sea-Breathe System), Scuba
Diving (optional, cost not included in trip price), Fishing,
Birding, Photography, Natural & Cultural
History Interpretation
Trip
Route
Scuba
Divers... There are some great opportunities to scuba dive
at Glover's Reef. Optional diving is available for certified
divers on certain days of the trip. Single tank dives
are available from $50 US, with further discounts for
multi-tank dives. For first time divers we can offer,
a Discover Scuba for a subsidized rate, or you may be
able to take your Open Water Referral course. Please
let us know in advance. We can also arrange a variety
of dive packages before or after your trip. For further
information please contact our office.
"Living on a wooden floored tent, on an island made from coral, in a beautiful sea, under waving palm trees, surrounded with beautiful starry skies, must be a little bit of heaven on earth. Nature at her finest. No electricity, no loud boom boxes, no tv, or newspapers to blare negatives at their audiences. Gentle breezes touching wings of birds flying by, waves splashing on the sand and great people to communicate with. Thanks to one and all."
Wilma Rebick
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Jan 19, 2009
The
Setting...
One
of three atolls offshore of Belize, Glover's Reef was
named after the pirate John Glover who used this remote
offshore ring of islands and coral reefs as a base from
which to raid Spanish merchant ships. The shallow waters
offshore of Belize with innumerable coral reefs, mangroves
and small islands were ideal waters for pirates and
buccaneers to hide their raiding ships after plundering
Spanish galleons laden with riches, destined for the
Old World. Today, the attractions found within the atoll
(20 miles long by 7 miles wide) are the clarity of the
water and the remarkable profusion of marine life. In
1993, the atoll was declared a marine park, and 25%
of the area and lagoon was protected from fishing and
harvesting. To continue the conservation efforts to
preserve this extraordinary environment, the site was
designated as a World
Heritage Site, in 1996. We travel and explore this
area by sea-kayak, paddling and sailing the shallow
82 square mile lagoon with an unequaled variety of over
700 patch reefs. The reefs of Belize have long been
known as the richest in the Caribbean, and Glovers is
the best in Belize!
"The people were fantastic. I've never felt so welcome as a tourist in any country. Everyone in Belize says ‘hello and how are you’ even though we're clearly tourists. Mike and Adolpho were extremely knowledgeable guides for snorkeling. They were also great at sharing various aspects of Belizean culture with the group.
The weather was great. SO hot, but a perfect breeze to keep me happy!"
Susan Wiens
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
April 13, 2009
Typical
Daily Itinerary:
Day
0 : Arrive at the Belize International Airport, where you will be met by an Island Expeditions representative and transferred to the Tropical Education Center, adjacent to the Belize Zoo. Here we are able to explore the surrounding savannah forest through their network of interpretative trails and wildlife viewing platforms. There is also a great interpretive center, which details the diverse ecology of Belize, and is an ideal starting point for the adventure ahead. After checking into our rustic accommodations, we are greeted with a Belizean dinner where we have a chance to meet our fellow travelers. This day is your day to arrive before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers and acclimatize to your new tropical environment. Transfers from the airport are included. Accommodation: (Forest Cabanas) Meals: Dinner is included on this Day
Day
1 : Today begins with short drive along the Hummingbird Highway toward the River of Caves area of Belize. We begin with an interpretive trail through lush Rainforest to the cave entrance and then using inner tubes we embark on an enjoyable 2 hour float underground through a limestone cave system rich with classic formations including soda straw, flow stone, stalactite and stalagmite. After lunch we then head into the Rainforest Canopy for a unique opportunity to travel by a series of treetop platforms and zip-lines through the rainforest . In the evening we return to the Tropical Education Center to enjoy the evening in our beautiful tropical pine forest setting. After dinner we have a rare opportunity to have an exclusive nocturnal tour of the renowned Belize Zoo for an up close experience with the wildlife that inhabits the forests, wetlands and mountains of Belize. (please note this activity is by donation to the Belize Zoo and Conservation, we suggest $10 USD) Accommodation: (Forest Cabanas) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
2 - 6 : We depart early in the morning by charter boat out past the main Barrier Reef to our private base-camp on Southwest Caye, at Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve. We are introduced to our new environment and get settled into our accommodation. Once settled, the guides provide instruction, teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling and safety in the tropics. Then, we paddle out to a nearby patch reef and start to explore some of the 700 snorkel sites that Glover's Atoll has to offer.
Glover’s is one of only four atolls in the Caribbean Sea, and is truly the most spectacular marine environment in Belize. Due to its isolation from the mainland, the waters are exceptionally clear with inspiring scenery and a fabulously rich reef system that offers the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. We spend the days exploring the atoll with both single and double kayaks (rigged for sailing!). Our itinerary is flexible in order to respond to both group and individual desires and abilities. Activities include: sea kayaking, snorkeling the inner and outer walls of the reef, and learning to sail a kayak. For experienced snorkelers, guides can provide full instruction with our Sea-Breathe Diving System: a free floating air pump designed to provide air by hookah lines down to 20-25 feet. In the mornings and the evenings, we host informative sessions on a range of topics, providing an opportunity for guides to share their knowledge of Belize, the marine environments and local culture. Perhaps a high stakes game of Hermit Crab racing to finish the day! If all this sounds a little to busy you always have the choice of just kicking back in a hammock and relaxing with a good book and a cold drink. Accommodation: (Tent-Walled Cabanas) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:For our last morning at Glover's, the choice is yours. We may choose to don mask, snorkel and fins for a last visit to your favorite coral reef, or work the flats with your most productive Bonefish fly, before our motor charter comes to pick us up for the return ride to Dangriga. Here we arrive to a waiting vehicle that whisks us to the local airstrip for a flight to Belize City. Once airborne, we have the Manatee Lagoons over our left shoulder and the Belize Barrier Reef over our right, giving us an impressive view of Belize’s coastal topography from the Caribbean sea to the Maya Mountains. We end our journey with a comfortable night at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, where they have a wonderful pool-side courtyard and bar. Accommodation: (Hotel) Meals: B, L (Dinner is not included on this night)
Overall the trip was amazing and all the guides were helpful and knowledgeable. I really liked the education aspect of the trip and hope it will be certified as an ecotour in the future. I felt I contributed to the Belizean economy more than other companies offers. I learned more about the culture and it's wildlife and people in the process. I think I will have a greater respect for reef ecology and will try to do more to protect our oceans and nature.
Christine Mogle
Sunnyside, NY
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Jan 15, 2008
Equipment...
For the inland portion of the trip all caving and zipline safety gear is provided. While at our base-camp on Southwest Caye, guests have unrestricted use of the following equipment: Double Kayaks (outfitted with special sails), Single Kayaks, Sit-on-Top Dive Kayaks, Sea-Breath Dive System, Complete Research Library, Field Marine Lab including microscope and Hand Lenses, and Weather Station. On the island, ,we are in communication with the mainland via VHF marine radio
What's
Included...
All meals (fully catered) while you are at our Southwest Caye base-camp
Selection of chilled wines and rum are served with dinner, or as cocktails on some evenings
Unlimited use of our Equipment and facilities
Professional guide and sports instruction services with Belizean Guides and North American leaders
All accommodations including lodge on 'Day 0' and hotel the night after the trip ends.
Glovers Reef Marine Park fees of $25US per person
Belize 9% Hotel tax
Belize 10% Sales Tax
Cave Entrance Fees
Comprehensive pre-trip information package
Financial Support for Conservation and Education programs in Belize
Charter flight from Dangriga to Belize City after the trip
What's
Not Included...
Gratuities
Donation for Belize Zoo Tour
International Flights & Airport Departure Tax
Snorkeling or Dive Gear & Scuba Diving fees
Extra
costs due to late Arrivals and other circumstances beyond
our control
I would absolutely encourage others to join your offering in Belize. The Trip ran extremely smoothly and people really enjoyed the pace. The food was outstanding! Belize needs to be visited via one of IEC trips.
Eva Cooper
Ottawa, ON
Glovers Reef & River of Caves
Mar 19, 2008
Accommodation...
On Day 0, Day 1, we spend the night at the Tropical Education Center. The Education Center has comfortable, rustic accommodations in a beautiful pine savannah setting. The Center has a fantastic interpretative center and harbors Belize's largest collection of tropical animals, with a great network of trails and wildlife viewing platforms, perfect for exploring this rare forest environment.
On Day 2 to 6 at Southwest Caye, we are "base camping", sleeping in tent-walled cabanas. These spacious safari-style tents are have ample headroom to walk around and are on raised wooden floors with double or single beds. On the island, we have a fully equipped kitchen, fresh-water collection system for drinking water, access to fresh-water showers and modern composting toilets, We also have a large dining area, resource library lounge,
On the final night we will be staying in Belize City. Our ccommodations are at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, a comfortable, modern hotel with a inviting pool-side courtyard and bar. The Belize International Airport is a short cab ride from the hotel, which can be arranged through the front desk. The hotel also has a tour desk that can help you arrange activities if you are planning on staying longer. in the Belize City area.
A
Note About the Ecology...
Flora...
Belize's
Barrier Reef is the largest in the northern hemisphere,
second largest in the world, extending 185 miles (300
km) along the coastline. Nineteen miles seaward from the
eastern border of the Barrier Reef, lies Belize's most
spectacular atoll - Glover's Reef. The oval shaped reef
walls of the atoll climb from the ocean floor and surround
a central lagoon. The surrounding reef is primarily made
up of two kinds of coral, the hard hydro-coral (reef-
forming coral), such as brain coral or elkhorn coral,
and the soft corals, such as sea-fans and feather plumes.
The sheltered lagoon at Glover's Reef harbors one of the
world's most diverse sea environments; an extensive community
of fish, shellfish, and patch reefs. One mile off the
eastern shore of the atoll, the reef wall quickly drops
2600 feet to the ocean floor below. The interaction between
the deeper open waters of the Caribbean Sea and the sheltered
lagoons of the atoll results in a diversity and abundance
of marine life which is unsurpassed for sea kayaking,
snorkeling and diving.
Fauna...
From our base on Southwest Cay, we will have the
opportunity to view a diverse range of sea-life and tropical
birds. While exploring and snorkeling the atoll and the
many patch reefs, there are opportunities to see grouper,
bonefish, angel and parrot fish, stingrays, eagle rays,conger,
moray eels, goatfish, just to name a few. Some of the
bird-life includes osprey (the Billy hawk), sea gulls,
brown-footed & white-footed boobies, frigate birds, hawks,
mangrove warblers, and white-crowned pigeons. Around the
atoll and the barrier reef, there are nesting sites for
loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles. If we're lucky,
we may see them while out snorkeling or kayaking. We will
definitely have a chance to see and sample the main staple
for Belizean fishermen, the queen conch and (in season)
the spiny lobster.
Getting
back to Belize City...
At the end of your trip, we will provide you with a charter flight back to Belize City. The final night is spent at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, 3 1/2 miles north of Belize City Central. This is a great point to make extra arrangements to travel further on in Belize, or to return to the International Airport the following morning, which is just a short taxi cab away.
Thinking
about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions Co? The Glover's Reef and Mayan Caves combines well
with an inland adventure. The
Maya World Extension is a popular addition to the Glovers
trip to explore the ancient world of the Mayan people and
the wildlife-rich habitats of the interior, plus it gives you a great opportunity to visit some of the ancient ruins of Belize and the Crooked Tree Bird Sanctuary. Or, experience both of Belize’s spectacular Atolls in one trip to Belize! The Lighthouse Reef trip itinerary takes you even further offshore, on beautiful Half-moon Caye National Monument.
Thinking
About Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip?
With over 20 years of exploration in Belize, our very knowledgeable and experienced office staff can offer you a wealth of travel information to help you plan the best vacation possible! However, we do recommend that you read up on the country and find what interests you. Once you find an area of interest, give our office a phone call.
Hey Teachers & Parents! Did you know Island Expeditions Co. has been operating custom educational trips for high schools and colleges for over a decade! For more information, please call our office. www.educationaltrips.org
What
about adding a 2 night weekend at Glovers Reef to other trips? Contact
us at 1-800-667-1630 for details.
At
IEC we enjoy traveling with families. Children lend a refreshing
perspective to the experience, which adults sometimes take
for granted. Knowing that travel budgets are especially important
we offer a price break to families with children. Not all
trips are suitable for younger children, however we find that
age is not a definite restriction; rather size and weight
of your children, experience and ability are the main determining
factors in choosing which trip is right for your family.Click here for our Children's pricing policy...
When
Planning Your Trip...Think of "Day 0"
With
Island Expeditions Co. a seven day trip means seven days in the field, not 2 days
of airline travel and 5 days of vacation. With the execption of our "short trips", on all IEC adventures we meet you
the day before the trip is scheduled to begin. This is "Day 0" and has
been conceived for your convenience and comfort. "Day 0" is your day
to arrive in Belize before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers, and to
acclimatize to your new tropical environment. From there be it a short flight
or a boat charter, your transportation to meet up with your group on this day, your dinner,
and your accommodation on this night are included in the trip cost.
On the "short trips" we meet you on the day that trip begins, at a pre-scheduled time and location coordinated by our sales and reservations office. Whether we meet you at the boat dock, or in the lobby of a local hotel at a specific time, our reservation staff will make sure you have our contact information and appropriate rendezvous details. To see a list of IEC " short trips", simply click here to find out more information
Thirty
six miles offshore of the Belize mainland lie a group
of tropical islands cradled within a turquoise lagoon
and surrounded by a living coral reef. Glover's Reef
Atoll is considered to be one of the richest tropical
marine environments in the entire Caribbean. Our private
island base of over 13 acres is perched on the southern
edge of the atoll with a dramatic view facing east over
the main reef crest and the open Caribbean. Based from
our comfortable field camp we are fully equipped to
spend six and a half days sea kayaking and kayak sailing,
snorkeling, diving, and fishing. After
our adventures each day we like to reward ourselves
with a bounty of fresh seafood, island baking, tropical
fruits and yes, even rich, decadent deserts! Glovers
is ideal for those who wish to enjoy the comforts of
a well-appointed field camp yet want an active and flexible
day-to-day schedule. Exclusive to Glovers,
is our underwater Sea-Breathe System (TM) which provides
air for divers and non-divers to depths of 25 ft. Also
available are optional Scuba certification courses,
resort courses and equipment rentals. 
