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Lighthouse Reef, made famous by legendary underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau, has become known amongst divers as the ‘Aquarium’, renowned for its sheer abundance of marine life, crystal clear waters and thriving coral reefs.

Beyond the barrier reef, past Turneffe Atoll–some fifty miles and more eastwards of the Belize mainland– a coral atoll rises from the sea. Shimmering with white-sand cayes and lush green with groves of coconut palms, the lagoon provides a rare underwater habitat for snorkelers, with miles upon miles of shallow waters rich with corals. Where the lagoon drops off to the open sea; precipitous walls, undersea ridges and valleys brimming with life are the deeper realm of scuba divers. Long difficult to access and out of reach for kayakers and snorkelers, Island Expeditions has pioneered the first-ever basecamp at Lighthouse Reef. We sleep in spacious walk-in tents (every window has an ocean view) and after each days activities our open air dining pavilion is the perfect place to relax in comfort with fine meals and splendid company.

Trip Route

I came with very high expectations because I'd been on the glovers trip - but this exceeded my expectations. There were many improvements such as bigger boats, more storage options in the tent, changing etc. and running water. It was awesome to have the opportunity to do Yoga once or twice a day - perfect environment for it too!
Cathy Satterfield
Kenna, WV
Lighthouse Reef
Mar 12, 2007

The Setting...
We begin our trip with an introduction to the inland waterways of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Here we experience, close at hand, the astounding diversity of birds and wildlife for which Belize is renowned. Located 33 miles northwest of Belize city the sanctuary provides both the abundant food sources and the safe resting areas necessary to support a large and diverse population of birds. The best time for viewing resident and migrant birds is December until June, during Belize’s dry-season.

Next, we catch our motor charter to spectacular Lighthouse Reef, one of only four coral atolls in the Caribbean, and home to the famous Blue Hole. In 1972, Capt. Jacques Cousteau and the intrepid crew of the Calypso explored and filmed this incredible atoll, showing its amazing underwater diversity to the world for the first time.

In partnership with the Belize Audubon Society, Island Expeditions Co. has established an Adventure Camp within the Half Moon Cay Marine Reserve, opening up for the first time this spectacular wilderness to adventurers.

It was a very positive experience. We appreciated the cultural part of the trip on the mainland. The fact that Island expeditions gives back to Belize by hiring Belizean people, working with the Belize Audubon Society on half moon caye, and provided low impact facilities definitely enhanced the island Adventure. Your staff are very professional, friendly approachable and successful memorable. This was our first snorkeling trip we chose well. The reefs were spectacular! The booby nesting area was an added bonus.
Greg Harling
Waterloo, ON
Lighthouse Reef
Feb 25, 2007

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 Birds Eye View Lodge, in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. After checking into our accommodations we have a chance to meet our fellow travelers and enjoy a fine meal and as time permits explore Crooked Tree Village, one of Belize’s oldest Creole Settlement. Transfers from the airport, dinner activities and lodging are included.
  This day is your day to arrive before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers and acclimatize to your new tropical environment.
Accommodation: (Lodge)
Meals: Dinner

Day 2-4: Due to it’s isolation from the mainland, the waters of Lighthouse Reef Atoll are exceptionally clear with inspiring scenery and a fabulously rich reef system that offers some of the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. To begin, the guides provide instruction; teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling and safety in the tropics.

Over the next few days we have many options to explore, including a shipwreck that looms just north of the caye. In 1971, a ship named the Ermlund lost power during a storm and was deposited on the reef by a large wave. This 4000 ton wreck sits silent as a landmark and is one of many shipwrecks in the area that serve as a constant reminder of the hazards of navigating these waters. We also have ample opportunities to learn from our guides about the marine reef ecology and the island’s mangrove and interior forest habitat spread over the park’s 45 acres. Many species of birds nest on the island, including a 4,000 red-footed booby colony for which the Audubon Society has built a series of viewing platforms to intimately observe the many nesting sites. And, of course, we always have the option of hanging out in a hammock with a good book and a cold drink!
Accommodation: (Half-moon Basecamp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: For our last morning at Lighthouse, the choice is yours. Don a mask, snorkel and fins for a visit to a favorite patch reef enjoy walking the island trails or beach comb along the island beaches before the motor charter arrives to pick us up for the return boat trip back to the mainland. We transfer to the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel where we can enjoy a fresh shower and a swim in the pool.
Accommodation: (hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner is not included on this day

*NOTE: Due to the remoteness of the Lighthouse basecamp, the activities on the reef portion of this trip are weather dependent and the following itinerary is only a ’ guide,’ and will remain flexible and open to any changes at the trip leaders’ discretion.

Scuba Divers...
There are some great opportunities to dive at Lighthouse Reef. Optional diving is available for certified divers on certain days of the trip. Single tank dives are available from approximately $49 US. For further information please contact our office.

Equipment...
While at our base-camp on Half-Moon Caye, our guests have unrestricted use of the following equipment: Double Kayaks (outfitted with special sails), Single Kayaks, Complete Research Library, On the island, we are in communication with the mainland via satellite phone and VHF Marine radio.

Accommodation...

  On Day 0, we will be staying at Birds Eye View Lodge, situated on the water's edge of the Crooked Tree Lagoon. This comfortable Belizean-style hotel offers private bath and lakeside views. Over top of the hotel there is a deck and bar, which is a perfect place to catch the evening breeze and reminisce over your recent discoveries.

On Day 1 to 6 we are "base camping", sleeping in tent-walled cabanas. These spacious safari-style tents have ample headroom to walk around and are on raised wooden floors with double or single beds.

On the final night we will be staying at the Belize Biltmore Hotel in Belize City. This is a modern and comfortable hotel, located 5 miles north of Belize City, with a central courtyard and swimming pool to relax and unwind.

Flora...

Belize's Barrier Reef is the largest reef in the northern hemisphere, second largest in the world, extending 185 miles (300 km) along the coastline. Approximately 35 miles seaward from the eastern border of the Barrier Reef, lies one of Belize's most spectacular atolls – Lighthouse Reef. These circular shaped reef systems 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 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...

While on Half-Moon Caye, we will have the opportunity to view a diverse range of sea life and tropical birds. While exploring and snorkeling the atoll and the surrounding patch reefs, there are opportunities to see grouper, bonefish, angel and parrot fish, stingrays, eagle rays, conger, moray eels, and goatfish; just to name a few. Some of the bird-life includes osprey (the billyhawk), royal terns, brown-footed, red-footed and white-footed boobies, frigate birds, hawks, mangrove warblers, and white-crowned pigeons. Around the atoll 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 spiny lobster (when in season) and the queen conch.

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