Embark on a 3-night remote Basecamp Adventure to discover the vibrant coral reef and pristine white sand cayes of Lighthouse Reef.
Trip Highlights
Travel to Belize’s most remote island group at Lighthouse Reef Atoll - a marine protected area and UNESCO world heritage site, located fifty-six miles off the shore of the Belize coast. Stay on Half Moon Caye, where you will spend three memorable nights. Managed by the Belize Audubon Society, Half Moon Caye is the perfect base to go out and explore the wonders of the coral reef system. Each day, you'll have a choice of several exceptional guided paddling and snorkeling excursions. Snorkel the unparalleled walk in snorkel garden or quietly observe the nesting colony of red-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. This trip is perfect for families, groups or traveling companions with mixed abilities and interests.
"Basecamping" involves sleeping in wall-tented cabanas. These spacious safari-style tents have ample headroom to walk around, are on raised wooden floors, and have real wood-framed beds (6-inch foam mattresses). Tents can be configured with either double or single beds. All bed linen is provided.
Package includes:
- 3-night safari-style “basecamp” accommodations
- Meals (as per itinerary)
- Boat transfers Belize City/Half Moon Caye
- Guided activities and equipment (as per itinerary)
- Park fees and taxes
Trip Itinerary
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Meet an Island Expeditions representative at 8:30 am Biltmore Plaza Hotel lobby, make a quick stop at a local shop and head to our waiting motor boat charter. We travel by boat 56 miles out to sea, passing through mangrove ranges, white sand cayes, arriving at Belize's furthest island group, on Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Upon arriving at Half Moon Caye, your guide team will orient you to the island and camp to settle you into your accommodations. You will then enjoy a late lunch and then a session of sea kayak and snorkeling instruction before heading out on the water.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Due to its isolated location from the mainland, the waters of Lighthouse Reef are exceptionally clear with the most abundant fish populations and colorful coral reefs in Belize. This rich ecosystem offers access to some of the best sea kayaking and snorkeling (as well as scuba diving) in the Caribbean.
You will have ample opportunities to learn from our guides about the marine reef ecology, the local flora and fauna, as well as the island's coconut and littoral forest (more common to the interior of the mainland). Half Moon Caye is a beautiful and rich 45-acre nature preserve, hosting a red-footed booby colony as well as a magnificent frigate bird rookery. We tour the viewing platforms built by the Belize Audubon Society to observe the many nesting sites on the island.
We travel to the world renowned Great Blue Hole. A huge collapsed sinkhole formation that was discovered and made famous by ocean explorer, Jacques Cousteau. We motor boat or paddle the 6-mile journey to this perfectly circular formation bejeweled with soft and hard corals of many different colors. After a full day of exploring, you'll return just in time for a wonderful dinner prepared especially for you by our cooks. After dinner, we have a cultural presentation of drumming and dancing to celebrate the last night at Half Moon Caye
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
The choice is yours for your last morning at Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Snorkel your favorite patch reefs, walk the island trails, and swing in a hammock or beach comb along the island beaches.
After lunch, a motorboat charter picks everyone up for the return trip to the mainland. This return journey takes you through Turneffe Atoll across the Great Barrier Reef, and you'll arrive at the Belize City Biltmore Hotel, usually by late afternoon.
Travel Notes: Because of the early morning check-in time, we suggest arriving in Belize City the day before. For travelers leaving Belize after this trip, we also strongly suggest spending a night in Belize City. International connections out of the country require a departure the next day.
Contact our Trip Planners for hotel reservations in Belize City, Flight & Hotel Packages or to extend your Belize itinerary by combining this trip with another Island Expeditions adventure or extension.
The Places We Stay
We are privileged by special arrangement to stay within the Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument. Our basecamp within this pristine marine park is designed to provide maximum comfort with a minimal ecological footprint.
Sleep in seaside tent-cabanas furnished with wood-framed beds, nightstand, lighting and room to store your personal gear. Tents can accommodate singles, doubles and families.
Meals are served in our comfortable dining room with spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea. Our central bathhouse has modern eco-sensitive composting toilets, running water and solar warmed showers.
Dates and Prices
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Extensions
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Maya World Extension
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Sacred Caves & Temples Extension
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