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.

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.

Over the next few days, you will have many options to explore, including a quickly disappearing shipwreck just north of the caye. The guides will present activities each day based on the weather conditions, and the group's desires. And of course, we always give you the option of hanging out in a hammock with a good book and a cold beverage!

On our last couple of days, 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. 

On this trip, we explore further into the Lighthouse Reef atoll, with extended fishing trips, as well as new patch reefs, or downwind paddle trips on the SUP’s. The guides will use the conditions of the day and present several options to keep each guest engaged.  

On the final night, we return 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.

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.