Experience an extraordinary journey to explore two of Belize's stunning coral atolls in one trip. Begin this small group adventure with a three-night stay at Glover’s Reef Basecamp on Southwest Caye, situated within a protected marine park and UNESCO World Heritage site off mainland Belize. Then, travel to Belize’s most remote island group at Lighthouse Reef Atoll - also a marine protected area and UNESCO world heritage site, located off the shore of the Belize coast. Based on Half Moon Caye, you'll enjoy three unforgettable nights of sea kayaking, snorkeling in vibrant marine gardens, and observing the nesting colonies of red-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds.
Highlights
Enjoy sea kayaking and vibrant coral reef snorkeling
Embark on a hike to Antelope Falls and rappel down the 250-foot waterfall
Witness red-footed boobies nesting on viewing platforms
Learn more about Belizean culture and marine environment on Glover's Reef
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Upon your arrival at Belize City International Airport, check-in at the Maya Island Air desk and board a flight to Dangriga. You will stay overnight at the Pelican Beach Resort, which offers views of the Caribbean Sea.
Please note:
"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.
Start your day early with a departure from Dangriga at approximately 7:30 am. Travel beyond the main Barrier Reef to the private base camp on Southwest Caye, arriving mid-morning. Upon arrival, your guides will introduce you to the environment, provide a camp orientation, and help you settle into your tent cabana. After lunch, you'll head out on the water for professional instructions in sea kayaking, snorkeling, and tropical water safety. Then, paddle to a nearby patch reef and begin exploring one of the 700 snorkel sites at Glover's Reef Atoll.
Begin your day with an early swim or a sunrise yoga session by the beach. The itinerary is flexible, adapting to the group's interests, abilities, and the current weather conditions. Activities include sea kayaking, snorkeling in the lagoon and along the outer reef, Belizean-style handline fishing, and learning to sail a kayak. Relaxing in a hammock with a good book and a cold drink is also a popular option. Informative sessions on Belize, the marine environment, and local culture are offered to further educate you on the region. Each day concludes with a “boca” and a drink, perfect for sharing stories of the day's adventures.
Choose your adventure for your last morning on Glover's Reef! Grab a mask, snorkel, and fins for a final visit to your favorite coral reef spot or try fly fishing on the flats. Your boat will then take you back to Dangriga, where your adventure continues with a short 30-minute drive into the southern Maya Mountains.
Located in the heart of Mayflower Bocawina National Park, Bocawina Rainforest Resort offers the perfect setting to explore the broadleaf tropical rainforest and its incredible flora and fauna. Begin your trip by settling in and learning about the property and the upcoming experiences in the surrounding mountains and rainforest. You can also opt for afternoon activities or a nocturnal hike.
Rise with the first light of day, as the jungle mist clears and the sounds of the tropics fill the air with the chatter of parrots and parakeets flying overhead. Find a quiet spot to sip your coffee with binoculars in hand, soaking in the essence of the rainforest.
After a hearty breakfast, head to the adventure center to get outfitted with a harness. Embark on an exhilarating hike to Antelope Falls, deep into the national park. You'll pass an unexcavated Mayan ruin and climb steep rainforest trails. The hike is slow and steady, with stops to learn about the jungle flora and fauna from the guides.
At the top of the hike, cool off in the refreshing emerald pools of Antelope Falls. From this vantage point, you can see past the lowland savannah to the Caribbean Sea—a breathtaking view. After a break, the guides will set you up to rappel down the 250-foot Antelope Falls, which is optional but highly recommended for thrill-seekers. If you prefer, you can hike back down instead. Return to the restaurant for a pre-ordered lunch.
Note: Participants for the Antelope Falls rappel must weigh at least 100 pounds. For families with children or those seeking a less strenuous experience, we recommend the Bocawina Falls hike and rappel.
Today is completely flexible. You can stay close to the lodge or follow a trail to a favorite pool or waterfall. Mayflower Bocawina National Park is a haven for hiking enthusiasts, offering a captivating network of trails for all skill levels. For a leisurely hike, try the family-friendly Bocawina Falls Trail or the Bird Loop. If you're seeking more adventure, challenge yourself on the strenuous Big Drop Falls trail, which leads to a spectacular waterfall.
You'll start early today by transferring to the Maya Air terminal in Dangriga and flying to Belize City. From there, you'll proceed to your waiting motor boat charter. The journey by boat spans 56 miles out to sea, passing through mangrove ranges and white sand cayes, until you reach Belize's furthest island group, Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Upon arrival at Half Moon Caye, your guide team will orient you to the island and camp, helping you settle into your accommodations. After a late lunch, you'll receive instruction in sea kayaking and snorkeling before heading out onto the water.
Discover the crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life of Lighthouse Reef, a remote gem in Belize. Engage in thrilling sea kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving experiences in the Caribbean.
During your trip, expert guides will share fascinating insights about the reef ecology, local plants and animals, and the island's lush coconut and littoral forest. Explore Half Moon Caye, a breathtaking 45-acre nature reserve inhabited by red-footed boobies and majestic frigate birds. You'll visit viewing platforms built by the Belize Audubon Society to observe nesting sites on the island.
Over the next few days, choose from a variety of exploration activities, including a visit to a nearby sunken shipwreck. Daily plans will be adjusted based on the weather and your group's preferences. And if relaxation beckons, unwind in a hammock with a good book and a refreshing beverage!
Due to the remote location of the Lighthouse Reef Basecamp, the activities on the reef portion of this trip are weather- dependent and are subject to change.
Day 11: Depart Lighthouse Reef Atoll
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Make the most of your final morning at Lighthouse Reef Atoll.You can snorkel at your favorite patch reefs, explore island trails, relax in a hammock, or stroll along the beaches.
After lunch, a motorboat charter will collect you for the return trip to the mainland. This journey will take you through Turneffe Atoll, across the Great Barrier Reef, and you'll reach Belize City Biltmore Hotel by late afternoon.
For travelers leaving Belize after this trip, we strongly recommend spending a night in Belize City. International connections out of the country require a departure the following day. Talk to your Adventure Life Trip Planner about hotel reservations in Belize City or extending your Belize itinerary by combining this trip with another adventure.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.9 | 306 reviews
TrustScore 4.9 of 5
Based on 306 reviews on
1 week ago
Jess was so helpful in talking me through some of the trip options I'd told her I was interested in, and then also bringing up similar alternatives with more flexible dates. Now that everything is booked I realize all the extra things she figured out for us as well, besides booking the transfers from and to each location, she realized that we wouldn't make it to my desired flight time on three departure date and was able to easily add another day so that even our departure day is stress free!
Wendy
3 weeks ago
Good candid advice and suggestions; prompt replies.
Ken Johnson
3 weeks ago
Thoughtful and highly responsive service.
Robert Shwab
2 months ago
The trip planner understood what we wanted to do and see, and found what we hope to be a great match for our interests and style of travel.
Karen
5 months ago
Basically everything. The transfers from lodge to lodge were all timely and smooth (even though we arrived 3 hours late!) with great drivers. The lodges and food were all top notch. The guides were excellent and very knowledgeable about local history and wildlife. Chaa lodge stands out as exceptional. I ended up with an infection leaving Chaa, but they arranged for driver to stop at doctor, and he even got us to a pharmacy for prescription and a great drive to coast.