Southwest Caye Belize Beach Escape - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Belize City

Welcome to Belize! A driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Belize City, the former British colonial port. Settle in and then head out for a seafood lunch or explore the city on the Caribbean Sea, bisected by the Belize River. Take in the vibrant markets, bobbing sailboats, and colonial buildings, including the Supreme Court and Central America's oldest Anglican church, St John's Cathedral.

If you want to get out of the city, take a trip to the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm. Meet the Blue morpho, one of the world's largest butterfly species with wings spanning up to eight inches. The butterflies have microscopic scales on their wings that reflect light, creating their signature blue color, and are native to the forests of Mexico, South America, and Central America. Tour the farm to observe the butterflies and learn about their life cycle, from egg to caterpillar, pupa, and butterfly.

Day 2: Boat to Southwest Caye, Paddle the Reef

This morning, you'll board a boat from Dangriga Town to Southwest Caye, an exotic island in the Belize Barrier Reef. Travel by water taxi beyond the main reef to a private base camp on Southwest Caye, which lies within Glover's Reef Marine Reserve. Named after the English pirates John and Rodger Glover, who landed here in the 1750s, the atoll is part of the UNESCO-listed Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System.

Settle into your tent cabana and then head out to discover the island. Your guide will first introduce you to the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling, and tropical water safety. Then you'll paddle to a nearby patch of reef and begin exploring some of the 700 snorkel sites Glover's Reef offers. This pretty atoll is known for its rich underwater life and supreme diving opportunities, with a steep underwater cliff that descends 350 feet (106 m).

Day 3: Snorkel & Relax at Glover's Reef

Start your day with an early-morning swim or a sunrise yoga session with the resident instructors. Guides will host informative sessions on various topics, sharing their expert knowledge of Belize's biodiverse marine life and local culture. If you want time to relax, spend the rest of the day in a hammock with a good book and a cold drink.

There are various activities to pursue on Glover's Reef Atoll, including sea kayaking, snorkeling the inner and outer reef walls, and learning to sail a kayak. Look out for diverse coral and sealife, including turtles, giant sponges, eagle rays, and marlins. Try your luck in a high-stakes hermit crab race to finish the day.

Day 4: Paddle & Explore Glover's Reef Atoll

Spend another full day enjoying Glover's Reef's white sands and topaz waters. Traverse the sea in a kayak or take one of the stand-up paddleboards for a spin. You can while away the hours snorkeling the outer boundary of the Belize Barrier Reef, spotting huge schools of fish and otherworldly coral.

Guides are on hand to help you try Belizean handline fishing or provide fascinating talks on the cultures of the Caribbean, with a focus on the Garifuna people. The soft sands are perfect for soaking up the sun, or you can swing in a hammock under the palms of a coconut tree for some quality relaxation.

Day 5: Free Morning, Depart Southwest Caye

Today your island adventure comes to an end. Enjoy a final morning on Glover's Reef absorbing the views, or take one last swim or snorkel on the reef. Later, a private motorboat charter will take you back to Dangriga on the mainland, where your trip ends. Safe onward travels!

More Great Belize Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Belize? Check out these other Belize itineraries, explore different ways to spend five days in Belize, and discover the best time to visit Belize.