One of Earth’s most spectacular marine formations, Belize’s Blue Hole

Explore Belize’s offshore reefs by sea kayak

Submerged underwater is the best way to view Lighthouse Reef

Mayan ruins of Lamanai in Belize

Encounter wildlife in Belize’s tropical forests and wetlands

Beautiful views over Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Stand-up paddleboard across the calm waters of Lighthouse Reef Atoll at sunset

Half Moon Base Camp backs onto the blue waters of Belize

Belize Jungle and Reef Explorer

Combine wildlife wetlands, Maya archaeology and snorkelling on the remote Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

Belize

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2 reviews

7 Days from

$ USD

Trip Code: BJR

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Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement - Jungle/Belize City Only

$630 USD

Duration

7 Days

Activities

7 days adventure touring including water based activities

Style

In Comfort Adventures

Accommodation

3 nights safari-style tent cabanas
3 nights lodge

Meals

6 Dinners
6 Lunches
6 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint

47kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(283kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Snorkel the iconic Blue Hole and drift along vibrant coral walls at the Aquarium
Discover Belize’s Creole heartland in Crooked Tree Village, rich in history and birdlife
Explore jungle-cloaked Maya ruins, including the ancient city of Lamanai and Altun Ha
Behold amazing wildlife by boat, spotting toucans, crocodiles and howler monkeys
Discover the remote Lighthouse Reef Atoll, a pristine marine park and UNESCO World Heritage site
Kayak across turquoise shallows to remote cayes (islands) and patch reefs in a protected marine reserve
Sleep in safari-style cabanas, steps from the sea, with starlit skies

Overview

From reefs to rainforest, this Belize adventure takes you from the clear waters of Lighthouse Reef Atoll to the ancient Maya world of Lamanai. Snorkel coral reefs, explore the Great Blue Hole and stay in safari-style cabanas on remote Half Moon Caye surrounded by white sand cayes and rich marine life. Inland, journey through the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary for birdwatching, wildlife encounters and river expeditions to the Maya ruins of Lamanai and Altun Ha. Combining coral reefs, wetlands and ancient history, this active journey showcases the natural and cultural diversity of Belize.

Itinerary

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Arrive in Belize City and transfer to your hotel accommodation where the rest of the day is free to settle into the Caribbean atmosphere and recover from your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to relax at the hotel or explore the surrounding area at your own pace. Belize City serves as the gateway to the country’s barrier reefs, cayes and inland Maya regions, setting the scene for the adventure ahead. This evening is at leisure before meeting fellow travellers and guides the following morning. Accommodation: Belize Biltmore Plaza or similar Meals: Nil

Meals: Nil

Depart Belize City by motorboat this morning for Lighthouse Reef Atoll after meeting your guides early in the day. Travel across Caribbean waters past mangrove ranges and white sand cayes before arriving at the remote island group of Half Moon Caye for your first snorkelling session on nearby coral reefs. Lighthouse Reef Atoll is a protected marine area and UNESCO World Heritage-listed section of the Belize Barrier Reef system known for its exceptionally clear waters and abundant marine life. After settling into your safari-style basecamp accommodation, spend the evening surrounded by coral reefs, seabirds and Caribbean sunsets. Accommodation: Half Moon Basecamp or similar Meals: L / D

Meals: L,D

Discover the remote coral reefs surrounding Half Moon Caye over the next two days with guided snorkelling excursions across Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Discover vibrant coral gardens and abundant reef fish at local patch reefs, drift snorkel the famous Aquarium site and visit the Great Blue Hole, the enormous marine sinkhole that helped place Belize on the global diving and snorkelling map. Isolated far from the mainland, Lighthouse Reef is known for exceptionally clear Caribbean waters, rich marine ecosystems and the red-footed booby colony and magnificent frigate bird rookery on Half Moon Caye. Between snorkelling sessions, return to the safari-style basecamp to relax beneath palm trees, watch Caribbean sunsets and enjoy star gazing from one of Belize’s most remote island environments. Accommodation: Half Moon Basecamp or similar Meals: B / L / D

Meals: B,L,D

Enjoy a final morning at Lighthouse Reef Atoll snorkelling coral reefs, walking island trails or relaxing beside the Caribbean Sea before returning to the mainland by boat. Leaving the offshore cayes behind, travel inland to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, a wetland region of lagoons, waterways and rich birdlife habitats in northern Belize. The sanctuary is known for its diverse wildlife and important birdwatching environments surrounded by tropical lowland wetlands. Arrive at Bird’s Eye View Lodge in the late afternoon and settle beside the lagoon as the journey shifts from Belize’s offshore reefs to its wildlife-rich rainforest and wetland landscapes. Accommodation: Bird’s Eye View Lodge or similar Meals: B / L / D

Meals: B,L,D

Travel north by road before continuing by river to the Maya ruins of Lamanai. Along the New River, look for wildlife including iguanas, parrots, toucans, aracaris and Morelet’s crocodiles among the wetland waterways and riverbanks. Explore the temples, plazas and palaces of one of Belize’s major Maya archaeological sites before visiting the colonial-era sugar mill built at Lamanai. Return by riverboat in the afternoon and end the day watching sunset over the lagoon at Bird’s Eye View Lodge. Accommodation: Bird’s Eye View Lodge or similar Meals: B / L / D

Meals: B,L,D

Observe the lagoons and wetlands of Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary during an early morning birdwatching excursion. The sanctuary supports diverse resident and migratory birdlife, with active wildlife viewing opportunities across the waterways and wetland habitats. Later, travel to the Maya ruins of Altun Ha to explore one of Belize’s important archaeological sites surrounded by lowland tropical landscapes. Return to Bird’s Eye View Lodge for a final evening overlooking the lagoon as the sun sets across the wetlands. Accommodation: Bird’s Eye View Lodge or similar Meals: B / L / D

Meals: B,L,D

Wake early for coffee beside the lagoon and enjoy a final morning of birdwatching around Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. With binoculars in hand, observe the wetlands and waterways during the most active time of day for wildlife viewing as you reflect on the journey from Belize’s coral reefs and cayes to its rainforest and Maya landscapes. Birdlife and wildlife are especially active in the cool morning hours across the sanctuary’s lagoons and tropical wetlands. Later this morning, transfer to Belize City according to your onward travel plans. Accommodation: None Meals: B

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

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What's included?

Included

6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
3 nights lodge, 3 nights Lighthouse Reef Basecamp (safari-style tent cabanas)
Airport transfer on Day 1
Bilingual local guides
Snorkel excursion to the Blue Hole
Private air conditioned transportation
Sightseeing, boat ride and site entrance fees as listed
Group medical kit
Water based activities such as sea kayaking, snorkelling, fishing, stand-up-paddleboarding, birding, etc

Not included

International airfare
Local departure tax/airport taxes
Airport transfer on Day 7
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Snorkel or fishing gear
Travel Insurance
Tips
Visa
Items of a personal nature (ie laundry, beverages, etc)

Reviews (2)

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Responsible travel

Extra trip info

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This trip includes snorkelling, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, birdwatching, wildlife encounters and exploration of the Maya ruins of Lamanai and Altun Ha.

No previous experience is required for this Adventure Touring journey, however these trips can involve active outdoor experiences, basic facilities, boat travel and time in remote natural environments. To enjoy the trip, we recommend reasonable fitness, a moderately active lifestyle and a positive attitude toward adventurous travel.

Marine activities take place around Lighthouse Reef Atoll and Half Moon Caye within the Belize Barrier Reef system, far offshore from mainland Belize.

Accommodation includes a hotel in Belize City, safari-style cabanas on remote Half Moon Caye and lodge accommodation overlooking the lagoons of Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

No, optional scuba diving is available at Lighthouse Reef Atoll for an additional cost.

Wildlife may include parrots, toucans, aracaris, Morelet’s crocodiles, red-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds across Belize’s coral reefs, cayes, wetlands and lagoons.

This journey supports conservation and community initiatives in Belize through long-standing responsible travel programs. A portion of trip proceeds supports the Belize Audubon Society, contributing to conservation and management initiatives at Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, Lighthouse Reef Marine Protected Areas and the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

The trip also supports community initiatives in Belize, including the long-running “Make Space in Your Case” school supply program for local students.

Through the long-running “Make Space in Your Case” initiative, you have the opportunity to donate school supplies to students in Belizean communities connected to this journey.

By setting aside a small amount of luggage space, you can help provide useful educational materials to schools in communities including Dangriga, Santa Teresa and Silk Grass. Suggested donations include children’s story books in English or Spanish, learning-to-read books, ballpoint pens, crayons, erasers, markers, pencils, rulers, scissors, coloured pencils, notebooks, maps and solar calculators.

For travellers joining the Belize Jungle and Reef Explorer, donations can be left with the local representative at the boat launch in Belize City, where supplies are collected for distribution to local schools and students.

This initiative has been running for many years and is one of the ways this journey supports communities throughout Belize.