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

Beautiful views over Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Exploring ancient Mayan Ruins in Altun Ha

Submerged underwater is the best way to view Lighthouse Reef

Up close to a local Iguana in Belize

Mayan ruins of Lamanai in Belize

Stand up paddle boarding in the warm waters of Lighthouse Reef

Sailing the crystal blue waters of Lighthouse Reef

Lighthouse Reef Basecamp views

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

Discover the natural and cultural highlights of Belize on a journey that combines wildlife-rich wetlands, ancient Maya heritage and world-class coral reefs.

Begin in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, a renowned wetland ecosystem and home to one of Belize’s oldest Creole communities. Explore the lagoons and waterways by boat while searching for the region’s abundant birdlife. From here, travel along inland rivers to the Maya ruins of Lamanai, where jungle-surrounded temples and ceremonial plazas reveal the scale and sophistication of this ancient civilisation.

The journey then shifts from jungle to reef as you travel approximately 88 kilometres (55 miles) offshore to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System UNESCO World Heritage Site. Based at a comfortable tented cabana camp on Half Moon Caye, spend your days snorkelling vibrant coral reefs, sea kayaking across clear turquoise waters and visiting remarkable sites including the famous Blue Hole and the “Aquarium”.

With experienced local guides, small group travel and well-planned logistics throughout, this trip offers a rewarding way to experience both the inland landscapes and offshore reefs that make Belize one of the most diverse destinations in Central America.

Itinerary

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On arrival at Belize International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your lodge in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, around a 45-minute drive. This protected area is a haven for birdlife and home to one of Belize’s oldest Creole communities, set among lagoons and wetlands. After settling into your lodge, meet your fellow travellers over a local meal. If time permits, take a short walk through the village and enjoy your first glimpse of Belize’s unique cultural and natural heritage. Activity approx: 1 hr transfer, optional walk in the village Overnight: Bird's Eye View Lodge or similar

Meals: D

Today is a full day of cultural and natural discovery. Travel overland and by boat along the wildlife-rich New River to reach the ancient Maya city of Lamanai, once a thriving ceremonial centre hidden deep in rainforest. With your expert guide, explore towering pyramids, plazas, and stone carvings that reveal over 3,000 years of history. On your return journey, keep watch for iguanas basking on branches, toucans and parrots overhead, and Morelet’s crocodiles along the riverbanks. Arrive back at Crooked Tree by late afternoon to relax by the lagoon before dinner. Activity: Approx. 2 hrs transfer / boat travel each way; 3–4 hrs exploring Lamanai Overnight: Bird's Eye View Lodge or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Begin the day with a sunrise birding boat tour on the Crooked Tree lagoon. This peaceful early morning journey offers the chance to spot herons, hawks, kingfishers, and perhaps even the rare jabiru stork. Return to the lodge for a relaxed morning and lunch before setting out to the Maya ruins of Altun Ha. Once a major trading centre, the site is home to ceremonial plazas and the impressive Temple of the Masonry Altars. Return to Crooked Tree in the evening to enjoy sunset over the lagoon and your final dinner at the lodge. Your guides will also brief you on the reef stage of your journey, beginning tomorrow. Activity: Approx. 1.5 hrs birding boat tour; 2 hrs transfer; 2 hrs exploring Altun Ha Overnight: Bird’s Eye View Lodge or similar

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, depart Crooked Tree and transfer to the coast for your boat journey. Cruise 90 km (56 mi) across the Caribbean Sea, passing mangrove cayes and coral shallows before arriving at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Belize’s most remote island group. On Half Moon Caye, your guides will welcome you and help you settle into your safari-style eco-tented cabana, part of our low-impact basecamp set beside the Caribbean Sea. After a fresh island lunch, take part in a snorkelling orientation and enjoy your first swim in the warm, clear waters. The rest of the afternoon is yours to ease into island life; explore the caye, or simply unwind in a hammock with the sea breeze. Activity: Approx. 3 hrs boat transfer; 1–2 hrs snorkelling Overnight: Half Moon Caye Eco-Basecamp

Meals: B,L,D

Today’s main event is the legendary snorkelling site known as the Aquarium. A dazzling undersea wall alive with colourful fish and towering coral. After breakfast, pack your gear and set off by kayak, with motorboat support, paddling across clear waters toward nearby Long Caye. Enjoy a snorkel at a patch reef en route, then pull up at the dock for a relaxed lunch in the field. In the afternoon, gear up for a drift snorkel over the Aquarium’s vibrant coral formations; a favourite among marine guides for its sheer diversity and depth. With the sun at your back, raise the sails on your kayak or paddle home to Half Moon Caye, soaking up every bit of the island life rhythm. Activity: Approx. 2–3 hrs kayaking; 2 snorkel sessions (1–2 hrs each) Overnight: Half Moon Caye Eco-Basecamp

Meals: B,L,D

Today you venture to one of the most iconic marine sites in the world – the Great Blue Hole. After breakfast, set out by kayak or motorboat for the 10 km (6 mi) crossing across open sea. Arriving at this perfectly circular sinkhole, snorkel along its coral-rich rim where hard and soft corals thrive and tropical fish dart in and out of the blue depths. Return to camp for a well-earned lunch, then spend the afternoon exploring Half Moon Caye at your own pace. Take a paddle or snorkel, or walk the island’s trails through the littoral forest and red-footed booby colony. This evening, celebrate your final night on the reef with a special seafood dinner and cultural performance under the stars. Activity: Approx. 1–2 hrs snorkelling; 2 hrs optional island exploration Overnight: Half Moon Caye Eco-Basecamp

Meals: B,L,D

Wake to your last sunrise on Half Moon Caye and enjoy a relaxed morning soaking up the island atmosphere. Snorkel a favourite patch reef one final time, paddle along the atoll’s edge, or simply walk the beach and watch the frigatebirds soar overhead. After lunch, board your return boat and cruise back across the Caribbean to the mainland. On arrival in Belize City, you will be transferred to your hotel, marking the end of your Belize adventure. Optional post-trip accommodation can be arranged on request, or continue your journey with one of our trips in Mexico or Guatemala. Activity: Optional morning snorkel or paddle; 3 hrs boat transfer; transfer to hotel/airport

Meals: B,L

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)