Snorkeling in Caye Caulker: COMPLETE Guide!
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Looking for the best snorkeling companies in Caye Caulker? Not sure what to expect when snorkeling in Caye Caulker? You’re in the right place!
This post has everything you need to know about snorkeling in Caye Caulker, in the second-biggest (and most impressive) barrier reef in the world.
I highly recommend booking your snorkeling tour in Caye Caulker through Nauti Time Tours. Not only do they have knowledgeable guides who go out of their way to make your day as epic as possible, but they’re eco-friendly, visit all of the best spots in the reef and their prices won’t break the bank!
So, let’s discuss snorkeling in Caye Caulker, which company you should book with, and everything else you need to know about snorkeling in one of the greatest places in the world!
🇧🇿 HEADS UP: My blog has a whole ton of information on Caye Caulker and Belize! From tips on backpacking Caye Caulker, where to eat and drink, where to party, what to do and how to get to the island, you can bet this blog has the answer. You can check out all of my Belize content here!
Still have a question about snorkelling in Caye Caulker? Let me know over on Instagram or shoot me an email at jennie(@)jenniewanders.com!
🇧🇿 Other Belize posts:
- 29 AMAZING Things To Do In Caye Caulker Belize
- Shark Ray Alley Caye Caulker: Complete Guide
- Where To See Stingrays in Caye Caulker: Complete Guide
Snorkeling in Caye Caulker: A Summary
If you’re visiting Caye Caulker for the first time, one of the best things to do is to snorkel in the Belize Barrier Reef. It’s the second-largest barrier reef in the world, with miles of colourful coral and an abundance of wildlife.
I’ve snorkeled in a lot of places across the world, but snorkeling in Belize was one of the best and most unique snorkel experiences I’ve ever had!
As the Belize Barrier reef is just a short distance from Caye Caulker, most trips see marine life within a few minutes of leaving the shore.
If you’re lucky, you’ll have dolphins dancing around your boat, manatees swimming through the seaweed, pelicans hunting for fish overhead and eagle rays jumping from the water as you sail to your first stop. Sounds pretty cool, right?
Whilst backpacking Central America, snorkeling in Caye Caulker is one of the ‘bucket-list’ experiences you must do. Even if you don’t want to snorkel, it’s worth booking the tour to see the blues of the Caribbean Sea and the nurse sharks swimming around your boat during feeding time.
When you first arrive in Caye Caulker, you might feel overwhelmed by the number of companies offering snorkeling tours. Which company is best? Which company is the cheapest? How do I see everything the Belize Barrier Reef has to offer in just one day?!
That’s where I come in! Through extensive research and personal experience, I highly recommend booking the Nauti Time Full Day Snorkeling Tour (click here for booking).
Not only did we have one of the best days we’ve had whilst traveling Central America, but we met other backpackers who loved this tour just as much as us!
How do I pronounce ‘Caye Caulker?’
Surprisingly, it’s not pronounced ‘Caye’ (c-ay) Caulker at all. It’s pronounced ‘key’ (k-ee) Caulker. We didn’t learn this until after arriving in Belize!
Which company should I snorkel with in Caye Caulker?
Through extensive research and personal experience, I highly recommend booking the Nauti Time Full Day Snorkeling Tour (click here for booking).
Why? For starters, they truly care about the ocean and the environment. Our guides Yeison and Joseph went the extra mile to ensure we didn’t touch anything whilst snorkeling, as well as ensuring we gave the animals as much space as possible whilst still making memories by seeing them in their natural habitat.
We also learnt about ways that Belize protects the ocean and the barrier reef, as well as facts about the incredible marine life that lives there.
Whilst on the full-day snorkeling tour, we visited seven different locations, with a 30 minute lunch break where we enjoyed BBQ chicken on our boat in the middle of the ocean.
Nauti Time Tours ensure you have the best day possible. Our tour guides even added in extra stops when they thought there might be wildlife we’d like to see! Whilst no tour on the island can guarantee seeing any marine life, they went above and beyond to make sure we saw as much as possible!
All Nauti Time Tour guides are certified by “AQUILA”, a worldwide organisation for high standards in tourism hospitality, as well as having years of experience delivering tours all over Belize. They’re a small, proud, Belizean company who are perfect for backpackers wanting to see the best of Caye Caulker!
Nauti Time Tours is also eco-friendly, and only uses reusable food containers onboard.
Nauti Time Tours: Which snorkel trip shall I choose?
There are a few Nauti Time Tours trips you can choose from. If you are looking for a full-day of snorkeling, visiting locations such as Shark Ray Alley and spotting manatees, I recommend the All Inclusive Tour to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
This 4-5 hour trip includes multiple stops, including Shark Ray Alley, a sunken shipwreck and a seahorse viewing area. It’s the real ‘bucket-list’ experience when visiting Caye Caulker, and the trip most backpackers choose to do.
The Nauti Time Tour goes to all of the major snorkeling sites from Caye Caulker, so you don’t need to worry about missing out!
If you’ve never snorkeled before, there is a shorter snorkeling trip to learn the basics. This is still a great experience, and you can view the nurse sharks from the side of the boat or jump in and swim with them!
Snorkeling in Caye Caulker? Take sea-sickness tablets!
If you’re prone to getting seasick, be prepared with some extra tablets. There are parts of the tour where it can get a little choppy, and although it’s perfectly safe, it can be uncomfortable for those who aren’t used to it.
How much is snorkeling in Caye Caulker?
I recommend snorkeling with Nauti Time Tours, as their prices are perfect for backpackers wanting a full day of snorkeling! For their all-inclusive trip, it’s around £65 ($80) per person. This includes all snorkeling equipment, lunch, fruit snacks, entry fee to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, water and even beer!
But the prices of the tour will always depend on which tour company you snorkel with, and some companies in Caye Caulker can charge a lot (and even overcharge if you’re not careful!)
What’s included in the Nauti Time snorkeling tour?
Luckily, the guys at Nauti Time Tours sort out pretty much everything for you. When you pay your upfront snorkeling fee, it includes:
- Lunch, which you will be asked to pre-order (we loved the BBQ chicken with rice and beans!)
- All snorkeling equipment, including a life-jacket
- Entrance fees to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve
- Extra fruit snacks such as pineapple and watermelon
- Water and beer for when you’ve finished snorkeling
- GoPro videos and photos, which are sent via a Google Drive folder within a few days of finishing the tour
- Information about the marine life as you’re snorkeling, as well as back on the boat
Do I need to pre-book snorkeling in Caye Caulker?
You don’t need to pre-book your snorkeling in Caye Caulker tour, but if you’re travelling during peak season, I recommend it.
The island is small, and it gets busy, quickly! You can send Nauti Time Tours an email to reserve your spot, and you don’t need to pay until the day. This just confirms that you have a spot and won’t miss out on this bucket list activity!
If you’re already in Caye Caulker, you can walk down to the Nauti Time Tour office to book (opposite the WaterJet International ferry dock), located at the La Isla Resort. It’s around a 30-second walk from the Ice and Beans coffee shop.
Full-day snorkeling itinerary
If you’re snorkeling in Caye Caulker for the first time, I highly recommend doing a full day tour. This means you’ll get to stop at all of the main snorkeling points, and maximise your chances of seeing the best marine life possible.
*Don’t forget to pre-book your snorkeling tour here!*
Note the Nauti Time Tour itinerary order may change due to weather, or the sighting of specific wildlife. For example, we changed our shipwreck stop a couple of times because it the waves were just too choppy. We also went to the manatees at the end of our tour instead of the beginning, because there was a higher chance of spotting one then due to the waves.
9.30-10.30am
The Nauti Time Tour asks you to meet at the La Isla Resort at 9.30am. This is to ensure you have all the proper equipment, and it is fitted perfectly. They also talk through any equipment to make sure you know how to use it all accurately. If you’re all ready to go, you can use the time before 10.30am to grab a coffee or some breakfast from Ice and Beans.
10.30am
You’ll then head to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is a protected area of the Belize Barrier Reef.
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, there’s a floating patrol station where your tour guide will need to check in for you and the other guests.
You’ll be given a wristband and told you need to stay with your tour guide at all times. This is to prevent any damage or harm to the marine life and protected area.
Snorkeling and swimming here lasts for around 45 minutes. Expect to see turtles, stingrays, colourful corals and more!
12pm
Lunchtime! You’ll pull up in a calmer part of the ocean with a few other boats and enjoy lunch for around 30-45 minutes. Top up on sunscreen, water and seasickness tablets at this point!
1pm
Shark Ray Alley – our personal highlight of the trip. Shortly after arriving, you’ll be surrounded by nurse sharks which is one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen. If you’re brave enough, jump in to swim with them! Don’t worry – the nurse sharks are harmless. Just don’t get too close and upset them!
2pm–4pm
After the Shark Ray Alley stop, you’ll visit the coral gardens, the sunken shipwreck, the manatees and feed the tarpons back along the Caye Caulker coastline.
The order of these activities will depend on the current and the decision of your tour guide. Right next to the tarpons is the seahorse viewing area, which was very cool!
When you’ve finished snorkeling, your tour guide will allow you to crack open the beers, sit back and enjoy the ridiculously beautiful ocean views.
This was so much fun, and as a group, we bonded on the boat even more. We loved listening to our guides tell stories from their time at sea, and had so much fun with them!
Where do you visit when snorkeling in Caye Caulker?
Most tours visit the same spots, but some are slightly different. If you book with Nauti Time Tours, you will visit the following spots:
HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE
This is one of the most beautiful areas I have ever snorkeled in. It’s also one of the most protected areas in Belize, so you’ll need to ‘check-in’ upon arrival and wear a wristband whilst snorkeling here (but don’t worry, Nauti Time Tours sorts this all out for you).
SHARK AND RAY ALLEY
This is where you can expect to see around 30 nurse sharks surrounding your boat! It’s one of the most incredible sights – we just couldn’t believe our eyes.
We jumped into the water and began swimming with the sharks (they’re harmless, but I could still feel my breathing quickening the closer I went to them!). There’s also a high chance you’ll see large stingrays here, which we were fortunate enough to see!
MANATEE SNORKELING SITE
Depending on whether or not there are manatees in the area, your boat will allow you to jump in and snorkel with these elephant-like sea creatures!
SUNKEN SHIPWRECK
A sunken shipwreck from 1931, which sunk during a trip between Panama and Mexico. Eight of the eleven crew were able to make it to safety, but unfortunately, three men were lost at sea.
It’s a pretty incredible sight to see the shipwreck lying on the sea floor. Just be careful not to touch it, old structures like this are rife with bacteria and can easily infect you!
CORAL GARDEN
Some of the most colourful coral we have ever seen was in Caye Caulker! We were also able to spot colourful fish and stingrays here!
SEAHORSE VIEWING PLATFORM
Located near the Iguana Reef Hotel, you’ll have a short stop to see the seahorses in the viewing area!
TARPON FEEDING AREA
Our last stop was the tarpon feeding area, where the overly large fish (which can weigh up to 300 lbs) surround your boat and jump up to be fed. They love eating small fish, so if you’re brave enough, you can hold the food over the edge to feed them!
This is also where we saw a GIANT iguana basking in the sun in the trees (he looked more like a Komodo Dragon than an iguana though…)
What wildlife can you see whilst snorkeling in Caye Caulker?
The best part about snorkeling in Caye Caulker is the amount of wildlife you can see. We couldn’t believe our eyes – it was definitely the best snorkeling trip we had ever been on.
When snorkeling in Caye Caulker, the marine life you may see includes (but is not limited to):
- Nurse sharks
- Manatees (their closest relation is an elephant!)
- Pelicans
- Caribbean Lobsters
- Giant green iguanas (from the boat, the iguana was on land)
- Seahorses
- Green Sea turtles
- Eagle Rays
- Southern Stingrays
- Short nose pufferfish
- Remoras (also known as suckerfish)
- A variety of fish such as Bar Jacks, Blue-striped Grunts, Dogsnappers, Bluehead Wrasses, Stoplight Parrotfish and Grey Angelfish
- Yellow Stingrays
- Elkhorn coral, fire coral, brain coral
- Tarpons (large fish)
- Starfish
What is the best time of year to snorkel in Caye Caulker?
You can snorkel in Caye Caulker at any time of year, but the manatees are most present during their mating season in April-December. But don’t let this put you off, we visited in January and were still able to see manatees – just not as many as usual.
Related post: 29 AMAZING Things To Do In Caye Caulker Belize
What to bring when snorkeling in Caye Caulker
If you’re unsure about what to bring when snorkeling in Caye Caulker, here is a quick list. Your tour company (especially a good tour company like Nauti Time Tours) will provide all food and drink for you, as well as snorkeling equipment.
In addition to this, you will need to bring yourself whilst snorkeling in Caye Caulker:
- Suncream, at least factor 50 and it must be reef-friendly. The sun out at sea is hot, and you’re more likely to burn due to the reflection on the water. Keep reapplying suncream after each snorkel. Also check your suncream is reef friendly – any other suncream can directly harm coral and marine life.
- Swimwear, with something to cover your back and shoulders whilst you’re sitting on the boat. Why? It gets hot, and there’s little to no shade (apart from the small roof of the boat). Be sure to arrive wearing your swimwear as there won’t be anywhere on board to change.
- Sea-sickness tablets: the water around Caye Caulker can get choppy, and people are known to get seasick on the Caye Caulker snorkeling tours. Be prepared!
- A waterproof camera (a GoPro or an iPhone waterproof case) to take pictures and videos of all the epic marine life you’ll see
- Extra snacks…if you’re the type to get extra hungry.
Can you snorkel off the beach in Caye Caulker?
Whilst you can snorkel around Caye Caulker, it’s better to experience what the Caribbean Sea has to offer by boat. There isn’t much to see directly next to the island (apart from the stingrays near the Iguana Reef Hotel), and there’s even a few crocodiles who are known to roam the area!
If you’re visiting Caye Caulker for the first time, I recommend booking a snorkeling trip. The tours take you to the Barrier Reef, where you’re able to spot marine life such as turtles, manatees, eagle rays and even nurse sharks!
More of a visual learner? I have videos and photos from our epic snorkeling trip on my Instagram! Check it our here!
How far is Caye Caulker from the barrier reef?
Caye Caulker is only a 1.6km distance from the Belize Barrier Reef, and you can reach this incredible part of the Caribbean Sea within 15 minutes of being on the boat.
If you book with Nauti Time Tours, you will have the chance to snorkel in the Belize Barrier Reef, spotting marine life such as turtles, manatees, eagle rays and even nurse sharks!
Want to know more about where to spot stingrays in Caye Caulker? Check out my post: Where To See Stingrays in Caye Caulker: Complete Guide!
How many days should you spend in Caye Caulker?
If you’re visiting Caye Caulker for the first time, I recommend spending at least 4-5 days on the island. It’s one of those places that’s hard to leave, and the longer the better! There is so much to see and do in Caye Caulker, with some tourists staying for up to a week.
As backpackers, we arrived in Caye Caulker not really knowing what to expect. We were so surprised that we actually extended our stay by a week! And it wasn’t just us; we were surrounded by other backpackers who did the same. There’s just so much to do, people to meet, food to taste and experiences to be hard – and it’s hard to leave when you realise how beautiful it is!
Can you walk around Caye Caulker?
Yes, Caye Caulker is walkable. The island is less than 1 mile wide (east to west) and only 5 miles north to south. Most of the tourist attractions and areas are all in the centre, and most visitors will not need to leave this area (or want to!)
However, you can hire a bike and explore the north island. You’ll need to board the Split to Split ferry at The Split (which is north of the south island) which will take you across the water to the north island.
If you do need help with luggage or a more than 5 minute walk (seriously, most things are within 5 minutes of each other), you can grab a golf cart taxi. These taxis are around throughout the day and you can hail them from the side of the road.
Caye Caulker or San Pedro?
This depends on what kind of person you are, but if you’re a backpacker, I recommend Caye Caulker. Caye Caulker is small and laid back, with a real backpacker vibe to it. San Pedro attracts more American tourists (big families, older couples) to stay in their grand resorts and apartments.
Caye Caulker has better hostels, but a more chilled nightlife than San Pedro. There are a few bars in Caye Caulker (the Sports Bar, which closes at midnight, and the Reggae Bar, which closes at 2/3am). But that’s it. So if you want crazy nightlife, head to San Pedro.
Don’t worry, backpackers still have big nights out in Caye Caulker, it just doesn’t have a ‘superclub’ vibe.
Caye Caulker has sandy roads with no cars. San Pedro has tarmac with cars, big buildings and is five times bigger than Caye Caulker. So, you decide which is better for you!
Is Caye Caulker a party island?
Not necessarily, but there are still some places to have a great night out. Caye Caulker is exceptionally small, so everyone tends to go to the same places in the evenings (including the locals; we recognised everyone in every bar!)
As backpackers, we started our evenings in Swings, a small bar with decently priced food and delicious rum punch. After Swings, most move onto Sports Bar. A typical dive bar, the Sports Bar hosts different events each night, ranging from Trivia quizzes to karaoke. Past 9pm, the tables are moved and the whole place becomes a dancefloor with a small smoking area on the beach.
After Sports Bar, most people either head home (it closes at midnight), or south to the Reggae Bar. The Reggae Bar is the only place on Caye Caulker that is open past midnight. It’s more of a club than anywhere else on the island, so if you’re not into overcrowded dance floors, head home at midnight.
If you’re hungry, the only places still serving food past midnight on Caye Caulker are the street food vans opposite the Reggae Bar. You can get hotdogs, burgers and nachos for under £5, so even if you’re not continuing the party, you can stop off for some food!
Want to know more about partying in Caye Caulker? Check out my post: Is Caye Caulker A Party Island? Backpacker Guide.
Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America
If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
Snorkeling in Caye Caulker (Belize): In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about snorkeling in Caye Caulker, Belize. I highly recommend Nauti Time Tours, not just for backpackers, but anyone who wants to have an epic day of snorkeling in Belize.
When you’re planning a trip to Belize, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Belize with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Belize content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Belize posts:
- Shark Ray Alley Caye Caulker: Complete Guide
- How To Get From Chetumal To Caye Caulker (Belize) Guide
- How To Get From Caye Caulker To San Pedro
- 29 AMAZING Things To Do In Caye Caulker Belize
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
