Belize is blessed with a bounty of natural beauty. Among those are an impressive collection of offshore islands that have long been the star attraction for visitors. Like some of the more well-known islands, Sergeant’s Caye has a rich and epic story.
Once a pristine white beached island, it boasted a large clubhouse, two smaller houses, three water tanks, a pier, dozens of coconut trees and even an adjacent islet called Paunch Caye. Princess Margaret visited it during her West Indies tour in 1958 and at one point was used as a quarantine station. According to a publication from the Pacific Science Board published in 1963 entitled “Atoll Research Bulletin,” Sergeant’s Caye was decimated by hurricane Hattie in 1961. What was left behind was a sand shoal in place of a once comfortable paradise getaway. One of the only examples of what Sergeant’s once looked like comes in the form of a 15c British Honduras Stamp from the year 1938.
Today Sergeant’s Caye is more a sandbar than an island, yet it is still a visual pleasure. The caye sits among a reef patch, with a shallow reef flat. The only evidence that it was once inhabited are the remains of a cement water tank that can be seen at low tide on the fringe of the sandbank. Many divers and snorkelers visit the island during their trip to the reef. It really is a special gem amongst all the other beautiful treasures that Belize has to offer.
Written by CC+L editorial team
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