Sparkling clear waters, wide open blue skies, and magnificent coral reefs – it’s every water lover’s dream. And in the small Caribbean country of Belize, that dream is a day to day reality. With over four hundred islands dotting its coastline and atolls and reefs ripe for exploration, Belize is home to an abundance of offshore activities for every kind of traveler out there. Looking for some marine adventure this year? Here are some of the top offshore activities in Belize that you should definitely put on your 2023 bucket list.
1. Experience A Bioluminescence Tour
Photo by Hamanasi Guest Austin Schmitt
You’re cruising along walls of coastal mangroves with nothing but flashlights and starlight to guide you. Suddenly, the water around your boat begins to glow with brilliant streaks of blue. Belizean’s call it “burning waata” and it’s what happens when small aquatic organisms give off natural light (Bioluminescence) to warn other species, lure prey, or communicate.
It’s an almost magical experience, and it’s exactly what’s in store for you when you book a bioluminescence tour in Belize. This unique aquatic activity can be enjoyed in southern Belize between the months of February and April.
2. Skydive over the Great Blue Hole
© Duarte Dellarole Photography
Already experienced Belize’s Great Blue Hole from Below? Experience it from above, but with an added twist. Rather than a quick flyover via helicopter or puddle jumper, embrace your inner adrenaline junkie and skydive over Belize’s most famous attraction. This is an exclusive, and not to mention exciting, offshore activity that you can do it thanks to Skydive Belize. The company hosts jumps over and into the Blue Hole a few times per year.
Tip: There’s a great deal of logistics planning that goes into this offshore activity, so it’s good to make a reservation for a tandem skydive months in advance.
3. Book A Sunset Cruise
Sailing into the sunset. Photo by Duarte Dellarole Photography
A cruise along the coasts of Belize’s islands never disappoints. Enjoy the views of the orange sunset as it reflects across the Caribbean Sea. Whether you choose to book a sunset cruise with your soulmate, your family, or friends, old or new, this awe-inspiring experience is definitely Belize bucket list worthy.
4. Get A Grand Slam (Go Fly-Fishing)
Photo by Duarte Dellarole
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) defines a “Grand Slam” as catching a bonefish, tarpon, and permit on the same day. While landing all 3 species is a given for any dedicated Belize fly-fishing trip, a Grand Slam is a feat elusively achieved by an angler over the course of a single 24 hours. Between seasoned fishing guides, mangrove channels, expansive saltwater flats, and 185 miles of coral reef, Belize is one of the best year-round locations in the Caribbean to turn your fly-fishing dreams into a reality.
5. Swim With Nurse Sharks & Rays
Would you jump in? Shark Ray Alley by
@xkflyaway on Instagram
One of the go-to offshore activities for anyone visiting Belize’s cayes, a trip to Shark Ray Alley shouldn’t be missed. Get the chance to swim alongside docile nurse sharks and rays. It’s a quintessential Belize experience. And it’s bound to get all your friends a little jealous when you show them your insta-worthy vacation photos.
6. Visit the Snake Cayes
The Snake Cayes are a pristine set of islands offshore of Toledo in Southern Belize. Photo by ROEming Belize
Name aside, there aren’t any slithering critters found on these gorgeous and remote southern Belize islands. The Snake Cayes are four islands that, while not a part of the Belize Barrier Reef, do have their own separate coral growing on a ledge of limestone. Make the trip out to the very reaches of Belize’s coast to enjoy the most popular, West Snake Caye, for snorkeling and tanning on sugar-white sand beaches.
7. Try Kitesurfing
It’s the perfect combination of relaxing and thrilling, and you should experience it at least once in Belize. The country is a hidden gem for kite surfing, with the two best locations being Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. The best time to go kitesurfing in Belize in during the month of March, when refreshing winds are constant. But anytime during the dry season, especially between February and July is optimal.
8. Visit Glover’s Reef Atoll
Photo courtesy Roeming Belize
A remote paradise with clear turquoise waters, Glover’s Reef Atoll is a must-visit for anyone exploring Belize. Spend your time snorkeling. You’ll have hundreds of patch reefs to choose from. Less than a mile away, shallow Caribbean Sea meets open ocean, making the perfect location for a variety of marine wildlife.
Featured Photo by Skydive Belize
