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South Water Caye Marine Reserve

Covering nearly 118,000 acres (47,750 ha), the South Water Caye Marine Reserve is the the largest marine reserve in Belize. It is also one of the most accessible from the mainland, with the western edge located just 10 miles (16 km) from the mainland. With lagoons, palm fringed islands, and mangroves, the reserve is home to a wide range of species. Visitors encounter beautiful reef fish, stingrays, and seabirds. Less common but still possible are sightings of sharks, manatees, and crocodiles.

South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
South Water Caye Marine Reserve

More about South Water Caye Marine Reserve

Most day trips to the reserve leave from the coastal towns of Dangriga, Hopkins, or Placencia, and the boat ride takes approximately one hour. The channel crossing out to the reserve is short, but can be wet and rough depending on weather conditions and the size of the boat. Once inside the reserve, the reef provides shelter resulting in flatter water that is perfect for swimming, island hopping, and kayaking. With dozens of dive sites that range from shallow reefs to steep wall sites, divers and snorkelers should encounter few other boats.

While many of the nicest beaches in the reserve belong to private resorts and are not open to day trips, Tobacco Caye, a small populated island in the northern end of the reserve, is a frequent stop on most full day itineraries. While the beachfront amenities here are limited, visitors can interact with locals living on the island, snorkel on the offshore reef, talk with scientists working at the Tobacco Marine Station, or relax at the oceanfront bar. The only food available to the public is served at a small snack shop. Those planning a full day excursion to the reserve should bring food and water if it is not included as part of their boat tour or transportation.

Most boat tours also drive by Man-O-War Caye, a mangrove island where hundreds of frigates and brown boobies establish their nesting sites.

Accommodations

Incredible Stays

Blue Marlin Resort - South Water Caye
Blue Marlin Resort - South Water Caye
Blue Marlin Resort - South Water Caye
Blue Marlin Resort - South Water Caye

Blue Marlin Beach Resort on South Water Caye is a private coral island resort offering a relaxed vacation in a laidback atmosphere with easy access to explore the underwater beauty of Belize. Boasting a unique coastline of the living coral reef on the east and the gentle lagoon on the west, Blue Marlin Beach Resort offers guests mesmerizing views, solitude and relaxation, and phenomenal snorkel and dive spots just 2 to 10 minutes from the resort’s dock. Underwater enthusiasts will be awed to see large lush coral formations and delighted to swim with an array of coastal marine species as they explore the 2nd largest marine reserve in Belize, the South Water Caye Marine Reserve.

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