Belize: Snorkeling & Coral Reef Ecology

If arriving on the start date of the program, there will be group transfers facilitated by a Turneffe Flats representative at the International Airport in Belize City. Depending on your arrival time, you will then be transferred to the Radisson Fort George Hotel or to the marina. Once all travelers have arrived, the group will depart at around 4 pm for the 90 minute boat ride to Blackbird Caye on the east side of Turneffe Atoll. After settling into your room at Turneffe Flats resort, there will be a welcome meeting, followed by dinner.

Each day, after breakfast and after lunch, you will embark on boat-based snorkeling excursions to explore the reefs, mangroves, and atoll habitats. You can expect to see a wide diversity of tropical reef fish, rays, sea turtles, invertebrates, and lobsters as you explore Belize’s best snorkeling reefs. You may also come across groups of spinner dolphins and the occasional Antillean manatee. Participants should expect to spend 4-5 hours per day out on the water and snorkeling.

Weather permitting, one of the days will be spent visiting Great Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye in Lighthouse Reef Atoll. (Park fee $40 USD, subject to change, to be paid on site) The Great Blue Hole was formed millions of years ago when an underground cave collapsed. Now, snorkelers can enjoy the protected blue-water “hole” that is 984 feet wide and 354 feet deep. Here it is possible to see nurse sharks, large parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, and more. The perimeter coral reefs of the Blue Hole begin at depths of only 3-5 feet, and provide spectacular snorkeling in relatively shallow depths. In the afternoon, we will spend time visiting Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, which was established as Belize’s first marine reserve. Here, you will be able to see a large colony of nesting Red-footed Boobies (4,000+) and Magnificent Frigatebirds. There will also be opportunities to see Ospreys, Great-tailed Grackles, Cinnamon Hummingbirds, and White-crowned Pigeons, as well as hermit crabs and spiny tailed iguanas. If time allows, you will be able to snorkel from the beach, with a good chance to see nurse sharks and large schools of reef fish.

We will also schedule a visit to the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA) and learn about their local conservation efforts and visit its Marine Reserve Station’s nature and underwater snorkeling trails. Your naturalist and host at Turneffe Flat will also showcase the surrounding habitats and its sustainable approach to tourism with evening presentations.

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Belize City (expect to be back by 9:30-10:00 am) and will have the option to take a group shuttle back to the airport, if leaving that day. If you prefer to depart later to the airport you can easily get a taxi. See optional post-trip extension below.