Just thirty minutes away from Dangriga Town, a hidden paradise waits for the adventurous soul who’s seeking an experience in
Belize’s barrier reef and all its underwater wonder. Away from the green terrain of Belize’s mainland, and certainly away from the busy islands of
Caye Caulker and
Ambergris Caye, Tobacco Caye is the ideal getaway to experience relaxation and leisure at a next level. This quaint island holds the size of only five acres with a population around fifty residences. There is no need for roads, cars or sidewalks. Staying in Tobacco Caye gives you direct access to the beach and the sea for the full “sand, sun and sea” experience. Everything is
at walking distance; but, be careful! You might be wandering into someone else’s yard! No need to fret if this happens, you’ll more likely be greeted with warm smiles and hellos from locals and other visitors.
Belize’s remarkable marine life is the epitome of all ecological services provided by the barrier reef. Since Tobacco Caye lies right on the edge of this magnificent stretch of corals and marine ecosystems, it is one of the few islands that thrive on Belize’s barrier reef. As mentioned in a previous blog,
“10 Things You Should Know About Belize,” the Belize barrier reef is currently the longest living barrier reef and the second largest in the world. With the proximity of
Tobacco Caye and the barrier reef, Belize’s rare and exotic underwater beauties can be easily accessed. While we encourage any visitor to swim in the area and experience the reef, we would also like to encourage the “see but don’t touch” rule as the ecosystems that exist along the reef are very delicate and must be protected at all costs. Despite this, you are guaranteed to see a colorful array of coral formations, fishes
and mangrove ranges under the crisp, clear Belizean waters.
This tiny island that is off the coast of Belize can offer any visitor an adventure of a lifetime in just one weekend! There are already several activities that can be done on the island or by the shore. Kick back on a beach chair and soak up the warm sun. Enjoy the serenity of the crashing waves harmonizing with the wind rustling through leaves of the coconut trees. Or take a dip into the warm sea water. But, don’t stop just there! If you would like to go further from the island, there are a few tour operators that can take you on a boat ride in deeper waters for fishing adventures and see a wider variety of aquatic species.
Along with being a great vacation location, Tobacco Caye is also an excellent place for researchers and students to conduct studies based on the marine life and ecosystems that exist. At different times of the year, student groups from all over the world come to experience everything that the island has to offer and participate in educational research. Since Tobacco Caye is part of the
South Water Caye Marine Reserve, you can expect to visit nearby islands that are essential for the biodiversity of many species around that area. For example, just a five-minute boat ride from Tobacco Caye, you can experience the famous “Bird Caye” or formally known as Man O’ War Caye where there is a prominence of habitation by many bird species. You can also go island hopping from Tobacco
Caye, to Bird Caye, the South Water Caye and lastly Carrie Bow or “
Caribow” Caye in just one day.
If you are lucky, you might be able to spot a few manatees near these islands, as this is something common according to the tour operators that reside in Tobacco Caye. Many have even seen dolphins up close while on these tours; and, if you are extremely lucky, you may see manatees and dolphins on the same trip! Certainly, a full day of these adventures awaits you on the little island of Tobacco Caye.
After you have spent most of your day snorkeling or going on tours, there are two bars to where you can unwind and enjoy the peaceful ambiance. Usually, you can expect live drumming to start off the night, and then move on with electronic or any other genre that the crowd desires. Since most of the island is powered by generators, you can also expect to be in complete serenity after midnight when most of the cabins shutdown the electricity. This means that you may not be able to experience all the luxury of a five-star hotel that includes air conditioning; but, we can guarantee that you will have a five-star experience in adventure and relaxation while you are there. This is an ideal escape from all things technology-related and to just enjoy the wonders that nature has to offer. You may not even have time to use your phone or other electronic devices. But, if using those devices is a necessity for your stay and you need an Internet connection, there is WIFI available for a small fee of $5 BZD.
There is also a small store where you can get snacks for your adventures, and a restaurant when you get hungry. If cooking is something that you would like to do on the island, there are cabins available with kitchens where you can prepare your own food.
With all that said, if you are looking for a REAL getaway, start
Belizing today and visit Tobacco Caye. It is a unique getaway relaxation and adventure location. From Tobacco Caye, there are many other adventures you can experience while you are in southern Belize; and, we encourage for you to use Belizing.com as a platform to help you find your much-needed adventures. We cannot wait to hear about your Belizing adventure at Tobacco Caye!