Snorkeling At Harvest Caye, Belize: What To Expect

Harvest Caye in Belize is a popular tourist destination owned by Norwegian Cruise Line. The 75-acre eco-friendly island port offers a range of activities, including snorkelling. While there are some activities available on the island itself, those seeking an authentic Belizean experience can take a ferry to Placencia Village, a charming fishing town on the mainland. Here, visitors can explore the rich marine life of the Caribbean Sea by snorkelling, island hopping, or seafood hunting. The Silk Cayes, a group of three small islands often referred to as the Queen Cayes, are a popular choice for snorkelling enthusiasts, offering the opportunity to explore vibrant underwater worlds teeming with marine life. Other snorkelling options include Laughing Bird Caye National Park, Lark Cayes, and Bugle Cayes, each promising diverse and enchanting experiences.

Snorkelling tours at Harvest Caye

Harvest Caye, a 75-acre island in Belize, offers a range of exciting excursions for cruise passengers, including snorkelling tours. The island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and is known for its eco-friendly cruise port, stunning beaches, and array of activities.

Snorkelling at the Belize Barrier Reef

One of the most popular snorkelling tours at Harvest Caye is the Belize Barrier Reef Snorkel Excursion. This tour is well-suited for beginners and intermediate snorkelers, as it involves a shallow water entry. Departing from the Harvest Caye Marina, passengers board comfortable snorkel vessels for a short scenic ride to a site along the reef.

The Belize Barrier Reef is teeming with colourful reef fish, hard and soft coral formations, sponges, sea fans, and sea anemones. Common sightings include spotted eagle rays, schools of larger fish, large starfish, queen conchs, and sea cucumbers. After snorkelling, passengers re-board the boat and enjoy Caribbean music during the return trip. Upon disembarking, they are treated to a complimentary rum punch.

Snorkelling at Placencia

For those seeking a more authentic Belizean experience, a ferry ride from Harvest Caye to the charming Placencia Village offers access to captivating snorkelling spots. The Silk Cayes, located about an hour away from Placencia on the Barrier Reef, are often referred to as the "Queen Cayes" and provide exceptional snorkelling opportunities. Other snorkelling charters from Placencia include Laughing Bird Caye National Park, Lark Cayes, and Bugle Cayes, each offering unique and enchanting experiences.

The Fish and Snorkel excursion combines fishing and snorkelling. In the morning, passengers can engage in bottom fishing or trolling around the inner reefs of Placencia or the barrier reef, catching a variety of fish such as snappers, groupers, and even Dorado. After the fishing expedition, the group heads to a nearby island for snorkelling while the catch of the day is prepared for a delicious lunch.

Harvest Caye and its surrounding areas truly offer a snorkeller's paradise, with opportunities to explore the vibrant underwater world and interact with diverse marine life. These tours provide a unique perspective of Belize's natural wonders and are sure to create unforgettable memories.

Other snorkelling spots in Belize

Belize is home to the world's second-largest barrier reef, which provides unrivalled snorkelling with an abundance of coral and tropical fish. The country is also blessed with clear turquoise waters, hundreds of cayes (small islands), and three atolls that offer exceptional snorkelling adventures.

• Mexico Rocks & Tres Cocos – This beautiful snorkel spot is located between the Belize Barrier Reef and Ambergris Caye. Both locations are accessible by a short boat ride from the town of San Pedro. The reef at Tres Cocos is as shallow as four feet, making it a great spot for both beginners and experienced snorkellers. The area is also known for its abundance of marine life, including conch, banded shrimps, arrow crabs, flounders, stingrays, yellowtail snappers, angelfish, damselfish, and hawksbill turtles.
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley – Easily accessible from San Pedro, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve straddles the Belize Barrier Reef and includes Shark Ray Alley, where snorkellers can enjoy up-close experiences with southern stingrays and nurse sharks. This spot is great for all levels with its shallow waters, white sands, and clear visibility.
• Southwest Caye – Glover's Reef Atoll is a remote atoll that features remarkably clear waters and a sheltered, shallow lagoon with more than 700 patch reefs to explore. The interaction of the open waters with the sheltered lagoon has resulted in a diverse and spectacular profusion of marine life, making Glover's Reef Atoll a first-class destination for snorkellers.
• Tobacco Caye – Located in the middle of the Belize Barrier Reef at the northern edge of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, this beautiful 5-acre palm-fringed island is known for its world-class snorkelling right off the beach. Tobacco Caye Paradise offers snorkel gear, kayak, and SUP rentals to guests and visitors.
• Billy Hawk Caye – This tiny caye is a Garifuna fishing camp located within the beautiful South Water Caye Marine Reserve. It offers outstanding reef snorkelling and paddling among mangroves and palm-fringed islets. Billy Hawk Caye sees few visitors but is included as a day trip on the itinerary for the Paradise Islands and Coral Islands SUP trip.
• Carrie Bow Caye – This caye is home to the Smithsonian Carrie Bow Cay Field Station, which conducts research on the biology, ecology, and geology of coral reef ecosystems. The snorkelling off this caye is incredible, with a wide variety of both hard and soft corals as well as beautiful tropical fish.
• Half Moon Caye – Located on Lighthouse Reef Atoll, the furthest offshore of all Belize's atolls, Half Moon Caye is an excellent location for both beginner and experienced snorkellers, with plenty of shallow waters to explore. Lighthouse Reef Atoll is also home to the world-famous Blue Hole, a perfectly circular sinkhole that is a legendary Belize snorkel and dive spot.

What to expect at Harvest Caye

Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, located off the southern coast of Belize. It is a popular destination for cruisers looking to explore the natural beauty and vibrant culture of the Caribbean. Here's what you can expect when visiting Harvest Caye:

Weather Conditions

The weather at Harvest Caye is ideal for sun-seekers all year round, with temperatures ranging from the high 80s to 90s Fahrenheit. The hottest period is typically between May and October, while December and January tend to have slightly cooler temperatures. The driest months are from January to May, with the summer and fall being rainier and more humid. The sea temperatures follow a similar pattern, making it warm enough to swim all year round.

Transportation and Facilities

Harvest Caye is the only port in Belize with a cruise ship pier, which means guests can easily walk to the island in about 10 minutes. There is also transportation available for those who need it. The island has a covered path to provide shade, and lockers are available for rent at a cost. English is widely spoken, and both US and Belizean dollars are accepted. It is important to note that there is no Wi-Fi available onshore, and ship cards are not valid for payments.

Dining and Refreshments

Harvest Caye has eight venues for meals, snacks, and drinks, offering a variety of options such as typical bar food with Caribbean influences like fried plantains and ceviche. Drinks include fruity cocktails, rum, and local Belizean beer. Food and drinks are not included in the cruise package, and prices typically range from $12 to $18 per entree and $9 to $12 for a cocktail. It is recommended to bring cash and credit cards, as American Express is not accepted.

Attractions and Activities

The island offers a range of attractions and activities to suit different interests and budgets. The 7-acre beach area has plenty of loungers and palm trees for shade. There is also a 15,000-square-foot pool with a swim-up bar and a waterfall. For nature enthusiasts, Harvest Caye is home to a wildlife sanctuary with butterflies and birds, as well as botanical gardens. The Blue Morpho Butterfly Sanctuary is a famous attraction, offering an up-close experience with these creatures.

For those seeking more adventurous activities, there is a 3000-foot-long zip line, double beach run zip line, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkelling at the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world. Other excursions include rainforest river tubing, a monkey river eco tour, glass-bottom boat rides, catch-and-release fishing, and a ferry to the mainland (Placencia).

Shopping and Souvenirs

Before heading back to the ship, visitors can explore the shopping village, which offers a variety of locally made souvenirs, t-shirts, chocolates, and more.

How to get to Harvest Caye

Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, located about a mile from the mainland of Belize and roughly five miles from the town of Placencia. The island is approximately a mile long and 400 feet wide at most points, making it easily walkable.

By Cruise

The most common way to get to Harvest Caye is by cruise ship. Norwegian Cruise Line has a port on the island, which is a popular stop for its Western Caribbean cruises. The ship docks a short distance from the shore, and passengers can take a long walk down the pier or hitch a ride on a golf cart to reach the island.

By Ferry

If you're looking for a more local experience, you can take a ferry from Harvest Caye to Placencia, a charming beach town popular with tourists and locals. Tickets for the ferry can only be purchased at the excursion desk onboard the ship, and it is recommended to secure them in advance. The ferry ride takes about 15 to 30 minutes each way, and the cost of round-trip tickets is around $25 USD.

By Excursion

Harvest Caye also serves as a gateway to various shore excursions, including visits to ancient ruins, kayaking through mangroves, or ziplining. These excursions can be booked through the cruise line or local tour operators.

By Air

To reach Belize, where Harvest Caye is located, you can fly into one of the country's international airports, such as the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City or the John Greif II Airport in San Pedro Town. From there, you can take a connecting flight or travel by boat to reach Harvest Caye.

Other activities at Harvest Caye

Harvest Caye in Belize offers a plethora of activities for visitors to enjoy. Here is a list of some of the exciting things to do on the island:

Explore the Wildlife

The island boasts a diverse range of wildlife, and nature enthusiasts will delight in the opportunity to spot manatees, crocodiles, iguanas, birds, howler monkeys, and even the occasional porpoise. The Blue Morpho Butterfly and Wildlife Sanctuary is a free nature park where visitors can learn about the flora and fauna of Harvest Caye, including macaws, toucans, snakes, and butterflies.

Adventure Activities

For those seeking an adrenaline rush, Harvest Caye offers zip-lining across the island, with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The Superman Beach Zipline run is particularly thrilling, as you fly side by side in a face-down "superman" position at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. The island also features a salt lagoon where visitors can rent kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and electric boat floats for an adventurous exploration of the waters.

Relax and Unwind

For a more relaxed experience, Harvest Caye has a 7-acre beach with lounge chairs and clamshells available for rent. The beach features warm turquoise blue waters and plenty of shade under the palm trees. Visitors can also rent float pads and hammocks for an even more tranquil experience. The island also offers private villas and cabanas, complete with air conditioning, private bathrooms, and concierge services, for the ultimate luxurious escape.

Shopping and Dining

The shopping village on Harvest Caye offers a variety of locally owned shops and stalls, selling handcrafted souvenirs, paintings, jewelry, perfumes, t-shirts, and rum. Moho Chocolates, a local shop selling chocolates and soaps made from Belize cocoa beans, is a popular attraction. For dining, there is the Landshark Grill and Bar restaurant, serving delicious seafood and traditional Belizean delicacies. The island also has four bars, including the Rum Coco Bar and the Cat 5 Bar, where visitors can enjoy cold cocktails and beer.

Frequently asked questions