Sanctuary Beach: A Secluded Tropical Paradise Just A Short Drive From Belize City

Belize City is not known for its beaches, but there are a few options nearby. The closest beach is Old Belize, a small man-made beach located about 8km from the cruise port. Other nearby beaches include Goff's Caye, Starfish Island, and Caye Caulker, which are all popular shore excursions for cruise passengers. These islands offer a range of activities such as snorkelling, sailing, and kayaking. For those willing to travel further, the Placencia Peninsula, about 180 miles away, boasts the longest stretch of beach in mainland Belize.

Goff's Caye is a tiny island with a beach a 30-minute boat ride from Belize City

Goffs Caye is a tiny island with a beach just a 30-minute boat ride from Belize City. It is one of the few white sand beaches in Belize, with shallow crystal blue waters. The beach is natural and not man-made, and the small island is said to embody the true essence of Belize.

The beach is family-friendly, with calm waters for children to play in, and there is also a reef just off the shore for snorkelling. The island has a barbecue and bar, with food and drinks available to purchase. There are also toilet facilities, and a few shelters in case of rain.

The island is a popular excursion from Belize City, with many tour companies offering trips. The cost is usually around $48 USD per passenger, with children under 3 going free. The boat ride is described as 'scenic' and 'fun', and some tours include a stop to see dolphins.

The island is only about 1 to 2 acres in size, and some reviewers mention that it can get crowded. There are some rocky areas, and visitors are warned not to swim off the back of the island. There is also a pipe that releases sewage into the ocean, which may be off-putting for some swimmers.

Overall, Goffs Caye is a beautiful, intimate island, and a great option for a beach day trip from Belize City.

Starfish Island, also known as Kayab Caye, is a private island with sandy beaches

Starfish Island, also known as Kayab Caye, is a private island located on the Meso-American Reef, which stretches 625 miles from southern Belize to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The island is known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and kayaking.

Access to Starfish Island is restricted, with only a few companies authorised to bring guests to the island. This ensures that the island never feels crowded, and visitors can enjoy the open-air cocktail bar and abundance of space. The island offers a range of activities, including snorkelling, kayaking, and relaxing in loungers or hammocks.

Starfish Island is an ideal destination for those seeking a private and relaxing beach experience. The island is easily accessible by boat from Belize City, making it a convenient escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Belize is known for its stunning beaches and vibrant wildlife, as well as its Mayan ruins and colourful towns tucked away in the jungle. The country is a popular destination for eco-tourism, with many opportunities for snorkelling, paddling, and scuba diving along its coastline.

Belize City, with a population of around 60,000, can be a surprising contrast to the tranquil beaches and natural attractions of the surrounding area. The city serves as a gateway to the country's stunning natural beauty and cultural sites, including the Mayan archaeological sites of Xunantunich, Altun Ha, and Lamanai.

Overall, Starfish Island, or Kayab Caye, offers a unique and relaxing beach experience with its sandy beaches and range of activities, making it a popular destination for those seeking a private island escape near Belize City.

Caye Caulker is a small, laid-back island with beaches and a popular snorkelling destination

Caye Caulker is a small island located just a few miles off the coast of Belize City. It is known for its laid-back and relaxed vibe, attracting travellers who want to "go slow" and enjoy the local culture and beaches. The island is only five miles long, and the main modes of transportation are golf carts, bicycles, or simply walking barefoot along the sandy streets.

Caye Caulker is a popular destination for snorkelling, with its vibrant turquoise waters and diverse marine life, including manatees, stingrays, sharks, and turtles. It is also a great place to go fishing, and visitors can have their catch cooked at one of the local restaurants. Other popular activities include windsurfing, kitesurfing, and diving.

The island's motto, "Go Slow", is embraced by both residents and tourists, creating a calm and carefree atmosphere. The primary industry on the island is tourism, although fishing has traditionally been the main source of income. Caye Caulker is believed to have made its way onto British maps as "Caye Corker", as sailors would stop here to replenish their water bottles with the island's abundant fresh water.

The best time to visit Caye Caulker is during the dry season from January to April, when you can expect sunny days and clear blue skies. However, this is also the busiest and most expensive time to visit. The island's "Lobsterfest", which takes place during the last week of June, is also a popular time to visit, celebrating the start of the lobster season.

To get to Caye Caulker, you can take a domestic flight or a water taxi from Belize City. The flight offers stunning views of the barrier reef and neighbouring islands, while the water taxi is a more affordable option. Once on the island, the best way to get around is on foot, by bicycle, or by golf cart taxi.

Old Belize is an artificial beach a couple of miles outside Belize City

Belize is a gorgeous country that offers a wide variety of attractions, including Mayan ruins, vibrant wildlife, colourful towns, and stunning beaches. The country is also big on eco-tourism, with many beaches offering opportunities for snorkelling, paddling, and scuba diving.

Old Belize is an artificial beach located a couple of miles outside Belize City. It is a well-kept secret, featuring a 350-foot stretch of soft sand, known as Kukumba Beach, dotted with thatched-roof huts and colourful lounge chairs. The beach offers a range of fun activities, including a massive 50-foot waterslide called the Slippery Conch, a giant Tarzan rope swing, and Wibit water trampoline inflatables.

The beach also has a friendly bar that serves fruity cocktails, and there are showers and changing facilities available. Old Belize is more than just a beach, it is also a cultural exhibit that showcases the ecological, archaeological, industrial, and political history of Belize. The Old Belize Train Tour, available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin, takes visitors on a whimsical light rail journey to uncover the untold stories of the country.

The T-Shirt Factory offers a range of souvenirs and knick-knacks, including rum, artisan wooden items, Cuban cigars, and t-shirts. The Old Belize Food Market, a new dining experience, features five individual fast-casual vendors serving delicious coastal dishes with a Belizean twist, such as seafood and fruit juices.

Belize City itself is the country's largest urban centre, located on the East coast of the country, bathed by the Caribbean Sea. The city has a population of around 110,000 people and is known for its friendly and polite locals who speak English well. While the city may not be the safest to explore on your own, it offers a range of attractions, including the Museum of Belize, St. John's Cathedral, and the Fort Street Tourism Village, which is a clean, well-maintained, and safe area for tourists.

Ambergris Caye is one of the country's largest islands, with several beaches and the small city of San Pedro

Ambergris Caye is one of the largest islands in Belize, with a length of 25 miles, and is home to the small city of San Pedro, the island's only town. San Pedro is a bustling town with paved streets downtown and towards the north, where the major tourist resorts are located. The side streets are mostly sandy, and the town still retains its charm as a historic fishing village.

San Pedro is the traditional hub of the island, and it wasn't long ago that almost everyone lived in or very close to what was once a tiny fishing village with few vehicles and sandy streets. Despite the growth in tourism and infrastructure, San Pedro can still feel like a small village. You'll often see bicycle vendors selling Creole buns or ice pops, and dogs lying in the sun or taking a swim in the ocean.

Ambergris Caye has several beaches, including Secret Beach on the west side of the island, which has calm, crystal-clear waters. The beach is now packed with beach bars and restaurants, but it offers something for everyone, from families with kids to adults looking for a quiet swim.

The east side of the island, also known as the reef side, is where most of the action happens. This is where you'll find San Pedro, as well as resorts, hotels, and homes enjoying the cool sea breezes and gorgeous ocean and reef views.

Ambergris Caye is a popular tourist destination, known for its stunning natural beauty, glowing aqua waters, and barrier reef visible from the beachfront. It offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury resorts to private rental homes, and a variety of amazing restaurants and lively nightlife options.

The island is easily accessible by plane or boat from the mainland, with both Tropic Air and Maya Island Air offering hourly flights. It is also a popular destination for cruise ships, which anchor about 2 miles from the coast, and passengers are transferred to the Fort Street Tourism Village by local authorities.

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