Exploring Starfish Island: A Belizean Adventure

Starfish Island in Belize is a small spot in the Caribbean Sea near Belize City. Cruise ships do not dock at the island, so visitors must take a short ferry ride to get there. The island is exclusive to cruise ship passengers, which limits the number of beachgoers. Starfish Island offers a variety of activities, including snorkelling, swimming, and playing volleyball. There is also a playground for children, a souvenir shop, a restaurant, and a bar. The island is known for its starfish, which visitors can hold and interact with in a tide pool.

Cruise to Starfish Island from Belize City

Belize City is a popular cruise ship stop, but because the coral reef surrounding the port town is too fragile and dangerous for large ships to navigate, cruise ships cannot dock here. Instead, cruise passengers are tendered in on small boats.

Starfish Island is a small spot in the Caribbean Sea near Belize City. It is not a public island but is used exclusively by cruise ships for their shore excursions, which makes it quite limited in terms of visitors. The island has a large beachfront, a playground, a souvenir shop, a restaurant and bar, and a tide pool with starfish.

To get to Starfish Island from Belize City, you will need to book a shore excursion through your cruise ship. The cruise ships usually offer two excursions per day, and it is recommended to take the earlier one to get the best choice of amenities like chairs and umbrellas. The excursion to Starfish Island usually includes a stop at the Belize Barrier Reef for snorkelling. The snorkelling equipment is provided, but participants must know how to swim and have some snorkelling experience.

The shore excursion to Starfish Island typically lasts around four hours. During your time on the island, you can relax on the beach, swim in the Caribbean Sea, wade in the tide pool with starfish, play volleyball, and enjoy food and drinks at the restaurant and bar. There is also an Elvis impersonator for entertainment!

So, if you're looking for a relaxing beach day with plenty of activities and beautiful Caribbean Sea views, a cruise to Starfish Island from Belize City is a great option.

Wade in the tide pool with starfish

Starfish Island in Belize is a small spot in the Caribbean, used exclusively for cruise ship shore excursions. Before you enter the tide pool, you will receive a lesson on how to pick up and hold the starfish in a protective way. There will be plenty of staff on hand to ensure the starfish are handled safely and returned to the water if they are lifted too far out of the pool.

In addition to starfish, the tide pool is also home to crabs, which can be hard to spot from above the water. While no one has been snapped at by the crabs, it's important to be cautious of them.

The beach has plenty of chairs, cabanas, umbrellas, and hammocks for you to relax in. The island also has a playground, a souvenir shop, and a restaurant and bar. Lunch is included in the shore excursion cost, and typically consists of red beans and rice.

Snorkel and swim in the Caribbean Sea

Starfish Island is a small spot in the Caribbean Sea, near Belize City. It is a private island, used exclusively by cruise ships for shore excursions. The island has a large beachfront, a playground, a souvenir shop, a restaurant, a bar, and a tide pool with starfish.

The beach is a great spot to swim and snorkel in the Caribbean Sea. The water is wonderful, although it can be a little rocky near the shore. The island is also a great place to learn how to snorkel, with shallow, gentle waters just off the beach.

If you're looking for a more adventurous snorkelling experience, you can book a spot on a boat heading to Shark Ray Alley, a few minutes off Caye Caulker beach. You'll get to see curious nurse sharks and stingrays up close.

The Belize Barrier Reef, a part of the Mesoamerican Reef, is another great snorkelling spot. It is home to a diverse range of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, eels, jellyfish, and cowfish. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, near Ambergris Caye, is also a fantastic all-day snorkelling adventure. The large marine park is divided into four sections, each with its own unique underwater wildlife and terrain.

With its clear waters, healthy reef systems, and abundance of marine life, Belize offers plenty of opportunities for swimming and snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea.

Relax on the beach

Starfish Island is a great place to relax on the beach. The island is a small spot in the Caribbean with a large beachfront. It is not a public island, which makes it more exclusive and limits the number of beachgoers. The beach has a plethora of beach chairs, cabanas, beach umbrellas, and hammocks for you to relax.

The island is named after the starfish that inhabit the tide pool. Before entering the tide pool, you will receive instructions on how to pick up and hold the starfish in a protective way. There are plenty of staff on hand to ensure the well-being of the starfish.

The beach is a little rocky near the shore, so it is recommended to wear beach shoes. Once you are in the water, it is wonderful. You can swim, play, snorkel, and kayak to your heart's content.

If you are looking for a more relaxed activity, there is a small playground on the island with a swing set. You can also collect seashells and coral that have washed up on the beach.

Lunch is usually included in the shore excursion cost. You can expect a traditional Caribbean meal, such as red beans and rice. During lunch, you might be entertained by an Elvis impersonator.

Overall, Starfish Island is a great place to relax on the beach and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Explore the island's souvenir shop, restaurant and bar

Starfish Island is a small spot in the Caribbean. It is not a public island but is instead owned by Carnival Cruise Lines and used for shore excursions. This exclusivity limits the number of beachgoers. The island has a large beachfront, a playground for kids, a souvenir shop, a restaurant and bar, and a tide pool with starfish.

The souvenir shop is small but has some items that children will love. You can pick up colourful island souvenirs here.

The restaurant serves a traditional Caribbean meal of red beans and rice. Entertainment is provided during the meal, with an Elvis impersonator performing. The food is tasty, and the restrooms are clean.

The bar serves up frosty drinks and popular fare. Drinks are mostly $10, and beers average $3-$4.

Frequently asked questions