Kai Caulker: Discover Belize's Best-Kept Secret

Caye Caulker is a stunning island off the coast of Belize. It is a budget-friendly island with crystal-clear waters, a laid-back vibe, and plenty of incredible things to see and do.

The island is known for its Go Slow motto, which embodies the essence of the care-free Caribbean. Caye Caulker is a popular destination for backpackers and budget travellers, offering beautiful landscapes, fresh seafood, friendly locals, and calming sea breezes.

- Snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim with sea turtles, stingrays, tropical fish, and gentle nurse sharks.

- The Split, a narrow channel that divides the island, featuring restaurants, bars, and stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. It's a great place to hang out, meet people, and enjoy cocktails and reggae music at The Lazy Lizard.

- Scuba diving at the Great Blue Hole, a world-famous dive site and one of Belize's greatest wonders.

- Kayaking on the west side of the island, where you can explore the lagoon and mangroves and see schools of tarpon fish.

- Biking around the island, taking in the sights and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.

- Visiting the Seahorse Reserve at Iguana Reef Inn, where you can see seahorses, tarpon, lobsters, stingrays, and nurse sharks.

- Indulging in the local cuisine, including BBQ, lobster, and fresh seafood.

- Watching the sunset from the beach or a rooftop bar.

- Exploring the Barrier Reef Sports Bar, a popular spot for drinks, appetizers, and live music.

Snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley

Your snorkelling adventure will begin at Hol Chan, where you'll be greeted by schools of jacks, groupers, and snappers as you explore the vibrant coral formations. You'll then swim to the channel's edge, where you'll find crevices and an overhang inhabited by green eels and lobsters. Keep an eye out for the black and yellow angel fish, neon and black tiny fish, grouper fish, and Christmas tree worms!

Just a stone's throw away from Hol Chan lies Shark Ray Alley. Here, you'll have the thrilling experience of swimming alongside Nurse Sharks and Southern Stingrays. Don't worry, these creatures are harmless as long as you maintain a respectful distance. The novelty of swimming with these majestic creatures, along with the beauty of the Caribbean's shallow waters and white sands, makes this a perfect adventure for both experienced and inexperienced snorkelers.

When booking your tour, opt for a morning session as tropical weather can be unpredictable, and you'll have a higher chance of good weather earlier in the day. Don't forget to pack sunscreen, a towel, and flip flops!

Scuba diving at the Great Blue Hole

Belize is a haven for nature lovers, with its hundreds of islands and cays, diverse wildlife, and ancient Mayan ruins. It is a must-visit destination for scuba divers and snorkelers, with its vast stretches of protected barrier reef, including the world-renowned Great Blue Hole.

The Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole located near the center of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, about 65 miles from Placencia and 44 miles from Ambergris Caye. It is one of the most astonishing dive sites in the world and the only blue hole visible from space with the naked eye. The site was made famous by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who declared it one of the top ten best scuba diving sites globally.

The Blue Hole is for seasoned divers who wish to participate in a unique 'bucket-list' experience. The depth of the site, reaching over 400 feet, requires good control over one's buoyancy and a calmness in the face of low light and minimal changes in water temperature or movement. The dive begins with a descent to a sandy limestone shelf that surrounds the Blue Hole, followed by a freefall into the darkness of the hole. As divers descend, they may encounter Caribbean Reef Sharks and, on rare occasions, Hammerhead sharks.

At a depth of 120 feet, divers can observe stalactites that formed when the cave was above sea level. The Blue Hole is also surrounded by fringing reefs, providing an excellent opportunity for snorkelers to explore. The reefs are colored by anemones, elkhorn, starlet, and club finger corals.

The Great Blue Hole is accessible by boat, with a ride time of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. The dive itself is typically brief, lasting around 30 minutes, and it is important to carefully follow the instructions of the dive leader due to the depth and unique challenges of this site.

The best time to visit Belize for scuba diving is during the dry season, which starts in November and runs through July. This period offers the warmest and driest weather, with prolonged periods of sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

Exploring the island by bike

Caye Caulker is a tiny island, just five miles long and 0.15-1.2 miles wide, so it's perfect for a two-wheeled expedition! There are no cars on the island, and the primary mode of transport is by bike, golf cart, or on foot.

Renting a bike is a great way to explore the island at your own pace and create your own mini-breeze on warm days. You can rent a bike for $5 BZ for an hour or $15 BZ for the whole day.

• Head to the southernmost part of the island, where the airport is, and find a fresh perspective.
• Cycle to the Split, where the island is divided into two by a body of water.
• Visit the largest conch wall in the world, near the airfield, mini reserve, and mangroves.
• Stop by the local shops and boutiques to browse unique, handmade souvenirs, clothing, and jewellery.
• Enjoy a delicious meal at one of the island's amazing restaurants, such as Wish Willy or Roy's.
• Try some fresh juice at one of the open-air juice stalls to get your daily dose of vitamins.
• Watch the sunset from the Seahorse Ranch Reserve by Iguana Reef Inn or head to the north of the island to Koko King for a great view.
• Visit the wildlife and nature on the island, including the iguanas, crabs, and lizards that can be found near the World's Largest Conch Wall.

Visiting the Seahorse Reserve

If you're visiting Caye Caulker, a trip to the Seahorse Reserve is a must. Located on the west side of the island, this tiny sanctuary is home to hundreds of seahorses, as well as other marine life, such as stingrays and tarpon. The reserve is right outside the Iguana Reef Inn, on the north side of their seawall. You'll find a net in the water that the seahorses like to hang on to.

Seahorses are tiny, so they can be difficult to spot, and they are excellent at camouflaging, so you'll need to be patient and focus on exploring the lines of the net with your eyes. They are often brown, yellow, and black in colour and grow to be 6-12 inches long.

The best time to visit the reserve is around 5 pm, as this is when you can also feed the stingrays. If you're looking for a challenge, see if you can spot the eel, Queen Angel, and French Angelfish that also call this reserve home.

The Seahorse Reserve is a great spot to watch the sunset, and you might even see the owner of the Iguana Reef Inn, Eric, chatting with guests.

Getting There

To get to the reserve, take the side road by the football field if you don't see any signs. The reserve is just a 5-minute walk from the water taxi dock.

Other Activities Nearby

If you're looking for more free activities, you can walk or take a bike ride down the Caye Caulker Nature Trail. Start on Back Street and pass the airstrip on the reef side, or walk down the beach, starting at The Split. You can also watch or join the daily pelican feeding at the Iguana Reef Inn around sunset.

For a small fee, you can feed the tarpon at Tarpon View. The tarpon will jump out of the water to snatch sardines from your hand, but watch out for their pointy teeth!

Where to Stay

The Iguana Reef Inn is a great option if you want to be close to the Seahorse Reserve. It's been described as a "beautiful" and "relaxing" spot to watch the sunset, and the staff are friendly and caring.

Food and Drinks

For a delicious breakfast, head to Bamboozle. For cheap and delicious food, try the beachfront barbecue vendors, where you can get BBQ chicken or ribs with a side of rice and beans and coleslaw. If it's lobster season, you're in for a treat, as lobster is abundant and affordable in Belize.

For something sweet, pick up a piece of cake from Chef Juan's—their carrot cake, key lime pie, and chocolate cake are all highly recommended.

For drinks, check out the Lazy Lizard at The Split, where you can try their famous Lizard Juice, a sweet, bright green, frozen drink.

Sampling the local cuisine

Caye Caulker is a stunning island off the coast of Belize, attracting backpackers and budget travellers with its beautiful landscape and fresh seafood. The island's motto is 'Go Slow', and its laid-back vibe makes it a great spot to experience Belizean culture and enjoy a beach vacation.

When it comes to sampling the local cuisine, Caye Caulker offers a variety of delicious options, from seafood and barbeque to vegetarian dishes and street food. Here's a guide to help you navigate the culinary scene:

Seafood and Local Specialties:

• Fresh seafood is abundant, with lobster and conch being "must-try" dishes when in season.
• Try the local speciality, Conch Ceviche, or indulge in barbeque options available at various restaurants and street stalls.
• For a unique experience, bring your catch from fishing to one of the local restaurants in town, and they will cook it up for you.
• Don't miss the annual Lobsterfest, a festival celebrating the start of the lobster season, usually held in June.

Restaurants and Cafes:

• Meldy's Restaurant, Pasta Per Caso Anna & Armando, and Chef Kareem's UnBelizeable Lunch are popular spots for both locals and tourists.
• For a romantic evening, Il Pellicano Cucina Italiana offers a seductive ambiance with classic Italian dishes.
• Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill is the iconic hangout spot at the Split, offering drinks and food with a stunning view of the water.
• Sip n' Dip Beach Bar is a playful alternative to Lazy Lizard, with inner tubes and submerged tables for a unique dining experience.
• Errolyn's House of Fry Jacks serves delicious fried dough pillows stuffed with various fillings, a typical Belizean breakfast.
• For coffee lovers, Ice 'n' Beans is the perfect spot, offering great coffee, breakfast items, and hammocks to relax in while you sip your drink.
• Caribbean Colors Art Café is a charming café and art gallery, serving good coffee, pancakes, huevos rancheros, and healthy lunch options.

Street Food and Snacks:

• Street vendors and grill masters along Front Street offer grilled fish, chicken, lobster, and other barbequed delights at affordable prices.
• Local women sell delicious homemade meat pies, tacos, tamales, cakes, and other snacks at very low prices.
• Try the Belizean snack, Pico de Gallo, with fried plantains for a tasty mid-day treat.

Drinks and Desserts:

• Sample the local beer, Belikin, available in a normal and light version.
• For a sweet treat, visit the Belize Chocolate Company for a milkshake, cacao iced tea, or a bar of coconut milk chocolate.
• Fresh fruit juices are a must-try, especially watermelon juice, which can be found at various spots around the island.

Whether you're dining at a waterfront restaurant or snacking from street vendors, Caye Caulker's local cuisine is sure to delight your taste buds and offer a true taste of Belize.

Frequently asked questions