Exploring Ambergris Caye: The Ultimate Belize Adventure

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize and a popular tourist destination. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, glowing aqua waters, and the Belize Barrier Reef, which is the second-largest in the world. The island offers a wide range of water-oriented activities such as swimming, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and jet-skiing, as well as nature hiking, bird-watching, and bicycling. The island's only town, San Pedro, is a great place to explore with its wooden houses, boutiques, bars, and cafes. The east side of the island is where most of the action happens, with resorts, hotels, and homes enjoying cool sea breezes and gorgeous ocean views. Visitors can also take a trip to Secret Beach, a must-see spot with calm, crystal-clear waters. For those interested in history, there is a small Maya ruin site on the island, and the nearby Lamanai Archaeological Reserve offers a glimpse into the ancient past. With its natural beauty, rich history, and variety of activities, Ambergris Caye is a great place to visit in Belize.

Explore San Pedro Town

San Pedro Town is the largest settlement on Ambergris Caye and is located in the southern part of the island. Named after the patron saint of fishing, St Peter, San Pedro is the island's hub and was once a tiny fishing village. Now, it's a bustling tourist destination, with golf carts, bicycles, school kids, and dogs filling its streets.

The main street, Pescador Drive, is concrete faux-cobblestone, and the town is filled with wooden houses, some with English Colonial or Spanish architecture, and others in Caribbean style. There are also plenty of gift shops, boutiques, bars, cafes, and restaurants on Barrier Reef Drive and Pescador Drive, the town's two main avenues.

San Pedro is a laid-back place, where you'll often see bicycle vendors selling Creole buns or ice pops, and dogs lounging in the sun or taking a swim in the ocean. The dress code is very casual, with shorts, tank tops, and bathing suits being the norm.

There are lots of resorts and hotels in and around San Pedro, with cool sea breezes and gorgeous ocean and reef views. The town is also home to a wide variety of restaurants, serving up everything from fresh seafood to Mexican, Italian, and Chinese cuisine. And if you're looking for a lively night out, San Pedro has plenty of bars and nightclubs where you can dance the night away.

• Rent a golf cart or bike and explore the town and the island.
• Go bar-hopping and enjoy world-class restaurants.
• Visit during one of the town's many festivals, such as the San Pedro Lobsterfest or the Holiday-lighted Boat Parade.
• Take a swim at top Belize snorkeling sites like Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Caye Caulker Marine Reserve.
• Go scuba diving at top diving sites near San Pedro, such as Half Moon Caye Wall, Long Caye Aquarium, and the Great Blue Hole.

Snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a must-do when visiting Ambergris Caye, Belize. Located just 4 miles (6.4km) south of San Pedro Town, it is the most popular snorkelling site in Belize and is considered one of the best spots in the world. The reserve is home to a diverse range of marine life, including over 160 species of fish, nearly 40 species of coral, 5 sponges, 8 algae, 2 seagrasses, 3 marine mammals, and 3 species of sea turtle.

On a snorkelling tour of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, you'll have the opportunity to swim alongside gentle southern stingrays and nurse sharks. At Shark Ray Alley, you can opt to feed the nurse sharks and stingrays and observe them during a feeding frenzy. The reserve is also home to vibrant coral formations, including crevices and an overhang where green eels and lobsters dwell.

In addition to the rich marine life, Hol Chan Marine Reserve offers beautiful white sand and crystal-clear waters with up to 100 feet of visibility. The reserve is easily accessible, with a short 15-minute boat ride from Ambergris Caye. Tours are available daily, departing at 9 am from the Ambergris Divers pier.

For those seeking a more intimate experience, private snorkelling tours are also available. These tours can be customised to your preferences, allowing you to choose the number of snorkelling stops and even include some fun fishing along the way.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced snorkeller, Hol Chan Marine Reserve is sure to offer a memorable underwater adventure.

Visit Secret Beach

Secret Beach is a must-visit spot in Ambergris Caye, Belize, despite no longer being much of a secret. It is the most tourist-visited area of Ambergris Caye and perhaps even in all of Belize. It is also very popular with locals, especially on weekends.

How to Get There

To get to Secret Beach, you will need to rent a golf cart. It is at least a 40-minute ride from San Pedro town centre. You will need to take a big left turn at the Secret Beach Junction, approximately 4.5 miles north of San Pedro. From there, follow the unpaved road for about 15-20 minutes until you reach Secret Beach. Along the way, you can enjoy views of the mangroves, vast lagoon system, birds, and even the occasional crocodile.

What to Do at Secret Beach

The primary activity at Secret Beach is to relax at one of the many beach bars and beach clubs. Swim, eat, drink, and repeat. There are about 10 bars and restaurants, all serving food, and even more stands and salespeople selling souvenirs and services like hair braiding.

When you arrive at Secret Beach, you will see a big "SECRET BEACH" letter sign. You can turn right for some of the larger beach bars and a water park, or turn left for some more off-the-beaten-path spots.

• Pirate's Not-So Secret Beach Bar & Grill: This spot is always busy with lots of chairs, tubes, and very Instagram-worthy tables in the water. It is a large beach bar with an upscale vibe and loud music.
• Happy Island Beach Bar (formerly Secret Paradise Beach Bar): This bar has a good-sized property with tables in the water, a volleyball net, games, and an attractive bar. They also have beach loungers along the shoreline and tables in the water. They are located right next to the water park.
• Bamboo Fence Swing Bar: This locally-owned bar has a funky and fun feel, with hammocks over the water—very Belize. They also do a bonfire each evening.
• Blue Bayou: Blue Bayou has one of the most diverse menus in the Secret Beach area. They offer seating in the water and an over-the-water bar.
• Sunset Palace Beach Club: Sunset Palace is at the "end of the line" when you head south. It is a large property with lots of waterfront and space. If you are looking for less loud music and a smaller crowd, this is your spot. They have an above-ground pool, a large clay pizza oven, pool tables, and a massive wrap-around bar. There is a long dock and great spots to enter the water. They also offer paddleboards and other water equipment.

Other Tips

• It is recommended to get to Secret Beach on the earlier side if you want to secure a specific table or lounge chair. Try to get there before 11 am.
• Bring sunscreen and bug spray.
• Be friendly but firm with salespeople—a simple "thanks but no thanks" will do.
• Take your time to explore and find the right spot for you. Don't feel pressured to settle in the first place you see.
• Stay for sunset.
• Consider staying overnight at Secret Beach to truly relax and explore the area.

Try Belizean food

Belizean cuisine is a diverse mix of cultural influences, from the Maya and Mexican to the Garifuna, Kriol, and even Chinese. The result is a smorgasbord of flavours, with something to suit every taste.

Belizeans eat more chicken and fish than any other type of meat, so a Belizean restaurant is often thought of as a seafood restaurant. Freshly caught seafood is the main ingredient in Belizean ceviche, which is typically paired with a cold beer. You'll also find dishes like conchita pibil, a classic Maya dish of slow-roasted pork and local vegetables served in a soft tortilla, and garnaches, a Mestizo deli item of fried corn tortillas smeared with beans and shredded cheese.

For breakfast, you might enjoy homemade bread and tortillas, or fry jacks, which are often homemade and eaten with various cheeses. These are often accompanied by refried beans, cheese, and eggs. Midday meals might include rice and beans, tamales, panades (fried meat pies), or escabeche (onion soup).

If you're visiting San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, you'll find a wide variety of restaurants serving up fresh seafood, as well as Mexican, Italian, and Chinese cuisine. For a taste of local culture, try the street food—tacos, burritos, and rice and beans sold by street vendors in the evenings are some of the best bargains in town.

For a fine dining experience, try the Sea Salt Restaurant and Terrace Bar, where you can sample international cuisine with a local twist. Or, for a truly unique experience, visit Robin's Kitchen, with its large black smoker out front and plastic chairs in the sand. This unassuming spot is the place everyone is talking about, serving up delicious jerk or curry chicken and Jamaican goat.

So, whether you're dining in a high-end restaurant or grabbing a quick bite from a street vendor, be sure to indulge in the diverse and delicious flavours of Belizean cuisine during your stay in Ambergris Caye.

Go scuba diving

Ambergris Caye is a scuba diver's dream. As the largest of the 200-plus cayes (islands) located off the Belize coast, it is a top destination for divers and snorkelers. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef in the world, runs parallel to the entire coast of the island, making it a prime spot for underwater adventures. Here are some tips and insights to make the most of your scuba diving experience in Ambergris Caye:

Explore the Belize Barrier Reef

The reef is a mere quarter mile from the beach, making it easily accessible for divers. It boasts a diverse ecosystem with angelfish, elkhorn coral, cleaner shrimp, and stalactites. The reef is also a major source of seafood, including lobster and conch. The best time to dive is during the dry season, from November to July, when the temperatures are slightly cooler and there is little to no rain, resulting in excellent visibility.

Discover the Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole, located near Ambergris Caye, is a 400-foot deep circle of limestone that is visible from space. However, due to its depth, diving here is recommended only for those with advanced certification.

Visit Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a ten-minute boat ride from San Pedro Town, is one of the most popular dive sites in Ambergris Caye. It offers gentle rays, vibrant parrot fish, royal fairy basslets, and even moray eels. The reserve has an entry fee of BZ$5 and provides mooring buoys and rangers to enforce conservation rules, making it a well-maintained site for divers and snorkelers alike.

Encounter Sharks and Rays at Shark Ray Alley

Shark Ray Alley, located in the south of Ambergris Caye, is rated as one of the Caribbean's best animal dives. Here, you can expect close encounters with nurse sharks and southern stingrays, as they are accustomed to being fed by tour guides. It's a unique opportunity to capture some incredible photos while snorkelling or diving.

Experience the Marine Life at Mexico Rocks

Mexico Rocks, located 15 minutes north of San Pedro, offers excellent visibility and shallow water. You can find horse-eye jacks, Nassau groupers, lobsters, barracudas, sand sharks, and spider crabs. It's also a great spot for photographers and snorkelers.

Plan Your Travel

To get to Ambergris Caye, you can fly directly to San Pedro Airport from Belize City. Alternatively, you can take a water taxi from Belize City Harbour, which operates daily with multiple departures throughout the day. Once on the island, golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation to get around and reach the dive sites.

Frequently asked questions