Belize's Ambergris Caye: A Tropical Paradise

Ambergris Caye is an island in the Caribbean Sea, located near the shores of northeast Belize. It is the largest of the 200-plus cayes (islands) off the Belize coast and is known for its wonderful beaches and the Belize Barrier Reef, which runs parallel to its coast. The reef is the second-largest in the world and a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkelling. The island is about 25 miles long and 4 miles wide at its widest point, with a population of around 25,000 people. San Pedro Town is the largest settlement and only town on Ambergris Caye, with a mix of wooden houses, gift shops, boutiques, bars, cafes, and restaurants along its waterfront. The island offers a range of water-oriented activities, nature hikes, bird-watching, and even a small Maya ruin site to explore.

Ambergris Caye's location in the Caribbean Sea

Ambergris Caye is the largest of the 200-plus cayes (islands) located off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea. It is about 25 miles long and 4 miles wide at its widest point, and is the most visited spot in Belize.

The island is known for its stunning natural beauty, glowing aqua waters, and the Belize Barrier Reef, which runs parallel to its coast. The reef is the second-largest in the world and is a mere quarter of a mile from the beach, making it easily accessible for snorkelling and diving.

Ambergris Caye is also home to San Pedro Town, the island's only town, which is named after the patron saint of fishing, St. Peter. San Pedro is the hub of the island, with resorts, hotels, and homes enjoying cool sea breezes and gorgeous ocean and reef views. The town has a lively, energetic downtown area with shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as water taxi stops, docks, and beach bars.

The east side of Ambergris Caye, where San Pedro is located, is the busiest part of the island. The west side is home to Secret Beach, which has calm, crystal-clear waters and a growing number of beach bars and restaurants. The far north of the island includes Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, a protected area with incredible wildlife and ancient Maya history.

Ambergris Caye has a laid-back attitude, friendly locals, and a wide range of hotels and restaurants. It is a popular destination for scuba divers and snorkelers, and those seeking water-oriented activities such as swimming, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and jet-skiing. The island also offers nature hiking, bird-watching, bicycling, and a small Maya ruin site.

The island is easily accessible by plane or water taxi from the mainland, with hourly flights and regular boat departures throughout the day.

The island's small towns and villages

Ambergris Caye is the largest of the 200-plus cayes (islands) located off the Belize coast. The island is 25 miles long and 4 miles wide at its widest point. It is known for its laid-back attitude, friendly folks, and beautiful Caribbean Sea. The island's biggest draw is the Belize Barrier Reef, which runs parallel to the entire coast of the island.

The town of San Pedro, located in the south of Ambergris Caye, is the main population centre. The town is about a mile long and a few blocks wide, with three north-south streets. The main street, Pescador Drive, is made of concrete faux-cobblestone, while some other streets are still made of sand. The town is a mix of wooden houses and shops, painted in bright tropical colours, and newer reinforced concrete buildings. San Pedro has a laid-back vibe, with most of the activity happening near the waterfront. The town is known for its gift shops, boutiques, bars, cafes, and restaurants, particularly along Barrier Reef Drive and Pescador Drive, the two main avenues. The standard dress code is barefoot, t-shirts, and shorts.

San Pedro has a vibrant social scene, with many bars and nightclubs, as well as regular fiestas and events, such as the annual Costa Maya Festival and Lobster Fest. The town also has over 70 hotels and dozens of restaurants, serving a variety of cuisines, including fresh seafood, Mexican, Italian, and Chinese.

In addition to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye is home to a few other small towns and villages. The north side of the island, which was previously undeveloped, is now seeing the development of resorts and luxury homes. This area has some of the best beaches and higher ground. Getting around the island is mostly done by golf cart, although there are also increasing numbers of cars, taxis, and pickup trucks.

Overall, Ambergris Caye offers a mix of vibrant towns and villages, beautiful beaches, and a variety of activities, making it a popular destination for expats, travellers, and scuba divers alike.

The second-largest barrier reef in the world

Ambergris Caye is the largest of the 200-plus cayes (islands) located off the Belize coast. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest barrier reef in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. It stretches for over 180 miles (290 km) along the Caribbean coast of Belize. The reef is home to a diverse array of marine life, including sea turtles, manatees, and the American crocodile. It is also a major source of seafood, especially lobster and conch.

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) is comprised of seven protected areas: Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, Blue Hole Natural Monument, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, Laughing Bird Caye National Park, and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. These protected areas cover 12% of the entire reef complex and help to preserve the delicate ecosystem.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, also known as the Great Mayan Reef due to its location, extends across four countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. It is the second-largest coral reef in the world and is home to a significant biological diversity. The reef forms the habitat of more than 65 species of stony coral, 350 different species of mollusks, and more than 500 species of fish. It is an important refuge for many protected and endangered species.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a popular destination for scuba divers and snorkelers, offering a unique opportunity to explore its pristine waters and vibrant ecosystems. The reef is easily accessible from the island of Ambergris Caye, making it a top tourist destination. The island itself offers a variety of water-oriented activities, such as swimming, fishing, sailing, and windsurfing, as well as nature hiking, bird-watching, and bicycling.

The island's water-oriented activities

Ambergris Caye is the largest of the 200-plus cayes (islands) located off the Belize coast. It is a mere half-mile from the Barrier Reef, making it a top destination for scuba divers and snorkelers. The island is known for its water-oriented activities, including:

Swimming

The warm Caribbean waters surrounding Ambergris Caye offer an inviting opportunity for a swim. With its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located just a short boat ride from the island, is a particularly popular spot for swimmers and snorkelers alike.

Fishing

The Caribbean waters around Ambergris Caye are teeming with a diverse range of fish, making it a prime spot for anglers of all skill levels. From the elusive bonefish in the shallows to the mighty marlin in the deep, fishing charters and tours offer an exciting opportunity to try your hand at catching some of these magnificent creatures.

Sailing

For those who dream of sailing the Caribbean, Ambergris Caye offers the perfect opportunity. Taking a sailboat from Ambergris Caye to the nearby island of Caye Caulker is a magical experience, gliding over turquoise waters with the possibility of spotting playful dolphins and majestic sea turtles along the way.

Windsurfing and Kite Surfing

The breezy conditions and warm, shallow waters of Ambergris Caye create an ideal setting for windsurfing and kite surfing. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, the local schools offer lessons and guidance to get you up and riding safely while enjoying the thrill of gliding across the water.

Jet-skiing

For those seeking even more adrenaline-pumping activities, jet-skiing is also available on the island.

In addition to these water-oriented activities, Ambergris Caye also offers nature hiking, bird-watching, and bicycling. The island truly has something for everyone, whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure.

Ambergris Caye's rich history

Ambergris Caye has a rich history that dates back to the Pre-Columbian era when it was inhabited by the Maya community. The Maya civilisation flourished in Central America from around 2000 BC to 1000 AD, and they built great temples, made astonishing artefacts, tools and pottery, and achieved many scholastic advancements.

The first European contact with Ambergris Caye was made in 1508 by Spanish explorers Vicente Yafiez Pinzon and Juan Diaz de Solis. At this time, the area was still populated by the Maya, who had established a trading route throughout Central America. The Maya dug the Boca Bacalar Chico channel, which separates the island from Mexico, to facilitate trade. This channel is believed to have been further excavated by the Maya, although it could also have been formed naturally, perhaps by a hurricane.

In the 1600s, British, French and Dutch pirates used Ambergris Caye as a hideout, and it is thought that the island got its name from these pirates, who collected ambergris (whale excrement) that washed up on the shore. The oil from ambergris was highly valued in Europe, where it was used in perfume-making.

In the 1800s, Mestizo refugees from the Guerra de Castas in Yucatan founded the village of San Pedro, the island's largest settlement. In 1869, a wealthy Briton named James Hume Blake purchased Ambergris Caye for $625, and he and his wife, Antonia Andrade, turned the island into a coconut plantation. The coconut industry remained central to the island's economy until the 1930s, when it was devastated by a series of hurricanes.

In the 1900s, the fishing industry, particularly lobster fishing, became a major source of income for Ambergris Caye. The development of the fishing co-operative in the 1950s and the subsequent construction of a freezer plant on the island allowed the islanders to eliminate middlemen and sell their produce directly to buyers in the US.

Today, Ambergris Caye is Belize's most popular tourist destination, renowned for its turquoise waters, diverse marine life and natural beauty.

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