Lexi Webster
Starfish Island is a small private island in the Caribbean Sea, located near Belize City. It is not a public island, but a cruise ship stop for shore excursions, making it a more exclusive spot for beachgoers. The island boasts a large beachfront, a playground, a souvenir shop, a restaurant and bar, and a tide pool with starfish. Cruise ships typically offer two excursions to the island per day, with amenities available on a first-come, first-served basis. Starfish Island offers a range of activities, from snorkelling and kayaking to simply relaxing on the beach.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Starfish Island |
| Previous Name | Bannister Island |
| Location | Near Belize City, Belize |
| Type | Private Island |
| Used By | Cruise Ships for Shore Excursions |
| Features | Beach, Tide Pool with Starfish, Playground, Souvenir Shop, Restaurant, Bar, Hammocks, Cabanas, Beach Umbrellas, Beach Chairs |
| Excursion Recommendation | Take the earlier excursion for better choices of chairs and umbrellas |
| Transportation | 15-20 Minute Ferry Ride from Belize City |
| Ferry Capacity | Around 50 People |
| Notable Features | Clean Restrooms, Elvis Impersonator Entertainer, Kayaking, Volleyball Court, Live Starfish and Conch to Hold |
What You'll Learn
- Starfish Island is a private island owned by Carnival
- It is a popular shore excursion for cruise ships
- The island has a large beachfront, playground, souvenir shop, restaurant, bar and tide pool with starfish
- Visitors can swim and snorkel in the Caribbean Sea
- It is exclusive and limits the number of beachcombers
Starfish Island is a private island owned by Carnival
The island offers a range of amenities and activities for visitors, including a large beachfront, a playground for children, a souvenir shop, a restaurant, a bar, and a tide pool with starfish. Visitors can also swim and snorkel in the Caribbean Sea surrounding the island, with instructions provided on how to hold and protect the starfish. The beach has plenty of chairs, cabanas, umbrellas, and hammocks for relaxation.
Cruise ships typically offer two excursions to the island daily, and it is recommended to take the earlier one to get a better choice of seating and umbrellas. The island can get crowded when there are multiple cruise ships in port, so it is best to plan accordingly.
The shore excursions to Starfish Island typically include lunch, and entertainment is also provided, with some reviewers mentioning an Elvis impersonator. Drinks and certain activities, such as kayaking, come at an additional cost.
Overall, Starfish Island offers a relaxing and enjoyable beach experience, with the opportunity to interact with starfish and enjoy the Caribbean Sea. It is a great option for families, couples, and anyone looking for a tranquil day during their cruise vacation.
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It is a popular shore excursion for cruise ships
Starfish Island is a popular shore excursion for cruise ships docking in Belize. It is a tiny island, formerly known as Bannister Island, and it takes around 15 to 20 minutes to get there by ferry or catamaran from Belize City.
The island offers a range of activities for cruise passengers, including snorkelling, kayaking, and beach relaxation. There is a small gift shop, a playground for children, and plenty of shade. The beach is made up of shells, so beach shoes are recommended. Starfish Island also features a shallow pool where visitors can hold starfish and conchs.
Lunch is provided as part of the excursion, but drinks at the bar must be purchased separately, and only cash or credit cards are accepted. Visitors can also explore the island and spot starfish in the fenced-off beach area.
Overall, Starfish Island provides a range of activities and amenities that cater to different interests, making it a popular choice for cruise ship passengers looking for a fun and relaxing day excursion in Belize.
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The island has a large beachfront, playground, souvenir shop, restaurant, bar and tide pool with starfish
Starfish Island in Belize is a small island with a range of facilities and attractions for visitors. The island has a large beachfront, with a unique shell-sand beach. While this is a little uncomfortable to walk on, it is also fascinating—made up of tiny shells rather than crushed shells. The beachfront also features an inflatable playground in the water, which is great for kids.
Elsewhere on the island, there is a tide pool where you can hold starfish and conches. There is also a souvenir shop, selling a range of gifts, and a bar, with prices that are a little high but reasonable for a tourist spot. The island also has a restaurant, serving tasty food that even picky eaters will enjoy. There is plenty of space to relax, with hammocks, tables, and chairs. There are also kayaks available to rent, volleyball nets, and live music.
The island is a short ferry ride from Belize City, and it can get very busy when multiple cruise ships are in port. However, it is also possible to have the island almost to yourself if there is only one ship in port.
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Visitors can swim and snorkel in the Caribbean Sea
Starfish Island is a small spot in the Caribbean Sea near Belize City. It is not a public island, but a private island used by cruise ships 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 beach has plenty of beach chairs, cabanas, beach umbrellas, and hammocks for visitors to relax in. The water near the shore is a little rocky, so beach shoes are recommended. Once visitors wade in, the water is warm and inviting. Visitors can swim and snorkel in the Caribbean Sea, spotting crabs and schools of fish. There is also a water obstacle course with swings and volleyball nets.
The island staff are on hand to educate visitors on how to pick up and hold starfish in a protective way. They are also quick to caution visitors if they lift the starfish too far out of the tide pool.
Starfish Island offers a relaxing beach experience, with the opportunity to enjoy the sea, sun, and sand.
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It is exclusive and limits the number of beachcombers
Starfish Island in Belize is a small spot in the Caribbean Sea. It is not a public island but is used by cruise ships for shore excursions for their passengers. This makes Starfish Island a little more exclusive and limits the number of beachcombers. The island has a large beachfront, a playground for kids, a souvenir shop, restaurant and bar, and a tide pool with starfish.
The island is exclusive because it is only accessible to cruise ship passengers who have booked a shore excursion. This means that only a limited number of people can visit the island each day, and it is not open to the general public. The cruise ships typically offer two excursions to the island per day, and it is recommended to take the earlier one to get a better choice of chairs and umbrellas.
The exclusivity of the island means that visitors can enjoy a more relaxed and quiet atmosphere compared to other busier and more public beaches. It also allows for a more controlled environment, with staff on hand to provide instructions and ensure the well-being of the starfish in the tide pool.
The limited number of beachcombers also means that visitors can have a more personalised and intimate experience. They can enjoy the beauty of the island and its surroundings, including the clear waters, gorgeous sand, and abundance of starfish, without having to compete with large crowds.
Overall, the exclusivity and limited access to Starfish Island enhance the experience for visitors, providing a tranquil and unique beach getaway.
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Frequently asked questions
Starfish Island is a small spot in the Caribbean Sea near Belize City. It is a private island used by cruise ships for shore excursions.
Cruise ships do not dock at Belize City, so passengers are tendered to the island on small boats. The journey takes around 15-20 minutes.
The island has a large beachfront with plenty of chairs, cabanas, umbrellas, and hammocks for relaxation. There is also a playground, a souvenir shop, a restaurant, and a bar. A unique feature is the tide pool with starfish that visitors can hold and learn about.
The beach has shell-sand, which can be uncomfortable to walk on. The water is warm and wonderful for swimming, but it can be a little rocky near the shore.
Lunch is typically included in the shore excursion cost, and it usually consists of traditional Caribbean cuisine like rice and beans. Drinks are available for purchase, with prices ranging from $3-4 for beers and around $10 for cocktails.
