Ahhh, Caye Caulker, Belize, the laid-back tropical paradise that calls to travelers with its turquoise waters, vibrant marine life, and an atmosphere that effortlessly slows down the pace of life. There are plenty of things to do in Caye Caulker, that its no wonder that people travel from all over the world to visit this tiny slice of paradise.
Accessible by water taxi from mainland Belize, this small coral island in the Caribbean Sea is a haven for sun-seekers, water enthusiasts, and those craving a genuine island escape. The absence of cars and the prevalence of sandy streets only contribute to the island’s charming simplicity.
The island’s Barrier Reef is a diver’s and snorkeler’s dream. While Caye Caulker’s “Go Slow” motto captures the easygoing vibe, encouraging travelers to unwind in beachfront hammocks, savor fresh seafood, and soak in the breathtaking sunsets over the Caribbean.
Joe and I came to Caye Caulker on a whim and it was one of the best last minute decisions we’ve made a while. After spending 2 weeks in this tropical utopia, I’ve put together a list of all the best things to do on Caye Caulker.
In this article, I’ll go over what to do in Caye Caulker and at the end of the post list any tips to aid you in a trip to Belize. Whether it’s exploring under the sea, sipping seaside cocktails, or flying high over the big blue hole, Caye Caulker welcomes travelers with open arms, promising an unforgettable Caribbean island experience.
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Things to do in Caye Caulker Belize Quick List
- Snorkel Tour
- Swim with Sharks
- See Stings Rays at Iguana Reef Inn
- Go Scuba Diving in Caye Caulker
- Take a Flight over the Great Blue Hole (Bucket List Moment)
- Hang out on the Split
- Bicycle around the Island
- Watch the Sunset
- Do Yoga at Namaste Cafe
- Workout at Hardwood Beach
- Go on a Tiki Bar Sunset Cruise
- Visit the Seahorse Reserve
- Go Searching for Manatees
- Visit Northside Beach Club
- Rent a Kayak or SUP around
- Hand Feed Tarpons
- Try Kitesurfing
- Lobster Fest
- Day Trip to Ambergris Caye
- Live the Island’s Motto – ‘Go Slow’
Is Caye Caulker Worth Visiting?
Having no idea what to expect before arriving in Caye Caulker, I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this island. The relaxed vibe, friendly locals, white sand beaches and dreamy, tropical waters make this a destination that is absolutely worth visiting.
Best Things to do on Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker Snorkel Tour
This is why going on a snorkel tour in Caye Caulker is a must-do of all the Caye Caulker excursions. Not only do these snorkel tours take you to some of the most pristine snorkeling spots in the region, but you’ll also encounter colorful marine life, dazzling coral reefs, schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays and even sharks.
There are several companies that offer snorkel tours but without a doubt I recommend that you go with Carlos Snorkeling Tours. Not only is the boat a spacious catamaran (many of the snorkeling tours are on a monohull), but Carlos the owner and his crew were an absolute delight.
We traveled to Belize during high season of January and we lucked out and were able to score 2 spots on a tour. We had the gift of time and walked into Carlos’ shop to book a tour as soon as we arrived in Caye Caulker.
If you are traveling to Belize in the off or shoulder seasons, booking a tour shouldn’t be a problem. If you are traveling to Caye Caulker during high season, make sure you stop by the shop as soon as you arrive or give them a call to secure your spot.
If you’d prefer to have a tour booked before you go, I’ll link a few other tours that will take you to the same spots (Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley) as the tour I went on with Carlos.
🤿 Read Full Post: What To Expect on a Caye Caulker Snorkel Tour (Coming Soon)
Swim with Sharks
Located near the Belize Barrier Reef, Shark Ray Alley is a renowned snorkeling site where snorkelers can swim with friendly nurse sharks and southern stingrays in their natural habitat. The boat companies feed the sharks here everyday so without fail, you will be swimming with these cute little guys.
Despite their intimidating appearance, nurse sharks and southern stingrays are docile and harmless to humans, making this a perfect excursion in Caye Caulker suitable for all skill levels.
Watch Sting Rays at Iguana Reef Inn
But with that being said, it was pretty cool to see, especially if you’ve never seen a stingray before. Everyday at 4 pm at Igunana Reef Hotel and Bar, travelers, pelicans, stingrays, and even seahorses gather around for the stingray feeding.
You can just show up at 4 pm to observe the stingrays get fed or join a guided tour to be able to participate in the fun. Feeding stingrays at Iguana Reef involves wading into shallow waters and the opportunity to hand-feed the stingrays small pieces of fish.
Go Diving in Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker offers an unforgettable diving adventure for enthusiasts seeking to explore the wonders of Belize’s underwater world. If you’re an experienced diver, you can’t miss out on scuba diving the big blue hole. Here are a few things divers can expect on a scuba tour.
- Dive into one of the largest reefs in the Nothern and Western Hemisphere.
- Spot nurse sharks, turtles, eels, octopuses, and other aquatic life.
- Enjoy hours of scuba diving, including a surface break.
- Scuba dive one of the most iconic dive sights in the world, the Big Blue Hole
Take a Scenic Flight over the Great Blue Hole (Bucket List Moment)
Located off the coast of Belize, the Blue Hole is a massive underwater sinkhole surrounded by a ring of coral reef. From the air, the Caye Caulker Blue Hole appears as a perfect circular formation of deep blue water contrasting against the lighter hues of the surrounding Caribbean Sea.
There are only two companies that offer scenic flights over the Blue Hole are Maya Island Air & Tropic Air. Flying over the Blue Hole is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you can read all about my experience, what to expect, and what company to go with in the post linked below.
🛩️ Read Full Post: Bucket List Flight Over the Blue Hole in Belize
Hang out on the Split | One of the Best Things to do in Caye Caulker
Here, vacationers can soak up the sun, unwind at beachside bars, and enjoy refreshing drinks. The Lazy Lizard Bar is the most popular bar at the Split and always has a group of party-going backpackers.
With its epic views and fun atmosphere, the Split is a favorite hangout spot for both locals and tourists. Can we say live reggae music? Don’t leave without trying the Lazy Lizard’s most iconic drink, Lizard Juice.
Sip n’ Dip is another fun bar to spend an afternoon lounging in the hammocks and enjoy the island vibe, as spending time at the Split is an essential part of any Caye Caulker experience.
Explore the Island by Bike
Renting a bicycle from one of the local rental shops is straightforward and affordable. A bicycle rental cost about 5 BZD for one hour, 20 BZD for the whole day, or 90 BZD for the whole week.
Watch Sunset
Salty’s Bar has excellent views and this is one of the best free things to do in Caye Caulker (minus the cost of drinks). Watch the sun dip below the horizon with a drink in hand. Come early to snag a seat and enjoy happy hour.
Wake up Yoga at Namaste Cafe
Monday-Friday at 8am and 9:30am plus on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays they offer an afternoon class at 4. Mats will be provided and it cost $20 BZE so roughly $10USD. If you’re on an extended stay in Caye Caulker, a 10 day pass cost $100BZE or 30 days unlimited for $200BZE.
If yoga isn’t your thing, I’d still make sure to pop into the cafe for an all day breakfast sandwich, it’s that good. It’s one of the best places to eat in Caye Caulker.
🦞 Read Full Post: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants on Caye Caulker
Workout at Hardwood Gym
It’s a great place perfect for functional training. There are battle ropes, TRX straps and other useful exercise machines. Never underestimate the power of sunshine and sea views.
Go on a Sunset Tiki Cruise
Visit the Seahorse Reserve
This is another free thing to do in Caye Caulker as the reserve is very small but it is also included on some tours. The Seahorse Reserve is a designated area where seahorses thrive amidst the seagrass beds and mangrove roots.
The seahorses are extremely small and sometimes hard to spot You more than likely won’t be at the reserve by yourself as this is a popular spot for tourists to hang out, so talk with your neighbors to find out where these littles guys are hanging out.
Go Searching for Manatees
In the winter months, the manatees go somewhere warmer and with shallower waters. To have a chance to spot these gentle giants in their natural habitat, you’ll have to join a guided tour.
Visit Caye Caulker’s North Island
From the Split, you can take the Split-to-Split ferry to the north island or you can rent a kayak and paddle yourself there. This is what to do in Caye Caulker if you are looking to get a bit off-the-beaten path.
There isn’t much to do on the North side as the South Island gets all the tourism but if you enjoy empty beaches, crystal clear waters, and views for days then make your way to the North Island. These are the best things to see.
- Northside Beach Club (formerly Koko King) – Beautiful hotel & property featuring a restaurant and lounge. Water activities, full moon parties, water trampoline, and private cabanas. It’s awesome.
- Bliss Beach Lounge and Beach Bar – Caye Caulker’s newest cocktail bar and beach lounge.
- Caye Caulker Forest Reserve – 100 acre reserve that protects many birds particularly wading birds and songbirds.
- Pineapple Shaped House – Looks like a pineapple, acts like a pineapple, but does it taste like a pineapple?
Kayak or SUP
You can even combine this thing to do in Caye Caulker as a way to explore the North island. Cruise by the split, work on your tan, all while getting a small workout on. I’d like to add that it’s not wise to mix kayaking with Lizard Juice.
Many places to stay in Caye Caulker have kayaks, bicycles, or SUP’s available to use free of charge, so make sure you ask your receptionist when you arrive. If not, there are several rental shops on island where you can rent a kayak and set off on your own adventure.
Hand Feed Tarpons
These fish are known for their distinctive appearance and deeply forked tails. Tarpons are pretty cool fish when you learn that they have the ability to breathe air. And they are really fast.
On the west side of the island near the Iguana Reef, you can buy a bucket of sardines for a couple Belizean dollars and feed the local tarpons. All I have to say is that fish are so wild.
Try Kitesurfing
I personally have never tried this activity out myself. Surfing is more my thing. I use to sit and watch the kitesurfer daily when I lived on Maui. So entertaining and fun to see.
Attend the Lobster Fest
Throughout the festival, participating restaurants and street vendors showcase their creative culinary skills by offering a variety of lobster-inspired dishes, ranging from gilled lobster tails to lobster ceviche and everything in between.
Stroll along the streets lined with food stalls, enjoy live music, performances, and street parades as you sample the island’s freshest seafood delights.
Day Trip to Ambergris Caye
Live the Island’s Motto and Go Slow
Caye Caulker Tips
⚠️ Be cautious when swimming or snorkeling, especially if you’re not a strong swimmer. Pay attention to warning signs, currents, and weather conditions, and avoid swimming alone in remote areas.
Also, stay hydrated and sun protected. The tropical climate in Caye Caulker can be hot and sunny, so be sure to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and seek shade during the hottest part of the day to avoid heat-related illnesses.
🚰 Can you drink the water in Caye Caulker? In general, the tap water in Belize is potable but I would not drink from the tap. Stick to bottled water, purified water from your hotel, or use a Lifestraw Water Bottle. This helps me save a little money on buying water and keeps you stocked with clean drinking water.
- 🗣️ Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the main language.
- 🐢 Go Slow, you’re on island time.
- ⛑️ There are no hospitals on Caye Caulker.
- 💵 Cash is King. While there are ATM’s on the island, they may run out of cash during peak times. It’s wise to carry enough cash for your stay, especially for smaller purchases and transactions.
- 🧴 Sunscreen – This is my go to reef safe sunscreen I use daily and this tinted sunscreen to add some color to my face.
- 🤿 If you plan on snorkeling or diving, consider bringing your own equipment if possible. Rental snorkel gear is available, but bringing your own can save you time and ensure a better fit.
- 🪸 Caye Caulker is known for its pristine natural beauty. Help preserve the island’s delicate ecosystem by avoiding single-use plastics, recycling when possible, and being mindful of your environmental impact.
🛵 Read Next: Border Crossing Guatemala to Caye Caulker (Coming Soon)
Where to Stay in Caye Caulker
- Colinda Cabanas – Super cute beachfront cabanas with your own private deck area to take in the views.
- Bella’s Backpackers – The only hostel to make the list.
- Igunana Reef Hotel – Convenient location to restaurants, bars, and stingray feeding.
- Weezie’s Oceanfront Hotel and Garden Cottages – Top pick of where to stay in Caye Caulker.
- El Ben Cabañas – Best place to stay in Caye Caulker on the North island.
☕️ Full Post: Best Places to Stay in Caye Caulker