Belize isn’t your typical vacation destination. You won’t find high-rise condominiums, chain restaurants, or all-inclusive mega resorts. Belize is a curious place, a bit off the radar of your average traveler and though it is easily navigated (English is the official national language) it is in no way considered ‘mainstream’ as a holiday locale. Belize is a bit of an adventure. Of course, you can find rest and relaxation here but the main attractions are the untarnished wild beauty and novel activities on offer. This tropical paradise is also a natural playground, cultural cornucopia, and aquatic lover’s dream. On Blue Reef Island you can unplug and unwind but you can do so much more as well! Here are the top 5 activities offered at Blue Reef Island resort in Belize.
Fishing
The coastal waters of Belize are teeming with life and we are becoming increasingly well recognized as a world-class fishing destination. Reef fishing, deep sea fishing, fly fishing, spin cast fishing or spear fishing- Blue Reef offers it all, right from your doorstep.
Our top-rated guides will help you navigate their favorite fishing waters or perfect your casting techniques. Brawny barracuda, huge grouper, swift swimming snapper, massive tarpon, spry snook, permit, wahoo or marlin; there’s an abundance of angling opportunities awaiting you. An especially fun and unique adventure is free diving the surrounding corals. Hunt for Lobster and Conch (seasonal) spear the beautiful but invasive lionfish (year-round). These voracious eaters are lovely to look at but destructive to the rest of the marine habitat, lionfish is the only species you can hunt in protected waters, of which nearly 15% of Belize’s barrier reef is designated. You are even permitted to use scuba tanks while spear fishing lionfish.
The Holy Grail of any serious fiy-fishing angler is to land a Grand Slam, the catch and release of a tarpon, a permit, and a bonefish within 24 hours. Blue Reef guests have described fishing our waters as akin to a religious awakening. It’s all too easy to contract ‘fish fever’ and spend every waking moment of your trip getting your line wet. What makes our waters special is not just the diversity of our species but the incredible size of their populations. So, whether you’re casting your fly along the flats, trolling the depths, or bait fishing somewhere in between- you’ll get strikes, we guarantee it!
Snorkel & Scuba
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef System spans nearly 200 miles and consists of many vibrant and diverse marine habitats. It is the largest barrier reef system in the Northern Hemisphere and boasts the highest level of marine biodiversity in the Atlantic and Caribbean. The reef system is home to over 500 species of fish, more than 100 types of corals and sponges, and a multitude of rare marine mammals. Lucky snorkelers and divers can spot whale sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, manta rays and manatees.
Bucket list sites such as the shark hole, trick ridge and the isolated marine reserve of Glover’s Atoll are worth the effort of reaching. Belize is a diving mecca for good reason- our biodiversity, vertical walls, exquisite corals, unique geographical features and intriguing topography, and robust wildlife populations.
Kayak or Paddleboard
In Belize our islands are called “cayes” (pronounced “keys”) and the coastal waters are utterly littered with them- over 400 of them; ranging from large lands of littoral forest and towns to minuscule white-sand islets not much grander than a sand bar. Acres of salt-tolerant mangroves and ‘drowned cayes’ provide vital protection to shorelines, give juvenile fish a habitat in which to grow, and regulate water quality by filtering out pollutants and absorbing excess sediment and nutrients from runoff. Not only do mangrove forests improve the surrounding water’s clarity and cleanliness for fish and corals, their root system provides a maze-like shelter for fish nurseries.
Explore the mangroves by paddleboard or kayak and keep a keen eye trained around submerged roots to spot the tiny, camouflaged figures of our seahorses. We have 3 species of seahorse around Blue Reef Island: lined, dwarf, and longsnout seahorse can all be found (with some patience and a bit of luck) clinging to the relative safety of the mangrove roots within the barrier reef system.
Birding enthusiasts will also find that kayaking or paddleboarding gives them a rare view of the local aquatic birds while they hunt. Peacefully skim the sea and watch the skies for the inevitable outline of Pelican, Heron, and Frigates. Be awed by the Anhingas’ agility underwater to maneuver with webbed feet and dagger-like head as they swim in pursuit of prey. Pass a quiet moment observing an Egret move deftly through the shallow, creating barely a ripple as it stalks small fish and crabs.
Gourmet Dining
On Blue Reef Island we count eating as an activity. Our executive chef takes careful pride in your meal’s preparation and presentation. Locally sourced ingredients and fresh flavors of the region are highlighted in the ever-changing daily menu. Your retreat is inclusive of all the beautiful, wholesome, and inventive cuisine of the country. You’ll find Belize’s cuisine to be as diverse and intriguing as it’s topography and its people.
Farm-to-table isn’t a movement in Belize, it is a way of life. As a young country lacking in largescale productions, most of our food comes from local family farmers and independent ranchers or fishermen. A close-knit Mennonite community dominates the dairy industry and Belizean distilleries churn out some excellent rum from local sugar cane. Our dining room wants to indulge you in all the best of Belizean fare.
Spa Treatments
Its Blue Reef’s priority to pamper you. From fully customizing your vacation itinerary with our concierge, to falling into a luxurious, perfectly made bed at the end of an action-packed day. Enjoying your vacation to the fullest means treating yourself right and relaxing completely. Our spa services are the answer to any of the world’s woes… at least for the hour or so during your treatment. Clear your thoughts and surrender to mindlessness. Bliss out during a mani/pedi or submit to the kneading hands of our masseuse. Activities don’t need to be so ‘active’ all the time; on Blue Reef Island we encourage you to carve out time in your schedule to do nothing at all.
To learn about tours and activities on the mainland you can enjoy as a day trip from Blue Reef Island, read our post on Inland Adventures.
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