DIVING AND SNORKELING
Laughing Bird Caye National Park
One of the seven protected areas of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS), inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/764) is only a 20-minute boat ride from French Louie Caye. The waters around this long narrow island are full of colorful and amazing marine life, making it a popular diving and snorkeling destination.
“The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System contains one of the most pristine reef ecosystems in the Western Hemisphere unique in the world for its array of reef types contained in a relatively small area. It provides important habitat for a number of threatened marine species, including the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Approximately 247 taxa of marine flora have been described within the complex and over 500 fish, 65 sceleritian coral, 45 hydroid and 350 mollusc species have also been identified, in addition to a great diversity of sponges, marine worms and crustaceans, as well as endemic and migratory birds which reproduce in the littoral forests of cayes, atolls and coastal areas.”
One of the seven protected areas of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS), inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/764) is only a 20-minute boat ride from French Louie Caye. The waters around this long narrow island are full of colorful and amazing marine life, making it a popular diving and snorkeling destination.
“The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System contains one of the most pristine reef ecosystems in the Western Hemisphere unique in the world for its array of reef types contained in a relatively small area. It provides important habitat for a number of threatened marine species, including the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Approximately 247 taxa of marine flora have been described within the complex and over 500 fish, 65 sceleritian coral, 45 hydroid and 350 mollusc species have also been identified, in addition to a great diversity of sponges, marine worms and crustaceans, as well as endemic and migratory birds which reproduce in the littoral forests of cayes, atolls and coastal areas.”
Gladden Spit
Dive with the whale shark. During the months of April and May prime specimens of the biggest fish in the sea, the Belize Whale Shark, are easy to spot near Gladden Spit. Swimming beside these gentle creatures is a serene experience.
“Whale sharks seasonally visit Gladden Spit, a promontory midway along the Belize Barrier Reef to feed on the spawn of aggregating snappers - the only place this has been documented and is known to occur worldwide.”
https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/whaleshark/whalebelize/gladspit.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scu-xmDwzgU
Dive with the whale shark. During the months of April and May prime specimens of the biggest fish in the sea, the Belize Whale Shark, are easy to spot near Gladden Spit. Swimming beside these gentle creatures is a serene experience.
“Whale sharks seasonally visit Gladden Spit, a promontory midway along the Belize Barrier Reef to feed on the spawn of aggregating snappers - the only place this has been documented and is known to occur worldwide.”
https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/whaleshark/whalebelize/gladspit.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scu-xmDwzgU
French Louie Caye!
Located right at the international reef restoration project coral nurseries, beautiful corals and reef lives are just steps away from your hammock!
http://www.takepart.com/feature/2014/04/22/save-coral-reef-from-global-warming-ocean-acidification
Located right at the international reef restoration project coral nurseries, beautiful corals and reef lives are just steps away from your hammock!
http://www.takepart.com/feature/2014/04/22/save-coral-reef-from-global-warming-ocean-acidification
The waters are rich with life due to the mangrove that have been preserved on the island. This mangrove environment is the "nursery of the sea" - mangrove roots offer protection for infant sea life, and the leaves supply food.
Because of this rich ecology the snorkeling is outstanding, both in the mangrove jungle and on the pristine coral reef that completely surrounds the island.
The area is well populated with hundreds of varieties of fish, sea creatures, and all kinds of soft and hard corals. If you search the mangrove roots one can observe an amazing array of sea creatures, including octopus, sea worms, sea anemones, tiny fish, crabs, lobsters, sea horse, starfish and more.
The caretaker/guide is an experienced snorkel teacher - both adults and children. He can also take you on an amazing night snorkel, which will reveal a whole new neighborhood of sea creatures such as the amazing basket starfish.
We can also arrange SCUBA tours for you. The dive boat will pick you up in the morning and bring you back at the end of the day. If you wish to book Whale Shark tours (March - June) be sure to let us know well in advance as these tours have restrictions on the number of divers/day.
KAYAKING
There are two double and two single "sit on top" kayaks on the island that can be used to explore the area. Close by is another small reef, or you can just paddle around the island and explore the mangroves and coral reef from above.
For a more ambitious paddle our guide can accompany you to the Lark Range, Loggerhead Caye or Saddle Caye. Take a picnic lunch and explore another island. These islands are uninhabited; and like French Louie Caye, are surrounded by pristine coral reef.
Because of this rich ecology the snorkeling is outstanding, both in the mangrove jungle and on the pristine coral reef that completely surrounds the island.
The area is well populated with hundreds of varieties of fish, sea creatures, and all kinds of soft and hard corals. If you search the mangrove roots one can observe an amazing array of sea creatures, including octopus, sea worms, sea anemones, tiny fish, crabs, lobsters, sea horse, starfish and more.
The caretaker/guide is an experienced snorkel teacher - both adults and children. He can also take you on an amazing night snorkel, which will reveal a whole new neighborhood of sea creatures such as the amazing basket starfish.
We can also arrange SCUBA tours for you. The dive boat will pick you up in the morning and bring you back at the end of the day. If you wish to book Whale Shark tours (March - June) be sure to let us know well in advance as these tours have restrictions on the number of divers/day.
KAYAKING
There are two double and two single "sit on top" kayaks on the island that can be used to explore the area. Close by is another small reef, or you can just paddle around the island and explore the mangroves and coral reef from above.
For a more ambitious paddle our guide can accompany you to the Lark Range, Loggerhead Caye or Saddle Caye. Take a picnic lunch and explore another island. These islands are uninhabited; and like French Louie Caye, are surrounded by pristine coral reef.
FISHING
On the island you can cast off the dock or jump in the traditional wooden dory with the guide and do a little drop fishing. We can also arrange a full day fishing tour for you (fly fishing, spin casting, trolling or just general fishing - your choice).
Placencia is famous for its salt water fly fishing - with many flats and reef in the area. The "Catch and Release" fish are permit, tarpon and bonefish - get them all and you have a "Grand Slam". Placencia has been called "The Permit Capital of the World". As an added treat, the caregiver will prepare and cook your catch whichever way you like. After you’ve tasted seafood cooked minutes after it’s been pulled from the water you will be hooked for life.
On the island you can cast off the dock or jump in the traditional wooden dory with the guide and do a little drop fishing. We can also arrange a full day fishing tour for you (fly fishing, spin casting, trolling or just general fishing - your choice).
Placencia is famous for its salt water fly fishing - with many flats and reef in the area. The "Catch and Release" fish are permit, tarpon and bonefish - get them all and you have a "Grand Slam". Placencia has been called "The Permit Capital of the World". As an added treat, the caregiver will prepare and cook your catch whichever way you like. After you’ve tasted seafood cooked minutes after it’s been pulled from the water you will be hooked for life.