Snorkeling at South Water Caye: What to Expect

What can you expect snorkeling at South Water Caye? Well, nothing short of a memorable experience, for starters. That’s because South Water Caye is located inside one of Belize’s largest marine reserves. It’s also just a stone’s throw away from the second largest barrier reef in the world.

At 180 miles long, The Belize Barrier reef is the world’s second largest reef system and the largest in the entire Northern Hemisphere. It’s also home to one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems.

Several popular snorkeling spots, including Twin Cayes, Carrie Bow Caye, and Angel Reef, are located right inside the South Water Caye Marine Reserve and lie just a short boat ride away.

And if you’re not feeling up to getting on a boat, South Water Caye is also one of the few places in Belize where you can snorkel right offshore. It’s the perfect place for swimmers of all ages and experience levels.

Here’s some of what you can expect when snorkeling at South Water Caye:

• Pristine Coral ReefsThe barrier reef is made up of over 90 different species of coral. And coral reefs provide homes for hundreds of different types of marine life.While snorkeling you’ll find an abundance of both hard and soft coral, all of them colorful and in great health.

• Sand BoresFound between Carrie Bow Caye and Wee Wee Caye are the sand bores—structures that rise from the seafloor up to the water’s surface. These fascinating structures provide nesting grounds for local birds, and the surrounding waters are home to several different marine animals, including rays.

• Diverse Marine LifeColorful tropical fish like Creole Wrasse and Angel Fish populate the waters around the island. Snorkelers also have the chance of seeing Southern Stingrays, sea turtles, and eagle rays. Some lucky folks have even spotted dolphins from time to time!Meanwhile, mangrove islands like Twin Cayes, are the perfect place for witnessing manatees in their natural habitat, along with jellyfish and maybe even some seahorses, too.

  If you choose to go for a night snorkel, you’ll be able to experience an almost entirely different world. Get a glimpse of the more nocturnal creatures like lobsters, tarpon, octopus, and eels.

There’s an entire world waiting to be explored by you at South Water Caye. And with the reef right in your backyard, we can’t blame you for wanting to put snorkeling at the very top of your to-do list when you come to stay with us.