The second stop of our cruise was the port of Belize City, but we chose to do a sharks & rays excursion near Caye Caulker, a tiny island accessible by a one-hour boat ride. The locals will welcome you with two sayings: “No shirt, no shoes, no problem” and “Go Slow,” indicative of the easygoing lifestyle. The island is absolutely stunning, surrounded by powdery white sand, turquoise water, and cool windy breezes. And with very affordable hotel rates and many seafood dining options, it’s pretty easy to envision just unwinding, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful atmosphere. It’s also a prime destination for anyone looking for water activities, such as kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Our excursion was located by a section of the Belize Barrier Reef, just a few minutes off Caye Caulker. Our tour was primarily looking for nurse sharks and stingrays. When we arrived at our location, we immediately spotted three or four sharks and at least a dozen rays. Neither creature is dangerous and they are very docile animals. Plus the water depth is very shallow, so this is a terrific activity for people of all ages and swimming levels. Our tour guy brought out bait to lure the animals close to the tour group, and we were surrounded by big numbers rays and sharks. Also attracted to the bait were a pair of large barracuda, one of them named “Barry the Barracuda,” and a large snapper that kept greedily going after the bait. We also went to the edge of the reef to check out other marine life and learn more about the animals that inhabited the area.
We had an amazing experience swimming with the sharks and rays and getting a taste of Caye Caulker. Unfortunately, one day is not even close to enough to experiencing this paradise, so we have no choice but to come back and enjoy for a much longer stay. Check out the video and photos for this fun excursion and Caye Caulker:
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