CAYES OF BELIZE - CAYE CAULKER

Caye Caulker is the place to be laid back. Most eloquent of the caye's spirit is the sign on the main road exhorting "Go Slow". Hammocks, sandy streets, and cool Caribbean breezes greet arrivals. If you catch a taxi, a golf cart is what you'll get. From the asphalt landing strip lead just a handful of streets through the small village of seaside restaurants, lodges, pubs, shops and clapboard houses in bright colors. The barrier reef can be seen from the main road.

Caye Caulker is relatively small, at five miles long by one half mile wide. Of this, only the southern end is inhabited by villagers and visitors; the wet northern section is a mangrove and forest reserve, the abode of mangroves, nesting birds, and palm trees, with trails for visitors. The two sections are separated by a narrow water passage, the Split, created by Hurricane Hattie in 1961 and which has become popular with snorkelers, boaters, swimmers and sunbathers.

It is thought Caye Caulker's name came from pirates caulking their ships, although another possibility is from the Spanish name "Cayo Hicaco" for the island, so named after the cocoplum tree found abundantly in the island's reserve.

Caye Caulker's 1,000 residents are a mix of Belizean and foreigners who have settled to enjoy the unique atmosphere.

Attractions

Apart from the pleasures of taking it easy and enjoying life on the island, the caye has the widest range of watersports and is well-positioned for day trips to many attractions in the area:-

Snorkeling at the Split, or excursions to Goff's Caye, Sergeants Caye, Half Moon and Long Caye.
Diving, with over 20 dive sites within a 5 minute boat ride, and with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Blue Hole, Pyramid Flats, Long Caye, Coral Caverns, Turneffe and St George's Caye all within easy boat distance.

Fishing on flats, reefs, or offshore for bonefish, permit, snapper, tarpon, kingfish, wahoo etc.

There are many sportfishing boats available for half- or full-day trips.

Windsurfing and kayaking (both available for rental, and lessons)

Birding as the caye offers more than 150 species including the rufous-necked woodrail, mangrove warbler and black catbird.

Mainland trips to Mayan ruins and other attractions

Visitor Info

There are plenty of lodges and inns on the caye, typically budget to mid-range. Dress is extremely casual, shorts and T-shirt being the norm, often without shoes. The caye has plenty of small restaurants, offering Belizean and seafood fare, often at good prices.

Getting There

Caye Caulker is reached by water taxi from Belize City (6 scheduled trips per weekday, 7 per weekend day), or by plane with Tropic Air and Maya Airways from Belize Municipal. The caye is 21 miles northeast of Belize City, so the boat trip takes around 45 minutes and the flight 15 minutes.