Turquoise seas, pristine reefs, and vibrant culture, this year’s Adventures in Good Company journey to Belize brought together women ready to snorkel, paddle, and immerse in island life. From kayaking across open water to exploring ancient Maya ruins, this trip was filled with laughter, discovery, and plenty of adventure.
Welcome to Belize!
Our adventure began in Belize City, where guides Israel and Haley welcomed the group for orientation before heading straight to the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center. This nonprofit sanctuary is home to over 150 rescued animals, and we were lucky enough to see some of its most fascinating residents after dark on a nocturnal tour. The highlight? Hand-feeding carrots to Belize’s national animal—the tapir.
Tobacco Caye
After a lively boat ride from Dangriga, our group landed at breezy overwater bungalows on Tobacco Caye, with the Caribbean Sea right at our doorstep. We wasted no time and tested our snorkel gear as soon as we had access to the Belize Barrier Reef (also known as the Mesoamerican Reef) and later experienced its nightlife on a sunset snorkelcomplete with two octopus sightings!
Day two brought kayaking adventures, paddleboarding on glassy waters, and an impromptu rainstorm swim. As soon as the skies cleared, a few of us hopped on paddleboards and circled the caye on glasslike water, spotting eagle rays and brown boobies along the way.
That evening, we wrapped up our time on Tobacco Caye with a festive island cookout featuring lobster, Garifuna drumming, and dancing under the stars.
South Water Caye
Next came the biggest voyage yet: a seven-mile paddle, powered entirely by women. Midway through, we stopped for one of the most unique experiences of the trip: a picnic lunch while standing in waist-deep turquoise water. Surrounded by endless sea and sky, even the simplest foods, like juicy watermelon, tasted unforgettable.
Refueled and re-energized, the group paddled on to South Water Caye, a tiny island renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. After some well-deserved downtime, we jumped back into the water for an afternoon snorkel and were awed by pristine coral reefs teeming with marine life.
The next morning, we leaned into island time with a surprisingly fascinating lesson on coconuts, how to harvest them, crack them open, and use every part. That afternoon we returned to the reef for another snorkel. Even though it was the same spot, the underwater scene had changed completely; schools of vibrant fish swirled around us, proof that the reef never looks the same twice.
By the following day, our arms had grown strong and we were ready for another epic paddle to Billy Hawk Caye. Our efforts were rewarded with a lunch feast of Belizean delights: conch soup, lobster salad, and more. We then headed back into the water to snorkel at our own pace, weaving through intricate coral formations and dazzling tropical fish.
The adventure didn’t end there. That afternoon, we tried our hand at hand-lining—the traditional Belizean way of fishing. Within minutes, the lines were tugging, and soon we were pulling in fish left and right. Back on South Water Caye, the cooks transformed our fresh catch into a delicious dinner, the perfect finale to two unforgettable days of paddling, snorkeling, and island living.
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary & Mayan Ruins
Bidding “Gudbay” to Pedro and the cayes was bittersweet, but new experiences awaited inland. Along the way we stopped at Altun Ha, then continued to Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the world’s best birding destinations. Then we finally arrived at our final home for the trip, the Bird’s Eye View Lodge. Here we reveled in the simple luxuries of hot showers and hair dryers!
With our trip winding down, we still had a full day of exploration ahead. We boarded a small boat for a rollercoaster of a ride down a winding river, spotting wildlife along the way, including a tiny crocodile that, to this day, we don’t believe was real. The river took us to Lamanai, an archaeological site that was a major Maya city for over 3,000 years. As we wandered through the ancient architecture, we gained a deeper understanding of Belize’s rich history and the Maya civilization, which continues to shape the country today.
On our final full day, we spent time in the Kriol community of Crooked Tree, where we learned to harvest cashews, beat rice, and dye cloth with logwood. Our journey closed with a peaceful lagoon cruise at sunset, chips and punch in hand, followed by the sweet surprise of soursop ice cream.
Belize Reflections
Belize gave us snorkeling adventures, paddling challenges, cultural insights, and the gift of new friendships. Guided with care and humor by Israel, our group left with a deeper appreciation for Belize’s diverse ecosystems, vibrant communities, and warm hospitality.
We might be biased, but we think this adventure was unforgettable. If you are Inspired to see Belize for yourself, join us on our next women’s adventure to the Caribbean coast and beyond!
