South Water Caye snorkel day trip

Boats from the Hopkins coast reach the South Water Caye Marine Reserve in about 35 minutes. It is a stretch of the southern barrier reef more than 40 km long, the inner side of the reef with mangrove islands such as the Pelican Cayes, Twin Cayes and Man-O-War Caye, where frigatebirds and brown boobies nest. Underwater, visibility is usually 18 to 30 metres, and the shallow reefs and channels turn up eagle rays, tarpon, stingrays, octopus and sometimes dolphins.

Wind and sea decide which sites the guide picks. Snorkelling straight off the boat suits agile, confident swimmers; anyone newer can be dropped on an island to wade in from the beach or just explore. Some boats go out for a morning half day with fruit, juice and a snorkel guide on board, and a rash guard saves a burnt back.