Beaches on most of Caye Caulker are of the thin, hard variety—don’t expect to find a thick, soft, endless stretch of sand. Still, there’s sand to feel under your toes, and the ratio of crowds versus beach space is favorable, such that finding your own sandy plot of the island is an easy feat. And if you can get past the first few inches of harmless sea grass and don’t mind the lack of wave action due to the mile-distant barrier reef, you’ll find the water is just as soothing and in the same jade color of Belize—all in all, a happy compromise.
You might catch sight of a sea turtle while snorkeling in Caye Caulker. Photo © Matthew Keenan, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
The island is relatively small, so finding the beach merely requires going to the front or back areas of Caye Caulker.The beachfront is a public area, and if you prefer to jump deeper into the sea to avoid the sea grass, docks are also a dime a dozen, unless marked “private.” Just be mindful of boat activity and stay alert while snorkeling or swimming underwater.
The island is relatively small, so finding the beach merely requires going to the front or back areas of Caye Caulker. The best stretch for your towel is the Split area on the north end of the island. Other options for those looking to read quietly is the stretch of beach—formerly known as Playa Asuncion—going along the front side from the arrival dock but going south (turning left). Along the back of the island are smaller stretches of beach, and swimming may be best off a dock, but the views are still lovely. Grab a cocktail at Sea Dreams Resort’s upstairs Banyan Tree Bar or at Iguana Reef and sit by their beach to watch sunset.
Excerpted from the First Edition of Moon Belize Cayes.
