Blue Marlin Beach Resort

Hosting an exclusive number of guest at a time for over 30 years, Blue Marlin Beach Resort is an iconic off-the-beaten-path path island resort with a focus on authentic and personalized Belizean hospitality.

Blue Marlin is a locally-owned, family business with a cozy, private, and comfortable historic charm. Discover nature and adventure like no other here in a pristine outdoor setting directly atop the Belize Barrier Reef.

Enjoy life’s simple pleasures, feel the culture and experience the thrill of doing everything or nothing at all! Here at Blue Marlin our dedicated team of staff will be attending to all your needs as you combine adventure with pure relaxation.

Discover your own little corner of paradise here on South Water Caye, 14 miles (23 km) off the mainland coast of Belize. Adventure. Relax. Eat. Drink. Stargaze. Laugh. Romance. Family. The choice is yours! Come as strangers, leave as family!

Unique island location
Blue Marlin Beach Resort is located on one of the most beautiful pristine islands in the Caribbean. South Water Caye, a 15-acre sub-divided private island less than one mile in length and 160 yards at its widest point, is rated by Rough Guides as “one of the most beautiful and exclusive islands in Belize”.

It is located in the middle of its namesake Marine Reserve which is one of the largest protected marine areas along the 190-mile long Belize Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef System was first inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996 in recognition of the site’s incredible biodiversity and cultural significance.

Authentic family experience since 1987
As one of the original Belizean family-owned island resort properties with over 30 years of serving guests from around the world, we offer a unique guest experience. Enjoy the luxury of private all inclusive island comfort without losing the authenticity of a true Belizean ambiance.

The resort has been operated as a fishing and diving lodge by the same family for three generations, with the original owner, Ms. Rosella Zabaneh and her daughters and grandchildren all still actively involved in the daily operation of the business.

You will taste the home goodness in the fresh meals served at Charlie’s Dining. Ms. Ros is often in the kitchen along with the Chefs, putting her special “Mom’s Touch” to our traditional Belizean family-style Sunday dinners.

And you will feel the love in the care and thought put into how each and every guest is made to feel at home here on our island paradise. Come join us and become part of our Blue Marlin family!

Island Accommodations
At Blue Marlin Beach Resort we offer the best in island accommodation with our charming and comfortable private cabanas, family cabanas, and standard rooms.
All of our rooms are fully air conditioned with private bathrooms.

Our serene setting makes you feel like you are in your own little corner or paradise. Choose the accommodation that best suits your individual needs or ask our reservations desk for more information about renting the entire property for groups.

Seafront Private Cabanas
Imagine waking up to mesmerizing sunrise views! Or falling asleep to the sound of the waves lapping the shores!

Your Private Cabana, built on stilts facing the east, offers the best views from your private verandah and hammock overlooking the Caribbean Sea and the Belize Barrier Reef. And, as the day winds down, firm orthopedic pillow-top mattresses and evening air-conditioning ensures a comfortable night’s rest.

Seafront Family Cabana
Specially designed for a small family, this Cabana is spacious with extra bedding and a small seating area. Enjoy its premium location near the water’s edge overlooking the seafront.

Garden Family Suite
Enjoy privacy and space in our most spacious accommodation with a king size bed, a double sleeper futon couch, a double bed, and room for an additional rollaway to sleep up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children.

This is perfect for an active family looking for adventure and comfort. This suite is truly a home-away-from-home for you and your family to enjoy the beauty of the island with all the comforts.

With views of our gardens, coconut palms, and the sea on both sides, you are at the center of the property close to the clubhouse and our wi-fi hotspot under the pergola.

Sea View Standard Rooms
Seeking group accommodations for your family or friends? The Standard Rooms are adjoining and you have the choice of upper or ground level.

Originally built when the Lodge opened its doors, these rooms maintain the original charm with updated amenities including tiled floors, walk in showers, orthopaedic mattresses, and air conditioning.

Situated in the center of the island as well as near the resort entrance, you will enjoy panoramic views of the palm-covered island grounds and the Caribbean Sea from your shared verandah or patio.

Charlie’s Dining & Bar
Charlie’s Dining, overlooking the clear Caribbean turquoise waters as far as the eye can see, offers fine dining with true island ambiance.We offer outdoor dining at our over-the-water deck, al fresco dining on the beach, or indoor dining in our dining lounge.

Local, fresh, and creative
Home-style cooking is our specialty featuring a delightful blend of Belizean, Latin, Caribbean, and American cuisine. Utilizing the best local ingredients and spices.

All meals are freshly prepared and served from the farm and sea to the table. Don’t be afraid to ask for seconds. Our all-inclusive packages include all your fresh, healthy meals and daily snacks.

Delicious steaks, seafood, fresh tropical fruits, organic veggies, salads, coconut rice, fish, shrimp, conch and lobster, pastas, Belizean style BBQ and Sunday dinner, homemade breads and desserts, will grace your table. Fruit juice and water is included with all meals.

Special diet or allergies? No problem
Special attention is always given to individual dietary needs or restrictions and we cater to vegan, vegetarian, and restricted diets. We want the best for our guests and every meal is prepared from scratch with love and with attention to detail.

Charlie’s Bar
No Shoes – No Problem! Charlie’s Bar is the fun meeting spot for our guests to exchange experiences on their adventure of the day over afternoon snacks and a chilled tropical cocktail or cold Belikin Beer.

Offering a variety of local cocktails, beers made in Belize, imported wine, rum, and liquors, as well as non-alcoholic juices, smoothies and sodas, we aim to satisfy all our guests’ needs.

Perched over the water, you can simply walk directly unto the outer deck to capture stunning sunsets, and on a clear day, the amazing silhouette of Victoria Peak. Charlie’s Bar is also the hotspot for WIFI connection so you can check your e-mails while chillin’ on your cold Beliken.

And, if you prefer to capture the east side view from your private verandah in the cool of the evening, our Bartender will provide room service, or a stocked mini-bar is available upon request.

Breakfast
Cooked-to-order Breakfast is available from 7AM to 9AM. You may choose to have eggs, homemade fried beans, bacon, ham, or, sausages, hash browns, and fresh bread (flour or corn tortillas, johnny cake, fry jacks, pancakes, waffles, toasts).

Seasonal fruits are standard fare along with freshly squeezed orange juice, coffee, tea and milk. A variety of cereals and oatmeal products are also available upon request. A Coffee & Tea Station is available complimentary throughout the day starting at 6:00 AM.

Lunch
Lunch is available from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and will feature one dish from our menu. This is typically a salad or pasta dish, or a Belizean specialty dish, including a variety of seafood, poultry or meat options. Lunch snacks include cookies or fruits.

Evening Snacks
Evening snacks are also prepared from scratch served at 4:00 PM, just in time for your sunset cocktail hour. Chef’s choice may be fish panades, beans & cheese garnaches, guacamole, pico de gallo, conch fritters, shrimp ceviche and other Belizean favorites.

Dinner
Dinner is normally served at 7:00 PM but you may request anytime between 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Dinner is a 3-course meal and will feature one dish from our menu including freshly baked dinner rolls, soup of the day or garden salad, main entrée featuring fish fillet or whole fish, shrimp, conch or lobster when in season, chicken, steaks or pork, Chef’s dessert is cake, pie or ice cream.

Private Sunset Cruise
Enjoy stunning Caribbean sunset views on a private evening cruise with your sweetie – this is a perfect surprise and an amazing way to propose, celebrate an anniversary, or just enjoy each other’s company.

Private Romantic Dinner
Enjoy a magical dinner under the stars while you create new memories with your sweetie. Whether in front of your Cabana with the sound of the waves gently lapping the shores, or near the water’s edge on the western shoreline with tiki torches, this will be a night to remember and cherish for years to come.

Things to do at Blue Marlin
We are known for our fishing, diving, and snorkeling tours but sometimes you just want to spend the day hanging around the island. Below are some of things you can do and explore during your stay.

Unlimited DIY opportunities
The resort’s unique location atop the Belize Barrier Reef offers you unlimited opportunities for do-it-yourself activities right off the island including chasing the bones by just wading into the water off our dock, or snorkel around the dock any time of the day to check out visiting marine critters.

Kayak & Paddle Board
Kayak or paddle board to the beach on the south side of the island for amazing views, snorkeling, and photo opportunities

Dock Patrol
Our dock extends 400 feet into the Caribbean Sea and serves as a great vantage point for watching the marine life swim by.

We regularly see bonefish, rays of all kinds (including sting rays, Spanish rays, and spotted eagle ray), sea horses, octopus, and many other species of sea critters. Take an early morning stroll before breakfast, or grab a flashlight and take a nighttime dock walk.

Beach Volleyball
The perfect way to have some fun in the sun. Grab your friends and a volleyball and go chill by our outdoor beach bar, the “Mike’s Tiki Thatch”, right next to our island volleyball court.

Massage
Our certified massage therapist will treat you to a much-needed pampering either on the beach or on the verandah of your private cabana. We also offer couple’s massage.

Yoga
Each of our private cabanas is equipped with yoga mats. Nothing starts the day right like a sunrise yoga session over the reef before a healthy breakfast.

Island Walk
Take a tour of our beautiful island. Ask our concierge for more information. One of our staff will take you on a 20 minute tour of the island showing you the natural and cultural history of this iconic Caribbean island.

Bird Watching
Numerous shore bird species call our little island “home”. From darting terns, to pirating frigate birds, to prancing sandpipers, to prowling ospreys, to stalwart herons, and entertaining pelicans, birdwatchers don’t have to go far to see a variety of birds in their natural habitat.

A trip to Bird Island also gives the onlooker a chance to see Brown Footed Boobies and other bucket-list species.

Unparalleled SCUBA Diving
For those with Vitamin Sea on their minds, look no further. Discover the wonders of South Water Caye Marine Reserve with our licensed captains, guides, and divemasters. Marine adventures abound and are available right at your front door.

The Blue Marlin Beach Resort operates as a full service PADI dive resort (R-2354), conveniently located in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Belize, a diver’s ultimate playground. We offer everything from snorkeling to advanced diving.

Join our dive master on two daily tank dives, departing from the Blue Marlin dock in the morning and afternoon; or schedule a certification course with our dive instructor through our dive shop.

There are numerous dives sites to explore from the Tobacco Caye range all the way to the Sixth Cut. Most of our dive sites are within 5-10 minutes boat ride of the resort.

Belize Diving Tours
We specialize in drift diving along the reef wall at our local barrier reef. Deep dives are planned “over the wall”, with both the wall and the deep blue at your sides, and a view of the abyss below you.

Shallow dives are conducted at the top, or just inside the outer reef crest, providing amazing diversity and color. A unique feature of Blue Marlin diving is the very generous dive profile; dives start deep and ending shallow, allowing for about 50 minutes of average bottom time per dive. Computer diving is encouraged.

You may also opt to up the level of adventure and add on a specialty dive to Glover’s Reef, Turneffe Atoll, or the Great Blue Hole.

Experience a dive vacation of a lifetime and stay with us on one of our packages for the best in personalized service including accommodations, meals, boat transfers, and daily dives. Choose from Belize Dive Package or Belize Dive & Snorkel Package.

Largest living coral reef system in the world
It is estimated that only 10% of the species have been discovered because of 90% of the reef is yet to be researched.

Oceana Belize, Fragments of Hope, Southern Environmental Association, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Belize Audubon Society are all non-governmental organizations that are involved in studying and protecting the barrier reef ecology.

The Abyss
This impressive wall dive is one of the best in southern Belize. From about 40 feet a vertical wall drops into the deep blue abyss. Overhangs can be seen with beautiful black corals and several species of gorgonians.

Visibility is excellent and can be up to 100 feet. Depth can be deceiving as some dips are deeper than they appear in some areas, so it is good to keep a close eye on your depth gauge on this dive.

Sightings here can include eagle rays, turtles, lobsters, nurse sharks, and schools of blue wrasse , horse eye jack and Atlantic spadefish. This dive is best in mornings at high tide.

Rosella’s Garden
This site got its name from long- time resident of South Water Caye, our very own Ms. Rosella, the owner of Blue Marlin Resort. The dive is between two reef structures at depths ranging from 45-60 feet/14-18 meters.

This site is well known for ray sightings, including southern stingrays and spotted eagle rays and nurse sharks. There is also a wide variety of tropical reef fish and a healthy population of corals. Night dive is possible in this area and would give divers the opportunity to see the splendid toafish and octopus.

The Great Blue Hole
The Blue Hole is an oceanic sinkhole that has intrigued and captured the imagination of explorers for centuries. First documented by the Spanish colonialists, the Blue Hole was later visited by Charles Darwin in the 1830s, who deemed it the most “remarkable reef in the Caribbean”.

Later, in the 1970s, the renowned explorer and marine biologist Jacques Cousteau, put the Blue Hole on the world map with his visit to Belize and underwater exploration of the area.

If you are an experienced diver, come see why the Blue Hole has been ranked as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Come experience what these first revolutionary explorers discovered here– pristine natural beauty and amazing geology.

In 2012, Discovery Channel ranked the Great Blue Hole as the #1 Amazing Place on the Planet. A nearly perfectly circular body of water, the Belize Blue Hole is surrounded by the Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

Divers can use the shallow waters of the atoll’s lagoon to begin their descent to the now-flooded cave that contains stalactites and stalagmites up to 40 feet in length.

Shallow patches of colorful coral give way to deeper water descending nearly 400 feet to the sea floor. There are numerous flooded caves and this vertical descent brings you to a surreal environment with an impressive array of underwater formations and wildlife, including schools of hammerhead sharks.

The most recent exploration of this mysterious place was done by Charles Branson and Fabien Cousteau in an aquatica submarine.

Our private island Belize resort is an ideal jumping off point for the dive of a lifetime! This is not a tour for novice divers. Divers must be sufficiently experienced (minimum 24 dives) and must have recently been diving as well.

Glover’s Reef Atoll
Glover’s Atoll is located 28 miles off the coast of Belize and is a string of sandy, palm- fringed islands and reefs surrounding a pristine lagoon.

It was named after the English pirate, John Glover, who used this area as a base for his plunderings in the 1600s. The area was designated a marine reserve in 1993 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve is approximately 86,653 acres and encompasses the marine portion of the oval-shaped Glover’s Reef Atoll. The Atoll is about 20 miles long and 7 miles wide and is considered as the best developed biologically and has the greatest diversity of reef types (Dahl et. Al.1974).

Glover’s Atoll deep lagoon system is dotted with about 850 patch reefs and pinnacles that rise to the surface. It is a critical nursery and feeding ground for many species of sharks, rays, and turtles along with hundred of reef fish species, including a spawning ground for the increasingly rare Nassau Grouper.

This is a diver’s delight and we offer two-tank day trips to Glover’s Reef for a diving adventure of a lifetime. We also offer snorkeling and fishing trips. The atoll is home to several Belize private islands, resorts, and research stations, including Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

Lionfish Hunting
Lionfish is an invasive species that is threatening the local populations of reef fish. Lionfish are predatory and feed on juvenile native fish at mind-boggling rates. They can deplete local populations in just a matter of months.

The Government of Belize, along with private dive shops and conservation organizations, is battling this problem by allowing lionfish hunts in a comprehensive lionfish management plan.

Visitors are encouraged to remove lionfish from the reef with special sling spears. Participation on activity is subject to guide’s judgement on the ability level of the diver with handling Hawaiian sling and potentially dangerous fish.

Discover SCUBA
PADI Discover Scuba Diving is the perfect quick intro into breathing underwater and your first exposure to the equipment and theory of SCUBA diving. If you want to try scuba diving, but aren’t quite ready to plunge into a certification course, Discover Scuba is the best option for you.

Our instructor will guide you every step of the way– from familiarizing yourself with scuba equipment to the first time in shallow water right in the Caribbean Sea off of our dock.

Discover Scuba is a quick and easy introduction to what it takes to explore the underwater world and might open the door to a full certification course which would allow you to dive anywhere in the world.

Bubblemaker for Kids
Bubblemaker gives children as young as 8 the opportunity to use scuba gear (mask, fins, tank, BCD with low-pressure inflator, regulator, and submersible pressure gauge) in a confined-water environment and, literally, make bubbles.

The water should be no deeper than six feet (2 meters). We do our Bubblemaker course right off the Blue Marlin dock in the warm, clear Caribbean Sea. We require your child to be comfortable in the water before beginning, although they don’t need any prior scuba exposure to participate in the class.

How about a Bubblemaker birthday party? We can have up to 6 students per instructor. What better way to introduce your child to a healthy, productive, exciting hobby that will last a lifetime?

Let us teach your child how to dive and introduce him or her to the amazing world of Nemo, instilling in them a lifelong love and respect for the sea. The course is approximately an hour long and, after completing certain skills sets, your child will receive a certificate of completion and card.

Snorkeling
Whether you are just trying on a snorkel and mask for the first time or whether you are an experienced underwater adventurer, there is something for everyone in South Water Caye Marine Reserve.

Our licensed snorkel guides and boat captains will take you to the best spots on the reef to see a diversity of marine life both under the sea and in the mangrove islands dotting the marine reserve.

Turtles, rays, manatees, numerous sea birds, aquatic plant life including mangrove nurseries, a plethora of corals, a dazzling array of fish, and much more await you on your snorkelling and island adventures.

Marine Reserve Discovery Tour (Island Adventure)
This half day tour will introduce you to the diversity and natural history of our beloved South Water Caye Marine Reserve. There are groups of small islands within the reserve, each with their own unique habitats.

Visit Bird Island, or Man O’ War Caye, a nesting site for osprey, frigate birds, brown footed boobies, and various other marine bird species. Search for manatees in the shallow seagrass beds and discover the importance of mangroves for the health of the reef and as marine nurseries.

Learn about the history of the islands from pirate days, the daily life on a fisherman’s camps, Caribbean ghost stories, and the effect of hurricanes on the geography.

Our neighboring island, Carrie Bow Caye – Smithsonian Research Station, is dedicated to studying coral reef ecology and rehabilitation. Learn about the plethora of marine life and end your tour with a snorkel in the translucent Caribbean waters, where fish and coral create a colorful and diverse underwater world.

Snorkeling Tour
There are countless opportunities to be thrilled and amazed at the natural beauty and diversity of our marine habitats.

Blue Marlin Resort is one of Belize’s best snorkeling and diving resorts located just a few minutes away from the Barrier Reef in the middle of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, with rich biodiversity and ecosystems. .

Let us take you to the best snorkeling sites in Belize. Both the spur and groove fore reef formations of the Belize Barrier Reef and the numerous patch reefs of the lagoon display vibrant, healthy coral colonies. In addition to the pristine coral formations, you will see a large variety of fish and invertebrates.

Blue Marlin Beach Resort visits snorkel sites that demonstrate healthy diversity to satisfy the experienced snorkeler, yet are quite safe for the novice. We are in a truly fantastic environment surrounded by warm shallow water teeming with life!

You will have a chance at seeing many colorful corals, an abundance of reef fish (including brilliant parrot-fish, regal angelfish, a variety of snappers, and grunts) moray eels, lobsters and conch, anemones, nurse sharks, and several species of sea turtles, including loggerhead and hawksbill.

South Water Caye is a known nesting sight for sea turtles. We might even get lucky and have a pod of dolphins follow the boat back home to the resort. Trained staff accompanies all snorkel tours.

Fly Fishing – Guided & DIY Tours
Blue Marlin Beach Resort is situated right in the middle of what we estimate to be the best permit fisheries and bonefish in the world with the bones hanging out directly off our docks. The flats extend both north and south of the South Water Caye with over 200 miles of coastline flats.

Our location consistently delivers permits and bonefish. Bonefish are found in large school all along the lagoon side of the island, just feet from shore in the seagrass beds. Add tarpon to that for a Grand Slam. Or go for the extreme challenge and add snook for a Super Slam.

There are several good permit grounds to the north of South Water Caye, starting in the Sand Fly Range, as well as in the Blue Ground Range, which is located directly to the west.

To the south, the countless saltwater permit flats are the finest in the world. Anglers get numerous shots while wading in the flats or right off the boat at the edge of the island.

The permit fishing in this area takes place on tidal flats in about 1-3 feet of water and guests will be casting to tailing permit in much the same way they have for tailing bonefish in other locations.

Guests can see 25-40 or more tailing fish per day and most permit fishing is done by wading making this an angler’s challenge and wonderland at the same time. Migratory tarpon that run the reef are available at the channels off Tobacco Caye and South Water Caye, which are feeding zones.

These are best visited in spring and early summer, starting in April. We work with licensed and experienced fly-fishing guides from Hopkins, Dangriga and Placencia.

Inner Reef Bottom Fishing
Our bottom fishing trip usually starts with cast netting for sprat in the shallow mangrove lagoons of the inner reef and then moves to deeper patch corals for drop line fishing — either by traditional handline or a spinning rod.

We typically go out on our skiff which can take 2-4 anglers for an adventure that starts in the sea and ends in the dining room, with your catch freshly prepared for dinner by our Chefs.

We use spin reels and rods with multiple hooks to catch more than one at a time, or try out the traditional Belizean handline something to check off your bucket list. This is fishing for smaller species such as yellow tail, silk snapper, mutton snapper, black snapper, grunt, and porgy.

Outer Reef Bottom Fishing
We pass through the channel and into the deep for some fantastic opportunities to fish along the drop offs with an electronic rod in depths of 400 – 700 feet.

This is fishing for the larger species such as yellow eye snapper, queen snapper, black wing snapper, deep sea grouper, rockfish (black grouper), vermillion snapper, and champagne snapper.

Outer Reef Trolling
This is fishing directly off the reef wall for larger species including barracuda, king mackerel, jacks, cubera snapper, wahoo, tuna, mahi mahi (dorado).

Deep Sea Fishing Tours
Deep sea fishing for large game fish is a favorite at Blue Marlin Resort. The name for the lodge originated when a blue marlin was caught right in front of the island years before the caye became a tourist destination.

In addition to blue marlin, many other pelagic species are caught close by, including yellowfin tuna, mackerel, bonito, wahoo, and sailfish.

At the atolls, such as Glover’s Reef, waters plummet thousands of feet only 200-300 feet from the reef crest on all sides of the atolls making these areas oases in a desert of deep blue ocean.

Fishing here offers something for everyone and packs an amazing punch of excitement and challenge! Sharks, mackerel, barracuda, dorado (also known as mahi-mahi and common dolphin), wahoo, and kingfish are all plentiful and readily caught on a good day of trolling.

Jungle Zipline, River Tube & Waterfall Tour
Enjoy the incredible views while soaring 400 feet above a valley in the Maya Mountain foothills. Our panoramic zip line experience consists of 7 lines and 11 decks, and the longest zip line in Belize!

From January to March, endangered Scarlet Macaws will join you, flying by at the same height as the zip lines. Scared of heights? There’s nothing to fear, our staff will walk you through all of the safety precautions and be at your side every step of the way.

The zipline is safe for all ages and experienced guides make sure everyone is taken care of every step of the way. Cool off in the refreshing waters of the South Stann Creek River while listening to the sounds of the jungle!

For almost 2 miles, you will enjoy the thrills of rushing over small (Class 2) rapids and the relaxation of the slower parts of the river. Our knowledgeable guides can point out hard-to-spot birds and identify their calls while you sit back and enjoy the ride.

We believe in safety first! All participants will be provided a life jacket and helmet. Before leaving this splendid private adventure center, we take a stop at the hidden falls and swim in the clear water pool at the base nestled in the heart of Belize.

We will take care of the hassle of driving on bumpy dirt roads to get there, and you just enjoy the trip! Or go explore the waterfall by horseback for a truly unique adventure (must make special arrangements and additional charge for horseback riding to waterfall).

After a full day of adventure we have a nice meal at a nearby restaurant to sample some local Belizean cuisine before heading back to the island.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve
Feel the richness of the jungle environment, with its lush foliage, hidden waterfalls, and impressive diversity of wildlife. This is all possible at Cockscomb Basin, the world’s first jaguar reserve.

This rainforest preserve not only houses a healthy population of jaguars but also is home to countless medicinal plants cool streams and rivers, four other species of wild cats, millions of insects, including Blue Morpho butterflies, howler monkeys, and vast variety of bird species.

This is truly a naturalists delight for hikers, conservationists, botanists, birders, and lovers of all things wild. Cockscomb is also said to be home to Sisimito, a folkloric Big Foot or Sasquach, and Tataduende, a mythical creature that is the goblin-like spiritual guard of the forest.

Antelope Falls Waterfall Hike & Rappel
In the heart of Bocawina National Park you will find a stunning waterfall hidden in the depths of the jungle. This is a rigorous 45 minute to 1 hour hike uphill involving some rock scrambling and some rope climbing but there is no climbing experience required.

Follow the Antelope Falls up the hill until you reach a refreshing hidden natural pool where you can relax and swim, snack, take photos, and take in the impressive scenery of the valleys below.

After a swim break, hike back down the hill to the base of the reserve entrance where you will also find a partially excavated Maya ruin and beautiful jungle flowers and plants lining the driveway out of the reserve towards the village of Silk Grass, with numerous orange orchards along the way.

Or for the real adventurers you can arrange to rappel down the waterfall as you make your way back to the ranger station. Lunch will be picnic lunch or we will stop at a local restaurant for a true Belizean experience. Difficult Hike.

Day Trip to Placencia Village
Placencia is a small Creole fishing village at the tip of an 18 mile peninsula. The famous Placencia Sidewalk, a boardwalk that runs along the beach, also known as the smallest street in the world, was traditionally used by fishermen to carry their fish in wheelbarrows to sell.

Nowadays the sidewalk is lined with numerous art and gift shops, restaurants, bakeries, BBQ stands, gelato shops (Tutti Frutti is a must-try), cafes, and bars. But you can still see fisherman loading up their catch and bringing it to the fisherman’s coop for the freshest in conch, lobster, grouper, snapper, crab and more.

The charm of the seaside community can be seen in the colorful buildings, beautiful white sand beach, smiling and friendly residents, lively beach bars, and the original families of Placencia still holding strong to their seafaring traditions.

We stop for lunch at Omar’s (local seafood grill), a fisherman-owned Belizean restaurant (BYOB), followed by Rum Flight Tasting at Afrodite Cafe, where they handcraft their own line of local rums/ Then you have some time to explore the village on your own.

On our return journey we take a stop at the hidden falls and swim in the clear water pool at the base nestled in the heart of Belize.

Dangriga Cultural Tour
Get to know the Garifuna Journey and culture, view paintings, murals and thread art portraying all aspects of Belizean culture at a colonial era gallery. November 19th, Garifuna Settlement Day, is a national holiday in Belize and a great time to visit and explore the culture.

Following the visit at the gallery you will visit the quaint workshop of legendary drum-maker, Austin Rodriguez, who manually carves Garifuna drums from mahogany, cedar and mayflower wood.

Practice some basic drum rhythms and learn about punta rock and punta history. You will have an introduction to the four major Garifuna rhythms: Jankunú, Punta, Hungu Hungu, Chumba.

Lunch is a traditional Garifuna delicacy of hudut, cooked on a fire hearth. Relax under shady coconut trees and listen to the sound of nature. Then it’s onto Marie’s Sharp’s Pepper Factory. Who would have thought that carrots could make such a wonderful impact on hot sauce?

If you’re remotely into hot sauce, you won’t be disappointed to visit the place where Belize’s best known export is made. Marie’s Sharps is a household name in Belize and found on many dining tables and is now making its way around the world as an original Belizean specialty.

Maya And Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Tour
Garifuna Cultural Culinary Adventure and Maya Chocolate Making Tour Combo. Discover the deep history of two unique cultures, the Maya and the Garifuna on an adventure of the mind and of the taste buds. Our journey starts on the island by boat to Hopkins Village along the coast.

Join us on a culinary journey through time and discover the traditional cooking techniques and dishes of these two cultures as they have survived the centuries. Our cultural and cooking class is guaranteed to be highly educational, entertaining, interactive, and delicious.

Come journey with us through our historical stories. We are glad to share the tremendous cultural value of our coconut trees engaging you in the interactive process of coconut harvesting, husking, tasting, grating and milk extraction.

Learn about the history of farming and fishing in the Garifuna communities and some of the tools to process and prepare traditional foods such as cassava. Learn about and sample a staple food for the Garifuna people, hudut which is fish in coconut broth and veggies with mashed plantain dumplings.

Delicious and nutritious! Our next stop is at Maya Center Village Cacao Factory Be with a master chocolate maker who offers two-hour farm-to-factory tours including a trip to the cacao plantation.

The full process is explained right through to the finished bar of dark chocolate in this indigenous, grassroots, family-run business. Try your hand at making your own chocolate from some of the best quality beans in the world.

Learn about the symbolism, meaning, value, and history of chocolate in the culture of Central America dating back thousands of years.

Xunantunich Maya Temples
The ancient Maya city of Xunantunich, meaning the “Stone Maiden”, dates back to the Pre- and Post-Classic periods. The “Stone Woman” refers to the ghost of a woman claimed by several people to inhabit the site in the 1890s.

She is dressed completely in white, and has fire-red glowing eyes. She generally appears in front of the temple of “El Castillo”, ascends the stone stairs, and disappears into a stone wall. (from Wikipedia)

This spectacular archaeological site is just minutes from the bustling town of San Ignacio and minutes from the Guatemalan border. The site was first discovered in the 1800s and hosts of archaeologists have excavated over the years to uncover the layers of history and culture hidden below the dense rainforest.

Once overgrown by the jungle, the site has now been cleared and the main plazas and temples restored. This is a magnificent and significant site in Maya history and you can climb to the top of the aged temples that are still standing after thousands of years.

The ancient Maya were a complex civilization with a refined system of astronomy, their own complex calendar, writing in the form of hieroglyphics, and a complicated social caste system.

The site served as a Maya civic ceremonial center and was inhabited by over 200,000 people. There are two ways to access the western part of the country, the Cayo district.

One is a private plane charter from Dangriga and flightseeing tour to Maya Flats airstrip where you will be met by a licensed guide to take you to the site by air conditioned vehicle with a stop for lunch at a local restaurant and possibly a quick tour of the town and farmer’s market. The flight is about 45 minutes and is in a Cesna single prop airplane.

The other option is driving all the way from Dangriga with our in-house guide. This is a scenic drive with opportunity to stop at the inland Blue Hole, a lovely freshwater cenote, along the way.

The drive is about 2.5 hours and takes you through the Hummingbird Highway, lined with orange orchards, jungle, and small villages and the Western Highway, the heart of the Mennonite farming traditions and home to many cattle ranches and farms.

Blue Hole & Reef Tour by Helicopter
Soaring within the Lighthouse Reef you will now see the Great Blue Hole surrounded by hard corals that borders it with only two small channels. As you go across this spectacular hole, you will be dazzled by its impressive size and color.

Cockscomb Basin Tour
This spectacular journey takes you along the southern coast and the stunning Cockscomb Basin in the Maya Mountains. This is part of the Meso-American Corridor System, a series of protected areas running through Central and South America.

Get a one-of-a-kind view of the highest peak in Belize, Victoria Peak, that has it’s own micro-ecosystem and a dwarf forest, the lush jungle valleys below, and the beautiful Davis Falls Waterfall from above the rainforest canopy and orange orchards which nestle this hidden scenic site.

Belize Water Falls and Xunantunich Tours
A one-of-a-kind tour tracing freshwater rivers into the untouched tropical evergreen interior, soaring through the incredible Maya mountain landscape, and offering breath-taking views of Five Waterfalls, including the largest waterfall in Central America.

Soar over the ancient Maya City of Xunantunich to get a truly bird’s eye view of these magnificent temple structures rising out of the jungle.

 

Website: www.bluemarlinbeachresort.com

Rooms: 14

Price: from 375 EUR per night