Laughing Bird Caye is a beautiful Belizean isle located on the western side of Victoria Channel, just 11 miles off the coast from Placencia Village in the Stann Creek District of Belize. This caye is the southernmost island in the central lagoon of the Belize Barrier Reef. This long narrow isle stands on an elongated ridge known as a faro. A faro is an angular atoll on a continental shelf, otherwise known as a shelf atoll. Like an atoll, a faro is steep sided and encloses a central lagoon. The Laughing Bird Faro is separated from the mainland, the barrier reef and other cayes by deep channels on all sides.

Laughing Bird Caye Has Rich Biodiversity

The uniqueness of this structure contributes to both the abundance and variety of coral habits and marine life. The caye got its name from the Laughing Gull (Larus artricilla) that has a chirp that sounds like people laughing. This bird once used to breed on the caye, but because of the growing human presence, the birds have abandoned their rookery and transferred their colonies to nearby undisturbed cayes for breeding. However, there are ongoing efforts to minimize their disruption and encourage their return to the island.

Because of the uniqueness of the caye, the faro, and the abundant and diverse marine habitats and life, the Laughing Bird Caye was declared a protected area in 1981 under the National Parks System Act. On December 21 in 1991, Laughing Bird Caye National Park was declared. Finally, in 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System was inscribed on the World Heritage List with Laughing Bird Caye National Park designated as one of the premier protected areas in the World Heritage Site.

Under the management of SEA, the park is divided into three zones, namely the Recreational Zone, the Buffer Zone and the Preservation Zone, otherwise known as the Bird Restoration Zone. Today, we can now see Laughing Gulls returning along with Osprey, Brown Pelican, Herons, Magnificent Frigate and Melodious Blackbirds that nest within the preservation zone undisturbed by visitors. The island is covered with coconut trees, along with scattered coastal mangroves. A total of seven plant species have been recorded on the island: coconut tree, spider lily, seaside purslane, red mangrove, morning glory and black mangrove.

Laughing Bird Caye – Your Ultimate Destination

This picturesque Caribbean escape offers white sandy beaches populated with swaying palms the sandy shallow areas are great for swimming with several dive sites nearby. A mini-atoll with its own miniature surrounding a natural swimming pool, Laughing Bird Caye is a snorkeler’s haven, and a few a minutes by boat from the Belize Reef. Snorkeling, along with diving and fishing, in the area can be arranged with licensed operators based in Hopkins in Placencia, and hotel operators on and around islands in the areas. It is a favorite stopover for reef kayakers and a great place to stop for a picnic.