Water sports in Belize is a perfect activity for anyone who’s looking for fun and adventure. Read through this water sports guide to help you make the most of this must-do in Belize.
Water sports in Belize offers adventure
Water sports in Belize offers a great way to enjoy the country’s waters and add adventure and excitement to your vacation. Belize’s coastline is mainly known for its fishing and diving, but it’s also a great backdrop for various watersports. The calm waters and steady winds provided by the barrier reef make for smooth sails off the coast. For those who are looking to doing more than just enjoy the scenery, add adventure on the water with this must-do Belize activity. But take note that even when all the islands and coastal beaches offer some kind of watersports, the availability of equipment can vary. Read on for a short description if the water sports things to do in these different places to help you pick where to go.
1. Ambergris Caye
Offering the best diveristy of water sports equipment, Ambergris Caye has windsurfing boards, kite boards, wakeboards, kneeboard, jetskis, sailboats, parasails and torpedo rides. The barrier reef is les than a mile offshore with different water conditions from large waves to calm waters. There’s something for every skill level, from advanced to beginner. Several instruction courses are available, and many beachfront resorts carry different watersports equipment as well.
2. Caye Caulker
Similar to Ambergris Caye, its island cousin in the north, Caye Caulker has varied water conditions, from calm waters to big waves that are great for water sports of all skill levels. However, the availablility of rental equipment is much less extension, and you can only find kayaks, kite boards, sailboats and windsurfing boards here. Several instruction courses aare also available here.
3. Atolls
The atolls are mainly fishing and diving destinations. However, many of the resorts have canoes or kayaks that guests can use during their down time. The lagoon of Glover’s Reef has coral patches that are great for snorkling. On Turneffe Islands, you can explore the lagoon and its surrounding coral reefs on board a kayak. You can anchor the kayak to a buoy and enjoy some snorkeling as well.
4. Placencia
An outfitter named Toadal Adventures is based here that specializes in camping excursions. One package they offer is that they will take you island hopping on kayaks with overnight camping on the islands. They also offer another package where they will take you up the stunning Monkey River aboard rafts while camping along the riverbanks. Their itineraries can be customized for all fitness levels. There are several beachfront resorts in the area that carry different water sports equipment as well.
5. Dangriga
There is this small windsurfing school that offers rentals and instruction courses in Hopkins, located just south of Dangriga Town. Canoeing or kayaking down the Sittee River is a very popular activity here, as it gives you a chance to spot wildlife along the banks and enjoy the scenerty at the same time. You can find several beachfront resorts that carry different water sports equipment here.
6. San Ignacio
The Mopan and Macal Rivers run through the rainforest and pine terrain. There are some stretches that are calm enough for kayaking or canoeing to enjoy the flora and fauna along the banks. Other stretches have different classes of white-water rapids. Entering the Barton Creek Cave is done on a canoe, where the river flows into it. Trips to the Xunantunich Maya ruins can be combined with some canoeing along the water.
7. Belmopan
The Belize and Caves Brand Rivers run through this area. The Caves Brand River is usually transversed on inner tubes that pass through jungle terrain and underground caves. The Belize River can be explored riding a canoe, spotting wildlife along the banks and enjoying the varied flora in the area.
8. Orange Walk
New River features lots of rich vegetation and wildlife and is mostly included as part of the tours to the Lamanai Maya Ruin. The river empties into the New River Lagoon that has calm waters perfect for different watersports like canoeing and skiing. Paddling near the banks can yield so many bird sightings and other wildlife. You can even head to Lamanai that sits just right beside the lagoon. Going further into Orange Walk will take you to another lagoon, Laguna Seca that is also great for kayaking and canoeing.
9. Punta Gorda
There are several rivers in Punta Gorda like the Temash, Sarstoon and Rio Grande. These rivers are mostly traversed on canoes or kayaks, with wildlife and lush forests along the way. There are a few hotels nestled right along some of these rivers, with canoes and kayaks available for the guests. Just off the coast of Punta Gorda are many islands that are great for camping and kayaking.
So if you make you find yourself vacationing in this beautiful country and is up for an adventure, try out the water sports in Belize. With a place that is blessed with fauna and flora, you will surely enjoy the sights that you see as you go along with your activities. Inquire about kayaking and canoeing packages now to ensure that you can get the best deal. As you go about your activities, you should find many more Belize things to do to make your vacation worth your while.