The small cayes that dot the turquoise waters along Belize's barrier reef and the outer reef atolls offer an idyllic Caribbean escape and the best access to world-class snorkeling, diving, and fishing!

Venturing away from the crowds to visit Belize's small cayes will reward you with an intimate island experience and unparalleled access to the underwater gardens located along the world's second largest barrier reef and remote coral atolls. These small islands provide a retreat from the ordinary and a taste of the extraordinary with unique resorts in a breathtaking Caribbean setting. Snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, fishing, and paddle boarding are all at your fingertips here. Wade into the sea in front of your room and snorkel right from the beach, grab a line and fish for lunch right from the dock, or head out on a sea kayak or paddle board to explore the turquoise seas on your own. Get PADI certified at a full-service dive shop, head out on a night snorkel, or dive with a whale shark! Whether you take to the seas on your own or with a guide, these island destinations will provide you with everything you need to get up close and personal with Belize's Caribbean side.

Ray Caye Resort, Hatchet Caye

Ray Caye Resort is a stunning island resort where you can “experience the Caribbean the way nature intended; just you, a pristine sand beach, crystal clear seas and the combination of laid-back adventure and exquisite service”. Formerly called Hatchet Caye, the resort was re-opened in 2020 under its new name with upgraded amenities and completely new rooms with exquisite touches and refined comforts. This private island resort is our favorite intimate island resort in Belize and provides the perfect mix of seclusion, indulgence, intimacy, and location – an “unspoiled environment” offering direct access to some of the best snorkeling, diving, and fishing in Belize and “an authentic and unforgettable tropical experience”. Ray Caye resort is located on Hatchet Caye, which sits on the edge of the Gladden Spit (famous for the Whale Sharks that congregate here from April-June) and the Silk Cayes Marine Reserve in southern Belize about an hour’s boat ride from the Placencia Peninsula. Belize’s barrier reef – the second largest in the world – is within site from Ray Caye! The marine life is abundant here, and you could easily fill your days at Hatchet Caye simply exploring the area around the island and enjoying this unique environment on your own with complimentary water sports: sea kayaks, pedal boats, paddle boards, and snorkeling equipment are available free of charge and three over the water piers, including one with a two-story water-slide are perfect swim and/or chill spots! Meanwhile, a variety of exciting snorkeling, diving, and fishing trips all along the barrier reef also be arranged with the on-island Pirate Reef Dive Shop. The excellent on-sight restaurant, the Lionfish Grill, will surprise you with its unique and tasty menu featuring familiar and exotic meals with gourmet flare cooked with local produce (much of which is grown in the island’s organic garden) and the freshest seafood - Lionfish included! The island is 7.4 acres large with nearly a mile of private shoreline and plenty of space for guests to safely relax and enjoy the intimate location and the many onsite activities. It is the perfect choice for those looking for a secluded but luxurious small island experience.

Thatch Caye Resort on Thatch Caye

Thatch Caye is an ideal location for couples, families, and just about anyone looking for a taste of relaxed “island life” and to get away from it all on a remote Belizean Caye. Thatch Caye is a private island resort located just 30 minutes from the central coast and just 15 minutes from the barrier reef. It is a fairly large Caye (a walking trail extending for over ½ mile leads from one end the Caye to the other through the palms, Australian pines, and mangroves that hold the island together) so you will certainly not get island fever during your stay here. On the contrary, you will get a lovely dose of the island life with many ways and locations to enjoy it. Thatch Caye offers idyllic over-the-water one-bedroom Bungalows with bathroom and balcony with hammocks and ocean views from every direction, as well as one bedroom Island Cabanas cabana with bathroom and private roof-top patio with hammocks and lounge chairs offering ocean and island views (both with AC). The extensive island facilities include: a restaurant with two separate dining spaces, the indoor Coco Lounge Bar, the fantastic over the water Starfish Bar, which provides superb sunset views and hosts local Garifuna Drumming several nights a week, a covered yoga house over the sea, a swimming beach on the placid western side of the island, and numerous docks and nooks where you can slip away and soak in the picturesque setting in peace and privacy. Guests enjoy the exclusive use of kayaks, paddle boards, snorkel gear, fishing poles, and other non-motorized island toys at no extra charge and a variety of guided snorkeling, diving, sailing, fishing and kayaking excursions are available as well.

Turneffe Island Resort on Turneffe Atoll

This exclusive island resort offers 22 rooms on a 14-acre private island located on the Turneffe Atoll. It offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in Belize and an intimate and unforgettable island retreat for families, friends, or couples. Rooms are simple but very comfortable with some elegant island flare and meals are delicious but not fussy, while the award-winning service of attentive staff ensures that your every need is catered to and you enjoy your stay in ease. The island provides many places to relax in a hammock under the shade of the coconut palms and the resort features a pool, bar, over the water pier, complimentary sea-kayaks and paddle boards, and even a spa, offering a full range of treatments. Meanwhile, the remote location ensures privacy and an authentic get-away-from-it-all Caribbean island experience. Over 25 world-class snorkeling sites are at your fingertips here and the resort offers daily fishing, and snorkeling and diving excursions with their dedicated guides for you to explore the reef at Turneffe, or venture farther afield to sites like the Great Blue Hole. Formed centuries ago, Belize’s Turneffe Atoll was once an oceanic mountainous peak. With time and tectonic shifts in the earth’s crust, the peak sank to the sea floor, leaving only a coral reef around its perimeter. The coral continued to grow upon itself into a string of coral islands, now known as the Turneffe Atoll: a tangle of land, lagoons, channels and reef – and the lifeblood of the Caribbean’s world-renowned diving and fishing.

Pelican Beach Resort On South Water Caye

Pelican Beach is a small resort located on 3.5 acres on the southern end of South Water Caye, a 15-acre private island that sits right out on the Belize barrier reef a half an hour off the coast from Dangriga. This is one of the only resorts in the country where you can step into the sea just a few feet from your room and snorkel amongst coral and brightly colored fish right from the beach. And once you have exhausted yourself exploring the nearby coral formations, take advantage of the location to go an island-hopping boat tour and visit coral gardens farther afield, go fishing, take a sea kayak expedition to a nearby caye, sunbathe, swim, or do simply nothing at all! The coconut palm studded grounds of the resort and the charming Caribbean wood structures that house the rooms and restaurant provide an idyllic setting where it is easy to relax and enjoy the cool trade winds in one of the many hammocks hung along on the beach or from the privacy of your own veranda. Five Belizean Styled wooden cottages (2 free standing singles and 3 duplexes) named after marine birds and scattered throughout the grounds offer unique views, brightly decorated bedrooms, private porches with lounge chairs and hammocks, and bathrooms with hot and cold showers. Meals are served on the outdoor deck in the sea breeze at the main building and offer hearty potions of delicious local fare and a small bar area offers cold drinks throughout the day. The atmosphere here is down-to-earth, relaxed, and unpretentious but with all the amenities needed to be comfortable, kick-off your shoes, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The use of sea-kayaks and paddle boards is complimentary. A stay at Pelican Beach is highly recommended for families, friends, and couples looking to get away from it all and relax in a laid back, no-fuss island environment and do some easily accessible, soft adventures on the reef.

Cayo Espanto

The award winning Cayo Espanto offers the most exclusive and luxurious island experience in Belize. This private island paradise offers secluded and spacious villas in an idyllic Caribbean setting where you can relax and indulge in the ultimate comforts (including the services of your own personal houseman!), wade into the sea and explore to your hearts content with sea-kayaks, paddle boards, and sail boats, or head off on one of kind marine adventures with your personal dive master or fishing guide. Your all-inclusive private island retreat includes your own personal Houseman, three tailored meals per day by a five degreed chef, snacks, mixed drinks, beer, sodas, fruit juice, bottled water; airport greeting, island-wide wireless internet, daytime boat service with launch to/from San Pedro daily and non-motorized activities (sea kayaks, standing paddle boards, water trampoline and sail boats, to use around the island). Jet-skis can be rented by the hour, day, or half-day. Additional luxury villa amenities include: Air Conditioning, swimming platform, yoga mats, free wireless internet and an iPad available for each villa upon request, iPod docking station, stereo, satellite TV, CD/DVD and island movie library, fresh towels laid by the pool throughout the day, luxurious hammocks, iced towels delivered while sunbathing, Egyptian Yves De Lormes linens, seafront infinity edge plunge pool in every villa, private dock, alfresco showers, private verandah with wrap-around views of the Caribbean, award-winning Chefs with tailored meals, nightly turn-down service, Butler’s pantry stocked with snacks and beverages, Turkish bath robes, and Daytime transportation between Cayo Espanto and San Pedro. Cayo Espanto is an ideal choice for those who seek Belize’s most pampered island escape.