The Belize Barrier Reef is an extraordinary ocean wildlife hotspot. Bottlenose dolphins, manatees, several species of sea turtles, and more than 500 species of fish and 100 species of coral populate these crystal blue waters. The island of St. George’s Caye, home of our partner EcoMar’s research station, is a great base to explore from and has a unique spot in the rich history of Belize.

On this trip, you will spend 5 nights at St. George’s, participating in research on sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees, and exploring coral reefs and marine protected areas including the extraordinary Hol Chan Marine Reserve. An optional 2 night extension offers the opportunity to go cave tubing and rainforest hiking and visit the spectacular Tikal National Park in nearby Guatemala. Profits from this trip will help to save at least 500 hatchlings at a turtle nesting beach per participant.

2024 Dates:

• July 13 - 18 (Extension: July 18 - 20) (full)

• Aug 3 - 8 (Extension: Aug 8 - 10) (2 spots left)

2024 Price: $2,295 per person. To register, we require a $1,200 non-refundable deposit and the balance can be paid in installments.

Extension price is $595 pp. There is no single supplement for the regular trip, supplement cost for the extension is $50 (unless we are able to find someone to pair with.)

Includes: In-country transport, meals as listed, lodging, activities, guides, airport pick-up and drop off, and a donation to turtle conservation.

Excludes: Airfare to Belize, personal items, snorkeling gear (can be rented for an extra cost), and tips for the guide and research station/hotel staff (average $80 - 100 per person and $20 for the extension).

Notes:

• * Note: This itinerary is designed to be flexible, based on weather, group needs, and other factors. The specific activities may be changed based on conditions but we will make every effort to include all listed activities during the trip.

• Minimum recommended age is 8, under 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult.

• Individual travelers will be paired with no more than 1 other person of the same gender. Group size is limited to 12 maximum.

• * Please note: We give 100% refunds on any trips that we need to cancel and our cancellation fees (when travelers cancel) can be used on a future trip, except for cancellations made within 60 days of travel when payments to local providers has already been completed. See our full terms and conditions.

CONTACT US TO:

• Register by mail

• Ask a question

• All profits support conservation efforts

• Work directly with local researchers

• Unique experiences

• Personalized service

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVE TO BELIZE & TRANSFER TO ST GEORGE'S CAYE

The group will be picked up at the airport in the early afternoon and transferred to the Belize City, to board a boat to head to the EcoMar Research Station on St. George’s Caye, located about 10 miles from Belize City near the Belize Barrier Reef (30 min boat ride). At the transfer location you’ll have an opportunity to rent snorkeling equipment if needed.  Once all participants have arrived, we’ll head out to St George’s Caye. Upon arrival, there will be an orientation to the facility and then we’ll head out by boat to the Sand Bar, a shallow area to test out snorkeling gear and explore the seagrass beds. If time allows in the afternoon, participants can swim or kayak near the station. 

The waters around St. George’s Caye provides important habitat for endangered green, loggerhead, and hawksbill sea turtles, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and Antillean manatees, among other species. One of ECOMAR’s missions is to assist the St George’s Caye Village Council in documenting the diverse marine life in the area, in efforts to create a marine protected area.  The data you help collect will be used to establish the baseline data set for the area. As a participant on this program, you will work side-by-side with researchers to observe and record sea turtle, dolphin, and manatee behavior, and document other types of marine life. You will use various research methods that will be described in detailed during the presentations. The Research Station has rooms with private baths with bunk beds (2-4 people per room). Each room has fans but there is no air conditioning or hot water. Dinner is served buffet-style and vegetarians are easily accommodated.

DAYS 2 - 4: OCEAN WILDLIFE SURVEYS & SNORKELING

Start your exploration of the Belize Barrier Reef after breakfast. Each day you will be out on or in the water, looking for wildlife and snorkeling in coral reefs. Over the next 3 days, the group will do a minimum of two activities per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon with some down time around meals and late afternoon. In some cases, the group will split up and rotate activities. Which activities are done each day will be decided on site based on the weather, ocean conditions, and group preferences.

There are also several kayaks that can be used to explore the shallow waters around the caye during down time, usually before breakfast, or at the end of the day after we return to the island before dinner. One of the staff assist you with the kayaks and will be available to guide you around the island where you can look for manatees, dolphins, and tropical birds. The evenings will include talks on ocean wildlife, the rich history of St. George’s Caye, and more. (B, L, D) 

Sea Turtle Surveys

EcoMar has been conducting surveys to assess sea turtle abundance and diversity in Belize Barrier Reef for more than two decades. This research will be observational, recording any turtles that are seen during snorkels surveys including their species (hawksbill, green, or loggerhead), their behavior, size, and any distinguishing characteristics.  This data will be used to identify resident turtles and the species that utilize the seagrass meadows and coral reefs.

Manatee Surveys

The Antillean manatee is an endangered sub-species of the West Indian Manatee. Belize is home to the largest population of Antillean manatees in the world, but there are less than 1,000 of the estimated total of 2,500 mature individuals of this subspecies. We will observe manatees from the boat at the mouth of the Belize River where they congregate and to drink fresh water and look for them around the shallow reefs at Gallow’s Point while snorkeling. We will record their behavior, size, and any distinguishing characteristics, and carefully take pictures to document individuals that use the reefs.  With our past support, new speed limit signs have been installed to help reduce collisions between boats and these gentle giants.

Dolphin Surveys

Researchers have been studying Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in this area since the early 90s with the goal of documenting their abundance, distribution, and behavioral ecology in Belize. Dolphin surveys will be done opportunistically while enroute to other activities during the day. Participants can assist by taking pictures of the dorsal fins to be used in the identification of individual dolphins. We will record the location and behavior of any dolphins we observe.

Conch Surveys

Queen conch is a popular seafood in Belize and also an important export. EcoMar is studying juvenile conch populations at an important nursery ground to monitor changes over time and to ensure the fishery isn’t depleting the population. Participants swim transects in shallow water looking for conch and measuring them when found and recording data.  Adult conchs observed while snorkeling the reef sites will also be recorded.

DAY 5: HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE

You will spend a day visiting the famous Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, located off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. Due to its protected status, what was once a depleted fishing area has now been allowed to regenerate, providing a fantastic snorkeling experience for visitors and an important refuge for ocean life.

We’ll encounter large schools of fish and numerous nurse sharks and rays swimming by. We may also encounter one of the resident green turtles that feed on the turtle grass. More than 160 species of fish have been identified in the reserve, along with nearly 40 species of corals, 5 sponges, 8 algae, 2 seagrasses, 2 marine mammals, and 3 species of sea turtle. This will be a great day to capture many photos of amazing ocean life! (B, L, D)

DAY 6: DEPART OR EXTENSION

After breakfast at the station, you will take a boat back to Belize City. Head to the airport in plenty of time for your return flight home or join our extension. (B)

OPTIONAL EXTENSION:

DAY 6: CAVE TUBING & ZIPLINES

You will be picked up in Belize City and transferred inland by private van to the Nooch Chen cave (about 1 hour drive) and go cave tubing. Start with an easy 45 minute guided jungle walk, learning about rainforest plants and animals along the way. Swim in the cool clear water and hop on the tube for a fun ride through two beautiful caves, checking out beautiful stalactites and jungle views along the way. You'll have a picnic lunch at the cave and then transfer to the Green Valley Inn near the town of San Ignacio. (L, D)

DAY 7: TIKAL NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast, the group will head across the nearby border with Guatemala to visit the extraordinary Tikal National Park, one of the most prominent Mayan sites in the world (1.5 - 2 hour drive). Spend all day walking through the park with a local guide, learning about the Mayan culture and seeing the impressive thousand year old structures. You will have a picnic lunch and return to the resort in the late afternoon. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: RETURN HOME

Head to the airport after breakfast in plenty of time for your return flight home or extend your stay and explore other parts of Belize. A group transfer to the airport is included but if you will need a private transfer, the cost is $100. (B)

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Testimonial:

“This was an amazing trip to be a part of! Thank you for your careful planning, superior knowledge, and your friendly and open leadership. I can’t wait to be a part of another trip in the future!”

-Shannan F.