ADVENTURE CRUISES

Belize Adventure Cruise

Cruise to Belize aboard the M/S Legacy, where you can watch dolphins surf the bow wake or see a leviathan whale shark pass through the transparent depths. At sunset, retire for drinks and a fresh hearty meal. The Legacy comes equipped with everything you'll need to explore this rich marine coastal environment, including sea kayaks and snorkeling gear for everyone. You will not find better way to visit the barrier reef, which runs the entire length of Belize's 185-mile coastline. As the largest reef in both the Western and Northern Hemispheres, it is second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This trip visits a variety of spots, as the area inside the northern reef has a flatter bottom of grassy beds and patch reef, while the structure in the south takes on more relief with natural pinnacles, tiny atolls and sink holes.

You'll also have inland adventures into the jungle to paddle secluded tropical rivers, cool off in sparkling waterfalls, and visit a Garifuna village. Belize has a rich and alluring human history: an amalgamation of cultural infusions including indigenous Maya, Creoles descended from black African's brought in as slaves to provide the backbone of the logging trade, Confederate expatriates escaping the victorious Union, Mennonites from Europe, Mestizos fleeing Central American wars and British expatriates - particularly Scots. A treasure trove of Mayan archeological sites stretch the breadth of the country, providing a great excuse to go hiking. And speaking of treasure: the intricate reefs and cayes (pronounced keys) that make for such great snorkeling and sea kayaking were once the ideal hideout for the real pirates of the Caribbean including Blackbeard himself.

Cruise Details

Adult Rates
Adult Low Season
$2990-$3490 (8-12 Travelers)
$3190-$3690 (5-7 Travelers)

Adult High Season
$3190-$3690 (8-12 Travelers)
$3390-$3890 (5-7 Travelers)

Per Person, Double Occupancy
Low Season: June - October
High Season: November - May

Day 1: Arrive Belize City
A representative will transfer you to the Radisson Fort George. The hotel maintains a colonial air, sitting near the tip of the fashionable Fort District's waterfront (facing the Caribbean Sea) and boasts its own marina. If you are arriving on an early flight, you may choose to visit one of the Mayan ruins not far from town, the renown zoo or join a guided city tour (single and multiday trip extensions are available for advance booking, or you can make arrangements with the hotel when you arrive). Tonight's dinner is on your own at one of the hotel's three restaurants or nearby in the Fort District.

Accommodations: Radisson Fort George
Included Meals: None

Day 2: Southern Lagoon
After an early breakfast you'll make the short transfer to the waiting yacht, the M/S Legacy. Your captain, guide and crew will welcome you aboard, introduce you to the vessel and show you to your quarters. The Legacy will pass by Fort George lighthouse as you begin your search for Manatees, visiting the usual haunt of these large blimplike mammals - commonly called sea cows - which are often described as "so ugly that they're cute". Setting a course south, you'll see that the Caribbean shore is virtually deserted: preserving it as a prime nesting site for green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles to use May through October. Nearing the mouth of the Bar River, the boat drops anchor and you can hop into sea kayaks for a journey up the red mangrove lined channel to the outstanding wildlife habitat of Southern Lagoon. The surrounding marshland and mangroves, backed by the picturesque Maya Mountains, makes for beautiful views and excellent manatee breeding and calving grounds. This is where you'll find the largest population of manatees in the Caribbean. The destination is Gales Point, a tiny peninsula that juts out from the southern part of the lagoon, where warm underground springs lure manatees to feed on their favorite snack: a thick matt of turtle grass. Manatees, especially the young, are curious and may approach, but they're also shy and easily spooked by sudden movements. You will kayak amongst these creatures but cannot snorkel with them.

After a visit to the colorful Creole village of Gales Point (you may hear their drumming school in the background), head on to Western Lagoon to seek out the opening in the mangroves that leads to shore. A ten-minute walk across the savanna brings you to the jungle's edge, where an easy climb arrives at the mouth of a cave nestled into the limestone. Using flashlights you will explore the stalactite and stalagmite formations while keeping your eyes open for Mayan pottery shards. If there's time, you'll head up the lush jungle waterways of the Manatee River and Soldiers Creek, lined with wild orchids and stands of bamboo. This is considered an excellent wildlife habitat, home to howler monkeys, a variety of birds and even jungle cats. Returning to the Legacy don't be fooled into thinking that all the large shadows passing beneath the boat are manatees; monster sized snapper, grouper and jump giant tarpon inhabit these waters. You'll be ready for a feast and good night's rest after today!

Accommodations: M/S Legacy
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Mayflower Ruins, Sittee River, Garifuna Village
This morning, head west by minivan toward the Mayan Mountains to the Mayan ruin known as Mayflower. The tiny complex is nestled in the jungle beside the attractive waters of Silk Grass Creek. A trail threads through the area, rewarding hikers with visits to waterfalls and opportunities to swim in rock pools. The jungle canopy reaches up to 130 ft (40 meters) in places. Nearly 300 species of birds are found in this region. Reptiles and amphibians, such as redeyed tree frogs and iguanas, inhabit the area. You then follow the scenic Sittee River to the putin. This afternoon you'll kayak the quiet waters of the Sittee and paddle down a man-made cut that takes you into hidden Anderson lagoon. The Sittee River was once an important highway for the sugar and timber industries; today you'll find thick vegetation where many animals thrive. Jaguar has been seen making river crossings, not to be mistaken for the manatees and dolphins inhabiting the river mouth. This region is home to the Garinagu, who speak Garifuna (the name by which these people are commonly called). They trace their intriguing ancestry to a fusion of the Carib people on an exodus from South America and a band of enslaved Nigerians who managed to escape their Spanish captors during a shipwreck off the coast of St. Vincent in 1635. Those who made it ashore found refuge with the Carib, eventually giving birth to a new culture with its own language. The Garifuna practice a mystical spiritualism that emphasizes the casting of spells.

The day ends in the village of Hopkins near the mouth of the Sittee. This Garifuna village offers the quintessential white sandy beach lined with tall coconut palms, where local fisherman keep their colorful handmade dories and dry their nets. You'll bask in the warm setting and toast the tropical sunset, perhaps to the rhythm of Garinagu drums.

Accommodations: M/S Legacy
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4-7: The Barrier Reef & Cayes
Before you stretches a sparkling turquoise sea kayaker's wonderland of crystal white islets called cayes, crowned with emerald mangroves and royal green palms. The reef has the affect of lifting the entire coast and cordoning it off from the depths. This forms an oceanic basin naturally planted with a living explosion of richly blooming coral gardens constructed and inhabited by a plethora of neon creatures. The sea kayaks are ideal for jumping off for snorkeling when you see something of interest. The plan is to use these days to their fullest. Depending on the time of year, weather conditions, interests of the group, and other factors (such as the best times or seasons to view certain species) the plan is to maximize the itinerary and adjust plans accordingly.

Accommodations: M/S Legacy
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Depart
After a delicious breakfast depart Blackbird Caye at 8:00am returning to Belize City by boat. Transfer to the Belize International Airport for your trip home or begin your trip extension. If your flight departs in the afternoon take time to explore Belize City's waterfront or hire a taxi to take you to the nearby Maya ruins of Altun Ha before your departure.

Accommodations: N/A
Included Meals: Breakfast