| |  |
| Belize Paradise Islands: 5 Days / 6 Nights | |  | | | | PRINT |
 |  |  | | | | |  Book NowGet the Scoop
Planning Information Related Articles | | |
If you’re looking for the adventure and excitement of a sea kayak journey with the comforts of a lodge, our Paradise Islands Journey is a great choice. This trip is for the sea, sun and snorkeling enthusiast looking for an active and adventurous trip. We’ll travel with top-of-the-line expedition sea kayaks, paddling between small cays in the newly formed Southwater Caye Marine Park. Each day we’ll kayak and snorkel (scuba divers can also dive at select locations on our route), explore uninhabited islands, pristine coral reefs, rich fishing grounds and labyrinth like mangrove channels. Imagine a day of amazing adventures and then checking into your lodge by kayak, as we land on one of the little-known cayes that dot the southern barrier reef. While your guides and our Belizean hosts are preparing a delicious dinner, you can check into your comfortable seaside room and with a cold drink in hand enjoy the friendliness and warmth that are the hallmark of these small, yet-to-be-discovered lodges. Each trip begins with a thorough introduction to sea kayaking and snorkeling, so no previous kayak experience is required. 
Trip Summary: | Begin from: Belize City
End in: Dangriga
Duration: 5 Days / 6 Nights
Trip Departures & Prices: See Trip Schedule at bottom of this page
Group Size: 6-12
Guides: 2-3 North American & Belizean Leaders. Accommodations:
Tropical Education Center, Rustic Lodges on the Cayes | 
Trip Route | Activities:
Sea Kayaking (Paddling & Sailing), Snorkeling, Fishing, Birding, Photography, & Natural History Interpretation |
Available Dates | Sat. Nov 22 - Fri. Nov 28, 2008 | Book this date | | Sun. Nov 30 - Sat. Dec 6, 2008 | Book this date | | Sat. Dec 6 - Fri. Dec 12, 2008 | Book this date | | Sat. Dec 13 - Fri. Dec 19, 2008 | Book this date | | Sat. Dec 20 - Fri. Dec 26, 2008 | Book this date | | Tue. Dec 23 - Mon. Dec 29, 2008 | Book this date | | Sat. Dec 27, 2008 - Fri. Jan 2, 2009 | Book this date | | Mon. Dec 29, 2008 - Sun. Jan 4, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Jan 3 - Fri. Jan 9, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Jan 10 - Fri. Jan 16, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Jan 17 - Fri. Jan 23, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Jan 24 - Fri. Jan 30, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Jan 31 - Fri. Feb 6, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Feb 7 - Fri. Feb 13, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Feb 14 - Fri. Feb 20, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Feb 21 - Fri. Feb 27, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Feb 28 - Fri. Mar 6, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Mar 7 - Fri. Mar 13, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Mar 14 - Fri. Mar 20, 2009 | Book this date | | Mon. Mar 16 - Sun. Mar 22, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Mar 21 - Fri. Mar 27, 2009 | Book this date | | Mon. Mar 23 - Sun. Mar 29, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Mar 28 - Fri. Apr 3, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Apr 4 - Fri. Apr 10, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Apr 11 - Fri. Apr 17, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Apr 18 - Fri. Apr 24, 2009 | Book this date | | Sat. Apr 25 - Fri. May 1, 2009 | Book this date |
Rate Details
USD: $1,529.00
CAD: $1,602 *fluxuates daily
Current CAD/USD Exchange Rate: 0.9547
incl $125 Gov't Fees & Taxes Additional Belize Trip Notes:The Setting... The Barrier Reef, which runs the full length of the Belizean coastline, is considered one of the richest marine ecosystems on earth. The 185 mile long reef runs from 10 to 25 miles offshore, and is the longest continuous reef in Caribbean; the second longest in the world. Along the Barrier Reef are over 225 cayes, ranging from small sand-fringed islands perched along the reef's edge, to larger islands of partially submerged mangroves.
Historically, ships avoided this area of the Caribbean because of inaccurate charts and the difficulty of navigating the shallow reef-strewn waters. Teeming with brilliantly-colored fish, sea grass beds, and patch reefs, the reef systems have not seen nearly the level of human impact as witnessed in Mexico to the north and Honduras to the south. We travel in the less-developed southern regions of Belize's Barrier Reef which remains a near-pristine marine ecosystem and is unparalleled in the Caribbean. It is in this region that we find the best sea kayaking and snorkeling. Our base of operation, in the southern coastal community of Dangriga, is the ideal launching point for us to explore this spectacular region. When Planning Your Trip...Think of "Day 0"With Island Expeditions Co. a seven day trip means seven days in the field, not 2 days of airline travel and 5 days of vacation. So on all IEC adventures we meet you the day before the trip is scheduled to begin. This is "Day 0" and has been conceived for your convenience and comfort. "Day 0" is your day to arrive in Belize before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers, and to acclimatize to your new tropical environment. From there be it a short flight or a boat charter, your transportation to meet up with your group on this day and your accommodation on this night are included in the trip cost. What's Included... - Comprehensive pre-trip information package
- All meals, accommodation, and transfers described in the tour
- Unlimited use of our Equipment
- Use of waterproof dry bags during kayak trip
- Accommodation on the day before the trip (' Day 0 ') and the final night.
- Professional Guiding Services (both North American Leaders and Belizean Guides).
What's Not Included... - Transfer back to Belize City
- Gratuities
- International Flights and Airport Departure Tax
- Extra costs due to late Arrivals, lost baggage and other circumstances beyond our control.
A Note About the Ecology... Flora... The ecology of the Belizean coast is a complex combination of coral reefs, sand flats with extensive turtle grass and mangrove ranges. The Barrier Reef, second largest in the world, extends 185 miles (300 km) along the coast. This reef structure shelters the Belizean coastline from the rougher open waters of the Caribbean sea. The Barrier Reef acts as a huge breakwater, holding in the sand and protecting the coastline from the incoming seas. From this action, we get beautiful islands forested with coconut palms, sea grape and coco plum and remarkable protected reef structures. Also from the 'breakwater' action of the barrier reef, we have protected waters which allow the diverse ecosystems of the mangrove and turtle grass to flourish. These tangled partially-submerged forests provide essential feeding and nursing habitat for hundreds of species of fish, shellfish, reptiles, marine mammals, and birds. Fauna...  While traveling along the Barrier Reef, we have the opportunity to view a diverse range of sea-life and tropical birds. Paddling from cay to cay in areas rich with patch reefs and sea grass beds we have many opportunities to view bonefish, angel and parrot fish, stingrays, eagle rays,conger, moray eels, goatfish, just to name a few. Trailing a fishing line from our kayaks, we also may get a strike from a barracuda, or grouper or snapper. Over our heads, we will see bird-life, such as osprey (the Billy hawk), sea gulls, brown-footed & white-footed boobies, frigate birds, hawks, mangrove warblers, and white-crowned pigeons. Also, throughout the Barrier Reef and along the coast, there are nesting sites for loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles. If we're lucky, we may see them while out snorkeling. We will definitely sample one of the main staples for Belizean fishermen, the queen conch and spiny lobster(in season). Getting back to Belize City...
We will make arrangements for you to return to Belize City the day after the trip ends, unless you have made other arrangements with us. We will book a domestic flight from Dangriga to Belize City. The cost of this flight back to Belize City (25 minutes) is approximately $60.00 USD per person or you can travel overland by bus (2-3 hours) for approximately $10.00 USD Thinking about seeing other parts of Belize with Island Expeditions Co? The Paradise Islands combines well with an inland exploration. The Maya World Extension offers an exploration of the rainforests, wildlife, rivers and Mayan ruins of the interior of Belize. Thinking About Traveling Independently, Before or After Your Trip? With close to 2 decades of exploration in Belize, our knowledgeable office staff can offer you a wealth of travel information. However, we do recommend that you read up on Belize and find what interests you. Once you find an area of interest, give our office a call, and we can help you plan the best vacation possible! Day 0 : Arrive at the Belize International Airport where you will be met by an Island Expeditions representative and transferred to the Tropical Education Center, adjacent to the Belize Zoo. After settling into our forest cabanas we have a chance to meet our fellow travelers over dinner. At the Tropical Education Center, we have a chance to explore the surrounding savannah forest through their network of interpretative trails and wildlife viewing platforms. There is also an interpretative center, which details the diverse ecology of Belize, and is an ideal starting point for the adventure ahead. This day is your day to arrive before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers and acclimatize to your new tropical environment. Transfers from the airport, dinner and lodging are included. Accommodations: (Lodge)
Meals: Dinner  Day 1: Waking up to the sounds of the tropics is a pure delight with the chatter of parrots and parakeets flying overhead, the fresh morning air scented with tropical blossoms and the expectation of an exciting adventure-filled day ahead. After breakfast we travel the Hummingbird Route through the Maya Mountains to meet up with our motor charter waiting to take us to our first island on the southern Barrier Reef. We’ll introduce you to safety in a tropical marine environment and then begin with teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, including safety, group and self rescues and touring techniques. Enjoy a swim, explore the island shoreline and then after a tasty Belizean lunch we begin our journey paddling over top submerged coral reefs , turtle grass beds and through narrow mangrove channels to reach our first nights accommodations. We’ll land our kayaks right in front of our lodge settle into our accommodations and then enjoy drinks and dinner.
Accommodations: (Lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  Day 2 : Situated right on the barrier reef in the heart of the Southwater Caye Marine Reserve we are ideally positioned to explore the surrounding reefs and cayes. Start with a steaming mug of coffee and fresh tropical fruits then enjoy an early morning swim or paddle before breakfast Our focus for the morning will include snorkelling at (our first snorkelling session begins with a thorough instruction and demonstration and beginner through to advanced skills are taught) at the Tobacco Caye cut and the outer reef walls. In the afternoon we’ll paddle to nearby cayes to explore the sheltered lagoons and mangrove channels returning in the evening to Tobacco Caye
Accommodations: (Lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  Day 3: Looking south with our gaze following the line of breaking waves along the barrier reef crest we can see the next island we ‘ll be travelling to today– Southwater Caye. After packing our kayaks with our personal gear bag, wishing fond farewells to our hosts we’ll start our day on the water with an introduction to kayak sailing. From here we’ll paddle and sail our kayaks along one of the most beautiful sections of the entire reef system. The waters are shallow and clear, and we’ll see a tremendous variety of marine life including southern stingrays, eagle rays, grouper, nurse sharks and more. As we make our way to Southwater Caye with it’s coconut palms swaying in the wind, this is a day you’ll wish could go on forever. We’ll land our kayaks on the beach check into our accommodations, enjoy an ice cold drink and explore the island before dinner, then maybe try a little bone fishing action on a fly rod, or even a nighttimes snorkel session on Southwater cut.
Accommodations: (Lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  Day 4 : We have plenty of time to kayak snorkel, fish and enjoy the scenery and marine life of Belize. We explore different regions of the reef including the inner and outer walls, patch and fringing reefs, mangrove ranges and protected lagoons. For divers we can arrange dives as requested and for those who’d like to try out diving we can arrange discover Scuba courses with prior notice. As we explore by kayak, our routes often cross those of the fishermen who make their living from the sea and with this inter-action we gain good company and an insight into a way of life that is very different from our own.
Accommodations: (Lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 5: This morning, we turn west towards the inner islands of the Belize Barrier Reef system. Weaving north west through the Twin Cayes and the inner channel, with a lunch stop enroute, we make our way to the Coco Plum Range where we stay at lovely new lodge on the sandy shores of Coco Plum Cay. Here, with a backdrop of the sun setting over the sea and the Maya Mountains on the mainland we celebrate our final night together with a seafood feast and island festivities. Accommodations: (Lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 6 (fly-home day):
After an early breakfast our water taxi carries us back to the mainland and the town of Dangriga where the trip finishes. Any extra luggage that you have stored at our operations base, will be made available to you to repack and taxis can be arranged to your connecting flight to the Belize International Airport, or local bus stations to continue exploring Belize. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation...  On day 0, we overnight in our forest cabanas at the Tropical Education Center (TEC). Here we are able to experience first-hand the wondrous tropical wildlife of Belize at the Belize Zoo and at the TEC there is also a fantastic interpretative center with a network of trails and wildlife viewing platforms, perfect for exploring the pine savannah setting.
While out on the cayes we kayak from 3 different islands along the southern barrier reef and stay in small Belizean owned lodges. Facilities include running water and fully serviced bathrooms where we stay. We stay a total of 4 nights along the eastern edge of the barrier reef. Our final night is on the western edge of the barrier reef zone in the Coco Plum Range. We celebrate our final night of the trip at Coco Plum Range and the next morning after breakfast we take a water taxi back to the mainland in time to make your flight connections home or connect with the next stage of your trip. NOTE: You will be carrying your personal equipment and clothing in waterproof bags which go into the hatches of each kayak. Island Expeditions will supply each person with a number of 20 litre bags for this purpose. | |  |  |  |
|
|
|
| |
 NAHANNI RIVER ADVENTURESPO Box 31203 Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Y1A 5P7 Phone (867) 668-3180 | Fax (867) 668-3056 | |  | RESERVATION: 1 (800) 297-6927
info@nahanni.com
© 2007 - Nahanni River Adventures |  |
|
Nahanni River Adventures, Nahanni offers exceptional expeditions by raft and canoe on the great rivers from Alaska to Nunavut including: South Nahanni River, Tatshenshini River, Alsek River, Firth River, Snake River, Wind River, Stikine River, Burnside River, Coppermine River, Horton River, Mountain River, Yukon River, Taku River, Gataga River and Sea Kayaking and whale watching at Point Adolphus, Alaska, over-looking Glacier Bay National Park. Our expeditions encompass Nahanni National Park (South Nahanni River), Kluane National Park (Alsek River), Ivvavik National Park (Firth River), Glacier Bay National Park (Alsek River), Herschel Island Territorial Park (Firth River). Nahanni River Adventures operates in Alaska (United States of America), Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and British Columbia (Canada). Nahanni.com is the online presence of the company, Nahanni River Adventures Ltd. Nahanni River Adventures works with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society to ensure the environmental integrity of our wild places. Neil Hartling, founder of Nahanni River Adventures, is also the author of: Nahanni, River of Gold...River of Dreams. Alaska to Nunavut - The Great Rivers. Nahanni River Guide. These books may all be purchased through Nahanni.com. Common misspellings of the name are Nahani, Nahannie, Nahanie, Nahoni, Nahonni.
Nahanni River Adventures. |