What Type of Belize Boat Charter Do You Want?
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Unsure? Contact Us or See Types of Yacht Charters
Our Belize yacht charter itinerary was crafted for the adventurous, those ready to snorkel or scuba dive around one of the world’s most serene and protected reefs – the Belize Barrier Reef, second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in size. This Belize sailing trip also speaks to the more dossel soul, who appreciates the view of scenic anchorages and the peaceful retreat of deserted cayes.
With calm waters and short, line-of-sight passages, Belize bareboat charters enjoy the freedom of mapping their own course. Vacationers on luxury, Belize crewed yacht charters love our robust itineraries and the year-round, sunny 70°F to 80°F weather. It’s hard to pick a favorite stop, as many naturally preserved escapes stretch across 350 stunning miles, but we’re dying to share a taste of all that a Belize sailing charter has to offer.
A Belize bareboat charter is ideal for those with previous sailing experience and may require sailing resumes or certification. Chartering a bareboat means captaining your own boat. If you prefer an all-inclusive option, a crewed charter in Belize features a private chef and captain. Choose from Belize catamaran charters or sailboat charters for a smooth sailing experience. Our luxury motor yachts and power catamarans are great for island hopping, as they can sail faster.
Combine relaxation with adventure easily, on your Belize yacht charter. Enjoy uncrowded beaches and thrilling water activities, discover the region’s ancient history, and celebrate its present beauty – you choose on your Belizean getaway. Eight days of sunshine and serene vistas beckon.
Dance to live punta music, fill up at fresh food festivals, and join locals in their annual celebrations and competitions. While we only shared a few of our favorite events each month, there’s fun around every corner on a Belize yacht charter.
January New Year’s Day celebrations Horse Race in Burrel Boom Krem New Year’s Cycling Classic |
February San Pedro Carnival Placencia Sidewalk Art Festival Fiesta de Carnaval |
March La Ruta Maya Canoe River Challenge Chocolate Week Maya Day |
April San Pedro Lagoon-Reef Eco-Challenge Easter celebrations |
May The National Agricultural Trade Show Cashew Festival Monkey River Festival |
June Lobster Festivals Dia de San Pedro Mango Fest |
July Pibil Fest Benque Viejo del Carmen Fiesta Belize International Film Festival |
August International Costa Maya Festival Tres Pescados Slam La Fiesta de San Joaquín |
September Carnival Road March J’ouvert Independence Day celebrations |
October World Indigenous Music Festival Hike & Bike for the Rainforest Halloween celebrations |
November Garifuna Settlement Day San Pedro Township Celebration Battle of the Drums |
December Holiday Boat Lighting Parade Christmas celebrations Boxing Day |
Like any subtropical destination, your Belize yacht charter will almost always be sunny and warm. With year-round high temperatures averaging in the 80s – and water temperatures between 79°F and 83°F – combined with mild winds, this yacht charter destination is many sailors’ dream getaway.
Many travel to this tropical destination during the dry season, from December to May, but even the summer season doesn’t deter boaters. Experience the wonders of the great reefs and excellent sailing conditions no matter when you book your Belize sailing trip.
Temp Max (°F) | Temp Min (°F) | Avg. Water Temp (°F) |
Avg. Rainfall (in) |
Avg. Wind Speed (kts) |
|
January | 81 | 67 | 77 | 12 | NE 15-20 |
February | 86 | 69 | 77 | 6 | E 15-20 |
March | 84 | 71 | 78 | 4 | E 15-20 |
April | 86 | 74 | 80 | 5 | E 15-20 |
May | 87 | 75 | 82 | 7 | SE 15-20 |
June | 87 | 75 | 83 | 13 | SE 15-20 |
July | 87 | 75 | 84 | 15 | SE 15-20 |
August | 88 | 75 | 85 | 14 | SE 15-20 |
September | 87 | 74 | 84 | 15 | SE 15-20 |
October | 86 | 72 | 83 | 16 | SE 15-20 |
November | 83 | 68 | 82 | 12 | NE 15-20 |
December | 81 | 68 | 80 | 14 | NE 15-20 |
Your Belize yacht charter starts out in the delightfully picturesque village of Placencia. A lovely, crescent-shaped beach lined with a long row of palms borders the small town. Beautiful flowers, thick stands of trees, and quaint framed houses on stilts add to the idyllic tropical setting. While you wait to board your yacht, Placencia has many restaurants to choose from, or spend some time browsing in one of their great markets where you can buy local products.
2 hours | 10 miles
Start your week-long Belize sailing vacation on Whipray Caye. Here, you will start living the island life in some of the best fishing grounds in the world. Catch anything from tarpon, bonefish, snapper, grouper, and more. Visit the Lodge’s open-air Sea Urchin Bar and Restaurant that serves up a variety of Belizean and American food, mostly fresh catches, and the fully stocked bar serves the coldest beer for miles around. Cruising in Whipray Caye waters is a delightful part of any Belize sailing trip.
2 hours |10 miles
Next, you’ll sail your Belize boat charter north from Whipray Caye to Hideaway Caye, nestled in the heart of the Pelican Caye range. This tiny mangrove-covered island features its own dinghy dock and a network of elevated wooden walkways that wind around the mangrove trees. Snorkel the colourful coral reefs, or fish in the crystal clear water. Relax and watch a beautiful Caribbean sunset, and rest up for another full day of adventures in Belize.
2.5 hours | 15 miles
Catch a cooling trade wind, and continue to South Water Caye on your Belize sailing charter. This idyllic private island is one of the few in Belize that sits right on top of the barrier reef. Practice your shallow water navigation skills as you gently wind your way through patchy reefs. Grab a mooring buoy, and dinghy ashore to unwind on a hammock, or grab your mask and flippers, and snorkel the magnificent barrier reef just offshore. Dine ashore at Carrie Bow Caye, and you will have three restaurants to choose from, so sit back and enjoy some of the region’s spectacular seafood. Visit the Smithsonian Research Station on Carrie Bow Caye to learn more about this valuable ecosystem.
1.5 hours | 7 miles
Leave South Water Caye behind, and point your bow northwest to Thatch Caye. Located in the Coco Plum chain, Thatch Caye is an eco-resort that forms part of a marine park. Relax on the pristine white sand as spider monkeys scamper through the undergrowth, or sail your Belize charter to nearby Man-O-War Caye to see a breeding colony of spectacular frigate birds. South Water Caye offers some of the best birdwatching in Belize. Kick off your shoes, and walk between the shallow cayes, or head for the water and enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, fly fishing, and swimming. Take in the beautiful sunset views while treating yourself to a rum punch and delicious Belizean dishes.
1 hours | 4 miles
• Wonderful Restaurants
• Caribbean Paradise
• Snorkeling
Moor your Belize yacht charter at Tobacco Caye, a little piece of Caribbean paradise. Tobacco Caye is a 5-acre palm-fringed coral island perched on the barrier reef, which makes it a great place to snorkel or dive from the shore. There are a couple of small, laid-back resorts and a tiny beach bar serving fresh coconut water and icy cold rum cocktails with hammocks to lounge in. Enjoy dinner, and feast on mahi mahi or tarpon at one of the local restaurants.
Start your morning off with a morning dip in the warm, clear Caribbean water, or maybe sip a morning cocktail as you get ready to head to Lagoon Caye for the night!
3.5 hours | 20 miles
• Snorkeling
• Kayaking
• Exploring
Today, you’ll head for the unique and splendid Lagoon Caye as part of your Belize sailing vacation. This tiny, picturesque Belizean coastline has a verdant ring of island creatures, a stunning deep blue lagoon, and glassy waters to kayak over. Also, a ring of shallow coral around the island offers good snorkeling possibilities. Work up an appetite, make your way to the remote inner reef cayes, and drop anchor at Quamino Caye for a peaceful lunch in the Caribbean sun.
2.5 hours | 15 miles
Continue your journey south until you reach Hatchet Caye. This tiny, remote island is one of the most popular Belize yacht charter destinations. If you’re big into fishing, take a short hop to Gladden Split and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. Here, you will enjoy world-class fishing and diving. Hatchet Caye is also home to the premier Hatchet Caye Resort. Seclusion and leisure take on new meaning at this exclusive little island. Take advantage of the resort’s restaurant and the luxurious menu of spa services.
0.5 hours | 3 miles
Your second stop on your Belize boat charter will take you to the picturesque Silk Cays. This wonderland of the marine ecosystem is home to numerous endangered species of corals, turtles, and fish. Silk Cays is located on the outer region of the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world. The first thing you’ll notice when you get to the Silk Cayes is that the water is incredibly clear, almost as transparent as glass. Standing on the sugar-white, soft, sandy beach, you’ll see nothing in every direction, only the open ocean. But as you wade deeper into the water, you’ll start to see why people from around the planet travel to these remote islands to go snorkeling.
3 hours | 18 miles
Your Belize sailing trip itinerary takes you to the clear, open waters of Ranguana Caye. Take an exciting detour to Laughing Bird Cay National Park for a day of birdwatching and snorkeling. This will add another four nautical miles to the passage, but it’s a leisurely off-the-wind sail and well worth the endeavor. Named for the laughing gulls that nest there, Ranguana Caye has one mooring. Both Laughing Bird Cay and Ranguana Caye are incredibly beautiful examples of Belizean sailing.
2 hours | 9 miles
After a day of exploring Ranguana Caye, sail your Belize charter to Lark Caye, a pristine location ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing. Snorkeling on the patch reefs near the anchorage is impressive and pleasant. Fishing is great in this area, as is diving.
1.5 hours | 8 miles
The next stop on your Belize sailing vacation is Maya Beach. Start your day off at Maya Beach, a very small and quiet beach community on the Placencia peninsula that consists of a long, clean strip of sand, beach loungers, wooden docks jutting out over the sea, and hammocks strung between palm trees. Maya Beach has stores where you can stock up on supplies. This tropical Belize sailing destination also has excellent beach bars where you can cool off with a rum-based tropical cocktail or a cold Belikin beer. Visitors who come here do so to relax, sunbathe, and dine.
1.5 hours | 8 miles
The last night of your Belize yacht charter vacation brings you to a delightfully picturesque village. Placencia Harbor is a lovely, crescent-shaped beach lined with a long row of palms that borders the small town. The people of Placencia are warm and friendly, making your Belize sailing trip even more pleasant. Placencia’s famous “Main Road” is a three-foot-wide concrete path meandering through the sand, passing lots of little local shops and restaurants. Dining out at one of the many restaurants is a delightful way to spend an early evening. There are also a number of bars to celebrate the end of a great Belize charter.
0.5 hours | 1 mile
On the last day of your Belize bareboat yacht charter, you’ll head back to Placencia Harbor to return your yacht. Use any extra time to explore the open-air markets and colorful shops. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste two of Placencia’s local delicacies: lobster and ice cream.
It’s a lot easier to visit Belize than you might think, no matter how you choose to cruise the waters. Many U.S. airports offer flights that land directly in Belize City, where many of our crewed Belize yacht charters board. Most of our Belize bareboat charters board in Placencia, which is roughly a 45-minute flight from Belize City on Tropic Air or Maya Island Air.
Our yacht charter brokers are also here to recommend lodging and land excursions, should you want to extend your Belize sailing vacation, and we can provide options for trip insurance. We are here to assist you in finding the perfect Belize boat charter for your next sailing adventure based on your travel time frame and budget. Our well-maintained Belize sailing charters are available from many top-tier yacht charter companies.
In addition to Belize sailing vacations, see all of our Caribbean destinations, including the British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands, for your next sailing adventure. See all of our sailing destinations worldwide.
Resources:
Belize Bareboat Charter Packing Checklist
Crewed Belize Charter Packing Checklist
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