Head to Wippari Cay (or Whipray), a short sail from Placencia and known as a “paradise surrounded by fish”. On the cay, you’ll find the Whipray Caye Fishing Lodge, known for its saltwater fly fishing, fine permit waters and coral snorkeling. The lodge is run by Julian Cabra, who has been fishing since he was six years old.
Not far away is South Water Caye with its palm-fringed beaches and fantastic snorkeling. The northern tip is super close to the barrier reef drop off, where you can enjoy swimming or diving with colorful fish, groupers, sharks, rays and dolphins. On the island are Pelican Beach and Blue Marlin resorts, where you can dine and enjoy a cocktail if you’ve made an advance reservation. The east coast will give you spectacular views of the sunset.
You’ll find five moorings at Coco Plum Caye and superb snorkeling with barracudas, eagle rays and starfish. Relax on the beaches and dine at Coco Plum Island Resort, where you can also snorkel among the reefs, kayak the mangroves, explore underwater caves and discover more of the barrier reef. You can pick up organized dives to the atolls or Blue Hole here too and, if you like spotting birds, head to nearby Man-O-War Caye. You can walk across the ocean, chest deep, to the private resort island of Thatch Caye.
Lagoon Cay is a great stop off for kayaking with its lush vegetation, coastline and internal lagoon. Hop between nearby cayes and stop by Tarpon Cay with its lodge, permit waters and bonefishing.
On the edge of the poetically named Silk Caye Marine Reserves and the gold and blue Gladden Spit, Hatchet Caye is close to Placencia and a private island resort for those who want to gorge themselves on the beauty of Belize. Surrounded by rich and bright jeweled coral, Hatchet Caye is a perfect spot for snorkeling and enjoying up close and personal encounters with a wide range of marine life directly from the dock.
A rustic island adventure awaits charter guests who drop anchor on Ranguana Cay. Just off the coast of Placencia, this 2-acre private resort is a veritable pleasure playground perched on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef. Charter guests can cast their lines in the flats, snorkel to see myriad marine creatures, try their hand at stand-up paddleboarding, kayak, or snooze the day away in a swaying hammock while soaking up those unparalleled blue ocean views. Barbecue lunches on the beach and the local beach bar only add to the appeal of a day on Ranguana Cay.
Head back to Robert's Groove Marina and spend some time in Placencia, a popular resort peninsula with its nearby mountains, ancient Mayan ruins, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary for Jaguars and lush rainforests providing plenty to see inland.