Oh my, where do we start?! There is a wealth of offerings, and a sampling is offered below. Contact us for more information & help with tours/excursions; for many, you will be picked up/dropped off right at your dock!
SCUBA/SNORKELING:
Many people come to the island for the fabulous water sports, especially scuba & snorkeling on the amazing Belize Barrier Reef, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System which is the longest in the western hemisphere and second longest in the world. It has a hugely diverse abundance of marine life; one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet.
The most frequented snorkel spot via excursion is Hol Chan Marine Reserve; a visit there is often coupled with a stop at Shark Ray Alley. But there are many other fabulous spots close the island as well, as depending on what part of Ambergris Caye you are on, the reef ranges from less than a mile out to touching the shore. And have you ever tried night snorkeling? A definite experience! Or if you just have a little time, jump in off the pier by your accommodations; you can often see great sea life without going far from ‘home’! (For snorkeling on your own, you’ll want to either bring goggles or snorkel gear with you, or plan to buy on the island.)
There are areas of the reef farther from the island which are amazing dive spots, such as Turneffe Atoll, Half Moon Caye, Long Caye, and of course the Great Blue Hole. The last has been a huge draw for many visitors to Belize, especially after Jacques Cousteau named it a top diving site!
Have a non-snorkeler/diver/swimmer in your group? You can still see the amazing sea life via glass bottom boat (which takes snorkelers also), the Reef Runner.
ON/OVER THE WATER:
There is a variety of watercraft available for rent on the island: paddle boards, jet skis, sailboats, etc. (If staying at Wilson Point, Sunset Beach Resort or Miramar Villas, complimentary kayaks are offered.)
Two Can Paddle Boards offers kayak and paddle board rentals; San Pedro Water Sports can help with jet skis, paddle boards & kayaks; Belize Parasail can get you parasailing; Tamoanchan at the Alaia for jet skis; and Big Kite Belize is your go to for kite boarding! You may be able to rent a Hobie Wave, kayak or paddle board via the Belize Sailing Center at Caribbean Villas! Las Terrazas Resort, 3.5 miles north, offers a day pass allowing use of Hobie Cats, paddle boards, glass bottom kayaks, & more.
Boating (motor or sail, even in a catamaran!) trips are easy to organize, and can include things such as a fishing (fly, deep sea, or reef), beach BBQ, a visit to neighboring Caye Caulker, bird watching, manatee sighting🤞, a fabulous sunset, and more!
Want to see the huge marine sinkhole, Belize’s Great Blue Hole, from above? Consider doing a flyover trip; amazing views from the air of what the Discovery Channel ranked at the top of its list of “The 10 Most Amazing Places on Earth”!
PAMPER YOURSELVES Get a beach massage, visit a spa or salon, have a Belizean home cooked meal right in your vacation home!
SECRET BEACH is not so secret anymore but still a fun day! It’s a bumpy trip in a golf cart but that’s part of the adventure. Beautiful white sandy beach, calm blue water, several bars/restaurants, and a water park! (As of November 2024, there is a boat shuttle from town to Secret Beach ‘coming soon‘!)
EAT & COOK!! In addition to the many great restaurants on the island or the possibility of a home cooked meal, you could also try a Food Tour, a sampling of different foods of Belize & island restaurants — do this early in your stay so you know where you want to go back to later! Or maybe you want to learn how to make a Belizean meal? Contact Shelley of the Hut Barge & Grill; or ask about making a Garifuna meal at the Black & White Garifuna Restaurant!
NIGHTLIFE & WEEKLY EVENTS: Trivia nights, live music, movies, happy hours, and more…some of these are moving targets as venues change often, but seek (or ask) & ye shall find! Some activities may be posted in this Facebook group of island events or this group for music; plus San Pedro Scoop lists events.
MAINLAND ADVENTURES
Organized daylong excursions from the island to the mainland are quite popular — you can boat or fly over for a variety of adventures! Below is a sampling of what tour operators may offer, often two activities/sites in one full day (not to mention the adventure of the boat &/or bus portions of the trip, which often include a meal &/or drinks as well as interesting commentary on the flora, fauna, history & culture of Belize!).
Visit a Maya site: Lamanai is the most popular (climb the pyramid!), but Altun Ha & Xunantunich are also worth a visit. And with Xunantunich, you get to cross a river on a hand cranked ferry!
Cave tubing takes you on a river wearing a headlamp and, you guessed it, floating on a tube right through caves!
Ziplining through the jungle canopy, anyone?
Visit the “best little zoo in the world”! It may be small, but it’s impactful. The Belize Zoo’s animals are all indigenous & most are rescues, orphans, rehabilitated or born in captivity. Have you ever seen a tapir (aka “mountain cow”) up close & personal? This is your chance!
OFF THE BEATEN SAN PEDRO PATH
There are a few tours, places of interest, things to do on the island that are often missed but which are worth considering, such as:
San Pedro Artisans Market, just next to the Tourism Information Center-San Pedro, is filled with friendly unaggressive vendors and stalls selling items made in Belize & Guatemala: wooden bowls and sculptures, jewelry, beaded items, t-shirts, purses/bags, hammocks, paintings, ceramics, shells & more!
Bring out your inner artist! Create your own souvenir, meet locals & fellow tourists, and have fun at a ‘wine & paint’ event with either Paint N Splash or Sip N Paint! You can even ask them about organizing an event for just your group, maybe to celebrate a special occasion?
Disc Golf Yes, there is an 18 hole disc golf course on the island at the Coconut Cafe, a short ferry trip across the lagoon!
Hang out with a furry friend If you’d like to walk shelter dogs or cuddle cats while on the island, just contact or stop by Saga Humane Society!
Chocolate Class at the Chocolate Boutique teaches you all about chocolate & how it’s made. Every bean & bar of theirs is “born in Belize.” Free (delicious!!) samples! Classes are held Mon-Fri at 10:30 am; reservations required (bliss@belizechocolatecompany.com or WhatsApp +501 613 4828).
Learn more about iguanas at the Eco Iguana Corner Foundation–they serve traditional Belizean meals too, cooked over a ‘fogon’ (wood fire)! (Please note as of late 2023, the iguana sanctuary has been cut back.)
Aces Wildlife Rescue does amazing work with the island wildlife in terms of rescue, rehabilitation, & community education. They have a few unreleasable animals (crocodiles, iguanas, snakes, and turtles) at their facility which you can visit and learn about by appointment only.
Belizean rum tasting, anyone? Check out Traveller’s Liquors on Pescador Drive (near Super Buy grocery store) and/or Tiburon Rum on Barrier Reef Drive (near Belize Bank).
Level Up Barcade in town (by the international water taxi pier on the lagoon) is your place for all sorts of games (PacMan, SkeeBall, Wii, Ping Pong, board games, bouncy house, & more) plus food & drinks!
Casinos — there are at least two! Try your luck in town at Palm Casino or Caribi Bleu.
Golf of sorts can be found 2 miles south at Drink & Drive: “Come Play mini golf, driving range (we use floaters), have delicious drinks, slushies and food!”; and 7 miles north at Up North San Pedro there is a driving range, axe throwing, darts, food, drinks & more!
Work out! Check out Belize Fitness, the Train Station Fitness Club, or the San Pedro Fitness Club at Best Western Grand Baymen (ask about the Aqua-size classes!).
Yoga is offered by a couple of different groups, including San Pedro Yoga (various locations) and Zen Belize (close to town).
Tennis or Pickle Ball, anyone? Try the San Pedro Fitness & Tennis Club (at the Best Western Grand Baymen) for both, or Mata Rocks Resort for pickle ball.
Eco-Museum of Belize is ‘coming soon’, 7 miles north! “The Eco Museum will showcase the way of life of the ancient Maya, the Baymen, and the Mestizo people through the ages. Its primary aim is to highlight traditional crafts, food, culture, and art, thereby preserving local history for generations to come. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness firsthand how their ancestors lived while engaging in hands-on demonstrations, activities, and experiences. The plan is to build ten kiosks along a trail within the lush natural habitat of the museum ground, exhibiting historical information and educational artifacts.”
And of course….RELAX!!!
Don’t forget to read a book, hang in the hammock, lie in a lounge chair,
stare at the sea–you get the idea!
