Going to Belize (Ambergris Kaye).Can spouse and I snorkel easily and safely by ourselves or do we need a tour?

Question

Staying at Banana Beach. Can we just get in the water and go? We don't want to spend money we don't need to. Is it safe to go alone? I am a little bit worried about sharks and stingrays. Any tips on how NOT to disturb them as well as barracudas? Mid June travel.

Other tips? Food, crafts, other ideas? Thanks!

Answer 1

We just got back from Ambergris Caye and stayed at Banana Beach as well.  It is a great place to stay and the restaurant is good as well.  The easiest way to get around is just by renting a golf cart (that can be done right at Banana Beach as well) and seeing the sites.  In terms of recommendations - just ask the people at the front desk about the best places to eat.  The recommendations that they gave us were great.

On the snorkeling end, I would recommend a tour as well.  As mentioned in one of the previous responses, you have to go a   ways out before things get interesting and the tours can take you to the best spots.

Take care and have a great trip.

Answer 2

I am not a veteran snorkeler, but I would recommend joining up with a group that is led by a guide who knows what he is doing. As for foods, etc., don't hesitate to take advantage of what is nearby.

Answer 3

Belize is one of my favourite countries...actually second to Honduras in my experiences.  Banana Beach is a good place, good food, and good resources for tours and what not there.  The great thing about the location of Ambergris Caye is that it's literally a two minute surface swim to get to the reef.  You can definitely just snorkel off the docks there, but there is a LOT of boat traffic and some jet skis and other watercraft as well, so be weary.  Don't be worried about sharks or stingrays or barracuda.  I've been scuba diving for years and have never once felt threatened underwater by an animal.  There is quite a bit of fire coral around there so always be careful of what you're touching, and because so many animals look like plants and coral, it's safest not to touch anything at all.  Barracuda don't generally hang out in the really shallow parts of reefs and I see them mostly near the surface of a big drop-off which isn't an exciting place for snorkelling, more so for diving.  Shark Ray alley, as was mentioned in a previous post, is a fantastic place.  It's a protected marine park and it's only about 4' deep you can standup in it in most places but it's very silty so it's not recommended you stand because it kicks up all the debris on the bottom and scares the fish away.  Stingrays and nurse sharks are more common there than anywhere else I've dove before, but again they are nothing to worry about.  If you don't bug them they won't bug you.  There are some pretty big groupers throughout the waters in Belize too, and though harmless they are very curious fish and will follow you around quite often.  Was swimming with sharks one time (in Belize, ironically enough) and a grouper bumped up against my leg and I thought it was a nurse shark but it was just a curious grouper coming to check me out.  There are a lot of turtles in Belize too which are also curious and may follow you around and come close to you but are not a threat.  Eagle rays I found to be the most common kind of ray there, and they're absolutely beautiful.  Though you can snorkel off of the docks anywhere on the caye I would suggest going with a tour because they aren't expensive at all there and they really do know the best places to take you.  Also they often drop some gallo pinto or chub into the water before getting out to attract more fish which is always exciting.  My personal favourite (I still have their sticker on my car bumper, and I'm not a sticker kind of person) was a place called Amigos Del Mar it is a dive shop located on the beach if I'm not mistaken, it's a bit north of Banana Beach resort.  I'm not sure if they do snorkelling and am sure they do but if not they are very trustworthy and will direct you to someone else who's good.  Have fun in Belize, it's a great place, and try to get to the mainland at least for a day trip there is some amazing jungle and mangroves on the edge of the mainland and it's only about a 45 minute water taxi ride to get there, with reasonable rates.  Sorry this is so long.  Enjoy!

Answer 4

You do not need to go on a tour for snorkeling.  However, the fish nearer to the beach are limited and there are some really great areas to go with a tour.  Most of the sharks close to the beach are nurse sharks and won't hurt you.  Swimming over rays is fine, just leave them alone and DO NOT grab their tails.  Barracudas are usually further out and won't attack unless prompted.  If you decide to go for a tour, Shark Ray Alley is very cool (lots of nurse sharks and rays).  I recommend Journey's End, which is down the beach a bit ( grab a water taxi), but there are places all along the Kaye that run tours.  Just sit back, enjoy the beach and the water, and have fun.  As long as you are calm and respectful, the fish won't bother you.  Enjoy!!!