Thank you to our new retreat partner - Marni Henderson, founder of Coalesce Discovery and Horizons Retreats for this awesome perspective on how to "getaway" without leaving the safety of home during this time. ________________Picture this, "It is sometime in the late afternoon, maybe 3:00 or 4:00. You haven't wor...
Most of the rain forest mammals of Belize are nocturnal and secluded in their nature. This makes them extremely difficult to find. Animals of prey are alert for approaching predators, so they will likely sense you before you are able to see them. That is why the Belize Zoo is such a unique and a must-do destination. St. George's...
Belize is becoming a top destination not only for adventure seekers, but also honeymooners! The easy access from the United States and our "forever summer" climate, combined with the opportunity to explore both land and sea make Belize the perfect choice.
Couples love the privacy, seclusion, and personal service we offer on our little slice of paradise on St. George's Caye. We offer a unique experience where you can choose to do as much or as little as you wish. Let our friendly staff know which guided excursions you'd like to book and they will take care of all the details, or choose one of our packages ahead of time and arrive at the island with everything arranged for you.
Since Belize truly offers so many places to explore, we came up with a list of the top things to do in Belize during your honeymoon. Do one or do them all, and make the most of your time together in beautiful, adventurous Belize!
1. Dive or Snorkel to discover the magic beneath the surface of the Belize Barrier Reef.
This series of articles is meant to make you the expert on everything Belize. We will have three short blogs to give you the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Feel free to message us with more questions at
Getting hitched soon? First a formal CONGRATULATIONS on your big day! Next, you may want to familiarize yourself with the term, "Earlymoon or Pre-moon" as it is called in the UK As part of the planning process, experts are recommending this trending trip for a number of reasons. Many lovebirds are seeking a destination for their wedding, ...
Divers choose Belize because it's home to the second largest barrier reef and bucket-list dive sites such as Lighthouse Reef, Turneffe, Great Blue Hole, and Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The diving here is out of this world!
But even the most avid diver needs surface time. Belize is full of places to explore and see, but there are also plenty of places to relax when you need a little downtime. So, what else is there to do in Belize besides diving? We've compiled a list for you!
1. Visit Lamanai Maya ruins. This site, situated along the New River Lagoon, features monumental architecture of temples and palaces dating from the Classic and Pre-Classic Periods.
2. Relax with a hot stone massage at our island spa. The deep penetrating heat of the stones will melt your tension away.
3. Whiz through the jungle canopy on a zip-line tour. Zip past a stunning display of tropical flora and fauna. Daring participants will rappel to the rainforest floor from the final platform for a thrilling one-of-a-kind jungle adventure.
Have you ever noticed that after some vacations... you need another vacation just to decompress? We heard recently from a perspective guest who was shocked at our difference or the uniqe quality of St. George's Caye Resort. She said, "I travel all the time and I have not really found a place where our goal could be to do nothing. That sounds so ref...
Are you anticipating planning your next getaway? You literally have a world of options. We are, of course partial to our little cultural and ecological gem but we love hearing of our guest's other worldly travels. For those of you who hear the word "Belize" and wonder where is that anyway, we want to give you lots of fun details about our small but...
If you're planning a trip to Belize, chances are good that you've been wowed by the landscape, the opportunity to experience the pristine coral reef system, and of course, the welcoming locals. The excitement is mounting and you're ready to book your tropical Belize vacation. Read on for our insider planning tips and rest easier once...
Happy Thirsty Thursday from the island! It's a beautiful day to spend an afternoon taking in the Caribbean views and ocean breezes while lying in one of our hammocks with a cocktail or ice cold, freshly squeezed juice in hand. No matter your beverage of choice, we have a little something for everyone! At St. Georges, supporting the local econ...
What type of traveler are you? Do you enjoy a vacation full of adventure, or something a bit more relaxing? Maybe you want the best of both worlds and do a little of each. No matter what type of travel is your favorite, we've got you covered here at St. George's Caye! In addition to our off-site Belize adventures, we offer many activities on-site f...
Most people know that the top New Year's resolutions made are for better health and balance of responsibilities with time to enjoy the important things. When thinking of health, many will run out and join the gym or pick up the latest Pilates video series with hopes of refining their body. What are other things that effect this...
It is worth noting, especially after appearing on multiple winning lists, Belize is topping the charts as a must-do destination in 2019. The one and only National Geographic, just ranked Belize in the top most EXCITING of destinations of 2019. The legendary travel guide publisher, Lonely Planet also published their post of the Top 10 Recommen...
Have you seen the news? In an article published in the Daily Telegraph, a British newspaper, Belize was ranked among 15 of the most underrated travel destinations in the world! What wonderful news for our beautiful country. We hope this encourages more people to visit our little slice of paradise in the Caribbean with beautiful beaches, an abundance of history and culture, and amazing dive spots like the Great Blue Hole and Belize Reef.
The author of the article writes, "One joy of traveling here is how empty Belize seems. While neighboring Mexico and Guatemala are famously populous and exuberant, here the roads are quiet, the beaches are relaxed and the archeological sites are often blissfully free of crowds."
Can you imagine a vacation with little to no people? That's exactly what you'll experience here at St. George's in Belize!
Based on years of introducing guests to this amazing travel destination, the team at St. George's has a list of our favorite activities, besides the awesome diving and snorkeling on the nearby reef. We can introduce you to these spots with our in-house tour guide on small, private tours. See everything you want, ask all the questions, take all the pictures!
Learning to scuba dive is an amazing experience, but not everyone is ready to jump in for the full open-water scuba certification course. That's where the resort dive comes in!
A resort dive is a safe and excellent introduction to scuba diving that requires no previous diving experience. The half-day course is very popular because it lets you experience the underwater world without having to invest a lot of time. The open-water certifications require classroom time, an exam and take 4-5 days to complete.
The experience and cost for a resort dive can be credited towards further training if you later decide to get SCUBA certified (usually for a period of six months).
What's Included in a Resort Dive?
Our secluded island resort is less than a mile from the Belize reef, so we were thrilled to see recent news that the health of the reef is improving. The Mesoamerican Reef, second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, stretches over 600 miles through of the waters of four countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras.
The Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, or HRI, is a consortium of scientific, government, fishing, and conservation organizations that produces regular "report cards" on the health of the reef, pulling together data from more than 300 sites along the reef that measure the live coral, algae cover, and fish populations.
HRI's January report card on the state of the Mesoamerican Reef says fish populations have grown, as have the coral that make up the reef. Despite some differences in how sections of the reef are doing, the general health as a whole has risen from "poor" in 2006 to "fair" today. Although HRI says more than one-fifth of the coral reef has been bleached, scientists did not observe any coral death in 2015 or 2016. And coral cover and populations of commercially important and herbivorous fish, such as parrotfish and surgeonfish, have grown. All good news for reef lovers like us!
Learn more about what's working to "turn the tide" on the health of our reef here: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/01/mesoamerican-reef-gets-improving-bill-of-health/
The reef is a vital part of Belize life, from fishing to tourism, and we want to protect it for generations to come. In December 2017, Belize passed a moratorium on oil and gas exploration to protect its part of the Mesoamerican Reef.
We get this question often as guests plan their trip to Belize: how warm is the water?
Water temperatures in the ocean off St. George's Caye range from 78-84 degrees, depending on the time of year. Ideal for swimming and snorkeling in the Caribbean right off our docks! (Snorkel gear is free of charge. So are kayaks and Hobie Cat sailboats!)
January, February, March, April -- water temp 78 to 79 degrees
May -- outside temps and water temps increasing
June, July, August, September, October -- water temp around 84 degrees
Is someone special in your life graduating from high school or college?
Reward your hard-working scholar with a trip abroad to experience adventure, culture, and post-school relaxation. We know we’re a little biased, but we think a Belize vacation with jungle and ocean adventures is a fantastic way to celebrate a notable accomplishment!
Cap’n Ron and the team at St. George’s Caye Resort are big supporters of education because education brings opportunity (read about the scholarship program funded by our staff). We want to help you spoil your graduate, so get in touch and we'll help craft the perfect graduation trip to Belize, complete with private thatch cabana, friendly service, and endless ocean views.
Is your graduate certified to dive? Then they will love diving the pristine, crowd-free sites just a few minutes way from St. George’s Caye on the amazing Belize Barrier Reef. Dive with sharks, rays, turtles, grouper, barracuda, and more. Divers can even spear-hunt the invasive lionfish and our kitchen will cook up their catch that night. We can also arrange bucket-list dive trips to the world-famous Great Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef. It’s certain to be a dive trip they will never forget!
When's the best time to fish in Belize?
Fishing here is excellent year-round, but the best times to catch the "Big Three" of tarpon, bonefish, and permit is in June, July, and August. We call this Grand Slam Season. (This is also a time when you can find the lowest airfares to Belize!)
To help you plan the perfect trip, we're excited to announce four new Fishing Packages -- from a short weekend trip with one day of fishing, to a full-week fishing extravaganza complete with unlimited beer in our Sand Bar Lounge. And fishing off our docks is always complimentary.
This May through September, we're offering an extra incentive: get a $100 credit per night stayed when you book any fishing package for two people directly with the resort. How cool is that?
Not everyone comes to Belize just for the incredible scuba diving and fishing and drinking beer on the beach (although GREAT reasons to visit!). Many folks also yearn to explore the rich history and diverse cultures of our "little melting pot" - from the temples and ruins of the ancient Maya to the Garifuna communities in southern Belize. Are you one of those travelers?
We keep getting requests for more history and culture - and we love to show off our beautiful country - so we're excited to unveil the new Culture of Belize packages featuring our best cultural tours combined with your choice of room, meals, and transfers!
The Intro to Belize Culture package features an exploration of Belizean culture in and around Belize City with our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide Cornel (Meet Cornel :: Authentic Belizean Tours). Called the Belize Cultural Adventure, this full day tour is tailored to your interests and potential stops include several museums, old town, the zoo, a rum distillery, and more. It's a wonderfully personal way to learn about the many facets of Belize. This package also features a fun visit to the St. George's Caye Aquarium, a small family run operation on our island that helps rehabilitate sea animals.
The Multi-Cultural Belize Experience package features even more fun with an amazing full day guided tour to the Lamanai ancient Maya temple and ruins with jungle boat ride and wildlife viewing. The customizable full day Belize Cultural Adventure is also included, along with a 10% discount on Belizean beverages and a 10% discount on all gift shop items made in Belize.
Just in time for a busy winter season in Belize, the new dock on the reef-side of our island is nearly complete. Guests of St. George's will soon have even more space for lounging in the sun and shade over the sea, and several platforms for easy swimming and snorkeling in the warm waters right off the dock.
(Picture above is a guest jumping off of our old dock, unfortunately lost to the storm last year. The replacement is bigger and better!)
Ever wondered what it’s like to jump off a waterfall in the jungle?
Dive the beautiful Belize Barrier Reef?
Swim with sharks?
When people visit our island resort in Belize, some folks just want to lay on the beach or by the pool all day. And that is fine with us! On our island, "doing nothing" is an activity.
For the more active and adventuresome guests, St. George's offers amazing off-island tours and activities to explore other parts of Belize. These tours are guided and private for our guests only (small groups of 2-10 usually), giving you a personalized experience as you uncover the wonders of this beautiful and friendly country. When driving is required, you'll be in a small passenger van rather than a large bus and you'll always be able to hear your guide and ask questions.
Some of the most popular tours we offer include:
To provide our guests with a premier experience, we proudly have a licensed professional tour guide on staff, Cornel Staine. Knowledgeable, personable, and a great story teller, Cornel leads most of our small tours (for resort guests only!). When Cornel is not available, he schedules our guests' tours with a few select guides whom we know and trust. Cornel also meets most of our guests when they arrive at the airport and is a wealth of information as he drives you to the marina for your short boat ride to the resort. You can learn more about Cornel here.
A favorite nighttime activity on our little island in the Caribbean is stargazing.
Since we’re more than 7 miles from the mainland of Belize and there are no towns or other island resorts nearby, there is very little "light pollution" to get in the way of your star show. Identify the constellations, find a planet, gaze at shooting stars. The show is especially engaging on evenings with a new moon or very little moonlight.
The team at St. George's cares deeply about protecting the reef and the underwater world. Our Belize island resort is owned and managed by scuba divers and located less than a mile from the amazing Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.
One of its biggest threats to the reef right now is the invasive species lion fish. These fast-breeding fish do not have any natural predators. To help keep the population under control, divers all over Belize and the Caribbean use spear guns to hunt these spiny, venomous fish. It takes skill, especially when removing the lionfish from the spear so that you don't get stung by one of their spines! But it's worth it because not only are you removing an invasive predator from the reef, but the delicate white fish is delicious to eat as well.
Last week at St. George's Caye Resort we hosted our first "Save The Reef" Lionfish Dive Tournament with several teams of divers competing for biggest caught and most caught in one dive. It was a lot of fun and we hope to have even more divers involved next time. (Read more: Divers Keeping the Barrier Reef Healthy: Lionfish Tournament in October)
Most importantly, we are thrilled to report that combined the teams removed 1,016 lionfish from the reef! This is a huge impact in less than a week. Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make this possible. The coral reef thanks you too!
We love seeing Belize in the travel news because that means more people will discover this awesome country and want to visit! So we were pleased to see that Belize was selected as a "top adventure tour destination" to visit in 2017 by Stride Travel, a large search and review site for tours and adventure experiences.
You can read the press release here on Belize Breaking News.
Many travelers considering Belize want to spend time both in the jungle and on the beach and have a hard time deciding. We can help!
At St. George's Caye we offer four jungle/beach all-inclusive packages to choose from, so you can spend time on the mainland and on our island and have all of your meals and transportation included. Easy! We work with two different jungle lodges, each offering a different experience in a different part of the country, depending on your interests.
Located in the heart of Maya country in the Cayo district on the West side of Belize (near Guatemala), Mariposa Jungle Lodge offers a luxury jungle experience with 6 beautiful cabanas and a main lodge for meals. They have a swimming pool, jungle birdwatching tower, and hiking trails onsite. Plus a large variety of adventure, nature, and cultural tours led by their professional in-house tour guides of Mayan descent.
Lionfish are an invasive species in the Caribbean and they are voracious eaters, potentially devastating to the health of coral reefs. The dive team at St. George's Caye Resort is doing our part to rid the reef of these fast-breeding fish – and many guests who are experienced divers join our dive masters and "spear hunt" underwater! It's exciting and a fun way to control the lionfish population and a unique diving experience you can't find just anywhere. Learn more about Lionfish Dive Safari.
To step up our efforts to control the lionfish population, we are hosting a one-week Lionfish Tournament on October 8-15, 2016. To encourage participation, all tournament dives are half-price!
Divers can bring their own team, or join a team when they arrive. There will be fun prizes for the largest lionfish, smallest lionfish, and the most caught in one day. Come join the fun, help the reef, and maybe win a prize!
SCUBA diving in Belize will spoil your eyes forever. The pristine reef, the crisp clear waters and the abundant marine life will astound even the most seasoned diver. Dolphins often come to play. Curious turtles swim past. And up close the reef is teeming with miniature marvels.