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When planning my trip to Belize, one of the things I was most interested in doing was a snorkeling excursion. Belize boasts the second largest barrier reef in the world and is considered one of the best places to snorkel on the planet! I’ve always been obsessed with marine life and could not wait to finally see it up close! Snorkeling in Belize with Island Dream Tours was the best part of our Belize trip.
I booked our trip with Island Dream Tours, located in San Pedro in front of the Sandbar Hostel (one dock north of Palapa Bar). In a town filled to the brim with tour companies, Island Dream Tours really stood out from the rest and I am so glad we booked with them. Their tours take place on their spacious catamaran called the YOLO! The boat had plenty of room for everyone, a sun deck with beanbags for lounging, restrooms, and most importantly: a full bar!
I chose Island Dream tours because:
- Their website was informative, easy to use, and easy to book online
- They had excellent Trip Advisor reviews
- Tour options – once I read about the Chill Cruise, I knew it was exactly what I wanted
- Free. Booze.
Island Dream Tours offers a full-day chill cruise, which advertises two snorkeling stops – at the famous Shark-Ray Alley and the Hol Chan reef – and a ‘chill spot’ to relax at a shallow sandbar, plus food and unlimited drinks. You can also choose to visit Caye Caulker for the afternoon instead of the chill spot, which is what I plan to do next time.
The owner of Island Dream Tours briefed our group on a current issue regarding the Belizean government possibly agreeing to allow off-shore drilling. If this were allowed, it would destroy the gorgeous reef and marine life that live there, and would be devastating to Belize as a country. He was extremely passionate about the issue and protecting the reef. We took a photo with a flag protesting the off-shore drilling to raise awareness and hopefully influence the Belizean government.
Island Dream Tours’ boat, the YOLO, was amazing. There was plenty of seating for our large group (around 20 people I believe) both in the sun and in the shade. On the way out to the snorkel stops, I parked myself in a seat right in front of the bar. The on-board bar was fully stocked with liquor, beer, and wine. Once we got going, the crew passed out cocktail menus and everything looked amazing – I had a couple of the Blue Hole drinks and they were GREAT. Belize’s local beer, Belikin, was the drink of choice for many of the passengers as well.
Visiting Shark-Ray Alley with Island Dream Tours
Aptly named for the numerous nurse sharks and gigantic manta rays that frequent the area, Shark-Ray Alley fulfilled my every snorkeling wish. The exhiliration of swimming next to a shark was unreal. Even though they are nurse sharks and not bitey sharks (that’s a totally scientific term) it’s still so incredibly cool to swim alongside them. Or, five feet away, as is recommended. The GIANT spotted eagle rays drifted along the bottom of the sea and I absolutely loved them.
The guides were extremely helpful and did a great job of ensuring everyone was safe. This was my very first snorkeling experience and to be completely honest, I sort of freaked out when I got in the water.
The water was super choppy that morning (something I’ve been told is NOT the norm) and I’m honestly not the best swimmer. Between the choppy water and the fact that I kept trying to breathe through my nose with my snorkel on (I’m REALLY smart, y’all) I had a bit of a panic for a moment but the guide helped me put a life jacket on and made sure I was good to go. He checked in with me several times throughout the stop as well, making me feel totally safe. I was good to go once I had the life jacket on.
Visiting Hol Chan with Island Dream Tours
We received fresh fruit in between snorkel stops which turned out to be a life saver! After the first stop, my lips were so puffy from the saltwater but the fruit cleared it right up. We were also given French toast sandwiches for breakfast and a fantastic lunch that was actually my favorite meal of my entire trip!
We feasted on jerk chicken and short-ribs with rice. The meat was so tender it was literally falling off the bone. I could have gorged myself on the entire tray, but had to restrain myself. I was in a swimsuit, after all.
At the second stop, we took a guided swim along the reef and witnessed much more marine life. The coral structures were so unique and colorful. There were all kinds of tropical fish flitting about and some more manta rays along the bottom. It’s also common to see sea turtles, moray eels (we saw one!), octopus, etc.
The Island Dream Tours “Chill Spot”
We headed over to a gorgeous sandbar in the middle of the sea. The water is about waist-high, but there is no land anywhere in sight. A volleyball net was set up in the water and a people were tossing around a football and frisbee. We played volleyball with another family for a bit and then got back on the boat for some DRANKS.
We ended up striking up a conversation with another couple who was visiting from Canada. We spent the majority of the chill spot lounging on the deck of the boat, Belikins in hand, engaging in wonderful conversation with our new northern friends.
After the cruise, we weren’t ready to say goodbye! We had such a wonderful time together, so we decided to meet up at Palapa Bar and spent the evening drinking and laughing. I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in a LONG time. We hung out until Palapa closed down and the last water taxi had arrived to take us back to our resort, but I wish the night could have gone on so much longer!
Island Dream Tours offered the best excursion of our week-long trip. If I could spend every day on the YOLO, I would do it! You should absolutely schedule a cruise (or two!) with this crew – it will be the highlight of your trip.
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This looks like so much fun and looks like you had a fantastic time!! I’ve always been a little scared to try snorkeling but this makes it look really cool! Maybe I’’ll have to go try it now!
It wasn’t scary at all! I’ll admit I did have a bit of trouble figuring out how to breathe through the mask at first, but it was very easy overall. I’m NOT a good swimmer so I stuck with a life jacket but I still saw SO many great things.
Love the boat name… YOLO 🙂 I have been trying to get to Belize for what feels like forever! The color of the water looks out of this world. I’m a sucker for a good snorkel trip, thanks for reminding me this is a must for my next trip to Central America!
It’s really a can’t miss. Even though Belize is more expensive than the rest of Central America, I think it’s totally worth it. You get so much out of the island…I can’t wait to go back!
I’d absolutely love to go snorkelling in Belize! The water looks so blue, and the size of that starfish! It sounds like you found loads to see and a great company to go with!
I think I need to travel with you…we’ve got the same priorities: dranks and food! haha Even though you took the chill cruise it looks like it was fun from start to finish!
Haha yes, those are definitely my travel priorities, plus SUN!
This looks like SO much fun and totally different than anything I’ve ever done before. First of all, I think I need to find me some water that is that color and a beach and just plant myself there 😀
The water was unreal. I kept thinking that it looked fake, it was so beautiful!
Did you say French toast sandwich????? I didn’t know that the salt water would make your lips puffy and that fruit would help. Learn something everyday! The chill spot sounds like a really great idea and a great way to connect with everyone. What a great day.
I had no clue about the puffy lips prior to the trip either, but when you think about it, it totally makes sense. The fruit cleared it up immediately though!
Oh that water and sun look so inviting. Cold and grey where I am. Swimming with sea turtles = bliss.
It was just the best day. I’m literally counting down to when I’ll be back in the blissful Caribbean!
This cruise looks like so much fun! I can see that you met some fun people and you’ll have stories that you’ll remember forever. But my favorite thing was the photo of the manta ray. I have never been to Belize but I definitely hope to go some day soon!
You should absolutely go, Stella! The water was gorgeous, warm, and so clear. There were manta rays EVERYWHERE!
The color of the water is unreal! Looks like a great tour, I’d love to go!
It was so much fun! I highly recommend this company for any snorkeling you want to do in Belize!
I have heard that Belize has the best snorkeling. That sandbar looks pretty amazing. I am going in December and can’t wait!
When will you be there? I’m going back in December too!
This looks like so much fun! Belize has been on my bucket list for the longest time and I really need to get there sooner rather then later. Were the snorkeling spots crowded? Did you do any snorkeling near shore or do you need to take a tour trip to get further out?
Thanks for reading, Megan! Snorkeling in Belize was the best snorkeling experience I’ve ever had. The areas we went to were not crowded at all – our group was the only one there. Since the reef is a few hundred yards off shore, you have to take a boat to get to the snorkeling spots, but this is included with the tours.
I can’t wait to do this. I love snorkeling and that blue water looks so inviting. Saving this for when I head back to the Carribean!