Private Boat Tour!
(Originally published 2023. Revised January of 2024.)
Have you ever…
- Snorkeled in a great barrier reef, full of rays, nurse sharks, blue tang, sea stars, and many varieties of exotic fish?
- Reeled in a large tuna, barracuda, snapper, or other game fish from the deep sea?
- Rocked in the waves until the sun set over land in the distance?
Not Yet?
When you do, it will be life changing, especially with a skilled guide like the one who took us out on the water! Our visit to Hol Chan Reserve was “un-Belieze-able,” and made for one of the very best days of my entire life! Everywhere we looked, there was more rare and exotic sea life. We were instructed to “try not to smile,” so that we wouldn’t get water in our snorkels, but that was completely impossible. How could one not smile while having the time of their lives?
Some will disagree about hiring a private guide for a trip like this, preferring to save money by splitting with a larger group. However, this decision was well worth the investment! We had the freedom to spend more time on our group’s favorite activities, while moving more quickly through those that did not hold our interest, even or avoiding them all together. As a result, we were able to focus our priorities on:
- Snorkeling with incredible sea creatures in a flourishing, protected area
- Deep sea fishing, beyond the reef
- Fantastic lunch (my daughter and I split a whole lobster) grilled and served on the beach
- Spending the entire day out on the azure sea
After snorkeling two of the region’s most popular sites, spotting a huge loggerhead turtle swimming past us, and spending a bit of time reef fishing, we continued our route toward Caye Caulker to enjoy a delicious, beachside feast. On the way, we checked briefly for manatees, but they were not visiting their usual spot at that time. Instead, our expert guide, Erick of Guevara (www.guevaratoursbelize.com, not a sponsored link), steered the boat away and immediately spotted a small pod of dolphins at a distance, aiming the boat near where they would breach. I would have been allowed to join them in the water with snorkel and fins, but the silt promised a better view from aboard our vessel. It was impressive how perfectly Erick could predict where in the nearby water they were about to surface, leaving time to point the camera and wait.
While the above list were our priorities, our knowledgeable guide added other unexpected highlights as well. For example, we did not know enough to ask to feed the tarpon, which leapt from the water with great force, smacking into our hands, as they snagged sardines from our fingers. We had also been unaware of the option to view wild seahorses, though we nearly missed the opportunity, as most were hiding from the hot sun. However, after a bit of peering into the habitat, one was eventually spotted, anchoring itself to algae under the dock. Even with only one golden creature to photograph, we enjoyed this slow-paced activity after lunch.
From there, we steered out across the barrier reef, where we cruised around for some time, waiting for peak fishing. When it hit, during precisely the window our guide predicted, it was unmistakable! The three poles with lines in the water started arching almost simultaneously, and we reeled one after another in, occasionally more than one pole at a time.
I believe everyone in our group of five, from young child to late senior, checked an item on their bucket lists this day, all thanks to the attentiveness of the highly skilled professional who ensured our dreams come true!
Our trip was fantastic, and I highly recommend seeking out Erick at Guevara Tours Belize. Erick knows a lot about marine life, identifying many unusual species during our trip! They also offer a larger boat, more comfortable than many others you might hire. In case they are already booked for your intended stay, below are some incredible alternate options from our sponsor:
*All images were captured by and are property of NotYetTravel.com, LLC. 2023. All links are sponsored, unless otherwise stated.