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| Belize Lighthouse Reef: 7 Days / 8 Nights | |  | | | | PRINT |
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Lighthouse Reef, made famous by legendary underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau, has become known amongst divers as the ‘Aquarium’, renowned for its sheer abundance of marine life, crystal clear waters and thriving coral reefs. 
Beyond the barrier reef, past Turneffe Atoll–some fifty miles and more eastwards of the Belize mainland– a coral atoll rises from the sea. Shimmering with white-sand cayes and lush green with groves of coconut palms, the lagoon provides a rare underwater habitat for snorkelers, with miles upon miles of shallow waters rich with corals. Where the lagoon drops off to the open sea; precipitous walls, undersea ridges and valleys brimming with life are the deeper realm of scuba divers. Long difficult to access and out of reach for kayakers and snorkelers, Island Expeditions has pioneered the first-ever basecamp at Lighthouse Reef. We sleep in spacious walk-in tents (every window has an ocean view) and after each days activities our open air dining pavilion is the perfect place to relax in comfort with fine meals and splendid company. Trip Summary | Begin from: Belize City
End in: Belize City
Duration: 7 Days / 8 Nights
Trip Departures & Prices: See Trip Schedule at bottom of this page
Group Size: 6-18
Guides: 2-4 North American & Belizean Leaders. Accommodation:
Tropical Education Center,
Halfmoon Caye Basecamp,
Biltmore Plaza Hotel | 
Trip Route | Activities:
Sea Kayaking (paddling & sailing), Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Fishing, Birding, Photography, Natural & Cultural History Interpretation |
Available Dates Rate Details
USD: $1,598.00
CAD: $1,622 *fluxuates daily
Current CAD/USD Exchange Rate: 0.9853
incl $160 Gov't Fees & Taxes Additional Belize Trip Notes:The Setting... We begin our trip with an introduction to the inland waterways of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Here we experience, close at hand, the astounding diversity of birds and wildlife for which Belize is renowned. Located 33 miles northwest of Belize city the sanctuary provides both the abundant food sources and the safe resting areas necessary to support a large and diverse population of birds. The best time for viewing resident and migrant birds is December until June, during Belize’s dry-season.
Next, we catch our motor charter to spectacular Lighthouse Reef, one of only four coral atolls in the Caribbean, and home to the famous Blue Hole. In 1972, Capt. Jacques Cousteau and the intrepid crew of the Calypso explored and filmed this incredible atoll, showing its amazing underwater diversity to the world for the first time.
In partnership with the Belize Audubon Society, Island Expeditions Co. has established an Adventure Camp within the Half Moon Cay Marine Reserve, opening up for the first time this spectacular wilderness to adventurers.   Scuba Divers...
There are some great opportunities to dive at Lighthouse Reef. Optional diving is available for certified divers on certain days of the trip. Single tank dives are available from approximately $49 US. For further information please contact our office. Equipment... While at our base-camp on Half-Moon Caye, our guests have unrestricted use of the following equipment: Double Kayaks (outfitted with special sails), Single Kayaks, Complete Research Library, On the island, we are in communication with the mainland via satellite phone and VHF Marine radio. When Planning Your Trip...Think of "Day 0"With Island Expeditions Co. a seven day trip means seven days in the field, not 2 days of airline travel and 5 days of vacation. So on all IEC adventures we meet you the day before the trip is scheduled to begin. This is "Day 0" and has been conceived for your convenience and comfort. "Day 0" is your day to arrive in Belize before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers, and to acclimatize to your new tropical environment. From there be it a short flight or a boat charter, your transportation to meet up with your group on this day and your accommodation on this night are included in the trip cost. What’s Included… - Comprehensive pre-trip information package
- All meals, accommodations and transfers described in the tour
- Unlimited use of our Equipment
- Accommodation on the day before the trip (‘Day 0’) and the final night
- Professional Guiding Services (both N. American & Belizean Guides)
What’s Not Included… - Transfer back to the Airport after the trip
- Gratuities
- International Flights & Airport Departure Tax
- Snorkeling or Dive Gear & Scuba Diving Fees
- Extra costs due to late Arrivals and other circumstances beyond our control
Notes About the Ecology... Flora...
Belize's Barrier Reef is the largest reef in the northern hemisphere, second largest in the world, extending 185 miles (300 km) along the coastline. Approximately 35 miles seaward from the eastern border of the Barrier Reef, lies one of Belize's most spectacular atolls – Lighthouse Reef. These circular shaped reef systems climb from the ocean floor and surround a central lagoon. The surrounding reef is primarily made up of two kinds of coral, the hard hydro-coral (reef-forming coral), such as brain coral or elkhorn coral, and the soft corals, such as sea fans and feather plumes. The sheltered lagoon harbors one of the world's most diverse sea environments; an extensive community of fish, shellfish, and patch reefs. One mile off the eastern shore of the atoll, the reef wall quickly drops 2600 feet to the ocean floor below. The interaction between the deeper, open waters of the Caribbean Sea and the sheltered lagoons of the atoll, results in a diversity and abundance of marine life, which is unsurpassed for sea kayaking, snorkeling and diving.  Fauna...
While on Half-Moon Caye, we will have the opportunity to view a diverse range of sea life and tropical birds. While exploring and snorkeling the atoll and the surrounding patch reefs, there are opportunities to see grouper, bonefish, angel and parrot fish, stingrays, eagle rays, conger, moray eels, and goatfish; just to name a few. Some of the bird-life includes osprey (the billyhawk), royal terns, brown-footed, red-footed and white-footed boobies, frigate birds, hawks, mangrove warblers, and white-crowned pigeons. Around the atoll there are nesting sites for loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles. If we're lucky, we may see them while out snorkeling or kayaking. We will definitely have a chance to see and sample the main staple for Belizean fishermen, the spiny lobster (when in season) and the queen conch.  Day 0 :Arrive at the Belize International Airport where you will be met by an Island Expeditions representative and transferred to the Birds Eye View Lodge, in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. After checking into our accommodations we have a chance to meet our fellow travelers and enjoy a fine meal and as time permits explore Crooked Tree Village, one of Belize’s oldest Creole Settlement. Transfers from the airport, dinner activities and lodging are included.
This day is your day to arrive before the trip starts, meet your fellow travelers and acclimatize to your new tropical environment.
Accommodation: (Lodge)
Meals: Dinner
Day 1: Coffee is served at sunrise, and with binoculars in hand, we enjoy the waking wilderness and many hundreds of birds feeding right in front of the lodge along the shores of the Crooked Tree lagoons. After a healthy Belizean breakfast we’ll embark by boat to explore the area . Throughout the sanctuary we have tremendous birding and wildlife opportunities: iguana, turtle, parrot, ibis and Morlet’s crocodile are frequently seen. Later in the day, we’ll drive along the old Belize Road to the sea where we board our motor charter that takes us through white sand cays and mangrove ranges, then past the main barrier reef to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, at the furthest edge of the Belize Reef System, 55 miles offshore of the mainland. On reaching Halfmoon Caye your guide team will orient you to our new island setting and settle you into your accommodations and camp.
Accommodation: (Half-moon Basecamp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  Day 2-4: Due to it’s isolation from the mainland, the waters of Lighthouse Reef Atoll are exceptionally clear with inspiring scenery and a fabulously rich reef system that offers some of the best kayaking, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. To begin, the guides provide instruction; teaching the fundamentals of sea kayaking, snorkeling and safety in the tropics.
Over the next few days we have many options to explore, including a shipwreck that looms just north of the caye. In 1971, a ship named the Ermlund lost power during a storm and was deposited on the reef by a large wave. This 4000 ton wreck sits silent as a landmark and is one of many shipwrecks in the area that serve as a constant reminder of the hazards of navigating these waters. We also have ample opportunities to learn from our guides about the marine reef ecology and the island’s mangrove and interior forest habitat spread over the park’s 45 acres. Many species of birds nest on the island, including a 4,000 red-footed booby colony for which the Audubon Society has built a series of viewing platforms to intimately observe the many nesting sites. And, of course, we always have the option of hanging out in a hammock with a good book and a cold drink!
Accommodation: (Half-moon Basecamp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  Day 5: The "aquarium" is today’s big adventure. We pack a hearty lunch and our snorkel gear in our kayaks and paddle with motor support. This dive spot is known for it's profusion of fish and towering coral formations. We return home, stopping at the Halfmoon Wall for a spectacular drift snorkel over the undersea cliff of the atoll.
Accommodation: (Half-moon Basecamp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Today, we paddle along the protected waters of the southern reef to Long Caye where we have a chance to snorkel some of the atoll’s best patch reefs. After a full day of exploring, we return just in time for a wonderful seafood dinner prepared by our cooks.
Accommodation: (Half-moon Basecamp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 Day 7: For our last morning at Lighthouse, the choice is yours. Don a mask, snorkel and fins for a visit to a favorite patch reef enjoy walking the island trails or beach comb along the island beaches before the motor charter arrives to pick us up for the return boat trip back to the mainland. We transfer to the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel where we can enjoy a fresh shower and a swim in the pool.
Accommodation: (hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner is not included on this day
*NOTE: Due to the remoteness of the Lighthouse basecamp, the activities on the reef portion of this trip are weather dependent and the following itinerary is only a ’ guide,’ and will remain flexible and open to any changes at the trip leaders’ discretion. Accommodation...  On Day 0, we will be staying at Birds Eye View Lodge, situated on the water's edge of the Crooked Tree Lagoon. This comfortable Belizean-style hotel offers private bath and lakeside views. Over top of the hotel there is a deck and bar, which is a perfect place to catch the evening breeze and reminisce over your recent discoveries.
 On Day 1 to 6 we are "base camping", sleeping in tent-walled cabanas. These spacious safari-style tents have ample headroom to walk around and are on raised wooden floors with double or single beds.
On the final night we will be staying at the Belize Biltmore Hotel in Belize City. This is a modern and comfortable hotel, located 5 miles north of Belize City, with a central courtyard and swimming pool to relax and unwind. | |  |  |  |
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Nahanni River Adventures, Nahanni offers exceptional expeditions by raft and canoe on the great rivers from Alaska to Nunavut including: South Nahanni River, Tatshenshini River, Alsek River, Firth River, Snake River, Wind River, Stikine River, Burnside River, Coppermine River, Horton River, Mountain River, Yukon River, Taku River, Gataga River and Sea Kayaking and whale watching at Point Adolphus, Alaska, over-looking Glacier Bay National Park. Our expeditions encompass Nahanni National Park (South Nahanni River), Kluane National Park (Alsek River), Ivvavik National Park (Firth River), Glacier Bay National Park (Alsek River), Herschel Island Territorial Park (Firth River). Nahanni River Adventures operates in Alaska (United States of America), Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and British Columbia (Canada). Nahanni.com is the online presence of the company, Nahanni River Adventures Ltd. Nahanni River Adventures works with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society to ensure the environmental integrity of our wild places. Neil Hartling, founder of Nahanni River Adventures, is also the author of: Nahanni, River of Gold...River of Dreams. Alaska to Nunavut - The Great Rivers. Nahanni River Guide. These books may all be purchased through Nahanni.com. Common misspellings of the name are Nahani, Nahannie, Nahanie, Nahoni, Nahonni.
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