Things to do in The Northern Cayes
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Raggamuffin Tours
Three-day sailing trips to Placencia depart every Tuesday and Friday. Raggamuffin has a reputation as a party boat!
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Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
This section of the Belize barrier reef was declared a marine reserve in 1998. It's a subterranean paradise for divers and snorkelers with an array of colorful sponges, blue and yellow queen angel fish, Christmas tree worms, star coral, redband parrotfish, yellow gorgonians and more. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles and manatees from April to September.
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Habaneros
Caulker’s ‘hottest’ restaurant, named for the habanero chili, is located in a brightly painted clapboard house in the center of town. Here chefs prepare gourmet international food, combining fresh seafood, meat and vegetables with insanely delicious sauces and flavors. Wash it down with a fine wine or a jug of sangria. Sit in the funky bar and sip a fruity cocktail or enjoy the buzz and eat by candlelight at the tables on the verandah. Reservations are recommended.
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I&I Reggae Bar
I&I is the island’s most hip-hop happening spot after dark, when its healthy sound system belts out a reggae beat. Its three levels each offer a different scene, with a dance floor on one and swings hanging from the rafters on another. The top floor is the ‘chill-out zone, ’ complete with hammocks and panoramic views. Great place for a sunset drink.
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Bamboo Grill
Arguably the best location on the island, this casually cool bar and grill sits right on the beach, with swings hanging from the rafters and tables set up in the sand. Besides the Cajun specialties, you can feast on a huge seafood burrito or a delectable grilled fish sandwich, washed down with a fruit smoothie.
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The Split
A narrow channel splits Caye Caulker into two distinct islands, and it's at the Split where you'll find a small public beach and the best swimming. It might look a bit postapocalyptic, with beach-goers lounging on bits of a broken wall, but its a popular and fun place to get to know the locals.
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Frenchie’s Diving
Offers full-day trips (three dives) to Blue Hole and Turneffe and half-day trips (two dives) to Hol Chan, Caye Chapel or Spanish Bay. Night dives at Caye Caulker Marine Reserve cost BZ$100. Promises groups of 10 divers or fewer.
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Wish Willy’s Bar & Grill
This funky place is named for a scaly tailed iguana. On the back side of the island, it’s a great place to watch the sunset, whether you’re sipping a Belikin beer or feasting on the day’s BBQ special.
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Healing Touch Massage
Ms Eva McFarlane can take care of all your beauty and body needs, including manicures and pedicures, Reiki, reflexology and aromatherapy.
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Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary
Southwest of Caye Caulker, the vast Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary spans nearly 9000 acres, including Swallow Caye and some parts of nearby Drowned Caye. Here, the ocean floor is covered with turtle grass beds, which support a small population of West Indian manatees. For years, guides have been bringing tourists to this spot, in the hope of catching a glimpse of these gentle creatures as they chow down on the turtle grass. But the constant traffic put stress on the habitat, having the unintended effect of harming the manatees. After tireless efforts on the part of conservationists and guides, a wildlife sanctuary was finally established in 2002. Now, strict guidel…
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Chocolate’s
Chocolate Heredia was one of the first Caulker fishermen who began ferrying backpackers out to Swallow Caye on his fishing boat. He has also played a crucial role in the establishment of the wildlife sanctuary and continued protection of the sea mammals. Chocolate’s still leads excellent and informative tours, however sporadically. Also there is a gift shop where Chocolate’s wife Annie has souvenirs with international flare: gorgeous hand-woven textiles from Mexico and Guatemala; sarongs and clothing from Indonesia and Malaysia; and jewelry made from precious and semiprecious stones.
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Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill
This unlikely spot – Canadian run – has surprisingly delicious food and good prices. And not just pub grub (although that’s good, too); you won’t be disappointed by lasagna, burritos, seafood specials and salads. Service is nonchalant, at best. If you don’t like the multiple TVs blaring sports interviews into the atmosphere, take a seat out front and enjoy the breeze off the ocean.
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Amor Y Café
There’s no contest about the most popular breakfast spot on the island. It’s always busy, but you won’t have to wait long for a table on the shaded porch overlooking Front St. Take your pick from fresh-squeezed juices, scrambled eggs or homemade yogurt topped with fruit, but don’t miss out on the fresh-brewed coffee. If you have to pack a lunch, sandwiches are available to go.
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Don Corleone
One of Caulker’s unexpected gems, Don Corleone is Dutch owned and Italian flavored. Decor is sophisticated and the service impeccable. Whatever you order lives up to management’s promise to make you a meal you can’t refuse, be it one of the gorgeous salads, a pasta with an aromatic sauce or a more substantial fish or meat main. Finish off with an excellent strong espresso.
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Femi’s Coffee Shop
Femi’s is a coffee shop and so much more. By all means, come here for your morning dose of caffeine – perhaps in the form of fresh-brewed Belizean coffee or a frozen coffee mocha. Come in the afternoon for a fruit smoothie or an energy shake. And if you need a shot of something extra, take your pick from the vast menu of frozen fruity cocktails. Prime waterfront spot!
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Happy Lobster
The lobster at this Caulker institution is actually not that happy. But you will be after eating big plates of fresh fish, spiced up with Creole flavoring or sweetened with coconut. The place has plenty of vegetarian options, as well as a popular breakfast menu. The front porch is a pleasant place to catch the breeze off the ocean and watch the activity on Front St.
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Rasta Pasta Rainforest Café
No longer located on the beach, Rasta Pasta is still serving up its extensive menu of seafood, veggie dishes, desserts and fruity cocktails. The always affable service is a highlight, as is the home-brewed ginger beer, a delectable concoction that cures all stomach woes. Note that – despite the name – there are not many pasta dishes on the menu.
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Rainbow Grill & Bar
Perched on a deck over the turquoise waters, this local favorite is evidence of Caulker’s agreeable temperatures. By day, nibble on vegetarian plates, burgers, quesadillas, burritos and sandwiches. At night fancier fare includes fish, shrimp, conch and lobster cooked how you like it, from simple lemon with butter to Jamaican jerk or oriental style.
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Glenda’s Café
Glenda’s serves traditional Belizean food in a clapboard house on the island’s west side. It has the best cheap breakfasts in town, from cinnamon rolls and orange juice to full breakfasts of eggs, bacon or ham, bread and coffee. Burritos, tacos, sandwiches and chicken with rice and beans are offered for lunch. Get there early for breakfast.
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Caye Caulker North Point Sanctuary Forest Reserve
The protected northern tip of Caye Caulker, declared a reserve in 1998, is a beautiful entanglement of mangrove forest and lagoons, and is only accessible by boat. There's a visitors/research center and picnic area, and a platform trail so you can tiptoe through the mangroves. Look out for birdlife and maybe nesting crocs, turtles, iguanas and lizards.
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Agave
This new super-suave place has a prime location on Front St, with a wide porch overlooking the traffic. The sophisticated menu has a selection of seafood dishes that blends Caribbean and Mediterranean influences, utilizing fresh fruits and local spices. Service can be a bit slow – all the more time to savor the flavors and enjoy the view.
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Syd’s
Syd’s is a longstanding favorite for its good-value meals and convivial atmosphere. Out back, there is a flower-filled patio, where you can dine to the soothing sounds of a gurgling fountain. Otherwise, the dining room is rather nondescript. No matter where you sit, you will be sated by the big plates of Belizean and Mexican food.
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Caye Caulker Mini Reserve
Just north of the airstrip, the Caye Caulker Mini Reserve is run by the Caye Caulker branch of the BTIA. The small visitors center has information on the island’s flora and fauna, while a short interpretative trail (always open) runs through the littoral forest.
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Sand Box
With outdoor seating facing the dock, and a happy hour from 3pm to 6pm, the Sand Box is an island institution. Locals and expats gather to socialize and catch up on gossip. If you can’t check into your hotel straight away, make this your first stop coming off the water taxi.
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Caribbean Colors
This shop stocks a collection of silk-screened fabrics, jewelry and paintings by the owner Lee Vanderwalker and the artist Nelson Young. You’ll also find a small selection of homemade soaps and body oils made from natural products, as well as a friendly coffee counter.
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