Picture this: a tiny island, no cars, just sandy roads that are more like paths, really. The kind of place where everyone knows everyone and it’s empty have the year as the tourists head home), and the pace of life is dictated by the gentle ebb and flow of the Caribbean Sea. It's a slice of paradise, where the buildings are painted in hues as vibrant as the personalities of the locals (if you ignore the large number of Americans who’ve retired here). The island's motto, "Go Slow," isn't just a suggestion - it's a way of life. Whether you're kicking back in a hammock with a Belikin beer, snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters, or just wandering the sandy streets barefoot, Caye Caulker invites you to take a breath, relax, and simply enjoy the moment. It's a little gem that's as laid-back as they come, and it's just waiting for you to discover it.

Caye Caulker Airport

It’s an indication of how little there really is in Caye Caulker that isn’t dedicated to relaxation that the airport is one of the sights to see. Modernised with some gleaming marble its a tiny airstrip but also where you catch flights to the mainland or a day trip out to the Blue Hole.

The Split

At the north end of the main island, the Split can be found, marked by a sign indicating where the islands diverge incase you don’t notice the water. You can hop on a ferry over to the other side, which is mostly high end hotels, or if you are feeling a bit more energetic, swim it. A bar is build right into the water, so its a good place to hang out.

Caribbean Colors Art Cafe

This small cafe towards the southern end of town is full of locally produced artworks to enjoy over a coffee or buy to bring home.

Ice N Beans

An incredibly busy coffee shop on the main road, it typically has a long wait due to it’s popularity. Don’t make my mistake and call in for a quick takeaway coffee on route to an excursion as you’ll probably be leaving your coffee behind.

Swings

Named swings because the bar seats are all swings, hung from the ceiling, it gets entertaining as the evening draws on. The venue is large and the food is good.

Errolyn's House Of Fryjacks

A shack with no seating off the main thoroughfair, we stopped in for breakfast and to find out what fryjacks are. The answer is delicious. Fryjacks are delicious.

The Happy Lobster

Despite the name implying a vegan restaurant, Happy Lobster is a seafood venue. The fish is extremely fresh and well prepared.

Namaste Café

Directly facing our hotel, and three stories high, it’s a pretty crunchy place. No animal milk on offer, but the coffee is good enough thats really not a problem. The two floors above the cafe run regular yoga sessions with open walls to manage the humidty and heat of Caya Caulker, but a roof to deal with the intermittent rains.

Roy's Blue Water Grill

Next door to Namaste, we stopped into Roy’s one evening for some late night drinks and desserts.

Maggie's Sunset Kitchen

Whilst the restaurant does have indoor seating, the real reason to come to Maggie’s is to eat on the pontoon so you can watch the sun go down over the waters. The wifi reaches the pontoon. Mostly. Sometimes.

Enjoy Supermarket

A good sized supermarket selling some typical tourist stuff, food and drinks and some snacks. Right on the central street so very convenient.

Caye Caulker Soccer Field

If you needed more evidence that Belize is more American than it is British, the name of this venue is perhaps the final confirmation. Called the “Soccer” field, this space in the centre of Caya Caulker is the only expanse of grass you’re likely to find.

Tarpon feeding dock

The whole experience is a bit surreal, in the best possible way. It's one of those things that you'll find yourself telling people about when you get back home, the kind of story that starts with "You'll never believe what I did in Caye Caulker...Tarpon feeding involves standing on the edge of a wooden pier, a sardine in hand, with a crowd of eager tarpons circling below. These surprisingly large silver kings of the sea, as they're often called, are a sight. They're massive, some reaching up to 8 feet in length, and they have a prehistoric look about them, with large, silver scales and underslung jaws.

Once you’re stood out there holding out the sardine, the tarpons, with a surprising amount of grace for their size, leap out to snatch it from your hand. It's a bit of a thrill, especially the first time when you're not quite sure what to expect. There's a moment of suspense, the splash of water, and then the collective gasp from the onlookers. It's a bit like being in your own nature documentary. Quite a few people chicken out before the Tarpon jumps. Don’t be one of those people, be brave. The absolut worst that will happen is you lose a finger or two…

Stingray Beach

Stingray Beach in Caye Caulker is a unique experience. As the name suggests, it's a place where you can get up close and personal with stingrays in their natural habitat. The stingrays are surprisingly friendly and accustomed to human visitors, so don't be surprised if they swim right up to you, brushing against your legs in their curiosity.

The beach is part of a hotel, so if you want ot hang around you’ll need to buy something.

Snorkling

We went on an all day tour with Ragga Sail Adventures which included the Tarpon Feeding and then out onto a sail boat to snorkel at four different locations.

The Manatee stop

The Manatee Stop is a chance to encounter one of the ocean's most gentle and intriguing creatures. Manatees, often referred to as 'sea cows', are a sight to behold. Their slow, graceful movements and curious nature make them fascinating to watch. It's a peaceful, almost meditative experience, watching these creatures in their natural habitat.

Shark and Ray Alley

Imagine gliding through the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, surrounded by a flurry of aquatic life. Shark and Ray Alley is a thrilling experience where you're not just an observer, but a participant. Nurse sharks and stingrays, usually quite docile, gather around as your guide feeds them, creating a flurry of activity. Our tour company maintains a responsble approach to marine life and so does not feed the sharks. However, this does not stop them pulling up close to where others feed the sharks and letting us experience the swarms and schools of them that way.

The Hol Chan Channel

The Hol Chan Channel is a gateway to an underwater paradise. The channel, a break in the reef, is a highway for marine life. Schools of fish, rays, and even the occasional turtle pass through, making it a snorkeler's dream. The water's clarity and the abundance of life make it a memorable experience.

Coral Gardens

Our final stop was the Coral Gardens. It is a vibrant underwater landscape that feels like a different planet. The corals, a riot of colours, shapes, and sizes, are home to an array of marine life. Tiny, colourful fish dart in and out of the corals, while larger species glide majestically. Only a few of us maintained the energy to swim around for any legth of time in the Gardens, but having bought my GoPro at tourist premiums to replace the one currently at the bottom of Cenote Yaal Utzil I wanted to ensure I made the most of it.