Belize is a small country in northern Central America just a bit larger than the U.S. state of Massachusetts. To the north is Mexico and to the west is Guatemala.
A Belize sailing itinerary eases you into a world of natural wonders amid a series of marine preserves tucked behind the protective barrier reefs off the Belizean coast. The islands and cays are mostly uninhabited, fringed with swaying palms or lined with lush stands of mangroves. White-sand beaches front secluded anchorages with kaleidoscopic colors of brown, orange, green, and blue over the reefs. Balmy trade winds blow steadily and sure, promising exquisite sailing as you explore the less traveled cruising grounds behind Belize’s barrier reef system (see Belize maps). It’s one of the best in the world for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kayaking, or just relaxing aboard while you admire the setting sun.
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Laru Beya Marina to Wippari Cay – 14 nm. As you leave the marina, you motor into the heart of the exquisitely beautiful Placencia Lagoon, an almost landlocked finger of water running along the Belizean coast. Once you’re clear of the lagoon, you set sail and head northeast to Wippari Cay, where you can pick up a mooring for the night and relax in the cockpit and sip a refreshing cocktail before dinner. Stopping at Wippari Cay will put you in a good position for the sail to South Water Cay the next morning. Wippari Cay offers good snorkeling to the northeast and northwest, and great fishing as well.
Wippari Cay to South Water Cay – 22 nm. Heading north-northeast takes you up the Inner Channel to the Blue Ground Range. Practice your shallow water navigation skills through the passage to South Water Cay, gently meandering between patch reefs. Although South Water Cay is part of the Belizean marine preserve, it’s also inhabited. There are three restaurants and great snorkeling, especially at the northern end of the reef near Carrie Bow Cay.
South Water Cay to Cocoa Plum Cay – 11 nm. Sailing north just inside the barrier reef, favoring the reef side of the passage, brings you to beautiful Tobacco Cay, where you can drop anchor and enjoy some superlative snorkeling. Later, continue on to the north-northwest toward the southern tip of Garbutt Cay before turning south to the moorings at Cocoa Plum Cay’s Thatch Cay Resort, an excellent stop in your Belize itinerary. There’s a nice restaurant at the resort, as well as Internet access. Thatch Cay Resort is very popular, especially with children, because of the many coatamundi that roam freely around this cay.
Cocoa Plum Cay to Lagoon Cay – 16 nm. The next leg of your Belize itinerary takes you on an easy broad reach down the Inner Channel, with the picturesque and remote Belizean coast stretching out before you across the brilliant turquoise waters. You then enter the Victoria Channel just south of Quamino Cay, and make a short tack to the northeast to reach your next overnight anchorage. Once at you are at anchor, your graceful yacht riding to the gentle, balmy breeze, relax with a refreshing cocktail in the cockpit, take a swim, or kayak along the cay. Lagoon Cay is also great for fishing and bird watching. Ospreys, frigate birds, pelicans, and cormorants roost on the trees of the inner lagoon.
Lagoon Cay to Queen Cay (Silk Cay) – 17 nm. Sailing on a southeasterly heading down Victoria Channel, you soon round Little Water Cay and then proceed east to Queen Cay. The Queen Cays (locals call them the Silk Cays) offer unforgettable snorkeling and diving along the edge of the barrier reef. The best beach and anchorage is off the southern cay. There’s a picnic table ashore nestled among the tall palms, where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch.
Queen Cay to Ranguana Cay – 8 nm. Your Belize sailing itinerary takes you southwest across clear, open water to Ranguana Cay, an excellent overnight anchorage affording an opportunity to go ashore for dinner at a small resort. An interesting detour to Laughing Bird Cay National Park for a day of bird watching and snorkeling will add another four nautical miles to the passage, but it’s an easy off-the-wind sail and well worth the endeavor. Named for the laughing gulls that nest there, the cay has one mooring. Both Laughing Bird Cay and Ranguana Cay are incredibly beautiful examples of Belizean sailing.
Ranguana Cay to No Name Point (or Placencia Harbour) – 18 nm. Situated just 8 nautical miles from Placencia Harbour, No Name Point is a well-protected anchorage and a good jump off point for a Monkey River Tour. Alternatively, Placencia Harbour makes a great stop on the last night of your Belize sailing itinerary. Going ashore to explore the village is delightful. There are many restaurants serving a variety of fare, including Creole, Italian, French, and Indian.
No Name Point (or Placencia Harbour to Laru Beya Marina – 10 nm. Although you won’t want to sail back to reality (you can always come visit Placencia again!), the final leg of your charter is an easy sail north back to the Moorings base. Please check in by noon.
Lying 60 miles southeast of Belize City in Lighthouse Reef, the Great Blue Hole is one of the world's most unique geological phenomena. The snorkeling and diving are superb, and well worth a visit. A guided excursion with hired skipper is required by Belize law when visiting the reef.
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