Resort at a Glance: IZE South Water Caye

Some people view travel as one big adventure. For those people, there’s IZE South Water Caye—located on a private Caribbean island right on the Belize Barrier Reef, this resort will thrill even veteran thrill seekers. Outside Magazine rated South Water Caye as Belize’s best beach and Fodor’s calls it one of the “underrated spots” in the country. Activities are the norm here, with fishing, unlimited paddleboard and kayaking, as well as visits to the Smithsonian’s nearby research station. But the real highlight is snorkeling along the reef (the world’s second largest), where you’ll be dazzled by intensely colorful coral and swim among octopus, rays, turtles, and more. The South Water Caye Marine Reserve is also home to sea grass beds, patch reefs, sand bores, and mangrove habitats.

• Where you’ll stay: In a seaside cabana, located so close to the sea that you’ll be able to hear the waves from your room. Cabanas come with private bathrooms and private decks tucked into the mangroves.
• Where to dine: All meals are included at the onsite restaurant, which overlooks the mountains and the sea. Expect seasonal fruits, fresh local seafood, and other gourmet touches.
• Activities included: This isn’t just a hotel stay—guests can entertain themselves with a plethora of included activities. Here’s just a few of the things you can take advantage of during your stay:
  • Unlimited snorkeling excursions: Located right on top of the reef, IZE South Water Caye is centrally-located near a number of pristine scuba sites. These shallow areas are filled with multicolored reefs and ridges that are teeming with sea life such as eels, lobsters, and grouper. Nighttime scuba excursions are also available.
  • Coconut harvest: Watch as experts climb high trees with their machetes to harvest the coconuts—they’ll even slice one open for you to taste.
  • Manatee-watching tour: Get a close-up view of these huge aquatic creatures—commonly known as sea cows—as they graze and swim about the shallow waters.
  • Drumming show: Check out a performance from Garifuna drummers as they share their culture and rhythm during an evening performance that combines Mayan, Caribe, Garifuna, Creole, and Mexican traditions.
  • Movie night: Grab some popcorn and sit down for an evening of Hollywood entertainment.

South Water Caye, Belize: Island on Top of Barrier-Reef and Marine-Reserve Attractions

South Water Caye, one of Belize’s many offshore islands, is the kind of place where people go to get off the grid. It’s privately owned, only three-quarters of a mile long, and just a quarter mile across at its widest point. The only structures on the island are a pair of resorts and a marine-biology lab with a student dorm, but there’s still plenty to do. South Water Caye is perched atop the Belize Barrier Reef, so you can step off the beach and snorkel amid schools of tropical fish. Jacques Cousteau once referred to the reef as “one of the four must-dive locations on this blue planet.”

The island also lies within the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, a protected area that encompasses a range of coastal and marine habitats such as littoral forests, seagrass beds, and mangroves. The region is home to one of the world’s largest populations of West Indian manatees, as well as several turtle species. You can easily explore the reserve by hopping in a water taxi or kayaking to nearby cays. One highlight is an underwater cave named Hell Hole, which features fully formed stalactites and stalagmites. Another is the bird sanctuary at Man-O-War Caye, an expansive nesting site for the brown booby and magnificent frigatebird.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best way to travel to the hotel from the airport?The best airport to fly in/out of is Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE). The property recommends arriving in Belize City before 3:30 p.m. Round-trip flights from BZE to Dangriga Airport (DGA) are available for $195 per person. Round-trip boat transfer from DGA to the property are included with this Groupon.

2. Is there an additional occupancy fee, or do I have to purchase another Groupon? The Groupon covers two guests and the maximum occupancy of valid rooms is two guests.

3. Which activities and amenities are included in the resort credits? No resort credits are included in this Groupon.

4. Are dinner reservations required for restaurants? Is there a dress code? For information regarding your dining options, please click here or call 800‑618‑5077.

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