We'd looking to spend some time on one of the outer cayes and Tobacco looks to so far be our choice ~ anyone been recently and can comment on the resorts? -- actually comments on anything else would be much appreciated.
We have a large group including 3 kids (ages 4-10), all snorkelers + 2 also dive.
thanks much! R.

To call the places there resorts would be an overstatement. All the places there are pretty basic, and the island is small, about the size of a couple of football (soccer) fields. Just depends on what your expectations are.

--Lan Sluder

Reef's End has a nice cabin on the water, new.
They also have a two story motel..very basic. Beds, bath. One room has 3 beds, that was room 4, several years ago.

Oceans Edge, basic basic. Has changed managers and it not as it was the past 3 times we stayed. Same owners. Nice high above the water deck, and it's supposed to be only for Ocean's Edge.

Gaviota, smalllll cabins and if I recollect a common building as well. Basic.

Tobacco Caye Lodge, maybe 6 rooms, ground floor.
Faces the reef. tiny motel appearance. Basic

Lanas, newly remodeled, haven't been inside.

Paradise (something) a cabin on the water, north end of the caye and I think there is also a common house for rooms. Basic

My choice this year is Reefs End. Lovely, over the water, dining. Newly build about 3 years ago. (maybe 4)

Snorkel from shore, wear water shoes. The shore is lined with conch shells, purposly.

All of the lodgings have dining areas and you eat at a specified time. All meals are served family style. Kinda nice, you get to meet people from all over the world.

Oh, the reef is within stone throwing distance.
Just don't forget your water shoes. The water is sooooo shallow around the caye until you get out several feet from shore, then you can float, on the west side. The east side is shallow all the way to the reef.
Some people don't mind if you walk to the reef, others will stop you.

Ask your captain to point out Marie Sharps caye.
Capt. Buck and Capt. Frank are the main guys that pick you up and bring you to your lodging.
They go to town to get supplies and as a general rule, you ride to the caye with the needs for the day.

No stores. Bring your own snacks.

There are 3 bar that I am aware of, one at Reef's End, one owned by Tobacco Caye Lodge and the other is at Ocean's Edge.

It's a quaint island and I believe most everyone is related. Nice people all over the caye.

Enjoy your time, we do

South Water and Ranguana are also worth a look. Great people at South Water (IZE), deserted island feel at Ranguana.

Yes SimonB, I agree

I gave what he/she asked for....

thank you all for the info, especially NYGal ~ just what we wanted! We know it's pretty rustic/basic, that won't be a problem w/our group. We're mostly looking for relaxation... plus being able to snorkel from the shore really is appealing. We just wanted to try something different ~ plan is to AC after our stay.
thanks again Renée

snowbird...I too am interested in Tobacco Caye..how are you getting there? and what is your plan on getting to San Pedro..trying to figure out and easy way..thanks

Boat from Tobacco Caye to Dangriga and Fly from Dangriga to Municipal to SP. That's the fastest way, you could also do bus from Dangriga to Belmopan to Belize City and then fly or water taxi.

Our plan is fly into Belize City and on to Dangriga and then taking the boat over to the caye ~ I believe that will be set up through whichever place we decide to stay. Then we will fly back just as SimonB states above. If no kids along, we might think about the bus but it's just so much easier to fly the whole thing.

On another matter: We were tentatively set up for Reefs End but then read somewhere that the cabanas are not facing the breeze/sunrise. Is this true? We sure would like a breeze through the rooms and I am a big sunrise fan. I know the caye is not big at all but does this mean the cabanas on on the opposite (west) side? Would we be better off not in a cabana?

Well, the curtains stood straight out from the breeze. We stayed in the upper level of the motel part. We had reserved the cabana but others decided to stay longer. You don't always get what you wish (we liked the upper level, you could see better)

The cabin used to face the east, they now face the west for the purpose of watching the water, the snorkeling, faces the dock or whatever...the breeze is all across the caye. It's just a dot in the sea
5 minutes and you have seen it all. Then take your time and see the rest. Interesting how the locals on the caye live.

You can't help but see sunrise and sunset from any place you stay if you just walk 25-50 yards in any direction.

Basic.....remember

NYgal - what time of year did you go?

Dec. Jan. Feb.
Why?

I'm thinking about going for a couple of days in Dec before we go to AC - you made it sound peaceful.
For some reason you seem to be able to inspire me to make trips - last year it was the dread auction for Moose! Now I have one of his locks in my memory book.
Of course, I just need the smallest nudge to make me start planning a trip

Nudge

NYGal - Thanks for the nudge! We are all set for the end of Nov & my birthday!
Sounds like you are a very seasoned travelette in this area - do you recommend renting a car in Dangriga and driving back to BC for the flight to AC?

Fly if there is a rush .....although the trip on the highway is worth the drive/ride.

We hired a taxi and it was worth it's $$$ in viewing pleasure. Similar in price to the flight if I recollect We didn't have to turn our heads while driving and he would stop anytime, for anything and he was informative too..... We hired him from Pelican Beach.

So many choices

Oh, he is an independent taxi too.
Works two jobs. Cost of gasoline is going to force some of these independent guys outta business....or they will have to jack up the prices.

Thank you!

I second the taxi option, the Hummingbird Highway is one of the great drives in the world. A little short but well worth it.

There is not a hotel on Tobacco that offers the sunrise/sunset view that Pelican Pouch offers (and my cousin Mark that owns Tobacco Caye Lodge will now totally disown me) but I have to be honest. I really love SWC but not necessarily IZE.
HEY HAVIN...where are the pics from SP?

I'm a bit sad to say that the pictures I took at BC's are "fuzzy" as I was in "HavinFun" mode when I took them :rolleyes: That just means that we must meet again for retakes!!!!! Just a little earlier in the evening, perhaps
BTW - it was a pleasure to meet you and if you are on AC the weekend of Dec 4th (my 50th) I'd love to try this picture thing again!

I love South Water Caye, beautiful beaches, quiet, quaint, and the diving was fab there as well!

Hey Havin,
LOL re pics. Will try for Dec - I normally try to keep my butt in NC for a few months from Dec to Feb but since it is a special occasion, who knows!
BTW...spending your 50 in Belize is as good as it gets. I am still trying to recover.