We are taking a cruise in July and planned on taking a water taxi to Caye Caulker. We are traveling on a budget and I was wondering if we could snorkel right off a beach in Caye Caulker without a guide? Anyone know of a good place to do that?

The best snorkeling is at or near the
reef. Juni has a fantasic trip for
35.00 US not including the tip ( and he deserves them) Trip lasts from about 10 to
4.
If you can't do that you could snorkel at
the split, but I don't think thats what you
have in mind. Another option would be to
rent kayaks and paddle to reef, then snorkel.
If you do, please DO NOT stand or anchor
to coral. No offense intended, but we saw this very thing on our trip and the group had come from a cruise.

Forget the kayak- snorkel idea. They have no anchors because there is a rule against that in the Marine Reserve

Fish3d knows. Go with Juni

Hey Key,
Glad to hear the rule about anchors. But
out of curiousity does the reserve extend
as far as CC and say Caye Chapel? Can
you anchor near the reef there? Thanks.
And I know we keep saiyng it but
GO WITH JUNI

When you say "The Split" What does that mean and where is it? I know I do not want to be out all day snorkeling since I have a younger child that could not snorkel two years ago. (I do not know if she would figure it out this time). She would prefer to stay at the beach so I was hoping the other three of us would see some fish off the beach. I am sure it does not compare to the reef though. I was just wondering if any one has done that with some success? Any chance we could find a guide for a short trip? Maybe two hours?

Look at the pictures I put under the Travelogue. There a few pictures of the Split in there. Pretty place and interesting bar there as well.
Al

The Marine Reserve goes from Hol Chan up north to the channel between CC and Caye Chapel. You need a cheap price ticket to go there and anchor.
It is possible to arrange easy snorkling for kids both on boats and off the shore.The Split isn't too bad if you know where to go and there are secret spots down south in walking distance for short legs but a bike is more fun.