Belize is fast becoming one of adventure travel’s premier destinations - and after a week spent there, I can see why. Some of the world’s finest sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding combines with a snorkel mecca in a sunny, sandy, culturally rich paradise on the sea.

In This Belize Photo Essay You Will Discover:

  • Unique Kayaking Experiences
  • Underwater Scenes
  • Paradise Beach Huts
  • And More!

In December, I spent a week kayaking along Belize’s southern barrier reef with Island Expeditions. We explored the Southwater Cayes Marine Reserve, a near 50,000-hectare preserve replete with coral, fish, invertebrates, sandy beaches, mangroves and conch shells. And stingrays. Lots of stingrays.

I was squirted with ink by a surly squid, got up-close with an octopus, snorkelled in a mangrove stand, sailed a kayak, paddled to a Smithsonian Marine Institute, paddleboarded offshore a desert island and ate lots of Marie Sharp’s hot sauce. Wanna see for yourself? Check out my Belize Travel Photo essay; a week in the Paradise Islands:

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Kayaking through the mangroves of Twin Cayes.

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Stand-up Paddleboarding off Tobacco Caye.

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Kayak sailing - a unique experience in Belize.

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Tobacco Caye; my favourite spot in Belize.

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No filters needed for photography in Belize.

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Another beautiful Belizean sunset.

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Our arrival via sail at Southwater Caye.

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Always remember to do the “stingray shuffle” when wading in Belize!

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Belize is one of the world’s best dive and snorkel destinations.

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Belize’s reef-crest is a natural aquarium.

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Lunch on a reef? Only in Belize!

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Colourful queen angelfish (bottom) were a highlight of the mangrove snorkel.

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SUP instructor Felix demonstrates the pivot-turn.

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Tobacco Caye at night. Total calm.

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It may seem cruel, but snorkelers are actually encouraged to spear the invasive, unwelcome lion fish, which do a great deal of damage to local ecosystems.

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“Look, Ma! No Hands!” Kayak sailing is a more relaxing way to travel the sea.

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The mangroves of Twin Cayes provided a unique snorkel experience.

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Garifuna drummers from Hopkins perform their infectious rhythms.

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A school of French gruntfish hides beneath fan coral.

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A reef of conch shells against the setting sun; picturesque.

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