I too would be cautious about buying site unseen. Have you been to other parts of Belize? Are you a scuba diver?
I think there are a lot of personal questions you need to answer for yourself.
I'm not sure it was Long Caye I was on in 1998 but do know that we dove Half Moon Caye, then put in for lunch at a beach just like the original photo (before Hurricane Mitch).
NO, there will not be REGULAR water taxi service, but Blue Hole Diving will be taking divers, riders and supplies out on a regular basis - weather permitting. Bill is trying to figure out cost/benefits.
Right now it is a two-hour trip from Ambergris Caye and his new boat made it in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Can you live by candlelight? What about cold beer? Car?
Every time I go to the grocery store I think about living without that convenience. Right now I go to COSTCO about one a month. I figure I could probably go to Belize City about that often.
If you have never "lived" in Belize I do not think this would be a place to start. My plan is to dive my brains out and be a gypsy all around the Caribbean. I'm also keeping my home here in California and plan to come back two or three times a year.
Right now I can hardly wait to get up to the sunrise - soak my tired bones in the sea everyday - sit and stare into space - met like minded people - gaze at the stars and go to bed early. The next day maybe fish or talk about fish - maybe dive or talk about diving - maybe ??? what ever turns you on OR off.
Harriette