AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Caye Caulker swimming from CC shore to the reef (?)

Quick question!
I do understand the inherent risk associated with attempting to swim from CC beach to the reef, one must be aware of motor boat traffic. However, if I have a partner kayaking beside me as I swim to the reef could it be done safely?, other than boat traffic to contend with, should I worry about anything else? how far is the shortest swim distance to the reef from a point on the CC beach?. I've swam distances of 2 miles in oceanic swells - would this be any more difficult?
Any distance or ocean swimmers out there please feel free to chime in.
Thank you in advance,
JP~
BTW: I'll be wearing swim goggles and fins...

Not too hard to do and not that much boat traffic. It is less than a mile.Water is warm and protected-no rollers.We get more tired swimming back. At one time we did this about three times a week with no kayak along.In an hour of snorkeling most folks swim farther than that.

Thanx Dane, relieving to know that it's something we can do in lieu of getting eaten alive or dragged out to sea by a rogue current. We do plan to rent a kayak daily as a base station (so-to-speak). Tell us something if you might Dane, once we've paddled to the reef via kayak, what the heck are we supposed to anchor the kayak to if we both want to snorkel at the same time? Do we anchor the kayak to a rock with rope? I'm sure as heck not gonna' anchor it to coral. Should we equip ourselves with an anchor and rope before we head out? We don't want to be perceived as "ugly americans" in the cayes, let us know what your list of "do not do" consists of regarding tourists and we'll take them into serious consideration.
Thanx again Dane,
J&C~

BTW: do you live on the Caye???

Yeah for 30 years. I help run the high school by default. It is really de fault of the other Founders. They normally administrate but are both off island right now.We have an excellent principal so I am mostly her errand boy right now.

Back on swimming, try to have some form of flotation device available to you, so you can support yourself if you get tires. It could be carried on the kayak, or you could carry an inflatable one with you and blow it up if you feel the need.

Thanx Peter Jones, we'll most definitely have PFD's with us, we're kayak experienced and will never kayak without personal flotation devices (PFD's).
J&C~

Hey Dane~
Thanx for the reply,
Connie and I would be very interested in meeting. I'm very interested in CC infrastractures (ie; academic provisions, merchant politics, and environmental stewardship commitments.
Maybe we'll cross paths and have a drink and a chat sometime, that would be super!
Connie and Jerry~

Before you set out tie two loops on one end of a length of soft rope and fix the other end to the bow of the kayak. Then when you want to snorkel you can slip one loop over each shoulder (kind of like a backpack) and tow the kayak behind you. My husband and I have done this many, many times and it works great.

I always recommend that people practice getting in and out of the kayak a few times in fairly shallow water, especially if it's a type that you haven't had a lot of experience with. I find the ones where you sit on top a bit of a bugger to get back on because all the surfaces are rounded and I can't get a decent grip on the gunwales.

...or half a cement block on a rope in a sandy pool works too if you want to snorkel an area and come back to the kayak.

Make sure the paddle is secured. I used to rent out kayaks, and at least four or five times people had to be rescued as although they had made sure the kayak was secure they'd lost the paddle.

Another question regarding the reef swim. What is the average depth (or topography) of the sea (surface to floor) from beach to reef? Does it vary much dependent upon the location of beach from which one chooses to commence a reef swim? If I were to map-out a "shortest-distance" point-to-point, would I be in the ballpark to assume 90% of the swim would be in surf over my head (6 ft.)?. I ask because if most of the reef swim is in shoulder-shallow surf I'll consider not packing fins. I'd like to pack as little as possible, maybe I could rent fins (?). Also, regarding the kayak anchor inquiry, where can I rent a concrete block?
I slay myself sometimes : )

Thanx again for all the super advice, anxious to check out this intriguing place!
J&C~

//ambergriscaye.com/fieldguide/transecta.html

Interesting drawing Marty.thanks.
As it shows, the swim to the reef is in 5-12 ft of water. We don't stand on the bottom very much because it is very alive and can bite.There are no waves at all on the way, just some one ft. chop on a windy day. The water is warm -around 80+F- and often very clear. You can easily get fins here.I would bring them on that swim since you plan to snorkel a little and fins are the best way to move along slowly without scaring the sea life. It is a safety device for kayaking where there is no Coast Guard except us.It would be nice to sit down when you are here.

You can rent everything you need. All except the concrete block, which you'll have to bring with you.

We have installed 4 buoys at the reef so kayaks don't have to drop anchors.
http://sanpedrosun.blogspot.com/2009_10_25_archive.html
We put them in about 5 to 6 feet of depth in sweet spots just inside the reef far away from the currents of the cuts.
frankly i feel like tourist on the reef with out a guide are Bulls in the china shop, but its not something i can change so what we do is try and help them impact it less.
http://scubalessonsbelize.blogspot.com/search/label/Buoy%20Placements%202009

Those buoys are a great piece of community service. I applaud you for protecting the reef there in San Pedro.
If the poster is still planning on swimming in Caye Caulker there will be only buoys to tie to in the Nature Reserve and that would require a ticket. There is often a ranger enforcing this. Pulling a kayak with you as suggested is easier than it seems.This was done by fishermen here for many years so they had a place to put the catch without a catch bag on their waist.A lot of them used one fin and dolphin kick to sneak around the reef without scaring off fish.

WOW!!! you people have been super with comprehensive advice and direction, something I'm not accustomed to when researching my next vacation adventure. You've as well demonstrated a saints proclivity for patience with my ineptitude of the Caye (Caulker), God bless you all. But, (you saw that coming 100,000 leagues afar didn't ya') I have another quickie inquiry ~ and here it is:
as mentioned earlier, we're traveling to CC this March and aren't completely secure with our travel plans as of yet. Can anyone suggest the most economical option from the following 2 choices:
The static variable is: We're travelling by bus from Cancun to Chetumal.

Once we arrive in Chetumal, we can either;
1. take a boat to Ambergris Caye (because we don't know if one
exists to take us to Caye Caulker, right???.
Then take a boat to Caye Caulker from San Pedro (Ambergris).
---OR----
2. take a bus from Chetumal to Belize city, then a boat to Caye Caulker.
I'm not terribly concerned about which option is quicker, just want to keep to a conservative daily budget of $50-$75/day (over our first 2 days entering Belize - and
our last 2 days departing). We prefer to compromise said budget (if necessary) whilst at Caye Caulker, and not amidst said transit. I sure hope that made a modicum of sense!
Thank you in advance for any assistance you might provide.
Jerry and Connie~

Question for Marty~
Hey Marty, that's one impressive schematic of the geo-topography of the surf off of Ambergris, Connie and I especially enjoyed the field guide, would like to get our hands on it in color. I suspect I may have misrepresented our (geographical) intentions though, god bless you none-the-less! We'll be spending our time on Caye Caulker, and unless I misread the surf map (I'm not the sharpest hammer in the bag) I think that (transecta.html) is a topo of the surf off of the Ambergris Caye (?), If I'm mistaken - please forgive me. I suspect that the topography of the Ambergris Caye to the reef is likely similar to the topo of CC to the reef (?). I wonder if any of this obcession of mine with CC will actually matter once I get a couple rum drinks and Belikans (is that right spelling?) in me, probably not. I suppose I should just relax, allow things to evolve on their own upon our arrival, and make the best of our CC visit.
In concluding this inquiry - I find myself resisting an urge to ask a dozen more questions, just can't come up with an approach clever enough to mask my insatiable obcession to learn more about the Caye, and I appologize in advance for exhausting you all with my endless inquisitions (not sure if that's the right word to use, but what the heck).
Thanx again gang,
Luego~

OOOOPS!
I appologize for inadvertantly posting a topic regarding travel options regarding "transport from Chetumal to Caye Caulker" (2 post's back), please forgive my error.

Thank you all!
Jerry~

With regards to swimming to the reef from a beach point on Caye Caulker (alongside girlfriend in kayak), does anyone have a suggested route for me to consider before our arrival to CC?. I'd like to swim to the reef daily, but don't want to inadvertantly find myself swimming a route which might cause harm to myself; swimming over a shallow coral system, or to possibly disturb a field of delicate surf plantlife. What might be the best route, from a point on the beach of CC, to take to reach the reef (via kayak and swimmer) for some snorkeling? I've just watched the Caye Caulker video "Exploring Horizons" (Caribbean Soul) and understand that the reef channels (breaks in the reef) might be the best locations to spend time snorkeling (?).
Ultimately, we'd like to think we can paddle, or swim-pull a kayak out to the reef without disturbing any of the plantlife enroute, is that even possible? I have Google-earth on my PC and can plan a route (from a suggested point on Caye Caulker's east beach) if anyone might suggest one. In advance I Thank you for any input offered. I wonder if swimming straight out from the split might be the best approach, just not sure(?).
Thanx so much,
Jerry and Connie~

We would just start from wherever we were standing.Swimming straight from anywhere will be about equal except maybe the Split.The reef north of the Split is underwater so it is much wavier and rougher north of there on the inside of the reef.The only coral inside is along a line from those channels to shore. There is one at the south end and one at the north of North island. All along the length of the island it is wide open.When we would swim out the only scary moments were there in those channels. We stopped swimming there because strong out tides and large predators pass through there.

Hey Dane,
Thanx for the additional suggestion regarding reef swim approach, I appreciate the notion that I need not overthink this thing. As well will keep in mind the mention of out-tides and predators inherent of the reef-break channels. Curious, what large predators are you referring to?
Thanx
JP~

Has anyone mentioned the accidents that have happened?? Hand decapitations and deaths from doing this...the water taxi path, these are big boats????...This topic has been discussed on the streets here and seems common sense is not in play here.....no large marine predators...just not a smart thing to do...take a guide boat for $25......I cant believe this post......

Hey Cooper,
As I stated in previous posts, I have no intention of just jumping in and swimming (solo) to the reef. My intention is to swim adjacent to my friend paddling to reef in a kayak. Are you suggesting that this is dangerous as well? I'm not trying to prove anything by swimming the reef route, some people enjoy lengthy open water swims (me!). If swimming next to a kayak paddler is unsafe, then it stands to reason that paddling a kayak to the reef is dangerous (motor-boat collisions, etc...)
Can someone, for the record, confirm if this is actually a dangerous thing for me to indulge in (?).

Thanx in advance,
JP~

I might do it, but I would be extremely cautious. Forward visibility from many boats isn't good, and you're dependent on the captain looking your way at the right time. IMO the kayaker should have a gas klaxon and should sound it whenever a boat is bearing down on you. Plus a flag on a pole attached to the kayak. Many of these boats travel at 40mph+. I would have nothing with me that would prevent me duck-diving to the bottom if I felt the boat hadn't seen me.

PJ~
Hey, thanx for the words of encouragement, and the suggestion (gas klaxon) - I wouldn't have even considered that!
I suspect an air horn (if that's what a gas klaxon is) might not be found on the Caye for purchase (?), I'll pack a couple for the kayak. Super idea!, thanx again. I'll have PFD's on kayak for emergency use, anything else (safety-wise) come to mind?
Can we typically be equiped with a length of rope when renting a kayak (for anchor or mooring situations)?, still not sure I wanna' bring the knives (just seems a bit over-kill if no predatorial creatures exist out there), and sunblock of course. Is there a remote chance in hell a swimmer might accidentally swim into a smack of jellyfish?
How far out into the surf, towards the reef, might a swimmer be concerned about running into a Croc.?, or do they never venture out from the lagoons (?). I do understand about shuffle-walking in the surf so as to avoid stepping down onto a creature, would sandals suffice? or should we find a water-shoe (bootie) for fear of shuffling into something with spines?. I've got a thousand more questions but will try to contain myself.

Thanx again,
J & C~

An air horn (gas klaxon) can be bought at Capn. Sharks, right by the airstrip. I think you might have a problem flying down with a pressurised aerosol!

No problem with jellyfish or crocs (the living version), or creatures with spines. "Crocs" make some of the best watershoes, though you shouldn't have any problem being barefoot - that's what most locals are.

We just talked about jellyfish stings over breakfast at Georges Kitchen with Bill this morning and he got stung bad once and a guy on the beach happened to have meat tenderizer for that very reason and he gave some to Bill to put on his sting and Bill said it totally helped take the pain away immediately.

Capt Sharks is indeed near the airstrip..........on Ambergris Caye.

Phew: I thought that was going to be a Breakfast story where the beachwalker whipped his todger out and peed on him!!!!!

Seems I missed the swimming by the kayak post...the swim is not outrageous...but as I said the incidents on the few that have done this without a guide boat is a bit scary...we will swim in channels in Placencia and a few other places with less boat traffic using red balloons tied to our snorkels..I have just had a few locals coming in and commenting on this post...but few are of athletic supremacy...it would be a good work out...just dont swim without a kayak or canoe by your side...The poor guy a few years ago went home without a hand...then others did worse...rubbing baby oil under your swim gear will help with preventing jellyfish stings....also you can stand up in most places near the reef...

Hey Cooper,
Thanx for the input re: slathering myself with the baby oil, etc... . I think we'll just check with the local-yocals (y'all) once we get there (regarding jellyfish concentrations).
I understand that there are times when they're present, and times when not at all. I don't want to be too much of a paranoid hypochondriac about it all, we've never swam (swum?)
in an area so rich with creature variety. Isla de Mujeres,Cozumel,and Nayarit coast snorkeling left a lot to be desired. Thanx as well for the genuine concern for our safety (tourists in general) as we really can't fully comprehend what to expect 'til we get there.
luego amiga,
J & C~

Jeraldo, I hope you don't have to be told not to stand on the reef.

tacogirl~
You got me rolling with that one, I wanna' party with the dude who carries meat tenderizer on him on the beach. What are the chances that dude might have a basting brush and garlic press on him as well (?) (Priceless!!!).
I've heard about urine's capacity to neutralize the trigger potential of nematocysts to inject venom, but I'm an incurrable sceptic regarding folklore and don't see myself peeing on myself
On another note, are you aware if tandem kayaks avail to rent on the Caye? Also, do you know if Pearl island is a safe swim? and approx. how far from beach?,if it's accessible, and permitted, we'd like to visit it as well.
Thanx for the chat,
Jerry & Connie~

seashell~
No, the two of us are environmentally responsible,
and all growed up