Ambergris Caye Island

Website: https://www.travelbelize.org/

Admission: No admission to the island; marine activities (diving, snorkeling) priced per operator

Ambergris Caye is a long, low coral cay off the northeastern coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea and is the country’s largest island. The island is the primary tourism centre for reef-based activities and beach tourism in Belize.

The island’s main attractions are the town of San Pedro, which functions as the travel and service hub, and access to the Belize Barrier Reef and protected sites such as Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley for snorkeling and diving. The cay also offers beaches, small resorts and informal beach areas popular with visitors.

Ambergris Caye developed as a fishing and coconut-producing community and grew into Belize’s principal dive and beach tourism destination in the 20th and 21st centuries. Its economy is focused on tourism services, diving operations and day trips to nearby reef sites.

The cay lies off the northeastern coast of Belize in the Belize District, running roughly north-south and fronting the Belize Barrier Reef; the settlement of San Pedro is located on the southern part of the island.

• Island and reef access: Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and a principal access point for diving on the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Visitor access to marine sites: Most visitor activity is focused around San Pedro and the southern reef sites; many tour operators run daily boat trips to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley for snorkeling and diving.

What to See#

• San Pedro town: San Pedro is the main settlement on the island, serving as the commercial and tourism hub with accommodations, dive operators and ferry connections to the mainland.
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley: Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley lie off the southern tip and are protected reef and marine habitats popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Secret Beach: Secret Beach is a popular sheltered coastal area on the western side of the cay, known for shallow water and informal beach bars favored by visitors.

Most visitors fly to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) near Belize City, then take a 15-20 minute domestic flight to San Pedro (Sprigtown) on Ambergris Caye or a 1.5-hour water taxi. San Pedro town is walkable; golf carts and taxis provide local transport.

• Fly into Belize City and take the 15-20 minute Tropic Air or Maya Island Air flight to San Pedro, then a short water taxi if staying on the island.
• Book reef snorkeling or diving with a licensed operator that includes Belize Barrier Reef Marine Reserve fees.
• Rent a golf cart on the island for convenient transport-cars are rare.