Tobacco Caye

Tobacco Caye is a small coral island (caye) off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea, located adjacent to the Belize Barrier Reef and within the network of reef cayes that dot the region. The cay is a compact, low-lying island with informal village-style accommodation and marine-focused visitor services.

The principal attraction is direct access to the reef for snorkeling and scuba diving; operators on the cay run short reef trips to nearby coral sites and seagrass flats. The island’s scale is tiny - only a few hectares - and there are no cars, with transport and deliveries by boat.

Historically the cay developed as a fishing and small-scale tourism community and continues to be oriented around marine recreation and conservation values associated with the Barrier Reef.

Tobacco Caye sits off the coast of Belize’s southern reef tract, accessible by boat from mainland points such as Dangriga and Hopkins. It is part of the group of cayes that fringe the Belize Barrier Reef.

• Facilities note: The cay is very small and has only basic tourist infrastructure - lodging, small restaurants and dive operators - so visitors should expect a rustic, low-impact stay.
• Diving and snorkeling access: It lies within easy boat access of the Belize Barrier Reef and is widely used as a base for snorkeling and scuba diving on nearby coral reef sites.