Which Towns Should You Visit While Sailing in Belize?

Explore Belize’s stunning coastline and vibrant lifestyle with the unique Culture Trip’s Sailing Trips.

Where better to begin a voyage than Belize’s northern border with Mexico? Corozal Town has quiet streets and a large ex-pat community, making it a prime spot to share a drink with some locals and get them to reveal their coveted fishing holes along the coast. Double-check your haul and find any missing items at the Corozal Free Zone, a minimally taxed haven by the Mexico border where you won’t need to empty your wallet to stock the ship.

Sarteneja is content to mind its own business floating along the Corozal Bay, so you’ll be warmly welcomed if you help keep this safely-guarded secret. Boatloads of tourists haven’t discovered this huge fishing community, but schools of snook, tarpon and snapper have. Come with a loose wrist and a tight grip – you’ll be reeling in catch after catch until you’re out of bait. Walk right from the pier into Crabby’s Hut and dive into ceviche so fresh, you’d think they swiped a fish right from your rod.

There’s no hiding San Pedro’s popularity, but don’t let the marina full of boats turn you away. The local coffee and chocolate of this Ambergris Caye town alone are worthy of your disembarkment. Grab a bag of beans from Caye Coffee, a box of chocolates from Belize Chocolate Company and head to the nearest dive shop. The Belize Barrier Reef is easily accessible via scuba and snorkelling trips. Don’t miss sailing to the scenic sinkhole – the Great Blue Hole – carved into the middle of the Lighthouse Reef.

If you didn’t see the reef in the north, you’ll have ample opportunity to get beneath the surface when you wade into Punta Gorda. PG’s underwater residents – namely whale sharks and turtles – will show you the southern side of Belize. Naturally, fishing is always on the agenda around town and Garbutt’s Fishing Lodge up the road in Hopeville will be your guide to fly fishing for the big three: bonefish, tarpon and permit.

Sail to Hopkins for the lobster and conch, stay docked for the jaguars and ruins. No matter which day you arrive at this village – home to Belize’s Garifuna people – you’ll either be deep into the lobster season, conch season or both. The “friendliest village in Belize” will keep your plate full from stuffed jacks at Maggie’s Wildlife Cafe to curry lobster for dinner at Luba Laruga. Speaking of wildlife, block off a few hours to explore the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve – where big cats lurk among Mayan ruins.

After days of hoisting sails and swabbing decks, you deserve some playtime on the Placencia peninsula. Get your fill of fun at the Tipsy Tuna where even off-key karaoke is always welcome. Don’t feel marooned to just one spot on the sand – rent a golf cart from Captain Jak’s and ride your way through this resort town. A martini is never a bad idea at Sirenian Bay, but don’t be surprised if your short game is a little sideways when playing a round on Inky’s mini-golf course.

No matter your flexibility, the narrow Split channel that divides Caye Caulker in two is one that even the stiffest sailor can handle. There’s a lone bar – the iconic Lazy Lizard – by the Split if navigating it got your pulse racing and you’ll find laid-back bars and cafes on the south end, too. The underdeveloped north end is a cool place to sail around the mangroves in silence.

Cruise into the cultural capital of Belize and get to know the Garifuna way of life. Though Dangriga is typically regarded by tourists as a means of getting out to the cays – along with learning about the history of the Garifuna people at the Gulisi Garifuna Museum, the Austin Rodriguez traditional drum shop and the Cayetano family’s gallery full of art, music and books – sending you out to sea with a glimpse of Belize few visitors get to see.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.