Reasons To Visit Half Moon Caye – A Remote Island in Belize
The island and natural monument known as Half Moon Caye in Belize can be found in the southeasternmost part of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll.
This natural monument was the first nature reserve to be established in Belize under the National Park Systems Act in 1981. It was also the first maritime protected area in Central America. Both of these accomplishments came about as a result of this natural monument.
Since it was first established as a bird sanctuary in 1924 for the purpose of protecting the habitat of the red-footed booby birds, this location also holds the distinction of being Belize’s oldest site of wildlife protection.
The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, World Heritage Site, was established on December 4, 1996, by the United Nations World Heritage Committee. This was done after the committee formally adopted seven marine protected areas along the Belize Barrier Reef and its adjacent atolls under UNESCO at their meeting in Mérida, Mexico.
Half Moon Caye Natural Monument is a part of this World Heritage Site. The littoral forest, which is mostly made up of orange-flowered siricote trees, is a habitat that is threatened with extinction and is extremely vulnerable.
This ecosystem is one of the few places in the western Caribbean where the red-footed booby colony may successfully breed. The guano that the booby colony contributes to the forest in the form of fertilizer helps to maintain its health.
Both the endemic Belize leaf-toed gecko also called the Belize atoll gecko, and the Allison’s anole lizard call this place home. The south-eastern half of the island is used every year from May to November by endangered species of loggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtles as a nesting ground for their young.
Half-Moon Caye is The Best Place for Snorkling
Many people consider Half-moon Caye to be the best place in the world to go snorkeling.
Red-footed booby birds are the focus of conservation efforts at this wild animal sanctuary, which is located on Lighthouse Reef Atoll and holds the distinction of being the oldest protected wild area in the country. You will be able to enjoy the crystal clear waters when snorkeling or wall diving, and there is a stunning island for those perfect photos for Instagram or Facebook.
There is a rich variety of marine life in this area, making it excellent for scuba diving and snorkeling. Turtle with a head like a loggerhead, barracuda, snappers, rays, and even eels or town on occasion. If you want to see a red-footed booby up close and personal, you can go birdwatching, then walk the footpath to the observation deck.
See if you can find the Belize leaf-toed gecko, which is only found on a few islands just off the coast of Belize. Both this island and Long Caye, which is where you will locate a resort that is the nearest to Half Moon Caye, have been documented with their presence.
Why You Need To Add Half Moon Caye To Your Travel Bucket List Instantly!
The Location is Remarkable
Half Moon Caye is an eco-island that features breathtaking landscape and is located around two and a half hours by boat from Belize City.
Although getting there is neither simple or typical for most people, it is very stunning. Half Moon Caye, which is Belize’s easternmost island and also the country’s first national park, is located on Lighthouse Reef in the Caribbean Sea. It is also the country’s oldest protected area. Ambergris Caye, its sister island and the most well-known of the two, is located much further north.
Glamping Opportunities in Half Moon Caye Are Out of This World
The fact that the natural environment is taken into consideration in every aspect of life on an eco-island is one of its most appealing features. Some of the Kanana Cariibean team members went to Half Moon Caye and we slept in a tent that was eight by twelve feet in size and had raised wooden floors that were about half a foot above the sand.
Our tent was furnished with a double bed that had a wooden frame and a foam mattress that was six inches thick, as well as a nightstand, an oil lamp (since there was no power), and shelves. Whenever possible, we left the “windows” (canvas flaps) open so that we could take in the refreshing air from the ocean and the soothing sound of the waves.
The best part is that breathtaking views of the Caribbean are right outside the door. Travelers use a centralized restroom area that has solar showers and outhouses in order to maintain the eco-friendly nature of the island. To get there, simply turn left when you see the iguana and right when you see the hermit crab.
Take a look at the one of the most instagrammable places in Belize.
Most Exotic Wildlife in Half Moon Caye
Half Moon Caye was designated as a Natural Monument and a breeding sanctuary for a strange bird called the red-footed booby by the government of Belize in the year 1928.
The only other place on the earth where you can find a protected colony of red-footed boobies is on the island of Half Moon Caye in Belize. The males of this species of seabird are known for flaunting their bright red feet during the wooing process. You may get an up-close look at these birds by traveling to the westernmost point of the island and climbing a few flights of steps to reach a viewing platform in the center of the colony.
The fact that frigates are the larger of the two birds makes it simple to identify them, even when they are in the air. These dark birds glide through the air as if they own it and are notorious for their dishonesty, which consists of stealing food from other species of birds.
The Famous Blue Hole is in Half Moon Caye
The phrases “biggest in the world” and “top 10 in the world” are not used flippantly, yet Belize is home to a feature that may lay claim to both of these titles.
The Blue Hole Natural Monument, discovered by Jacques Cousteau, is one of the best places in the world to do scuba diving or snorkeling and is the largest underwater sinkhole in the world, measuring 984 feet across and 410 feet deep.
To capture even a small portion of the beauty that can be found while snorkeling, you will need an underwater camera. Overnight charging at the island’s charging station ensures that your camera’s battery will be fully charged and ready to use when you are.
Key Takeaways!
Half Moon Caye in Belize is a destination that will stay in your memory for its breathtaking beauty.
You’ll find so many reasons to fall in love with it, from the secluded setting to the water-lover activities to the scenic splendor above and below the clear Caribbean waters, and you’ll find that there are so many of these reasons. This is the kind of thing that sticks in people’s minds forever.
Browse our list of Kanana Caribbean hot spots and also checkout our news page for more updates.
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