Belize Cruising

[JBas]

Hey Belize sailor, I read an offical document stating that Belize is opening its boarders to private vessels again but you need to use an agent which can charge a maximum of $150 USD. Have you heard anything about this ? Hopefully this will include all the “extra unofficial fees” many cruisers end end paying while checking into Belize. Any info you may have regarding this new procedure would be appreciated.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by JBas

Hey Belize sailor, I read an offical document stating that Belize is opening its boarders to private vessels again but you need to use an agent which can charge a maximum of $150 USD. Have you heard anything about this ? Hopefully this will include all the “extra unofficial fees” many cruisers end end paying while checking into Belize. Any info you may have regarding this new procedure would be appreciated.

Yes, Belize is open, but an agent is required and the fees are HIGH. A friend just opted to skip Belize and head straight for the Rio Dulce.

I will post a link to the details.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Yes, Belize is open, but an agent is required and the fees are HIGH. A friend just opted to skip Belize and head straight for the Rio Dulce.

I will post a link to the details.

Link to Belize Cruisers FB page where earliest announcements are usually posted.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/168838740437612

Also copy of official opening announcement from Port Authority.

And an estimate from an agent received yesterday for clearance cost. This was for a Lagoon 38 who opted not to enter Belize because of the high costs.

[JBas]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Link to Belize Cruisers FB page where earliest announcements are usually posted.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/168838740437612

Also copy of official opening announcement from Port Authority.

And an estimate from an agent received yesterday for clearance cost. This was for a Lagoon 38 who opted not to enter Belize because of the high costs.

Ouch! We were hoping (in vain) that the agent fee would cover everything but immigration fees. Guess Belize won’t be having many cruisers visiting with these costs... a real shame.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by JBas

Ouch! We were hoping (in vain) that the agent fee would cover everything but immigration fees. Guess Belize won’t be having many cruisers visiting with these costs... a real shame.

Nope, agent fee only covers the agent's services.

[SailingCrew21]

Hi there! Hopefully someone is still reading this thread...
We are sailing Belize in April. Leaving from Placencia for 8 nights. My main question is- Will there be ANYWHERE for us to reprovision on the islands? Or do we have to do it all in Placencia. (After hours of research I still don't have a definite answer.) Here is a list of our stops.
Whipray Caye
Hideaway Caye
Southwater Caye
Thatch Caye
Lagoon Caye
Hatchet Caye
No Name Point

THANK YOU!!!

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by SailingCrew21

Hi there! Hopefully someone is still reading this thread...

We are sailing Belize in April. Leaving from Placencia for 8 nights. My main question is- Will there be ANYWHERE for us to reprovision on the islands? Or do we have to do it all in Placencia. (After hours of research I still don't have a definite answer.) Here is a list of our stops.

Whipray Caye

Hideaway Caye

Southwater Caye

Thatch Caye

Lagoon Caye

Hatchet Caye

No Name Point



THANK YOU!!!

Not really, get all your provisions in placencia. If you’re lucky you might get some Ice at south water. But don’t count on it.

[SailingCrew21]

I was afraid of that. Thank you!

[Cool Hand Luke]

Was there in 2016... LOVED IT!

[Cool Hand Luke]

Goff's / Geoff's Caye... awesome little spot!

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by SailingCrew21

Hi there! Hopefully someone is still reading this thread...
We are sailing Belize in April. Leaving from Placencia for 8 nights. My main question is- Will there be ANYWHERE for us to reprovision on the islands? Or do we have to do it all in Placencia. (After hours of research I still don't have a definite answer.) Here is a list of our stops.
Whipray Caye
Hideaway Caye
Southwater Caye
Thatch Caye
Lagoon Caye
Hatchet Caye
No Name Point

THANK YOU!!!

There are no cayes where you can really "reprovision" as in stroll into a grocery store...because there are none on the cayes. Most cayes are unpopulated some have small "resorts" on them. Some of the small resorts can on a limited basis provide things like fuel, water, ice, but that is never a certainty. Some can also have you ashore for dinner with advance reservations. All the above are providing they have ample supplies for their guests.

Cayes where you may be able to get something, maybe:

Tobacco Caye. If someone from Tobacco Caye is running into Dangriga (which is common because that is where they get their supplies) then they may be willing to pick up some things for you, for a small fee of course. You can usually buy fish/conch at Tobacco Caye too. You may be able to score small amounts of fuel or water there. There is an iconic beachfront bar there which is great for sunsets. Also a couple of places where you may be able to have dinner ashore, but you must confirm first.

Southwater Caye. Blue Marlin resort there sometimes will resell fuel, water, ice. Again, provided they have ample reserves. They also have a good restaurant/bar ashore (advanced reservation required for restaurant).

Thatch Caye may be able to have you ashore for dinner and maybe provide small amounts of fuel/water/ice.

Monkey River Town is not far from No Name Point, and it has some basic tiendas, but do not attempt to approach Monkey River in a sailing vessel, there are variable shoals there and a shallow shifting shoal across the mouth of the river. Best to get a local launcha operator to transport you into town and back. If you anchor/moor off No Name Point then they will likely pass by and you can flag them down.

Hideway Caye can also have you ashore for dinner and maybe spare some supplies.

Dangriga. Weather permitting you could anchor off Dangriga and dinghy in for supplies, but its not a very accommodating anchorage or docks.



However, as SailMonkey posted, once you leave Placencia there are very limited options to provision. It is best you provision amply in Placencia and manage your supplies wisely. All of Cayes should be considered at best a potential, and uncertain, Plan B.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke

Goff's / Geoff's Caye... awesome little spot!

Awesome spot on non-cruise ship days. When the cruise ships are in, one of the venues where they disgorge their fat pasty white clueless hordes is Geoff's Caye.

Damn shame it is a beautiful place.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

There are no cayes where you can really "reprovision" as in stroll into a grocery store...because there are none on the cayes. Most cayes are unpopulated some have small "resorts" on them. Some of the small resorts can on a limited basis provide things like fuel, water, ice, but that is never a certainty. Some can also have you ashore for dinner with advance reservations. All the above are providing they have ample supplies for their guests.

Cayes where you may be able to get something, maybe:

Tobacco Caye. If someone from Tobacco Caye is running into Dangriga (which is common because that is where they get their supplies) then they may be willing to pick up some things for you, for a small fee of course. You can usually buy fish/conch at Tobacco Caye too. You may be able to score small amounts of fuel or water there. There is an iconic beachfront bar there which is great for sunsets. Also a couple of places where you may be able to have dinner ashore, but you must confirm first.

Southwater Caye. Blue Marlin resort there sometimes will resell fuel, water, ice. Again, provided they have ample reserves. They also have a good restaurant/bar ashore (advanced reservation required for restaurant).

Thatch Caye may be able to have you ashore for dinner and maybe provide small amounts of fuel/water/ice.

Monkey River Town is not far from No Name Point, and it has some basic tiendas, but do not attempt to approach Monkey River in a sailing vessel, there are variable shoals there and a shallow shifting shoal across the mouth of the river. Best to get a local launcha operator to transport you into town and back. If you anchor/moor off No Name Point then they will likely pass by and you can flag them down.

Hideway Caye can also have you ashore for dinner and maybe spare some supplies.

Dangriga. Weather permitting you could anchor off Dangriga and dinghy in for supplies, but its not a very accommodating anchorage or docks.



However, as SailMonkey posted, once you leave Placencia there are very limited options to provision. It is best you provision amply in Placencia and manage your supplies wisely. All of Cayes should be considered at best a potential, and uncertain, Plan B.

cont...

In the cayes south of Placencia there is effectively nowhere you can get anything, but it sure is beautiful. There are a few small resorts, but they are less likely in my experience to have excess supplies since their supply chain is longer.

[DK88FairWinds]

New to sailing in Belize and Caribbean area, as well as to this wonderful forum. Hoping some good soul(s) here might be able to answer a few questions that have likely already been asked/answered elsewhere. Apologies in advance...

1) What are Belizean marine laws when it comes to bringing a boat into Belizean waters for an extended stay? One week? One month? One year? At what point of stay duration does one need to get their marine captain's certification? Costs?

2) I'm assuming no one sails during the June - November hurricane season. Other than sailing into calmer waters elsewhere, do the majority bring up their boats in Rio Dulce, Guatamala, and if yes, how protected is that area? Weren't they hit badly during last fall's devastation of Honduras and Guatamala?

3) Are there any "reputable" (knowledgable, non-crooky types) boat inspectors in the area? If yes, who would you recommend? I'm looking to purchase in the Caribbean and closer to Belize the better...

Any and all answers much appreciated.

Thanks muchly,

DK

[contrail]

If your draft is very low you can also shoot through the mayan rivers north up to XCALAT Mexico avoiding the ruff Gulf[/QUOTE]


Can you expand on this, a bit?