2008年7月22日星期二

captain your own river boat






New to Belize. Enjoy the thrill and freedom of captaining your own 14-foot rigid inflatable boat (RIB) as you explore the beautiful Belize River. As part of a floating caravan, you will have a unique view of Belize's lush tropical ecosystem and mangrove cayes. You will travel silently through the natural habitat of howler monkeys, manatees, crocodiles, iguanas, dolphins, and a dazzling array of bird life.Captaining your own RIB is safe, easy, and fun. Each boat holds up to three adults or two adults and two children. The boats are powered by an eco-friendly, extremely quiet 40-horsepower, 4-stroke outboard motor made by Honda. You'll feel as if you are part of nature rather than an intruder.The tour begins with a short boat ride from the Tourism Village. En route, you'll pass through Belize City and sail under the historic Swing Bridge. At the RIB marina, you will meet your experienced local guides, who will lead you through your tropical adventure. The guides will provide a thorough briefing on the operating and safety procedures required for captaining your vessel. (Piloting a RIB is much like driving a car.) The guides are also well-versed in the history, culture and ecology of the area, and are ready to answer any of your questions.Your guides will chart the course of your tour. They will captain the lead boat of your caravan. For added safety, each RIB is equipped with a two-way radio so that you'll be able to easily communicate with the lead boat at all times.The first part of your tour will take you meandering through the amazing mangrove tunnels of Haulover Creek. As you pass under the enclosed canopy of the narrow channel, the roots of the mangroves crisscross above you, growing almost like stalactites some 10-15 feet down to the water’s edge. The mangroves are home to a wide variety of bird life. You may see kingfishers and snowy egrets diving for a quick meal.At the midway point of the tour, we'll stop for a few minutes at a rest area. Bathroom facilities are available, as well as a snack and gift shop.Beyond the mangrove tunnel, the creek merges with one of the most important waterways in Belize - the Belize River. Steeped in history, the Belize River once served as the main "highway" of the country, linking the old capital of Belize City to the inland areas in the heyday of the logwood, chicle and mahogany industries.The river is easily navigable and its calm waters are ideal for first-time boaters. Your leisurely trip upstream will take you past an old sawmill dating to the logging era and expose you to some of Belize's most beautiful modern-day homes. Aside from the magnificent natural beauty, this tour offers you a rare opportunity to get an up close and personal view of Belize’s wildlife. The residents of the river ecosystem include howler monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and birds of all shapes and sizes.At the mouth of the Belize River, you will enter the domain of the West Indian manatee. These graceful and gentle "sea cows" spend their time feeding on mangrove leaves and grazing on the surface of the warm shallow waters. In deeper waters, you may also catch a glimpse of a dolphin or two.Following the manatee watching (and plenty of photo opportunities), the tour will head back through the mangrove channels to the RIB marina to disembark. You will then be transported by boat, passing again through Belize City, to the Tourism Village. Depending on your schedule, you may unwind in a local bar, shop for souvenirs, or simply relax.
Tour Options (Prices in US Dollars)
Adults

$75

River Boat Tour

$65

Tour Observer aboard the lead boat (4 seats only)
Children (ages 3-12)

$45

River Boat Tour
Infants under three years of age are free.
Money-Saving Discounts
Group Discount Special:Reserve a group of 6 or more and get a 10 percent discount on your total price.
Tour Itinerary
Click here for an explanation of tour times.
The timetable below represents the tour activities from start to finish. Our daily departures are scheduled to fit within the port time of all ships arriving in Belize.
Start Tour
Meet Tour Leader.
30 Minutes
Travel by boat to the RIB marina.
15 Minutes
Safety briefing and orientation.
80 Minutes
Explore the mangrove cayes.
10 Minutes
Rest stop.
90 Minutes
Tour the Belize River.
60 Minutes
Return to the Tourism Village and relax before tendering back to your cruise ship.
Upon completion of our reservation online, you will receive a detailed confirmation message by email. In addition, we will email you a message containing meeting instructions and other suggestions 10 days before your tour.
More Information
Length of Tour: 4 hours, 45 minutes
We're flexible! We adjust the length of our tours to fit the schedules of our guests.
Location of Tour Departure:This tour departs from the Tourism Village in Belize City (the dock area where the cruise ship tender boats drop off their passengers). Our meeting point is the Wet Lizard Bar & Restaurant, which is located between terminals 3 and 4. You will be met by a representative of Hammerhead Water Sports, our operations partner.Our tours are scheduled to fit within the port time of the cruise ships arriving in Belize City. We monitor the cruise ship tender schedules and plan our tour itineraries to give you plenty of time to return back to your ship.
What to Bring:SunscreenBug spray may be needed on some daysCameraTowelCash for small purchases
Level of Physical Exertion:Although the tour requires little in the way of physical exertion, the person captaining your boat must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver's license or permit.The weight limit for individuals participating in the tour is 250 lbs (114 kg). Participants must also be physically able to get in and out of your boat. Children under 3 years of age are not permitted.
Refunds and Balance Payments:Your deposit is fully refundable if you cancel your reservation at least 3 days before your tour. In addition, you will receive a full refund if your cruise ship does not stop in Belize for any reason, or if weather conditions or other factors force us to cancel your reservation. Balance payments in Belize must be paid in cash with U.S. dollars or travelers checks. If you wish to pay your balance in advance by credit card, a surcharge of 4 percent of the payment amount will be charged to your credit card.

没有评论: