manatee watch reet snorkeling and bannister beach break

Eager to sample the best of Belize? In single tour, we give you the opportunity to visit Belize's Manatee Reserve, snorkel the second-longest barrier reef in the world, and relax on a beautiful Bannister Island beach. You won't find a better combination of sand and sea.Our Manatee Watch, Barrier Reef Snorkel, and Bannister Beach Break is the ideal shore excursion for first-time visitors to Belize. Bannister Island is only a short boat ride from the Tourism Village. The beach there is well-groomed, the water tranquil, and the snorkeling is hard to beat.Your day begins at the Belize Tourism Village, where you will meet your tour staff on the dock in front of the Wet Lizard Bar and Restaurant. The Wet Lizard is only steps away from where your tender boat will dock. After checking in for your tour, you will board one of our speed boats for a 15-minute scenic ride to Bannister Island (or Bannister Caye as it's also known). If you've opted to maximize your beach time, you have no further to go than the powdery shores at your feet.The tour boat will then take the snorkelers to one of our favorite snorkeling locations along the barrier reef. You will find the area rich in vibrant coral and the water crystal clear. Your tour guides will help you make the most of your snorkeling experience while ensuring your safety. You will snorkel for approximately 45 minutes before returning to Bannister Island.The beachfront at Bannister Island offers visitors a range of activities, include the rental of kayaks and peddle boats. There are showers and changing areas, as well as beach lounge chairs, a play area for children, a gift shop, a restaurant, and a bar to enjoy adult beverages. You can swim in the warm Caribbean and wade out 150 feet before the water reaches beyond your shoulders. On most days, the beach scene includes a live band playing Caribbean music.Your tour boat will also take you to Swallow Caye, the home of Belize's Manatee Reserve. There, you will join in the search for graceful "sea cows" swimming and frolicking in their natural habitat.Although manatees are shy by nature, the dolphins that live in the reserve are much more sociable. Many even follow the boat in the clear Caribbean waters.At the end of the day, you will board your tour boat for the trip back to the Belize Tourism Village. Before returning to your cruise ship, you may have time to browse the shops at the village and start dreaming of your next visit to Belize.
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Tour Options (Prices in US Dollars)
Adults

$60

Manatee Watch, Reef Snorkeling, and Beach Break

$50

Manatee Watch and Beach Break
Children (ages 3-12)

$55

Manatee Watch, Reef Snorkeling, and Beach Break

$45

Manatee Watch and Beach Break
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.
20 Minutes
Boarding your tour boat, safety briefing, and travel to Bannister Island.
10 Minutes
Stop at Bannister Island to drop off non-snorkelers.
50 Minutes
Ride to Barrier Reef and snorkel along the reef.
5 Minutes
Return trip to Bannister Island.
135 Minutes
Explore and enjoy Bannister Island.
45 Minutes
Ride to the Manatee Reserve and search for wildlife.
20 Minutes
Return trip to the Tourism Village.
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 and 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:Sunscreen.Beach towel.Swimsuit and cover-up.Water shoes or flip-flops.Bug spray may be needed on some days.Camera.Cash for purchases (credit cards are accepted on Bannister Island).
Level of Physical Exertion:The snorkeling portion of this tour is conducted from the snorkel boat. The water depths are 4 to 25 feet with slight to moderate currents (depending on the weather). Although snorkelers are outfitted with lifevests and flippers to keep them afloat, they should have some swimming ability to fully enjoy the tour. Entering and exiting the water is done with a ladder similar to those used in swimming pools.
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.