Nestled in a corner of the western Caribbean is the country of Belize.  About the size of Massachusetts, it is blessed with some of the most magnificent coral reefs on the planet.  The Belize Barrier Reef, our destination for this trip, is a World Heritage Site, and is the second largest reef after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.  We will be traveling to this natural wonder in late February of 2013, and have three catamarans reserved, so that we can get as close as possible to some great snorkeling opportunities.

Join us for an idyllic twelve-day journey through this beautiful area for some swimming, snorkeling, sunning, exploring, fishing, eating, drinking, and maybe even some sailing.

The itinerary is tentatively as follows:

Day 1: We fly from the USA to Belize City, which is served by several major airlines. After a connecting flight to Placencia, it is a thirty minute taxi ride to the SunSail base at Laru Beya Resort and Marina. We will board our boats, stow gear, do any last minute provisioning, and head out for dinner.

Day 2: Wippari Cay – As we leave the charter base, we will go through the heart of the exquisite Placencia Lagoon on our way to Wippicari Bay, on the barrier reef, where we'll pick up a mooring before doing some superb snorkeling around the reef.

Day 3: South Water Cay – A part of the Belizean marine preserve, South Water Cay is a 15 acre coral island right on the edge of the barrier reef. It is also inhabited, and has three restaurants with fresh food. We will also have more snorkeling off a beautiful white sandy beach, as the barrier reef drop-off is close to the shore.

Day 4: Tobacco Cay and Cocoa Plum Cay – Two short sails today will allow us to visit Tobacco Cay on the way to our anchorage at Cocoa Plum Cay. Tobacco Cay has some excellent snorkeling. We may even see an eagle ray gliding over beds of turtle grass. From here, we will continue north to Cocoa Plum Cays Thatch Cay Resort.

Day 5: A layover day at Cocoa Plum Cay to explore, swim, snorkel, or just curl up with a good book. It may be possible to dinghy over to nearby Man-O-War Cay, where there is a bird sanctuary that is home to brown boobies, pelicans, and frigate birds.

Day 6: Lagoon Cay – A sixteen mile broad reach down the Inner Channel brings us to the entrance to Lagoon Cay. Here, in addition to abundant bird life, there is more fantastic snorkeling, swimming with tarpon and the ever colorful parrot fish.

Day 7: Queen Cay – Just a mile inside the barrier reef, there is yet more fantastic snorkeling, and more opportunity for bird watching.

Day 8: Ranguana Cay – It is a short sail to the largest cay south of Queen Cay, and as with all the others, is very scenic, with pristine white sand beaches. There is a small resort ashore where we might dine this evening.

Day 9: A layover day, providing an opportunity, for those interested, to go four miles to Laughing Bird Cay National Park to spend the day bird watching and snorkeling. The park is named for the laughing gulls that nest there. We would return to Ranguana Cay for the evening.

Day 10: A full day's sail back to Placencia Harbour. In the evening, we can explore the village and enjoy our farewell dinner. There are many restaurants serving a variety of fare, including Creole, French, Italian, and Indian.

Day 11: After day sailing exploring the Placencia Lagoon, we return to the SunSail base by evening. Perhaps a must-go party dock-side, or another dinner in town.

Day 12: We need to be off the boats by 11:00 AM and start the journey home. Or are you staying a few more days in paradise?

Remember- When you get older you will regret the things you didn't do more than the things you did do!

The cost of the trip is $1,575.00 per person (Skippers - $880.00). This price covers charter fees, boat insurance, travel insurance, fuel, and cruising taxes. Food, airfare, and other incidental expenses are additional and will be handled by each boat’s crew. A $250.00 deposit is required to hold your position. Please make your check payable to The Sailing Club, Inc. and mail it, along with your completed reservation form, to Jeff Hamer at the address below. Reservations will be processed beginning April 13, 2012 with a random draw of those received by that date. All reservations received after that date are on a first-come, first-served basis. The balance of $1,325.00 will be due as follows:
A second payment of $575.00 will be due July 12, 2012; a
third payment of $575.00 will be due September 12 2012,
and the final payment of $575.00 will be due November 12, 2012.

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations after November 12, 2012 are subject to a $250 penalty, regardless of whether a replacement is found. For cancellations after January 19, 2013, no refund will be provided unless a replacement is found. If a replacement is found, then the cancellation fee is $250. SunSail Care travel insurance is included in the trip price. This applies to those that participate, or those that cancel after making full payment, and have no replacement found. You may wish to seek additional coverage.

A pre-trip meeting will be held approximately two weeks before the trip, at a time and place to be announced. All participants should make every effort to attend in order to meet your crewmates, plan your meals, and make travel plans.

Please note that sailing conditions are dynamic, that your safety, and that of your crewmates, depends on your good physical health and agility.

Trip Leader

Assistant Trip Leader