Belize Barrier Reef
Belize - Jewel of the Caribbean aboard Le Levant
Itinerary
Day 1
Friday, January 4
U.S. / Belize City, Belize
Fly to Belize City today and board Le Levant, our home for the next seven nights. Attend a welcome reception and dinner this evening with fellow travelers as the ship sails toward the Mesoamerican Reef-a priority area for protection. The reef is part of a larger interconnected system of currents and habitats that stretch throughout the Caribbean basin and beyond. Its massive structure provides an important defense against storms and coastal erosion, while the living reef and associated ecosystems support recreation and commercial fishing.
Lodging: Le Levant (D)
Day 2
Saturday, January 5
South Water Cay / Carrie Bow Cay
Following a snorkeling instruction session this morning, discover the underwater wonders of South Water Cay Marine Reserve. In calm, clear waters, snorkel the reef in search of shy sea turtle, endangered manatee, shark, and ray. You might even catch a glimpse of a rare long-snout seahorse. This afternoon visit the Carrie Bow Cay Marine Research Field Station to learn about the reef's ecosystem and conservation efforts.
Alternatively, go bird watching by Zodiac to look for sooty tern, brown noddy, and frigatebird.
Lodging: Le Levant (B, L, D)
Day 3
Sunday, January 6
Laughing Bird Cay National Park
Discover the shallow reefs of Laughing Bird Cay, located within the protection of the main barrier reef and encompassing an extraordinary ecosystem teeming with rainbow-colored fish and amazing coral. Queen angelfish, bluehead wrasse, and queen triggerfish are just some of the spectacular species found here. Snorkeling guides help identify the variety of coral formations. Above water, look for magnificent frigatebird, red-footed booby, and brown pelican.
Lodging: Le Levant (B, L, D)
Day 4
Monday, January 7
Glover's Reef
Today explore the variety of reef topography in Glover's Reef Atoll - renowned for the clarity of the water and the remarkable profusion of marine life. The atoll is an important nursery and feeding ground for lobster, conch, and finfish. Look for sea turtle and dolphin. Explore Elkhorn Crossing, known for Glover's golden coral gardens, and Gorgonia's Gallery, where huge coral spires dominate the deep scenery of this atoll. With more than 700 patch reefs and numerous seagrass beds, Glover's Atoll is also an important spawning ground for grouper.
Lodging: Le Levant (B, L, D)
Days 5 - 6
Tuesday & Wednesday, January 8 & 9
Lighthouse Reef
Spend two days exploring remote Lighthouse Reef, a body of pure coral interspersed with sandy islets. Two special features of the reef are the red-footed booby reserve on Half Moon Cay and a spectacular geologic formation, the Blue Hole.
Set like a carafe of indigo ink in the colorful center of a shallow reef, this perfectly circular void, 1,000 feet across, has vertical walls that plummet 400 feet through crystal-clear water to a distant dark bottom. The lip of the structure features one of the richest shallow-water coral communities found anywhere. By Zodiac explore nearby mangrove thickets whose ecological function is essential to the survival of the reef ecosystem and the creatures that live here.
Lodging: Le Levant ( B , L , D)
Day 7
Thursday, January 10
Turneffe Islands
The Turneffe Islands are the third and largest of Belize's major atolls. Here, discover a diversity of habitats, including dense mangrove colonies, shallow coral ecosystems, and steep wall environments. Snorkel among sea fan, soft coral, tube sponge, and hard coral during our last day of exploration in this magical environment. This evening celebrate this Belize adventure at the captain's farewell reception and dinner.
Lodging: Le Levant (B, L, D)
Day 8
Friday, January 11
Belize City / U.S.
Disembark the ship this morning in Belize City and drive to the airport for flights home. ( B )
Note: Snorkeling from beach or Zodiac is offered every day, depending on weather and sea conditions, with instruction available for all levels of experience. Scuba diving is not offered as part of this program. Interested participants may contract directly with a local provider to join independent diving excursions at certain locations along the cruise.
The Details
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