This Central American nation has a secret tropical island to keep the crowds at bay

The stunning island of Laughing Bird Caye in the Caribbean Sea is a great place to imagine what it would be like to have your own island. Because it is situated on top of a ridge reef called “Pharaoh”, it is an ideal vacation spot for those who enjoy the sea. This ecosystem is so unique that it draws a wide variety of animals, which led to its naming as Laughing Bird Caye National Park in 1991. The laughing gulls that nest and raise their young here are the origin of the island’s name.

As a component of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, the island and its environment are so important that they are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For those looking for an affordable Caribbean experience in Central America, this Caye is in Belize. Due to its small size, the island is not a great place to spend the night, but it is a great area to spend the day observing tropical fish.

A hidden jewel in Belize, Tobacco Caye offers a private tropical getaway away from the tourists. This small island, located in the South Water Cay Marine Reserve, is the perfect getaway for anyone looking for peace and quiet away from the usual tourist spots. It has magnificent coral reefs, an abundance of colorful marine life and tranquil beaches. Tobacco Caye, which is just a short boat trip from the mainland, offers a personal and authentic Central American island experience.

American nation has a secret tropical island

What To Know Before You Go

The distance between Laughing Bird Caye and Placencia, a resort town on the coast of Belize, is 11 miles. Depending on the weather, it takes thirty to sixty minutes from there by boat to reach the island. A guided tour must be scheduled to complete in Placencia. Typically, the trip lasts about three hours, starting early in the morning with several hours of snorkeling, lunch and further time to relax on the island.

Belize has strict responsible visit requirements that visitors must follow to support the country’s efforts to protect its biodiversity. These include avoiding single-use plastics, not littering, applying appropriate reef sunscreen, keeping your distance from corals and other animals, and not bringing coral or shellfish home. Please avoid entering restricted areas of the island due to bird nests and endangered hawksbill turtle nests. The satisfaction of knowing you are not harming the amazing species you see here will be the reward for your efforts.

Things To Do At Laughing Bird Caye

One of the top things to do there is to enjoy the pristine Caribbean waters of Laughing Bird Cay – where, one hopes, you can spot the famous conch sea snail. The best thing to do is to dive and snorkel as you can get up close and personal with the island’s aquatic richness. The area is home to more than 230 different species of fish, including surgeonfish, parrotfish, goliath grouper and Nassau grouper.

When we said there was plenty of wildlife, we weren’t kidding, so keep an eye out for bull sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, silky sharks, lemon sharks, the endangered scalloped hammerhead, bonnethead shark, nurse shark, tiger shark, black tip. Reef sharks, Caribbean sharp-nose sharks, whale sharks and bottlenose dolphins!

Bird watchers will also find spectacular frigatebirds, brown boobies, brown pelicans, ospreys and, of course, laughing gulls that graze across the island. There are no facilities on the island, so the only thing left to do is relax. It’s a good thing that many trips include lunch on the island because all that swimming can work up an appetite. You can visit Placencia for several days if you are staying there to see how much amazing marine life there is.

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