Join us on this liveaboard safari around Belize’s incredible barrier reef, with up to 4 snorkel sessions offered per day and a variety of amazing snorkel sites to explore.
The reef, which starts just a few hundred yards off Belize’s coastline and runs for over five hundred miles along it plays host to an array of marine life large and small. Weather permitting, we plan to snorkel around Glovers Reef, Turneffe Atoll, and Lighthouse Reef-which is home to the famous blue hole. We think these are the best parts of the country to snorkel.
The reefs themselves are truly fantastic with a mixture of hard corals and layers of sea fans that actually break the surface at times. The visibility can be crystal clear allowing us to see all the way down to where the reef slopes into a vertical wall dropping into the blue abyss. Marine life is in abundance with everything from lobster colonies, schools of tangs and grunts, to groups of spotted eagle rays and even the occasional nurse shark can be seen cruising over the reefs.
The tour starts in Belize City where we will meet the Belize Aggressor IV, our private yacht for the entire week – chartered exclusively for snorkelers. The ship has large indoor and outdoor dining areas, a rooftop jacuzzi, a self-serve bar featuring local beer on tap, sodas and wines, and plenty of space for storing and maintaining underwater camera gear as well as private snorkel lockers. Oh, and no shortage of amazing food.
Also included is a half-day land tour to the Altun Ha Mayan Ruins, an ancient town once a major trading center and home to impressive monuments.
Marine Life Guide
This tour is partnered with The Reef-World Foundation. Find out how we support The Reef-World Foundation via this tour here.
Day 1 - Board the Aggressor Livaboard
Upon arrival in Belize City, transfer to the Radisson Fort George Hotel and wait until 3pm, when we can board the Aggressor- our home for the coming week. We will have a boat orientation and safety briefing before setting off from shore.
Day 2 - 6 - Snorkeling from The Aggressor
Each morning we start the day with a continental breakfast (for the early risers- available from 6am), and then a hot breakfast made to order from 7am.
We then have a snorkel site briefing followed by a snorkeling session. Each session will last 60 – 90 minutes and be accompanied by in-water local guides and your tour leader. The small tender boat will also be around. If you would like to exit the water sooner or just take a break, you can let your guide know and hop onto the small boat.
Upon exiting the water, you can use the on-deck hot shower, and your own designated towel, before enjoying a freshly baked treat and beverage.
After a short break, we have another briefing and enter the water for the second snorkel session of the morning.
After this session, we dry off and go inside for lunch- which is usually a hot soup and main course- often buffet style.
Again we have a little relaxation time before being briefed for snorkel 3 of the day.
Upon exiting the water and drying off, hot snacks are served along with beverages.
Some days we will have a second-afternoon snorkel, other days night snorkeling will be offered. Occasionally both!
On one day, it may be possible to visit Half-moon Quay where we’ll have lunch prepared for us under the tall palms and then we can enjoy a little walk along the beach to the nesting grounds for the red-footed boobie birds and magnificent frigate birds.
Dinner is a three-course affair, usually plated and served at the table. Sodas, beers, and wines are included and served with the evening meal.
Each day may vary a little but this is what one can generally expect.
Regarding the route, we plan to snorkel around the Glovers Reef, Turneffe Atoll, and Lighthouse Reef where the Blue Hole lives. As this is the open ocean, the itinerary is subject to weather and sea conditions.
Day 7 - Snorkeling and Land Tour
The Friday schedule is a little different from the previous days onboard.
We wake up a little earlier than normal for a light breakfast followed by 1 or 2 snorkeling sessions (time and site dependent) before drying off for lunch onboard.
The boat starts moving back towards Belize City while we eat, usually arriving at the pier around 1pm.
Upon arrival, we will be met by our local guide who will take us to the largest Mayan Ruin site in Belize- Altun Ha. The site is an hour northward of Belize City, along quaint country roads, secondary rainforest, Creole villages and isolated farms. The ruins are surrounded by lush greenery, an inspiring site. Royal priests ruled this site for many centuries and traded with other Mayan centers in Meso America. Some 50+ years ago, Dr. David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada, along with his excavation team, discovered a tomb of a priest in the Temple of the Masonry Altars, and in it, a nine and three quarter pound jade carving of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau – a world famous event!
We will return to the boat by 5pm for a farewell cocktail party with the crew, before heading into town to a local restaurant for our final dinner together.
We return to the Aggressor to sleep.
Day 8 - Disembarkation, tour ends
After an early continental breakfast, we disembark and bid farewell to our new friends. We will arrange transfers to the airport or your hotel, if you are staying on in Belize.
The Belize Aggressor IV is a 138’ yacht with a wide 26’ beam. Built and powered for comfort, safety, and stability, she is diesel-powered, cruises at 12 knots and has 110-volt power onboard. Accommodations include 8 Deluxe staterooms with two twin beds or one king bed and 2 Master staterooms with one queen bed. All staterooms have climate controls.
The onboard menu features chef-prepared international and Creole-inspired cuisine catering to all dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc), as well as offering complimentary soft drinks, beer, and wine. All guests are welcome to bring a bottle of their favorite liquor if they chose to.
As well as a spacious lounge, the ship has a large sun deck, bar, grill, and internet service available through the satellite system. At night presentations will be hosted in the lounge, as well as the opportunity for night snorkeling, movies, and games. A small library of books for exchange is also maintained onboard.
Please note that the cabins are fairly small compared to a resort’s accommodation so please get in touch with us if you have claustrophobic tendencies, and we can discuss if this tour is appropriate for you and how guests with similar concerns have previously coped.
The ship comes complete with a crew of 6 on hand to ensure comfort and satisfaction for all guests. Most of our snorkel excursions are made from the deck at the rear of the yacht and equipped tender for easy pickups from snorkel sites when needed. The tour will also be fully escorted and hosted by a member of our team.
Mastercard and Visa are both accepted onboard.
Vessel Guide
On this page you will find our Tour Dates & Pricing (see below contact form), a Booking Form and Details of Payment schedule including deposit and final balance. If you have any further questions please complete the form and we will reply within 24-48hrs.
Tour Dates 2023
11 – 18 February 2023
Tour Price:
$4,045 USD (Twin/Double Share)
Master Cabin Upgrade: $150 per person
Tour Dates 2024
24 February – 2 March 2024
Tour Price:
$4,245 USD (Twin/Double Share)
Master Cabin Upgrade: $150 per person
How to book your place
Initial deposit to secure your booking is $400 per person
12 months before departure interim payment of $600 per person
6 months before departure interim payment of $1,000 per person
Balance due 3 months before departure
Includes:
- Return airport transfers
- 7 nights’ accommodation and full board (all meals and snacks)
- Complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks onboard the Belize Aggressor IV
- Services of snorkel guides and boat skiff for multiple snorkeling excursions each day
- Accompanied by a Snorkel Venture tour leader
- Guided tour to Altun Ha Mayan Ruins
Excludes:
- International/Domestic flights & Visas
- Snorkel equipment rental
- $150 USD fuel surcharge
- Tips
- Travel and health insurance
- Port and Park Fees (US$130 per person)
*Note: Fees and surcharges are subject to change, we are not responsible for these changes and these must be paid for by the guest.
Please note our cancelation policy:
- 1 year or more: 150 USD penalty per person to switch to a credit note for use within 2 years
- 12 months or less: Loss of deposit and interim payment
- 90 – 28 days: 25% Refund (includes your final balance payment)
- 28 – 0 days: No Refund
