Tobacco Caye, Belize
I was lucky enough to visit Tobacco Caye, Belize last April. Tobacco Caye is a 4-acre island on the Belize Reef.
We flew with Delta Airlines Vancouver to LAX then a red eye to Belize City where we jumped on Tropic air to Dangriga. From here we boarded a small water taxi for a 1 hour journey to Joe Jo’s Lodge on Tobacco Caye.
Tobacco Caye and its half dozen small lodges are low key, you won’t find an all-inclusive resort here. We enjoyed three daily meals which were included. Each meal was made, caught or grown on the island or mainland.
We choose Joe Jo’s Lodge and were very happy we did. I’d rate Tobacco Caye's ½ dozen lodges at 3.5 star. Coming here you need to lower your expectations. No one will be coming to serve you margarita’s on your lounger poolside. Your pool here is the ocean, which is a bathtub of warm water of a gorgeous turquoise color with unlimited visibility.
Our days were spent snorkeling from the dock just steps from our sea side bungalow where we saw stingrays and an amazing array of tropical fish. Joe Jo’s Lodge provided snorkel gear & kayaks. We ventured off on our own in the kayaks around the island to the outer reef where we were stunned with the colorful reef and sea life. You will not find this off the Mexican Mayan Riviera. I would compare it to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
There are no tours to sign up for here. If you want to go diving, fishing or snorkeling you just ask a local with a boat and negotiate a price. I’d highly recommend it for those looking for a taste of a uncommercialized Caribbean holiday.
We spent five carefree, barefoot and happy days here.