Welcome to Caye Caulker, a tiny but vibrant island nestled in the Caribbean Sea just off the coast of Belize. Known for its laid-back atmosphere, crystal-clear waters, and stunning marine life, Caye Caulker is a paradise for travelers seeking relaxation and adventure. Many who look into traveling here wonder if there is enough to do to keep entertained. Whether you’re a beach bum, an avid snorkeler, or a foodie craving local flavors, this charming island offers something for everyone. From snorkeling to to activities to keep the kids busy, some even free, here are 20 epic things to do on Caye Caulker to make your visit truly unforgettable.

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Things to do on Caye Caulker

1. Snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef – Hol Chan Marine Reserve

When thinking of a trip to Belize, snorkeling is often the first thing that comes to mind. Dive into the breathtaking underwater world of the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Snorkeling tours from Caye Caulker will take you to vibrant coral gardens teeming with colorful fish, sea turtles, and rays.

We snorkeled Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Don’t forget your GoPro for your snorkeling adventure! Snorkeling is a fun thing to do if you’re heading to Caye Caulker, especially if you have kids. This was a highlight for our kids.

2. Swim with Sharks at Shark Ray Alley

Embark on an unforgettable adventure and swim alongside nurse sharks and rays at Shark Ray Alley. Don’t worry; these gentle creatures pose no threat to humans and offer a thrilling experience. However, I still conclude this is not for the faint hearted. I was in the water for about 60 seconds before getting out, but my kids and husband loved this humbling experience. Your kids will find it thrilling to snorkel along side sharks during your Caye Caulker adventure.

3. Explore the Split: One of Caye Caulker’s Highlights

Visit the iconic Split, a narrow waterway that divides Caye Caulker in two. Lounge on the sandy beach, sip on tropical cocktails at the famous Lazy Lizard bar, and soak in the breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. Don’t forget to try the world famous Lazy Lizard Juice!

4. Take a dip at Sip N’ Dip

The Sip N’ Dip is the perfect place to “Go Slow” on Caye Caulker. This restaurant right next to The Split offers seating in the main dining area or grab a table in the water. We chose to dine in the water. This was the kids favorite restaurant in Caye Caulker, partially because they could snorkel while we waited for food. We brought along the snorkeling gear so they spent their time snorkeling under the dock, while we sipped on ice cold beverages.

Don’t forget your snorkeling gear!

Snorkeling on the beaches or under the docks offers a free activity for the kids, but you really want to book an actual snorkel excursion if you come to Caye Caulker.

5. Take a Sunset Cruise

Witness the stunning Caribbean sunset aboard a sunset cruise around Caye Caulker. Sip on rum punch, sway to the rhythmic beats of reggae music, and marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors painting the sky. A sunset cruise is the perfect way to end the day on Caye Caulker, but a better activity to do without kids.

6. Sample Local Cuisine

Indulge your taste buds with the delicious flavors of Belizean cuisine. From fresh seafood dishes like lobster and conch ceviche to hearty Belizean stew chicken and fry jacks, there’s no shortage of mouthwatering dishes to try. Every place we ate had great food. The only downfall is we had limited time on Caye Caulker and couldn’t get to every restaurant. Click here to read our full itinerary.

RP’s Roadside Grill was set up near Palmetto Beach, which is where we stayed. We rented Sandy’s Secret, which was an oceanfront home. We typically had the shared pool to ourselves. My son loved fishing off the dock (caught barracuda and a shark). Palmetto Beach on Caye Caulker had bikes and golf cart for rent or kayaks and stand up paddle boards, free of charge, offering some activity options at no extra charge. This was a highly recommended rental.

7. Go Island Tubing!

Want to take a relaxing ride around Caye Caulker, tubing behind a boat? Anda De Wata tour company will hook you up. Their island tubing tour takes you on a slow ride around the island, bartender included. Prefect way to “Go Slow”, relax and enjoy the sunset. Check out pictures and their excursion here.

8. Shop for Local Crafts and Souvenirs

Browse the colorful stalls of Caye Caulker’s street vendors and artisans and pick up unique souvenirs to remember your trip by. From handmade jewelry and wood carvings to traditional Belizean textiles, there’s something for everyone. There were plenty of vendors set up on the streets of Caye Caulker and adorable gift shops. Little Blue Gift Shop was an adorable place to buy souvenirs.

9. Explore San Pedro

San Pedro is located north of Caye Caulker and has many adventures to offer. We split our time between the two Cayes, but for those who plan to spend their whole vacation on Caye Caulker, make sure you take a day trip to Ambergris Caye. You can get there by flight or water taxi. My Belize itinerary has detailed information on all San Pedro has to offer, including Secret Beach and The Truck Stop.

10. Take a Yoga Class

Find your inner zen and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul with a yoga class on Caye Caulker. Many resorts and yoga studios on Caye Caulker offer classes for practitioners of all levels against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. Namaste Cafe has drop in classes available.

The Caye Hotel is located very close to Namaste Cafe. It offer’s great amenities and comes highly rated.

11. Go on a Fishing Charter

Cast your line and try your luck at fishing in the bountiful waters surrounding Caye Caulker. Whether you’re a novice angler or a seasoned pro, the island offers excellent opportunities for reef fishing, deep-sea fishing, and fly fishing.

We ended up doing our fishing with Fishing King Belize in San Pedro, but my kid did more than enough fishing off the dock in Caye Caulker, which is an activity he is passionate about. Fishing off the dock was more than successful. He caught a variety of fish, but mainly Barracuda and even one nurse shark. As seen above, the boys are trying to release a 6 foot nurse shark from my sons line.

Here is the traveling fishing pole my kid brings along to most of our vacations, including our trip to Caye Caulker. This pole packs nicely in our luggage.

12. Get Out on the Water: Kayak or SUP

A popular activity on Caye Caulker is to kayak or stand-up paddleboard. There are places to rent a kayak or SUP on Caye Caulker. We stay at Sandy’s Secret on Palmetto Beach in Caye Caulker and they offered kayaks and SUP free of charge.

13. Dance the Night Away

Experience Caye Caulker’s vibrant nightlife scene and dance the night away to the infectious rhythms of reggae, soca, and punta music. From beach bars to lively nightclubs, the island comes alive after dark. This is an experience many gravitate to, but I can’t go into to too many details here as we came with our family and our nightlife died many moons ago!

14. Clean the Waters

Get involved in protecting Caye Caulker’s fragile ecosystem by volunteering with local conservation organizations. Whether it’s beach cleanups, reef monitoring, or mangrove restoration projects, your efforts can make a real difference.

Although we never did an organized cleaning in Caye Caulker, my kids did their own part by cleaning the waters near the split, which is a bonus free activity!

15. Relax at a Local Spa

After a day of snorkeling, what would be better then winding down with a full body massage? There are plenty of options for this on Caye Caulker.

Blu Zen is an excellent place to stay of you’re looking for high-quality relaxation. If a massage and spa is high on your activity list in Caye Caulker, look into this excellent accommodation, which is best for couples traveling without kids. Blu Zen is located on north Caye Caulker.

16. Take a Sailing Trip

Set sail on a sailing trip around Caye Caulker and the surrounding islands for a day of adventure and relaxation. Snorkel in secluded coves, feast on delicious seafood BBQs, and bask in the beauty of the Caribbean Sea.

17. Go Cave Tubing:

Venture inland and explore Belize’s mystical caves with a thrilling cave tubing excursion. Float along underground rivers illuminated by the soft glow of your headlamp and marvel at the ancient rock formations and Mayan artifacts.

Hop on the water taxi and head inland for a day of cave tubing.

18. Feed the Tarpon

This is an activity on Caye Caulker that ended up being a favorite activity for our kids and although it’s not free, the small price is definitely worth the excitement of these giant Tarpon jumping out of the water to grab the bait.

19. Bike Around

One car-less Caye Caulker, bikes or golf carts are the main way to get around. We took full advantage of this and rented bikes from VeLento rentals, which our kids had a blast with. We spent the day biking to all of our activities and restaurants.

20. Simply Relax and Unwind – “Go Slow”

Last but not least, take some time to simply relax and unwind on Caye Caulker. Whether it’s swinging in a hammock under the shade of a palm tree or indulging in a relaxing massage on the beach, let the island’s laid-back vibes wash over you and leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

From snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef to savoring delicious Belizean cuisine, Caye Caulker offers a wealth of experiences just waiting to be explored. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, this enchanting island has something for everyone. So pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and escape to the idyllic paradise of Caye Caulker for the ultimate tropical getaway.