Caye Caulker Activities: 20 Things to Do in Belize

Caye Caulker isn’t fancy. It’s not polished or over-planned. And that’s exactly why people fall in love with it. The island feels like a slow exhale—barefoot streets, rainbow-colored buildings, and that salty, slightly wild air that whispers, “Go ahead, breathe.” When people ask what the best things to do in Caye Caulker are (especially with kids), my answer usually starts with, “Well… depends on what kind of day you’re having.” Because this place doesn’t demand anything from you. But if you’re curious? Oh, there are so many things to uncover. Let’s talk through the best activities on Caye Caulker—from ocean snorkeling tours to sunset toasts, kid-friendly moments to wild swims with stingrays. And yeah, we’ll absolutely eat our way through the best restaurants and hotels in Caye Caulker along the way.

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1. Snorkel the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (with sharks!)

First up: this one’s non-negotiable. If you do one thing, make it one of the best snorkeling tours from Caye Caulker. Hol Chan Marine Reserve offer reefs brimming with color, spotted eagle rays that glide like magic carpets, and an array of fish and coral. Seriously, it’s wild in the best way.

There are loads of outfitters on the island, but Nauti Time Tours and Caveman Snorkeling are crowd favorites for their knowledgeable guides and sustainable practices. My kids favorite activity in Belize was snorkeling and Caye Caulker is a great location for this.

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 on Caye Caulker, especially for families. This was a highlight for our kids and a top pick for activities on Caye Caulker.

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. If you’re considering Caye Caulker with kids, snorkeling tours with sharks is an activity they’ll talk about for years.

3. Watch the sunset at The Split

The Split is exactly what it sounds like—a narrow channel that divides the island in two. But more importantly, it’s the hangout spot. Order a rum punch from the Lazy Lizard, claim a dock, and just let the sunset show off. You’ll probably hear laughter, reggae, and maybe someone cannonballing into the water. Don’t forget to try the famous Lazy Lizard Juice!

4. Take a dip at Sip N’ Dip – A Unique Way to Enjoy a Restaurant on Caye Caulker

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 tables in the water. We chose to dine in the water, making it one of the best restaurants in Caye Caulker for unique dining experiences. While waiting for food, our kids snorkeled under the dock—a bonus for families seeking activities on Caye Caulker.

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: Evening Activities on Caye Caulker

Find a full-day sailing trip that includes snorkeling, sunbathing, and a freshly grilled lunch onboard. Bonus if the crew is hilarious, the music’s good, and they serve homemade rum punch on the way back.

6. Sample Local Cuisine – A Favorite Restaurants to do on Caye Caulker

Indulge your taste buds with the delicious flavors of Belizean cuisine. From fresh seafood dishes like lobster and conch ceviche to hearty stew chicken and fry jacks, there’s no shortage of mouthwatering dishes. Every place we ate had fantastic food, making it easy to find the best restaurants in Caye Caulker. RP’s Roadside Grill near Palmetto Beach was a standout, and Sandy’s Secret rental provided a convenient base for exploring local culinary gems.

RP’s Roadside Grill was set up near Palmetto Beach, which is where we stayed. Rather than stay in one of Caye Caulker’s great hotels, 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!

Relax and “Go Slow” with a tubing tour around the island. Anda De Wata tour company offers tubing excursions complete with a bartender. It’s a unique way to enjoy the sunset while exploring activities on Caye Caulker.

More hotel options on Caye Caulker:

8. Shop for Local Crafts and Souvenirs – Activities on Caye Caulker

Browse the colorful stalls of street vendors and artisans on Caye Caulker. From handmade jewelry to traditional Belizean textiles, there’s something for everyone. Little Blue Gift Shop is a charming spot to pick up souvenirs. This is one of the free things to do on Caye Caulker if you’re just browsing.

9. Explore San Pedro

Take a day trip to Ambergris Caye and explore the many adventures San Pedro has to offer. A short water taxi ride connects you to even more activities on Caye Caulker’s neighboring island. For those planning to spend time on both islands, San Pedro’s Secret Beach is a highlight.

10. Take a Yoga Class

Rejuvenate your mind and body with a yoga class on Caye Caulker. Namaste Cafe offers drop-in classes for all levels, making it one of the relaxing activities on Caye Caulker. It’s also family-friendly, especially for parents who want some solo time while the kids unwind.

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

Try your luck at fishing in the bountiful waters surrounding Caye Caulker. While my son enjoyed fishing off the dock—a favorite free thing to do on Caye Caulker—Fishing King Belize offers full charters for a more immersive experience.

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 Perfect Caye Caulker Activity

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, so this was one of the free things to do on Caye Caulker for us.

13. Chill. Seriously, just chill

Find a shady spot, grab a drink, and don’t move for a while. Watch the boats, listen to the breeze, chat with locals. Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all.

14. Clean the Waters – Free Activity in Caye Caulker

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

Enjoy a day of adventure with a sailing trip around Caye Caulker and nearby islands. Snorkeling, seafood BBQs, and turquoise waters make this one of the top Caye Caulker snorkeling tours to book.

17. Go Cave Tubing:

Venture inland for a unique experience floating along underground rivers. Although this requires a day trip from Caye Caulker, it’s worth adding to your Belize itinerary.

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

18. Feed the Tarpon

Watch these impressive fish leap out of the water to grab bait at the Tarpon feeding dock. This quick, affordable activity is one of the highlights for families exploring Caye Caulker with kids.

19. Bike the Whole Island in Under an Hour

Caye Caulker has no cars, which means bikes rule the road—or rather, the sandy path. Rent one for the day and just ride. You’ll pass kids playing soccer, coconut stands, sunbathing iguanas, and more than a few sleepy dogs. Our kids would say this is one of the best activities we did on Caye Caulker.

20. Simply Relax and Unwind – “Go Slow”

Finally, embrace the island’s motto: “Go Slow.” Whether it’s swinging in a hammock or strolling along the beach, simply relaxing is one of the best free things to do on Caye Caulker.

Final Thoughts: Go Slow, Stay Long

Caye Caulker whispers what most of us forget in our daily grind: slow down. Whether you’re snorkeling with sharks, finding the best restaurants in Caye Caulker, or just sharing a laugh with a barefoot stranger, this place has a way of helping you remember how to be again.

And trust me, once you’re there? You’ll never want to rush it.