Half or Full Day Snorkel Tours Inside the Barrier Reef
Your tour departs from the Sittee River Marina travelling down the river passing through a forest of red mangroves that line the bank of the scenic river. We then proceed to the inner cayes where we will make two snorkeling stops at one of the many cayes and reef. Each tour guide has their favorite spots and will discuss them with you based on your interests and weather conditions.
You will be able to swim amongst a wide variety of brilliantly colored tropical fish. Your guide will swim along with you pointing out the many sea creatures that inhabit this reef system including lobsters, eels, lion fish, nurse sharks and rays.
Some of the stops include Bread & Butter Caye, South Water Caye and Peter Douglass Caye. At Peter Douglas Caye you will be given the opportunity to take a short walk on the island where you will see some native snakes (Boa Constrictor) locally known as “Wowla”. This Island is one of only a few Islands where you can find the four types of mangroves (red, black, white & buttonwood) inhabited in Belize.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Included: Licensed and registered Belize Tourism Board operator and guides; registered and insured vessel in full compliance with Coast Guard regulations; ice cold bottled water and light snacks
Not Included: Marine Park Reservation fees if applicable. If you would like to take a packed lunch, you can pre order through The Curve Bar. Cooler boxes can also be filled with additional beverages of your choice (soda, juice, beer, etc).
Don't forget to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, long-sleeved shirt, hat, underwater camera.
Half or Full Day Reef Fishing
If you would like to take a packed lunch, you can pre order through The Curve Bar & Restaurant. Cooler boxes can also be filled with additional beverages of your choice (soda, juice, beer, etc).
Your fishing adventure starts from the Marina and heads to Bread & Butter Caye to catch sprat for bait. You will then proceed to the inner patch reef to do some drop fishing where you will have the opportunity to catch a variety of reef fish like; snappers, grunt, porgy, jacks, etc.
Each tour guide has their favorite spots and will discuss them with you based on your interests and weather conditions.
Included Licensed and registered Belize Tourism Board operator and Captain; registered and insured vessel in full compliance with Coast Guard regulations; ice cold bottled water and light snacks
Not Included Marine Park Reservation fees if applicable. Sport Fishing Licenses ($10/day or $25/week).
Don't forget to bring Sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, long-sleeved shirt, hat, underwater camera
Half or Full Day Fly Fishing (Catch & Release)
Your adventure travels down the Sittee River heading towards the various flats inside the barrier reef. Once you arrive on the flats, your guide will pole the boat slowly along looking for permit, bone fish and tarpon. Once the fish is sighted, he will call your attention to where they are. You will then be given the opportunity to cast in their direction. If the water gets too shallow, you will wade in the water casting towards the fish with the intention of hooking and landing one. Each tour guide has their favorite spots and will discuss them with you based on your interests and weather conditions.
Not Included: Marine Park Reservation fees if applicable. Sport Fishing Licenses ($10/day or $25/week). If you would like to take a packed lunch, you can pre order through The Curve Bar & Restaurant. Cooler boxes can also be filled with additional beverages of your choice (soda, juice, beer, etc).
Don't forget to bring Sunscreen, polarized sunglasses (amber are best) bathing suit, towel, long sleeved shirt, hat (dark under brim is best), waterproof camera with extra batteries, hook sharpener, wading pack, wading shoes (the firmer the better), rain gear and insect repellent.
Recommended Bonefish Tackle: Rod: 7 or 8 weight Reel: Saltwater reel holding at least 200 yards of 20 lb backing Fly Line: WF floating; Leader: 9-14 feet depending upon the fishing situation Tippet: 2X - 0X (there are recognized advantages to using fluorocarbon) Flies: #10 to #6
Recommended Permit Tackle: Rod: 9 or 10 weight Reel: Saltwater reel holding a minimum of 200 yards of 20 lbs backing Fly Line: WF Floating Leader: 9-12 feet Tippet: 1X - 0X Flies: #4 to 1/0
Recommended Tarpon Tackle: Rod: 11 or 12 weight Reel: Saltwater reel holding a minimum of 200 yards of 30 lb backing Fly Line: Intermediate or sink tip Leader/Tippet: 4 - 6 ft. butt section, 16 pound - 20 pound class tippet and 60 - 100 pound shock tippet Flies: Size 3/0 to 4/0
Recommended Barracuda Tackle: Rod: 8 to 10 weight Reel: Saltwater reel holding a minimum of 200 yards of 20 lb backing Fly Line: WF floating Leader/Tippet: 20-30 pound wire shock tippet (8 to 12 inches in length) Flies: Size 1/0 to 3/0
Half or Full Day Trolling
Your boat leaves from the marina travelling down the river en route to the main barrier reef. Once on the reef your guide will set up with your trolling equipment. If the weather permits and the sea is not too rough, you will troll just outside the reef. If the outside is too rough, then you will troll inside the reef and around some of the patch coral. You will have the opportunity to catch some of the bigger species of fishes such as grouper, jack, snapper, rockfish and the famous barracuda.
Each Captain has their favorite spots and will discuss them with you based on your interests and weather conditions.
Included Licensed and registered Belize Tourism Board operator and Captain; registered and insured vessel in full compliance with Coast Guard regulations; ice cold bottled water and light snacks
Not Included Marine Park Reservation fees if applicable. Sport Fishing Licenses ($10/day or $25/week). If you would like to take a packed lunch, you can pre order through The Curve Bar & Restaurant. Cooler boxes can also be filled with additional beverages of your choice (soda, juice, beer, etc).
Don't forget to bring Sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, long-sleeved shirt, hat, underwater camera
Day and Night River Boat Tours
Your riverboat tour begins at the marina where you will board the boat travelling down the Sittee River entering a small channel that leads to Anderson Lagoon. Once inside this lagoon, you will need keen eyes to spot the manatees surfacing for air after which we will exit the lagoon through the same channel that we enter. At night during the right time of year and under the right conditions, you will receive an amazing treat experiencing the glowing effects of the bioluminesence.
We will then proceed up the river towards Sittee Village, which was once well known for the sugar plantation. You will be greeted by a wide species of birds, iguanas, bats, crocodiles and different types of fruit trees. The Sittee River is one of the few rivers that remain unspoiled.
Included Licensed and registered Belize Tourism Board operator and Captain; registered and insured vessel in full compliance with Coast Guard regulations; ice cold bottled water and light snacks
Not Included If you would like to take a packed lunch, you can pre order throughThe Curve Bar & Restaurant. Cooler boxes can also be filled with additional beverages of your choice (soda, juice, beer, etc).
Don't forget to bring Sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel,long-sleeved shirt, hat, underwater camera
Bioluminescence Night Tour (Anderson Lagoon)
The bioluminescent Lagoon Tour departs from The Sittee River Marina Dock at 5.45 PM. Your professional guides will lead you on one of the most longing experience of a life time. Starting off with a magnificent view of the Famous Sittee River. The tour continues, whilst still day light looking for beautiful birds, iguanas and other mammals that reside along river. As soon as dark starts approaching your guides will be using spotlights to look for reflective crocodile eyes steaming towards the Anderson Lagoon.
At the Anderson Lagoon you will be able to view and experience the magnificence of the lagoon. It is a wonder that is scarce in the world, to be seeing streaks of phosphorescent lights as fishes speed all over in the water.
Tiny dinoflagellates illuminate the water low and deep as the boat makes wakes steaming around.
And don’t forget you can make it further memorable by taking a swim dip in the lagoon and glow it off.
Included Licensed and registered Belize Tourism Board operator and Captain; registered and insured vessel in full compliance with Coast Guard regulations
Not Included Cooler boxes can also be filled with beverages of your choice (soda, juice, beer, etc).
Don't forget to bring Natural bug repellant, long sleeve shirt and extra dry clothes and high resolution camera recommended
Private Boat Charters Available
Single and Double Kayaks & Paddle Board Rentals
Best Time of Year to Fish in Belize
Belize has world-class game fishing that is only now being discovered by anglers. It is home to UNESCO’s World Heritage Site the Barrier Reef – the largest in the Western Hemisphere and the secret to the unmatched game fishing it offers to anglers. May, June, July, August and early September are considered to be the best fishing months in here primarily because there are good numbers of all three species available. Summer temperatures are in the low-to mid-90s and a steady trade wind generally makes the weather very comfortable.
Bonefish Season
The prized bonefish are present in equal numbers throughout the year in Belize and there is no clearly preferable season for bonefishing – in short bonefish are here throughout the year.
Permit Season
Permit are in Belizean waters throughout the year, although permit fishing tends to be more predictable when the prevailing winds are most consistent – generally in the winter, spring and summer. Some of the better permit fishing can be in the fall if the weather is not affected by cold fronts.
Tarpon Season
Tarpon fishing is somewhat seasonal since the tarpon is a migratory species. Tarpon numbers begin to increase in April and May and drop off a little in September or October. The best tarpon months are June, July, and August. However some resident tarpon are around throughout the year. Tarpon are regarded by some anglers as perhaps the ultimate challenge of saltwater fly-fishing. Although there are always some resident tarpon to be found, our migratory tarpon season extends from mid-April to October.
Other Fishing
Another favorite sport fish, the snook, can be found in the small mangrove creeks around the country’s several atolls. Barracuda are a popular sport fish present in large numbers throughout the year. Local Reef fish species including snapper, grouper and jacks are also abundant throughout the year. Along the reef, wading anglers can take snappers and jacks by casting deceiver patterns or poppers into the surf. Spending some time during your stay here “chasing” other species is always fun and usually rewarding.
Catch and Release
Most local fishing lodges and resorts believe strongly in protecting the local fishery. With some exceptions, most fish at are released but this is at the option of the angler and his guide – after all – what can replace a fresh catch of fish barbecued on the beach?
An Angler’s Paradise
The country has an unmatched combination of environmental factors that come together to create the ideal habitat for a myriad of saltwater game fish. The most outstanding attribute is the Barrier Reef, that is second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Eight to forty miles off the coast, an intricate chain of mangrove studded islands and cayes provide the best habitat for a coral ecosystem. Coral water species demand a strict set of environmental criteria in order to develop. This is why large barrier reefs such as the Barrier Reef are not common.Video below shows self-guided bonefishing right off the beach in Belize.
The Outdoor TV Channel discovered Belize as major game fishing destination in 2011 and dedicated a seven part series anchored by Tom Brokaw and other noted celebrity anglers.
Fishing Licenses for Belize
If you’re going fishing, you need a license. Even if you’re going to be in a boat with someone who is fishing, but you are not fishing yourself, you still need a license.
Fishing licenses are available at Sittee River Marina in the Tuba Shop.
Some of the Fish in Belize
Barracuda Blackfin Tuna
Bonefish Bonito
Cubera Snapper Dorado
Gray Snapper Grouper
Jack Crevalle King Mackerel
Marlin Mutton Snapper
Permit Sailfish
Snook Tarpon