South Water Caye
Located directly on the Belize barrier reef, South Water Caye is a private 12-acre Caribbean island paradise surrounded by diverse mangrove islands, tidal seagrass flats, and pristine coral reefs teeming with marine life.

Called "one of the most beautiful and exclusive islands in Belize" by The Rough Guide to Belize, South Water Caye offers students, vacationers, and adventurers alike the chance to experience firsthand the wonders of Belize.

Imagine an island less than a half mile long, covered with white coral sand, tropical flowers, and coconut trees, surrounded by warm, crystal clear water, enveloped in coral reefs that wrap more than half way around the island. Imagine snorkeling in water waist deep, through barrier and patch reefs teeming with fish and marine organisms. This is South Water Caye!

IZE Belize's marine biology station and lodge at South Water Caye consists of a main lodge, student dormitories, marine biology lab, and dining area with two open-air verandahs, a full-service bar, gift shop and internet accesss. Nestled in the mangroves on the eastern shoreline of the island are our private cottages, ideal for singles, families, couples and honeymooners looking to get away from it all.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1996, the United Nationas Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) included South Water Caye in it's World Heritage list of protected sites of "universal value to humanity." They cited the reef ecosystems remarkable biological diversity and beauty, calling it an area "of great scientific value" and noting that it is a habitat for threatened species such as the West Indian manatee and a variety of sea turtles.

The government of Belize has also recognized the incredible beauty and biodiversity found in our pristine waters, designating South Water Caye a Marine Reserve. Located right next door on Carrie Bow island is the Smithsonian Institution Carrie Bow Cay Marine Research Field Station.

Note: The Belize Fisheries Department has begun collecting Park Fees for South Water Caye Marine Reserve to support the sustainable management of the reserve. These fees can be found on our tours & packages web-pages.

South Water Caye: A world of adventure
Within this sheltered reef environment, the shallow aqua water is calm and inviting, with white sandy beaches and mangroves providing breeding grounds for the spectacular sealife that attracts divers from around the world.

Here you can dive, snorkel, and swim among towers of unspoiled coral or above emerald beds of seagrass teeming with a diverse spectrum of marine life. Kayaks are available free for our guests recreational use.

South Water Caye and the surrounding water is so unspoiled that you can fish for bonefish, jack, and barracuda right from the front porch of your cottage.

Birdwatchers can travel by boat to remote and uninhabited island of Man O' War Caye to observe magnificent frigate birds and brown booby.

Whether you want to explore the marine ecology found on the Belize barrier reef or spend time swaying in a colorful hammock, our private island paradise retreat is sure to satisfy your personal travel expectations.