If you've ever wondered what it feels like to stand in the open ocean with nurse sharks swimming right past your legs, well, I've got an answer for you.
We did the Caye Caulker Shark and Ray Encounter through Princess Cruises on a seven night western Caribbean cruise aboard the Enchanted Princess, and it was honestly one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. Let me walk you through the whole day so you know exactly what to expect.
Getting to Belize City: A Tender Port Experience
Now, Belize is what they call a tender port. That means the ship anchors offshore and you take a small boat called a tender into the city. The ride takes about 20 minutes, and right away you know this is going to be a different kind of day. We were sailing with our YouTube friends Chet and Robin from the Sea Leg Journeys channel, which made the whole thing even more fun.
Once we arrived in Belize City, we headed to the Fort Street Tourism Village, a secured, fenced in area with some great shopping, bars, and restaurants. From there we made our way to Terminal 3 to meet up with our Princess excursion group. You could just feel the energy. Everybody was excited and ready to go.
The Boat Ride Out to Caye Caulker
After a quick check-in and safety overview, we boarded a fast moving power boat for the ride out to Caye Caulker. Now, this was not a slow and relaxing cruise. This was about a 50 minute ride across open water and it was an adventure all on its own. Terri loved every minute of it. When we arrived at Caye Caulker, we made a quick restroom stop before heading out to the reef. They handed out snorkeling gear, made sure everybody's mask fit, got some sunscreen on, and then it was back on the boat for a short ride out to the Belize Barrier Reef.
Snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef
Okay, I want to be real with you here because that's what we do. The snorkeling portion of this excursion was a little different from what I'm used to. Instead of free diving and exploring on your own, this is more of a guided drifting tour. Everyone wears a life jacket and you float together as a group while the current carries you along the reef.
The water was about 10 to 20 feet deep and the coral formations and fish below were beautiful. But because of the life jackets, you weren't able to dive down and get close to the reef. For me, someone who enjoys a more hands-on snorkeling experience, it felt a bit limiting. That said, if you're new to snorkeling or not super confident in the water, this setup is actually great. It's safe, controlled, and you still get to see the beauty of the reef without needing any advanced skills.
Our guide was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and engaging. He would dive down, bring up different sea life, and share it with the group. You could tell he genuinely cared about the reef and loved what he was doing. We spotted buffalo trunkfish, yellowtail snappers, yellowfin grouper, damselfish darting in and out of star coral, and some beautiful purple fan corals just swaying in the current. Terri was pointing things out left and right. Floating above a Caribbean reef really does feel almost unreal.
Swimming With Nurse Sharks and Stingrays
Now, this is where things get exciting. As we approached the shark area, you could already see movement in the water. Shadows gliding beneath the surface. And then suddenly they were everywhere. Nurse sharks and stingrays, all around us.
Before you panic, nurse sharks are generally harmless and very used to human interaction. Still, when you're standing in open water and a shark swims right past your legs, your heart skips a beat or two. Nurse sharks run about 7 to 10 feet in length and are brownish yellow with blunt heads and small mouths. They're bottom dwellers and in this spot they were well fed, drawn in by small treats of mackerel and anchovies.
Me and Terri hopped right in and were immediately surrounded. The sharks weaved between people, brushing past gently. The stingrays glided across the sandy bottom like something out of a dream. Now here's the thing that really gets you. You're not behind glass. You're not looking down from a boat. You are in the water with them. You can stand on the sandy bottom, float on the surface, or swim right toward them. These incredible creatures just move around you like you're part of their world.
It is surreal, and certainly one of the most thrilling things I've ever done on a cruise excursion.
While we were out there I also got a chance to feed a magnificent frigate bird right from the boat. Also known as a man of war, this is a large black seabird with over a seven foot wingspan that's commonly spotted around Belize. Pretty cool thing to do while waiting to get in the water.
Lunch at the Lazy Lizard
After the shark swim we cleaned up and headed to lunch at the Lazy Lizard. Lunch wasn't included in the excursion price and it wasn't cheap, but after a morning like that I was pretty hungry. We had ceviche and some fresh snapper, and I'll tell you, the food was delicious. Well, except for the habanero peppers. Holy smokes, those things lit my mouth on fire. I think I got three or four of them and my mouth was still burning well into lunch. Consider yourself warned.
We also had a chance to meet one of the local bakers who had been making traditional Belizean sweets for 32 years. Coconut cake, banana bread chocolate chip, coconut rolls with cinnamon and nutmeg, and Canadian butter tarts. The man was proud of his work and rightfully so.
Tarpon Cove: One More Surprise
Before heading back to Belize City, the excursion made one more stop at Tarpon Cove. Now, I was not expecting this and it was a real treat. The tarpon in this area are enormous, and they swim right alongside the boat. Our guide told us that fishermen come from all over hoping to catch a grand slam, which means landing a tarpon, a bonefish, and a permit all in one day. If they do it on the first day, they don't even fish the rest of the week. I can see why. These fish are impressive.
Is the Caye Caulker Excursion Worth It?
If you're looking for a beginner friendly snorkeling experience with some truly unforgettable wildlife encounters, this excursion is a great choice. If you're a more advanced snorkeler, the reef portion might feel a little limiting, but the shark and ray encounter more than makes up for it. It's unique, it's exciting, and it's something you'll be talking about long after the cruise is over.
The crew and staff were fantastic throughout the whole day. Friendly, professional, and they made sure everyone felt safe and had a good time. Getting to share the experience with our friends from Sea Leg Journeys made it even better.
Belize has a lot to offer from the ship, whether that's jungle adventures, Mayan ruins, or cave snorkeling. But if you only have time for one excursion in Belize City, this one is worth putting at the top of your list.
