EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Cruise the winding Monkey River, looking for wildlife in the surrounding rainforest, and then enjoy a hike with a naturalist that will explain the plants' medicinal uses.

After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive at a small village near the mouth of the Monkey River, where you will begin a leisurely cruise upstream. Along the way, the guide will provide enlightening commentary about the region's history, including how the economy boomed in the late 19th century when large volumes of bananas were exported.

Little evidence of that thriving time period remains, as the meandering Monkey River is bordered by undeveloped rainforest. Natural beauty and remarkably diverse flora and fauna are now the main attractions.

You can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including crocodiles sunning on the riverbanks, turtles popping their heads above the water's surface, and iguanas perched in the tree limbs. You might even spot a troop of black howler monkeys screeching in the forest.

Tropical birds are just as abundant along the river, especially wading birds such as herons, brightly colored tanagers and keel-billed toucans, the national bird of Belize. Toucans are easy to spot because of their large, colorful bills and how they croak like frogs.

Once you disembark, you will hike through the surrounding forest while the naturalist guide points out plants with medicinal qualities. For instance, leaves of the soursop are often brewed into a tea that reduces fever, and the wild yam has anti-inflammatory properties.

Snorkel the azure waters adjacent to Belize's Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living barrier reef, with the reef site having naturally shallow waters, well suited for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Depart from the Harvest Caye Marina on one of our comfortable snorkel vessels for the short scenic ride to a beautiful site along the reef. This location is teeming with multitudes of colorful reef fish, co-habiting among the beautiful hard and soft coral formations, intermingled with sponges, sea fans, and delicate sea anemones. Possible sightings of spotted eagle rays and schools of larger fish are quite common, large starfish, queen conchs, and sea cucumbers also call this patch of the reef home. After snorkeling, re-board your boat and enjoy the return trip while listening to Caribbean rhythmic vibes. After returning to the pier, as you step off the boat, you can pick up your complimentary rum punch.

Go fishing in the beautiful, crystal-clear waters off Harvest Caye, which are teeming with highly prized, fun-to-catch fish such as groupers, snappers and jacks. After departing from the pier in a skiff designed for fishing, you will cruise into the turquoise waters off Harvest Caye, which are teeming with fish. Just settle in and enjoy, as the 32-foot boat races to a spot where the fish have been biting lately. Once the boat anchors, a crew member will outfit you with the necessary bait that the fish should find irresistible. The crew will also offer tips on how best to cast and retrieve the bait to maximize the experience. Jacks thrive here among the reefs and if you catch one be prepared for a fierce fight. Easy to identify by their steep heads and deeply forked tails, jacks are often caught here. If you catch a striped fish that grunts like a pig when you pull it out of the water, it will be a grunt. They make that characteristic sound by grinding the teeth deep in their throats. Grunts tend to school in the many reefs and sea beds off Harvest Caye. Many types of groupers are found in deeper waters near rocks, drop-offs and ledges. Although groupers are slow swimmers, they can be powerful, especially the massive ones.

Don’t think… just trust and launch yourself from the Flighthouse platform. Feel the adrenaline surge and the wind gust as you soar 100 feet above the Manatee Lagoon. The first three zips crisscross Harvest Caye, each zip long enough for you to feel the rush and enjoy the sensation. To enhance the thrill and excitement we have added a transverse over the elevated suspension bridge. Allowing you a bird’s eye view of guests below or to search the horizon and take in panoramic views of the Mayan Mountains on the mainland or the turquoise waters of the outer reefs. The experience concludes with the side by side “Double Beach Run” racing face down in a superman position or sitting upright, either way it is 1,300 feet at 40 mph! No experience required. The flight crew will provide you with equipment and safety briefings. This is a tour the whole family will remember for years to come. This tour includes the Lagoon Zipline and the Superman Zipline.

This river tubing adventure is fun, refreshing and scenic. It’s an experience the entire family can participate in and enjoy. It’s a 40-minute boat transfer from Harvest Caye Marina to the mainland of Belize where you will start your adventure by boarding one of our air-conditioned buses at Malacate Pier. Relax and enjoy the approximately 55-minute scenic ride to your rainforest river tubing experience. As the bus turns off the paved highway, you'll embark on a picturesque journey up the mountain on a jungle canopy road. When you start seeing tree ferns, you'll know you're getting close. Upon arrival at the tubing orientation site, you'll find restrooms where you can change if needed. You'll then meet your experienced guides, who will provide you with life jackets—your tubes will be waiting at the starting point. After a safety briefing, you'll re-board the bus for a short ride to the launching point. The mountain spring-fed river is usually crystal clear, except after a shower. As the river winds through the narrow mountain gorge, you'll encounter numerous small rapids, making for a lively and fun-filled journey. You'll be smiling and laughing all the way down the river. At the end of your tubing adventure, your guide and our river rangers will assist you out of your tube. A short walk will bring you to the greeting area, where you can purchase snacks or a cold drink. Remember to bring cash, as this off-grid location does not accept credit cards. After changing back into dry clothes, you'll board the waiting bus and enjoy a relaxing ride back to Malacate Pier. Note: River flow varies with the seasons, being faster during the rainy season and slower in the dry season.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Float down a slow-moving river through a pristine rainforest.
• Admire the ever-changing jungle scenery while listening to the sounds of nature.
• Look for wildlife, especially birds such as the keel-billed toucan, Belize’s national bird.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear a swimsuit under your clothes..
• Wear shoes that are appropriate for the water.

Sail hundreds of feet above the waters of Belize in tandem while being towed with a brand new parasail boat on this adrenaline pumping experience.

As you travel out of the marina, your parasail flight-crew will give you an orientation and safety briefing and then prepare you for your exhilarating panoramic flight high above the waters off Harvest Caye Island.

Discover the ancient Mayan archeological site of Nim Li Punit along with its treasures and visit the Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens to see how they cultivate and harvest exotic spices. It’s a 40 minute boat transfer from Harvest Caye to the mainland of Belize where you will board your air-conditioned bus for a 1 hour scenic ride to the archeological site of Nim Li Punit, "Large Hat" in the Mayan Kekchi language. The site was so named due to a depiction on a Maya stela of one of its rulers wearing a very large head dress. This unique Mayan ceremonial site has a small museum and a welcome center where you can see some of the large stelas with well-preserved Maya drawings and writing, as well as artifacts. It also has a ball-court in the center of the complex and an observatory in one of the plazas. The entire site is shaded by a canopy of large trees, providing a comfortable environment for viewing this very interesting Mayan site. Next, you’ll head over to the Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens and see how vanilla, nutmeg, maze cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper are cultivated. As you travel through the farm via tram, you’ll see how these unique spices are dried and processed for packaging. Afterwards, relax in the comfortable guest center where you will be offered a complimentary fresh fruit juice and have the opportunity to purchase some of the spices that are grown here.

This is your opportunity to explore amazing saltwater mangrove estuaries, encounter wildlife and learn about the flora and fauna from a local nature guide. Board your sightseeing motor launch directly from the Harvest Caye Marina and set off to explore Mother Nature's amazing saltwater mangrove estuaries and encounter some of its inhabitants. Your experienced Captain will take you through the protected waters of a lagoon and chart a course towards one of the shallow areas favored by manatees. This is a great opportunity for a close-up encounter with these large yet docile marine creatures. More often than not, manatees may be viewed grazing and relaxing. Your knowledgeable nature guide will provide you with a detailed narrative about the manatees and their life cycle in the tropical waters of Belize. As your tranquil sightseeing tour continues traveling along the shore of the picturesque lagoon, your Captain will enter one of the many mangrove estuaries. As the passage narrows, your guide will point-out numerous species of flora and fauna, ranging from marine life, to aquatic plants and trees. The estuary is home to many species of birds and at times, wildlife that that live on the tropical savannahs might be spotted - you never know what you might encounter. All too soon, you’ll find yourself back at the Harvest Cay Marina where your enjoyable nature tour draws to a close. Hopefully, you’ll have plenty of memories and beautiful photos to share with your family and friends.

Discover the ancient Mayan archeological site of Nim Li Punit along with its many treasures. It’s a 40 minute boat transfer from Harvest Caye to the mainland of Belize where you will board your air-conditioned bus for a 1 hour scenic ride to the archeological site of Nim Li Punit, "Large Hat" in the Mayan Kekchi language. The site was so named due to a depiction on a Maya stela of one of its rulers wearing a very large head dress. This unique Mayan ceremonial site has a small museum and a welcome center where you can see some of the large stelas with well-preserved Maya drawings and writing, as well as artifacts. It also has a ball-court in the center of the complex and an observatory in one of the plazas. The entire site is shaded by a canopy of large trees, providing a comfortable environment for viewing this very interesting Mayan site.

It’s a 40-minute boat transfer from Harvest Caye Marina to the mainland of Belize where you will depart from Malacate Pier on your air-conditioned bus for the scenic one hour bus ride to the unique and picturesque Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens. Here you have the opportunity to learn how some of the common spices that we use on a daily basis are grown and processed. See how vanilla, nutmeg, maze, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper are cultivated as you travel throughout the farm on your Spice Farm Tram. After your farm tour, relax in the comfortable guest center where you will be offered a complimentary fresh fruit juice and have the opportunity to purchase drinks, snacks and some of the various spices that are grown and processed here at the farm. A waiver form is required to be signed in order to participate in this tour.

It’s a 40-minute boat transfer from Harvest Caye Marina to the mainland of Belize where you will depart from the Malacate Pier on your air-conditioned bus for a scenic 60 minute ride. Pass through the village of Mango Creek which began as a sawmill settlement in the 1940's and still has unpaved streets, then it's onto Belize's hinter lands, where you will observe the panoramic vista of the ancient Mayan Mountains. You will also pass several quaint Ke'kchi Mayan villages as well as pine and hardwood forest reserves on the way to the Akte'il Ha Cacao Farm. Learn how the Ke'kchi hand craft chocolate the traditional way from the pod to the bar. You will have a tour of the organic chocolate farm and go through the chocolate making process. Observe the hand grinding of the cacao beans and taste the chocolate in its various forms. You will then head to the Big Falls Outpost for a welcome respite and your delicious Belizean lunch, here you will be able to purchase drinks, and get souvenirs of your time here in Belize. Reboard your bus for the second part of your journey, to visit the Living Ke'kchi Maya Experience. An authentic Ke'kchi home that offers guest a fascinating glimpse into a rapidly disappearing world of the traditional Ke'kchi Mayan. Learn about the Ke'kchi language, their history, medicine and culture. In this truly rustic setting engage in activities such as playing the various traditional Mayan musical instruments. Head back to the Malacate Pier.

Spend a sultry day inside the comfort of one of our incredible self-contained retreats that comfortably house up to six guests. Each villa provides a great home base for enjoying your stay on the Cay. Placed on a secluded portion of the island your villa offers a step back in time allowing you the opportunity to build a sandcastle with the kids and for taking a dip in the sea. Rest, relax, enjoy the Caribbean views from your front porch or from the air conditioned interior. Each villa includes private restroom, indoor and outdoor showers, Bluetooth audio, a digital safe, mini refrigerator, beach hammock and your very own Butler and Concierge service. Reserve a luxury beach villa and you’ll have everything you need to enjoy a glorious day on Harvest Caye.