THE LURE: Tucked in between Mexico and Guatemala on the Caribbean sea is the small almost forgotten country of Belize. Along the whole length of the country runs the largest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere and with it a chain of palm and mangrove islands just itching to be kitesurfed.
THE SET UP: Ninety minutes boat ride or a 15 minute hopper flight from the mainland across the turquoise water, is San Pedro, Ambergris caye. Sheltered from the sea by an outer reef it looks idyllic with white sandy beaches and colourful wooden houses lining the shore. ¾ mile south of the main town where the beaches open up is Sailsports Belize, a kitesurf and windsurf centre. There is a range of accommodation options right there at the beach. With a clear fetch the wind had almost no gusts. There is riding right there outside the hotels on the eastern side of the island. On the western side of the island is an amazing mix of flats, mangroves and forgotten islands to discover. The wind is usually strongest in the morning, dropping off for a few hours around midday and building again in the afternoon. On windier days the waves can pick up on the outer reef a five minute tack away to find head high waves. Out on the reef the water is crystal clear, with an amazing array of wildlife swimming beneath you. WIND & WEATHER: The windy season is January to June, with an average of four days of wind a week. November through February we have the occasional cold front sweeping through that brings Force 5-7 winds that give us fantastic riding on the western side of the island.
WATER: Turquoise water fills the space between the small palm islands and mangrove trees. Water temp usually sits in the 20’s. Nice and warm. Glassy flat just inside the reef or on the western side of the island, chop and waves in the channels.
AIRPORT: Philip Goldson international airport is the only international airport in Belize. There are several direct flights daily from major US cities including Houston and Miami. Or a cheaper alternative is to fly into Cancun in Mexico and take the bus across the border. It takes around 10 - 12 hours from Cancun to Belize City.
GETTING ABOUT: No cars to rent, just golf carts and bicycles. Its only a small island.
FACILITIES FAMILIES: 5* . EATING OUT: 5*. NIGHTLIFE: 3*. RANGE OF ACCOMMODATION: 5*.
DON'T MISS 1 The second largest coral reef in the world. 2 A tour in the Jungle. 3 Spectacular panoramic views from the temple of Xunantunich. 4 Snorkeling with sharks and stingrays.
YACHT CHARTERS: The Moorings offers luxury yacht charters around Belize providing you with first class service and attention to detail to make your trip a memorable one. With 40 years experience you'll be immersed in the easy handling of the custom designed yachts and amazing lifestyle. On their website you can see what they have to offer including last minute savings, videos and information on their service.
