Plizio Visual Lab

Southern Long Caye

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Island

Weather…

Southern Long Caye is a private island in the central part of the Belize Barrier Reef. It is located within the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its exceptional marine biodiversity. The island is surrounded by pristine coral reefs, offering excellent opportunities for snorkeling and diving. The shallow, clear waters are home to an abundance of marine life, including colorful coral fish, stingrays, nurse sharks, and sea turtles. The island itself is covered with mangroves and coastal vegetation, providing nesting sites for seabirds. Due to its remote location and protected status, Southern Long Caye gives an exclusive and authentic experience of the Caribbean underwater world, away from the major tourist crowds.

Location: Belize
Nearby: Tobacco Caye (4 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb–Apr.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	25	25	26	27	28	28	28	28	28	27	26	25
Rain mm	131	74	56	38	123	218	165	173	188	254	207	148

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

This elongated mangrove island is mostly reached by chartered boat or as part of organized marine tours. The journey typically originates from central coastal towns and requires some skilled navigation through the barrier reef waters.

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Best season

For a trip here, the drier season between the months of February and May is highly recommended. During this time, the winds are often more consistent, which makes the boat crossing significantly calmer and much more pleasant for everyone.

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Terrain & paths

The landscape is strongly characterized by dense mangrove forests that reach deep into the clear coastal waters. Proper beaches are quite rare here; the focus is instead on the shallow, fish-rich seabed that surrounds the entire landmass.

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What to bring

Practical clothing for boat trips, a good sun hat, and polarized sunglasses are absolutely essential for spotting reef life. Anyone wanting to explore the water should definitely pack a mask and snorkel in their travel luggage.

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Parking

Parking spaces must be found on the mainland at the respective departure point of the boats. Tour operators in Belize City or Dangriga generally provide secure parking areas for the vehicles of their day-tripping guests.

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Safety

Mangrove areas can be rich in sandflies, which is why long protective clothing is sometimes highly advantageous. Boaters should know the shallow reef zones exactly to avoid damaging either the boat or the fragile underwater ecosystem.

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Time needed

Exploration tours around this mangrove island usually take half a day, often combined with other stops along the reef. Those dedicated to fly fishing can easily spend the entire day in these shallow waters teeming with various marine life.

Geography

Coordinates

17.20000, -88.10000

Facts

Located within the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The caye sits approximately 14 miles (22 km) off the coast of Dangriga.
Surrounded by some of the healthiest coral formations in the Caribbean.
The island is approximately 15 acres in size.
Home to a variety of nesting sea birds and migratory species.
The surrounding waters reach depths of over 400 feet just east of the reef crest.
The island serves as an important site for marine biology research and education.