Kayak, Caye Caulker

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Kayaking across the split can be very fun and the scenery is beautiful. It can also be very entertaining especially if you know nothing about the functionality of a kayak. I learned that they are very heavy when the fill with water in the hull and almost impossible to float. That being said, one should not try to drag them to shore and dump them out. It will not be successful. Thankfully someone told us about the plug in the hull and that is should be in place prior to attempting kayaking. It was fun and short lived (thank god) and a lot of work.

For something different to do, kayak along the shore of the north island. This would be a treat for bird lovers especially – we saw many egrets and herons. Many hotels have kayaks their guests can use for free, and rent them to the general public. We crossed the Split and paddled up the west side of the northern part of the island, which is mostly uninhabited. The shoreline is a tangle of mangroves and looks pretty inaccessible, except for a couple of docks along the way. It looks just like my idea of the Mosquite Coast (and was indeed called that), but fortunately minus actual mosquitoes!

We came across this little hut in the water not long after we crossed the Split and started paddling north. Looks like it's gone to the birds.

The island was actually a lot longer but it was divided in two by hurricane Hattie in 1961. Most of the northern island is a nature reserve today, and there is almost nothing built there. One day you should rent a kayak or canoe and go paddling around the island. It really feels like you are in a National Geographic documentary when you are paddling around the mangrovetrees on the island with plenty of fishes jumping around the boat. Bring a snorkelmask, water and some food and you have a great day out.