Caye Caulker Warnings and Dangers

If you aren't a strong swimmer and the tide is turning, you may have difficulty swimming across the split. Fortunately, there are always lots of people there and they can probably help you before you get swept away. If you snorkel off the north half, be careful not to touch the non-sandy edges. There is fire coral in the mangrove roots which raises red welts. Mine didn't itch but maybe they do for others.

The only mode of wheeled transportation besides bicycles on the island. The motto is "go slow" but you do have to watch for golf carts since you cannot hear their motor, they sometimes sneak up on you and most of the people driving them do give you ample warning that they are coming!!

The sink and the shower just discharged their water (and soap etc) directly onto the sand under the cabin. The toilet did not so presumeably it went to some kind of septic tank or holding tank. We were told not to flush toilet paper, and that was also the case in other places on Caye Caulker as well. So you wipe yourself and put the paper in the trash can.

It is very important that you follow those directions.

Belize is filled with drugs, Marihuana, Coke, Crack etc...It is very dangerous, not only using it, because you never really know what exactly you got, you could get mugged or even pass out, die etc... Our Taxidriver in Belize City told us that here is a lot af Crack addicts that are mugging tourists and locals, he told us that we should stay inside in the evening, we didnt and could not see anything dangerous, but it is a god advice not to bring a lot of money, only enough for a meal or drink, and if you get mugged just leve the money to the guy and stay safe.

There are some great sunrises and sunsets to be seen on Caye Caulker. Unfortunately, dawn and dusk are when the sandfleas and mosquitoes are most active, especially if there is no breeze. Take appropriate precautions or you will end up with lots of itchy red bumps on your body. The sandfleas seem to particularly enjoy biting feet.

At home I can walk on gravel, or go barefoot in the snow. I go barefoot all the time and have tough feet.

But in Caye Caulker, the first time I tried going barefoot, I found that the harsh sand wore the skin off my feet. So I had to wear shoes, which was a bummer. Caye Caulker is the perfect place to go barefoot.

When you travel to foreign places to do diving, you take a lot of things on trust. Trust that the dive center is properly prepared to take you diving, that their divemasters are competent, and above all else, that your safety is priority, because diving can turn ugly fast and underwater can be a dangerous environment.

While we had a fantastic time using two different dive centers, Black Durgon Dives and Frenchie's Diving, we heard reports from other travelers before we even arrived at Caye Caulker about Big Fish Diving. Two backpackers at the Belize Zoo mentioned that someone had recently died on a dive to the Blue Hole with them. And another traveler down in the south of the country had also expressed severe doubt on their abilities and their safety record. It was said that PADI had pulled their license, even though it was still painted on their storefront.

Now, those were just rumors, to be fair. However, we stayed clear, and returning, I came across this complaint against them that also highlighted safety problems and danger while diving. Putting it all together, I think it's only fair to say to steer clear of Big Fish Diving, as there are plenty of caring, safety-conscious dive centers on the island.

The Split is THE swimming/snorkeling/hangout on Caye Caulker.
Be careful if walking on the far left side (facing across to the other side of the Split)where boats often tie up.
Lot of broken glass over there.