Laughing Bird Caye, Belize Barrier Reef
Our travels in Belize shifted south to Placencia, a chilled out beach village on the Caribbean Sea. After spending a relaxing day at Dianni’s Guest House, we joined Splash Dive Center on an unforgettable snorkeling trip in the Belize Barrier Reef.
Located 11 nautical miles off the coast of Placencia, Laughing Bird Caye is a tiny island inside the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef system in the world. It’s a picture perfect tropical island. The kind of dreamy island that shows up on lottery and retirement commercials, surrounded by clear aqua blue water and silky smooth white coral sand.
It’s a snorkeler’s paradise with incredible coral formations, shallow waters and plenty of marine wildlife.
Okay, so it’s technically not a private island, it’s a national park. However, aside from the lone Park Ranger and a few well-fed pelicans, our snorkeling tour group had the entire island all to ourselves for the day. It was awesome.
Between snorkeling sessions, we took shade under swaying coconut palms, savoring the moment while enjoying a delicious beach BBQ lunch.
Here are some photos from Laughing Bird Caye, Belize.
*Note – this blog post was originally published in 2011 and updated in May 2022. We used an Olympus camera for the underwater photos. At the time, this underwater feature was a big deal. Now, with the explosion of GoPro cameras and waterproof phones, the underwater photos feel less impressive. Digital photography has certainly improved in the past decade!
Coconut palm trees at the southern tip of the island.
Palm leaf shadows on the coral sand.
A single bright blue fish in the soft coral reef.
School of fish feeding off the coral.
The stunning coral reef in Laughing Bird Caye National Park.
Nicole taking a break between snorkeling sessions
Curious Rock Lobster crawling on Brain Coral.
Vibrant coral reef only 10 meters from the beach
My personal favourite underwater photo from the day
Park Ranger’s boat anchored on the beach. Not a wave in sight.
A perfect day on a private island with Splash Dive Center.
Did you know? In 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System was recognized as a World Heritage Site. Laughing Bird Caye National Park was designated as one of the premiere protected areas within the World Heritage Site.
Have you visited the Belize Barrier Reef?
If not, is it on your travel wish list?
love the underwater shots! so much colour.
so close to being your own private island that i would definitely claim it.
It was a spectacular day which made for some great shots!
Beautiful photos! My time in Belize was spent motoring up a river and walking around ruins – think I would have rather been snorkeling at this beautiful beach!!
We did that too and really enjoyed the interior of Belize. Next time you will need to visit the coast because the snorkeling is amazing.
Beautiful photos, especially the underwater shots! Love the brain coral!
We are hoping to do something similar in our last remaining days here in Honduras. It’s great when you can have a little island to yourself, even if it is just for a day.
There are so few places where you can have an island to yourself! Can’t wait to see your pictures.
It is cold in Buenos Aires. Stop taunting me with your beautiful island pictures. I miss Central America weather.
We didn’t know that April and May are two of the hottest months in Belize. Each day it was between 30 and 35 but it felt over 40 with humidity.
It looks gorgeous. It’s practically a private island. How often do you get to enjoy paradise without a ton of people around?!
Agreed, not very often.
We were able to scuba dive the inner reef and outer wall of Laughing Bird Caye on a day trip from Placencia. We ran into a pod of dolphins on our surface interval and were able to snorkel with them. It was one of our favourite memories of Belize, and a very memorable dive experience.
http://www.haveinternetwilltravel.com/2010/05/27/2-weeks-vacationing-and-diving-in-belize/
Nice! We didn’t see any dolphins while snorkeling but the divers did on their first dive.
Diving in Belize’s barrier reef is one of the things I have high on my bucket list (As well as Australia’s great barrier reef). You guys took some nice looking underwater photos!
Thanks Norbert! It’s a great spot for diving – so many spots to choose from
Ok, apparently, I have died and gone to heaven. Magnificent!! It looks like it was your own personal Eden.
It was a stunning place to spend the day!
Looks gorgeous! I want my private island too 🙂 I enjoyed the underwater pics, but I really loved the palm trees + beach + sea pics. I wanna lay under the palm trees and have a nice rum and coke…
We were spoiled that afternoon. The company we went with, Splash Dive Center, provided a BBQ lunch on the beach under the palms. Great spot for a BBQ!
The photos looks great! Also having an island like that for yourself is definitely something that I would love to experience one day as well.
Thanks! We hadn’t done any research prior to visiting the island, so we were pleasantly surprised when we realized we would have a private island for the day!
This looks like paradise! I’ve never been a big fan of snorkeling (water freaks me out), but these photos are making me rethink that stance….
This place is perfect for snorkelers. You can walk right off the beach and reach the coral within 10 meters. It’s pretty shallow and limited currents on the west side of the island, so easy to navigate
Looks super nice! I’ve never been but would love to. What kind of camera do you use for you underwater shots?
We’ve got an Olympus Underwater camera, just bought it before the trip (it took a while to get the hang of the settings but it has a lot of features)
Nice! We have an Olympus too – but it stopped working while we were snorkelling in the Bahamas right before we saw sharks!! Grrr… It was something weird with the battery corroding because it wasn’t sealed properly. When working it is a nice camera though!
I have an Olympus too and really like it! I was surprised at the quality of the pics when I started using it for underwater pics in the Red Sea (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.141344999244241.22316.125093464202728). Have you guys considered a red filter? Makes huge difference and is only $10 or so.
Beautiful! I’ve never been to Belize but I’d love to go, especially after seeing your shots! I’m leaving in a month for a big summer of scuba diving, so these pictures really make me itch to leave! What kind of camera did you use for the underwater shots?
Hey Carolyn. Thanks for the kind words. This is the camera we use – click on the link to see the details – Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 Digital Camera
We just got PADI open water certificate, this looks like an amazing place to explore!!
Awesome – congrats Dina!
We got our PADI in cold water (Vancouver), which wasn’t very fun.
Walking in off the beach??? Fantastic!
I with South America wasn’t so far away from SE Asia. We’re not done here yet but I really want to go there! Loved the underwater shots. You guys are truly talented. 🙂
It was pretty cool to be able to snorkel that amazing reef, and then walk onto the small island to have lunch, then go back in again whenever we wanted – instead of being stuck on a rocking boat.
Thanks for the kind words 🙂
Amazing pics! Made me so wish I was off to somewhere tropical… the perfect daydream from the office right now. Made me miss my old days of taking my friend’s panga off to check out small, private islands. Enjoy! So envious!
I hear you, we are now back in Vancouver behind the desk.
It’s only been a couple days now, but I already miss the peacefulness of the beach!
i LOVE these photos, they’re gorgeous!! The underwater shots are lovely, what camera do you use?
Thanks Anis – glad you like the pics (it was fun taking them!).
We use an Olympus Underwater camera
I’m pretty vocal about not liking Belize (or really giving it a chance) but the one thing I was impressed by was the respect for the ocean and the coral – they were so adamant about people not touching it, far more so than any other countries and I thought it was really great.
We managed to skip Belize City altogether, didn’t visit it once (partially due to your write up about it).
We really enjoyed the islands and Cayo District. It really shouldn’t be classified as a Latin American country, it is totally Caribbean.
Absolutely stunning. Amazing underwater shots, and delightful shots of the beach and ocean. I’m terribly jealous. That area is one of my favorite in the world based on its natural beauty and sealife/food.
Thanks for the kid words amigo – glad you like the photos! Cheers!
Looks beautiful. I miss the gorgeous waters and warm weather 🙂
It is hot, hot, hot in Belize! Especially in May
These photos are absolutely amazing! We are so jealous – we miss the Caribbean! Belize still is our favorite snorkeling spot.
Thanks for the kind words! I’d like to take credit for the photos but I think its the stunning reef that did all the work 😉
Wow – that water is so clear and beautiful! I’d love to go to Belize
The water is so clear in Belize, especially out on the reef. It is quite amazing to swim in such warm, clear water
Looks like a great place to snorkel! Love the underwater photos.
Indeed – it is the perfect snorkelers island!
Beautiful photos! I’m sure the only bad part about your time there was leaving! Cheers!
Hah! No doubt! It was definitely hard “re-entering” our lives back in the chilly Pacific Northwest
I love adventures. Though the underwater photos, mind blowing. Amazing pics!
Awesome! DH and I went snorkeling when we were in Jamaica and although the water looked like that, the underwater reefs were pretty sad.
Amazing underwater shots! Belize is one of the places we’re thinking of visiting for some diving end of this year. What camera did you use to take those photos underwater? We tried some off the shelf one time use underwater camera when we were in Hawaii and were very disappointed at how blurry everything looked. Do let us know! thanks!
Thanks Shirlene! The camera we used is the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010
Love the photos. My husband and I chartered a sail boat in Belize a few years back and shared a few “deserted island” days inside the barrier reef. What an amazing trip. Thanks for the memories.
very nice post, can i get the details about the location of apartments in Belize pleaese? someone can provide me with a good website maybe ?
Its an outstanding place to go with my wife. I am sure you guyz would have enjoyed alot while swimming, walking here and there, natural beauty, these beautiful insects in the water.. All these things in Belize Barrier Reef look outstanding awesome… What about the residence facilities? If you can provide information about that i will appreciate it alot and some guide or places..?
Nice Photography,I think its a nice for holidays.These days I am in cyprus and i wants to become a part of this Island.
i really love traveling!
it made me feel good every time i see
a nice views 😀
Looks great! Trying to decide on my next trip – most likely kayaking somewhere warm. Belize comes to mind. Your photos are definitely inspiring me to head over to Belize! Your photos are gorgeous! Love it!
Thanks AnitaMac. We highly recommend Belize! It was amazing.
Amazing shots of the Belize Reef. I also love Laughing Bird Caye, one of the most beautiful islands in Belize.