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Cruising Belizefrom a yacht owner’s perspective is an adventure that combines pristine natural beauty, rich marine biodiversity, and unique cultural experiences. Nestled on the eastern coast of Central America, Belize offers a myriad of cruising opportunities, from its turquoise waters and coral reefs to its lush landscapes and charming coastal communities. This guide provides an in-depth look into the preparations, destinations, and experiences awaiting yacht owners in Belize. 1. Navigational PlanningNavigational planning is crucial for a safe and enjoyable cruise. Belize’s waters are dotted with numerous cays, reefs, and atolls. Key tools for planning include:
2. Weather and ClimateUnderstanding Belize’s climate is essential for a smooth voyage. Belize has a tropical climate with a wet season (June to November) and a dry season (December to May).
3. Legal RequirementsBefore setting sail, ensure compliance with Belize’s maritime regulations.
4. ProvisioningProper provisioning is essential for a comfortable journey.
Destinations and Itineraries1. Belize Barrier ReefThe Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest coral reef system in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include:
2. Northern CaysThe northern cays offer a blend of natural beauty and vibrant communities.
3. Central CoastThe central coast provides a mix of cultural experiences and stunning landscapes.
4. Southern CoastThe southern coast is characterized by its lush rainforests and traditional Garifuna culture.
Marine Life and Ecosystem1. Coral ReefsBelize’s coral reefs are a treasure trove of marine biodiversity.
2. Mangroves and Seagrass BedsMangroves and seagrass beds play a vital role in the coastal ecosystem.
3. Marine Reserves and ConservationBelize is committed to marine conservation, with several protected areas.
Local Culture and Communities1. Garifuna CultureThe Garifuna people have a rich cultural heritage.
2. Maya HeritageBelize is home to numerous Maya archaeological sites.
3. Modern Belizean LifeEngage with the diverse communities along the coast.
Practical Tips for Cruising Belize1. Anchoring and MooringUnderstanding anchoring and mooring options is essential for a safe stay.
2. Communication and ConnectivityStay connected and informed during your cruise.
3. Safety and SecurityPrioritize safety and security for a worry-free voyage.
4. Environmental ResponsibilityPractice sustainable cruising to preserve Belize’s natural beauty.
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MARINAS IN BELIZE SPONSORING THE OCEAN POSSE
| The Moorings >> | Placencia |
| The Placencia >> | Placencia |
| Thunder Birds Marina >> | Placencia |
| Roberts Grove >> | Placencia |
| Kukumba Beach >> | Belize City |
| The Placencia Yacht Club >> | Placencia |
| Radisson Fort George Marina >> | Belize City |
| Sitee River Marina >> | Hopkins |
WEATHER
PILOT CHARTS
These Pilot Charts provide historic points and aggregated information of wind flows, air and ocean temperatures, wave heights, rain, barometric weight, and climate conditions at various seasons. This data was acquired from oceanographic and meteorologic perceptions over hundreds of years starting in the late eighteenth century. These diagrams are planned to help mariners choose routes with respect to the normal climate and sea conditions using prevailing seasonal wind information. For an explanation of how to read Wind-roses and interpret historic Climatology follow this link.
PORTS OF ENTRY
- San Pedro, Ambergris Caye: A popular entry point located near the Mexican border, known for its vibrant tourist atmosphere and proximity to major attractions. San Pedro is ideal for yachts arriving from or departing to Mexico (Noonsite) (Noonsite).
- Belize City: The largest city and a major hub for maritime activities, Belize City offers multiple marinas such as Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina and Cucumber Beach Marina. It is well-equipped with facilities for visiting yachts (Noonsite) (Noonsite).
- Big Creek / Placencia: Situated in southern Belize, this port is favored for its accessibility and comprehensive services. It serves as an excellent gateway to exploring the southern parts of the country (Noonsite) (Noonsite).
- Punta Gorda: Known for its friendly authorities and ease of access, Punta Gorda is a smaller yet significant port of entry, particularly convenient for yachts cruising to and from southern Belize (Noonsite) (Noonsite).
- Caye Caulker and Sapodilla Lagoon: These locations offer additional options for yachts looking to explore Belize’s beautiful islands and coastal area
- San Pedro, Ambergris Caye: A popular entry point located near the Mexican border, known for its vibrant tourist atmosphere and proximity to major attractions. San Pedro is ideal for yachts arriving from or departing to Mexico (Noonsite) (Noonsite).
- Belize City: The largest city and a major hub for maritime activities, Belize City offers multiple marinas such as Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina and Cucumber Beach Marina. It is well-equipped with facilities for visiting yachts (Noonsite) (Noonsite).
- Big Creek / Placencia: Situated in southern Belize, this port is favored for its accessibility and comprehensive services. It serves as an excellent gateway to exploring the southern parts of the country (Noonsite) (Noonsite).
- Punta Gorda: Known for its friendly authorities and ease of access, Punta Gorda is a smaller yet significant port of entry, particularly convenient for yachts cruising to and from southern Belize (Noonsite) (Noonsite).
- Caye Caulker and Sapodilla Lagoon: These locations offer additional options for yachts looking to explore Belize’s beautiful islands and coastal area
DOCUMENTS
What is SailClear?
Sailclear is an online pre-arrival notification system which is available for use by yachts and other pleasure craft operators. The system allows Captains to submit their Customs declarations in the form of electronic notifications prior to arrival in certain participating countries in the Caribbean. Registered users can access the system to enter and update notifications about their yachts, crew and passengers while transiting the Caribbean region.
“It is an innovative but simple facility which is intended to simplify the clearance process, reduce the time spent with the Customs officials and generally improve the experience of the visiting yacht crew and passengers.”
| DOCUMENTATION | BELIZE | |
| Passport | Valid for at least 6 months; requires one blank page | |
| Boat Documentation | Coast Guard Doc (Original) Pre-arrival Notification Required – www.sailclear.com |
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| Proof of Insurance | Liability | |
| Crewlist | Required at checkin/out Pre-arrival Notification using- www.sailclear.com Entered in SailClear – Belize Port Authority Press release here  |
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| Zarpe | Required at checkin/out | |
| OFFICIAL PROCEDURES | HAIL UPON ARRIVAL | |
| Official Country Visa |
The visitor’s permit extension allows you to remain on condition that the holder does not enter into employment paid or unpaid and does not engage in any business or profession without the consent of the Director of Immigration and does not remain in Belize further that the expiration of permit. The Visitor’s Permit Extension allows you to stay in Belize for an additional 30 days. FeesFees with effect from 1 May 2020. All fees are in Belize dollars. The Visitor’s Permit Extension fee is BZ$200.00 Who can QualifyPersons who want to extend their holidays in Belize or persons investigating the possibilities of settlement. Persons who require a visa (see Visa Section) after a predefined number of extended days in Belize, must acquire that visa before being issued a visitor’s permit extension.
Holders of a Belize visa may qualify for visitor’s permit extension. |
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| Immigration Visa | Good for 180 days; must leave country to renew | |
| Required Permits | TIP | |
| Upon Arrival Visit: | Immigration; Customs; Port Authority | |
| Upon Departure Visit: | Immigration; Customs; Port Captain | |
| Entry & Exit Fees: | ||
| Notes: | Expect to be boarded by Navy upon entering and/or leaving the country | |
| OTHER | ||
| Required Vaccinations | ||
| Pets | Vaccination Certificate | |
| Currency: Belize Dollar |
American Dollar to 
Belize Dollar
| Crime Index | Safety Index | Corruption Index | Corruption Score | GDP x capita, | Pop (K) | Life Ex. | Cost of Living | Groc. | Rest. $ | Loc.Purch.P. | ||
| 53.62 |
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NA | 29 % | $ 4,884 | 383 | 74.36 |
US EMBASSY
17°15’23.9″N 88°46’23.9″W
Belmopan, Belize
https://bz.usembassy.gov/
Ships’ documents may be submitted at the Authority’s Headquarters during normal working hours from Monday – Friday for ships that are scheduled to enter on weekends and holidays at our Main Headquarters. Arrangements must be made by 4:00 pm of the preceding work days for services.
Effective 1 April, 2019:
A portal has been created shipdocumentation@gmail.com for electronic submission of shipping documents which shall include cruise and cargo ship information such as;
- Notice of Arrival within 48 hours
- Departure Notice
- Certificate of Clearance
- Pilotage and Boarding Report
- Import and Export Cargo Manifests
- Ship’s Registry
- International Ship Security Certificate (on initial visit or annually)
- Protection and Indemnity Certificate (on initial visit or annually)
- Continuous Synopsis Record (on initial visit or annually)
- Tender manifests
Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 listed above are to be submitted in paper form in duplicates or triplicates as requires for proper authentication.
Upon boarding, only documents listed below are to be provided to Boarding Officers of the Belize Port Authority:
- Arrival Declaration
- Nil List
- Clearance from Last Port of Call
- Pilot card
- Discrepancy Report (if any)
Tariffs to be charged for private pleasure yachts visiting the seaports in Belize are to include a fee for the waiver of pilotage the fees to be charged are stated below:
| Pilot Waiver Fees | Standard Rate |
| Vessels less than 50 GT | Not Applicable |
| Vessels more than 50 GT But less than or equal to 100 GT |
$ 150.00 |
| Vessels more than 100 GT But less than or equal to 500 GT |
$ 250.00 |
| Vessels more than 500 GT But less than or equal to 2000 GT |
$ 500.00 |
| Vessels more than 2000 GT | $ 750.00 |
| Charges | Particulars | Cost |
| Administrative Charges | For Boarding and clearance | 100.00 |
| Boarding for entry | For ships not more than 100 GT | 30.00 |
| for ships more than 100 GT | 75.00 | |
| Clearance | For ships more more than 100 GT | 30.00 |
| For ships not more than 100 GT | 50.00 | |
| Navigational Aids | Per call per vessel | $1.50 per GT (with a maximum of 875.00) |
| Port Dues: | First 48 hours | Each 24 hrs thereafter |
| On ships not more than 100 GT | $ 30.00 | $ 10.00 |
| On ships more than 100 GT but no more than 500 GT |
$ 40.00 | $ 15.00 |
| On ships more than 500 GT but not more than 2,000 GT |
$ 80.00 | $ 20.00 |
| On ships more than 2,000 GT But not more than 5,000 GT |
$ 140.00 | $ 45.00 |
| On ships more than 5,000 GT but not more than 10,000 GT |
$ 200.00 | $ 50.00 |
| On ships more than 10,000 GT but not more than 15,000 GT |
$ 240.00 | $ 60.00 |
| On ships more than 15,000 GT but not more than 20,000 GT |
$ 320.00 | $ 100.00 |
| On ships more than 20,000 GT | $ 400.00 | $ 120.00 |
| Port Security (ISPS) Fees: | Standard Rate | |
| For cruise ships | 0.60 per pax | |
| For Cargo ships on ships between 0-500 GT |
$ 300.00 | |
| On ships more than 501 GT but not more than 5,000 GT |
$ 700.00 | |
| On ships more than 5,001 GT But not more than 15,000 GT |
$ 1,400.00 | |
| on ships more than 15,001 GT | $ 2,000.00 | |
Note: All prices are in Belize dollars (BZD)
MUST SEE
Belize Barrier Reef System a UNESCO World heritage Site >>
7 marine preserves
- Bacalar Chico Natural Monument 18.141° N 87.863° W
- Half Moon Caye Natural Monument 17.2047° N 87.5364° W
- Blue Hole Natural Monument 17.3160° N 87.5347° W
- South Water Caye Marine Reserve 16°43′08″N 88°08′56″W
- Laughing Bird Caye Natural Park 16°26’36” N 88°11’50″W
- Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve 16°08′46″N 88°16′52″W 16.146°N 88.281°W / 16.146; -88.281
Atolls
Turneffe Atoll 17.4382° N, 87.8304° W
Glovers Reef Atoll 16.71729,-87.84885.
Lighthouse Reef Atoll 17°18′N 87°33′W / 17.300°N 87.550°W / 17.300; -87.550.
Actun Tunich Muk’nal Cave System >>
LABANAI MAYAN SITE “SUBMERGED CROCODILE”>>
Mayan ruins of ALTUN HA>>
for a complete list of tour oprators follow this link >>
REPAIRS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS
THUNDERBIRDS MARINE
HAKIM
EMERGENCIES AND SAR INFO
Defence Force Air Wing
Type: ARCC, Country: Belize, SRR: SRR BELIZE
Latitude, Longitude:
(17.48332977,-88.18332672)
Telephone:
501 205 2172 not 24 hours/day please contact NSA
Email:
Fax:
501 205 2094 not 24 hours/day please contact NSA
Website:
INMARSAT:
Telex:
Notes:
CHARTS
AIDS TO NAVIGATION
Please sign up with Good Nautical for Anchorages, Marinas, and Ports of Entry Information.
COMMUNICATIONS
TIDES
The largest known tidal range near Belize City is: 1.38ft. (0.42m).
It’s a mixed semi-diurnal tidal type.
