Belize Yacht Charter

Unspoilt and less crowded than other parts of the Caribbean, Belize is a laid-back paradise very similar to the cruising grounds of the South Pacific. Known for world-class snorkelling and scuba diving, superior chartering in protected waters, and unparalleled natural beauty, a Belize cruising holiday is unique and special.

Belize is a small country in northern Central America just a bit larger than the US state of Massachusetts. To the north is Mexico and to the west is Guatemala. The western Caribbean fronts the rest of Belize. One of its most remarkable features, making this destination splendid for a Belize cruising holiday, is the Mesoamerican Reef that stretches approximately 350 nautical miles from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula down along most of the Belizean coast. Only Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is larger. In Belize, the reef shelters more than 400 cayes. Most are fringed with additional reefs comprised of at least 50 species of hard and soft corals. Manatees, whale sharks, and roughly 500 species of tropical fish thrive in these waters, and all manner of seabirds are plentiful, including the Magnificent Frigate and the Brown Booby.

Cruising in Placencia

A Belize yacht charter holiday offers balmy easterly trade winds year round averaging between 15 and 22 knots that virtually guarantee a wonderful cruising experience every day in calm waters tucked behind cayes and reefs. Passages are short and the navigation is mostly line-of-sight. Plotting courses and heeding the chart is advised due to the many reefs. Keeping a good bow watch and reading depths based on colour changes is also important due to seasonal changes in sand bars. A Belize yacht charter is well within the reach of captains who have basic skills in coastal navigation. The beauty and unique character of these waters lures less experienced and veteran charterers alike to return time after time for more adventures in one of the best snorkelling and diving locations in the Western Caribbean. Year-round temperatures range from 74°F to 84°F (23°C to 29°C).

Placencia Highlights

A Belize cruising holiday naturally focuses on the superlative on-board experience, scenic anchorages behind palm-fringed or mangrove-lined cayes, and the fantastic snorkelling and scuba diving in some of the clearest water anywhere. Forays to restaurants on the cayes to sample local cuisine and exposure to Belizean culture add to the pleasures. However, a Belize yacht charter can encompass much more, and often does. Many guests add extra time at the start or finish of their adventure to include a guided dive excursion to the Great Blue Hole, a geological wonder of the world located within Lighthouse Reef, or sightseeing tours of the Mayan ruins inland.

To charter in Belize without a skipper, you must fill out this application to obtain a temporary Certificate of Competency. Your application will be submitted to the Belizean Port Authorities. This Temporary Certificate of Competency and Disclosure is required for all bareboat charters in Belize. These are issued by the Belizean Port Authority and are a legal requirement for all yachts without a local skipper on board. Please ensure you read our Travel Information and the Sailing Restrictions which apply to charters in Belize. Please contact your pre-departure support agent for further information.

Learn about our By-the-Cabin Crewed Charters

Qualifications required to sail in Belize: