A car-free coral island where the motto — Go Slow — is enforced mainly by hammock. The barrier reef, the largest in the northern hemisphere, sits just offshore: snorkel from the Split's dock area or take the shortest of boat hops to swim with nurse sharks and rays inside Hol Chan reserve. Fry jacks for breakfast, lobster for dinner, and nothing in between but water.
Featured in Ten snorkelling beaches with reefs right off the sand · Beach
Belize's barrier reef is the western hemisphere's biggest, and sandy, car-free Caye Caulker is the easy way in. Snorkel trips to Hol Chan Marine Reserve deliver nurse sharks, rays and turtles in water rarely deeper than a swimming pool, with guides who know individual animals by name. The island motto is Go Slow and it's enforced socially. Choose a sailboat trip over a speedboat — slower, calmer, better.
Featured in Ten tropical snorkel and dive spots perfect for first-timers · Tropical