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Belize time: 9:49 pm
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Home > Tour Packages > Cruise Ship Tours
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New to Belize. Enjoy the thrill and freedom of captaining your own 14-foot rigid inflatable boat (RIB) as you explore the beautiful Belize River. As part of a floating caravan, you will have a unique view of Belize's lush tropical ecosystem and mangrove cayes. You will travel silently through the natural habitat of howler monkeys, manatees, crocodiles, iguanas, dolphins, and a dazzling array of bird life. If you can drive a car, you can pilot your own RIB.
Captaining your own RIB is safe, easy, and fun. Each boat holds up to three adults or two adults and two children. The boats are powered by an eco-friendly, extremely quiet 40-horsepower, 4-stroke outboard motor made by Honda. You'll feel as if you are part of nature rather than an intruder.
The tour begins with a short boat ride from the Tourism Village. En route, you'll pass through Belize City and sail under the historic Swing Bridge. At the RIB marina, you will meet your experienced local guides, who will lead you through your tropical adventure. The guides will provide a thorough briefing on the operating and safety procedures required for captaining your vessel. (Piloting a RIB is much like driving a car.) The guides are also well-versed in the history, culture and ecology of the area, and are ready to answer any of your questions.
Your guides will chart the course of your tour. They will captain the lead boat of your caravan.
The first part of your tour will take you meandering through the amazing mangrove tunnels of Haulover Creek. As you pass under the enclosed canopy of the narrow channel, the roots of the mangroves crisscross above you, growing almost like stalactites some 10-15 feet down to the water’s edge. The mangroves are home to a wide variety of bird life. You may see kingfishers and snowy egrets diving for a quick meal.
At the midway point of the tour, we'll stop for a few minutes at a rest area. Bathroom facilities are available, as well as a snack and gift shop.
Beyond the mangrove tunnel, the creek merges with one of the most important waterways in Belize - the Belize River. Steeped in history, the Belize River once served as the main "highway" of the country, linking the old capital of Belize City to the inland areas in the heyday of the logwood, chicle and mahogany industries.
The river is easily navigable and its calm waters are ideal for first-time boaters. Your leisurely trip upstream will take you past an old sawmill dating to the logging era and expose you to some of Belize's most beautiful modern-day homes. Aside from the magnificent natural beauty, this tour offers you a rare opportunity to get an up close and personal view of Belize’s wildlife. The residents of the river ecosystem include howler monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and birds of all shapes and sizes.
At the mouth of the Belize River, you will enter the domain of the West Indian manatee. These graceful and gentle "sea cows" spend their time feeding on mangrove leaves and grazing on the surface of the warm shallow waters. In deeper waters, you may also catch a glimpse of a dolphin or two.
Following the manatee watching (and plenty of photo opportunities), the tour will head back through the mangrove channels to the RIB marina to disembark. You will then be transported by boat, passing again through Belize City, to the Tourism Village. Depending on your schedule, you may unwind in a local bar, shop for souvenirs, or simply relax.
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| Money-Saving Discounts |
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Group Discount Special:
Reserve a group of 6 or more and get a 10 percent discount on your total price.
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Questions? Find your answer in our Frequently Asked Questions.
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