Belize – Far away and yet close to home.
Daydream Yachting Turquoise water, deserted cayes, coral reefs teeming with life – Belize is the Caribbean in its most pristine form. We spend two weeks sailing a Helia 44 through an island world that feels like a well-kept secret.
We anchor off palm-fringed sandbanks, snorkel amongst colourful, still living reefs, walk barefoot through the sand and seek out the next beach bar.
The sailing area:
Belize lies on the Caribbean coast of Central America and is one of the most pristine sailing areas in the Caribbean. Offshore runs the largest reef in the northern hemisphere, protecting the numerous cayes (small islands) from the open sea – an ideal area for relaxed island hopping, snorkelling and diving.
A sailing trip in Belize promises turquoise water, palm-fringed islands, Caribbean flair and a fascinating, unspoilt underwater world.
The coast is characterised by shallow waters, sheltered lagoons and more than 400 islands stretching from Ambergris Caye in the north down to Placencia in the south
Inside the reef we sail in a relaxed manner amongst countless cayes, shallow lagoons and coral heads. Navigation requires attention and a good eye, as we navigate in crystal-clear water according to the shades on the turquoise scale.
Belize is not a mass charter destination. It is quiet, vast and authentic – perfect for sailors who want to discover the Caribbean anew.
The trip:
Our trip begins in Placencia, a laid-back coastal town in southern Belize. After check-in, provisioning and a first night on board, it's time to cast off and head into the green-turquoise paradise
We sail in the sheltered waters inside the barrier reef. The passages are deliberately kept short – time for swimming, snorkelling, arriving. We anchor off small cayes, go ashore barefoot or simply stay on board and let the day end in the warm water.
The evenings are ours. Cooking in the cockpit, sunsets, stars. Belize reveals itself quietly – and that's precisely what creates the magic.
In the second week we extend our cruising area. For at least three days we have the option of a local skipper joining us on board. Only with him are we permitted to sail to the cayes on the outer reef. Here we discover the more remote cayes. Pristine and beautiful.
We snorkel along steep reef walls, encounter rays, turtles and with a bit of luck dolphins. The anchorages are more remote, more rugged and enormously impressive.
Slowly we make our way back to Placencia. This is where the voyage ends.
The yacht:
Our temporary home is a Helia 44 catamaran – comfortable, open and ideal for a fortnight's sailing in tropical waters.
The spacious saloon with panoramic windows connects indoor and outdoor life, whilst the cockpit quickly becomes the centre of life on board. Forward, the foredeck invites you to read, dream and count stars.
The cabins are bright, quiet and offer sufficient privacy. Thanks to the shallow draught we can get close to the islands and anchor where others cannot reach. The Helia 44 is not a floating hotel. She is a reliable companion – and that's precisely what makes her perfect for Daydream Yachting.
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More InformationHelia
44 feet
