Challenges in Belize

[StuCohen]

After 3 blissful years of cruising the BVI's, my wife and I are headed off on our belated honeymoon for a week of sailing in Belize next month (and yes I know it's a risk during hurricane season). Having been lulled into complacency by some of the easiest sailing grounds in the world in the BVI's, I'm wondering what challenges face us in Belize? How deep is the water inside the reef? I've been reading about the hazards of uncharted coral patches and shallow spots, and I've become used to the ease of just picking up a mooring ball at virtually any anchorage in the BVI's and (literally) not losing any sleep over whether my anchor is set properly. Will we find anything like that in Belize? I've also read that trying to navigate through the reef to get to such sites as the Blue Hole is not recommended for those unfamiliar to the area. I do realize it's all pretty uninhabited, so I'm not expecting to be able to dinghy up to a place like the Willie T for dinner or hang out at Foxy's and listen to live music. So, any suggestions for making this an enjoyable trip where I can return my boat damage free, or am I getting in over my head...no pun intended :-)

[funsailthekeys]

On your trip to Belize the shortest thing to say is it will be very much like the Keys. Lots of coral heads. The depth will very greatly, from nothing to 30+ feet behind the reef line. I would not do the trip unless you are good at reading the water by color. The Bahamas are an excellent example. the markers are few and far between down there. With a good watch a strict observance of your position it's not that difficult. I don't want to sound like an alarmist but this is not a trip for the inexperienced at navigation. You can travel on the out side of the reef line to get where you are going with much less stress, then come in and anchor behind the reef. As most everyone will tell you this is best done with the sun up high to read the water more clearly. If I can be of any more help, just ask. I forgot to mention the boat I use is a Hirsch Gulfstar 45 with 5 1/2 ' of draft. No Worries.

[purplemoon]

My wife and I visited Belize, and had some difficulty naving the reef south of the port of Belize,the depths off the reef where very difficult to read. However on the north side of Belize was much easier and the depths were very steady there on the inside of the reef. Hope you had a great time while there at least.

[wingsailor]

I have posted the log of my charter in Belize on my web site. Click on the "Belize 2008 Charter" tab to view the log. Lots of pictures and discriptions of the places we anchored. Anyone planning to sail to Belize or charter there should find my web site "wingsailor . com" helpful. I am retired and have no commercial connection with any organizations mentioned on the page.
Belize is not a difficult place to sail if you have any skill reading the water. Sailing inside the barrier reef is not a problem but you must pay attention always.