If you’re looking for things to do in Belize City, one of the most exciting things you can do is visit the nearby island of Goff’s Caye (islands are known as “cayes” in Belize). In fact, it’s located so close to shore, that Goff’s Caye is considered to be one of the finest Belize City attractions for international visitors.

Goff’s Caye is located just 30 minutes away from Belize City by boat. It is a tiny island approximately 1.2 acres (five square kilometers) in size, most of it sand. But it is the gorgeous scenery and shallow waters that make it such a popular destination for snorkeling. Managed by the Belizean government, Goff’s Caye is a great place to visit and an excellent introduction to the astonishing beauty of the Belize Barrier Reef.

Because it is a public island (most small islands in Belize are actually privately owned), you won’t have to deal with any private beaches or fenced-off resort areas on Goff’s Caye. This makes it a great place to wander around, swim, curl up in a hammock, and suntan. Snorkeling, however, is one of the most popular activities because the reef is extremely close by and water depths are only around 23 inches (60 centimeters) or less.

There are only a limited number of facilities in Goff’s Caye, so it’s usually best to bring your own food and drink as choices are quite limited, consisting primarily of bottled water, soda/pop, and pre-made sandwiches. You can rent snorkeling equipment on the island, but it’s usually more affordable to do so on the mainland or one of the bigger islands. Goff’s Caye’s main attractions are its stunning island views, snorkeling areas, and its close proximity to Belize City. Goff’s Caye is also close to the central lagoon where a large group of manatees thrive on huge beds of seagrass.

If you’re not sure what to do in Belize City and are game to try some snorkeling on Goff’s Caye as well as see manatees in their native habitat, be sure to book your tour with Black Orchid Resort.

Black Orchid Resort is a luxury resort located on the banks of the Old Belize River but often comes up in searches for Belize City hotels because it is situated nearby in the village of Burrell Boom just a 15-minute drive from the airport. Black Orchid Resort also organizes tours to other top destinations on the reef and mainland of Belize.