From the Split, beach bars, and a ton of other walking-distance charms, Caye Caulker is a Belizean gem that has long been in Belize-loving adventurers’ radars. Just a swim away are some of the best snorkeling and diving spots on this side of the Caribbean, which makes it more than just a laid-back patch of sand.
Where Is Caye Caulker Located?
Caye Caulker is just 37.1 km or 23 miles northeast of Belize City, just off mainland Belize. This idyllic island is home to many of the country’s best resorts and beaches. Only 17.7 km or 11 miles south Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulkers is one of Belize’s biggest islands and hottest spots for exploring.
The caye boasts slow living despite its fame among tourists. Caye Caulker is highly recommended by those who prefer a chill, slow, and laid-back living, with a fun nightlife away from mainland touristy things.
What Is Caye Caulker Known for?
Caye Caulker offers cheaper expenses, with a relaxed living atmosphere. It’s famous for vacationers and explorers who want to have a slow and laid-back base off the mainland. With its proximity to many of Belize’s famous island attractions, like the Great Blue Hole, Caye Caulker is the perfect spot for scuba divers, snorkelers, and island-hopping lovers.
Chill beaches and a hip nightlife are also Caye Caulker’s main draws, famous for its easygoing vibe, frequent visitors would only suggest just a day at the beach and a stroll around Caye Caulker village is enough to splurge on its best attraction – relaxed living.
What Does Caye Caulker Mean?
Several accounts claimed the origin or backstory of the caye’s name. One account was in the early British Maps naming the island “Cay Corker”, as the island is historically known for its exposed freshwater supplies at La Aguada. The theory says that the island was sailors’ favorite stop for replenishing their cork water bottles.
Another claim is that it came from the Spanish name of the island named Cayo Hicaco, meaning “the island of cocoplum”. It suggests that “Caulker” was just an anglicized pronunciation of Cayo Hicaco.
A more recent theory is that when Mexico caste wars refugees first came to the island, they thrived on agriculture and fishing, with coconut product as their staple product. The “Caulker” would then be another anglicized pronunciation of the Spanish word for coconut, “Coco”.
How Long Is Caye Caulker?
Caye Caulker is measured to be 8 km or 5 miles long, north to south. And only 1.6 km or 1 mile wide, east to west. Due to its limestone and sandy makeup that rest on the surface of a coral reef that makes Caye Caulker a caye, sometimes called a key, or “cayo” in Spanish.
Caye Caulker’s sandy island has lovely beaches, the nearby coral reefs also make the island big on snorkeling despite its smaller size. Caye Caulker is one of Belize’s premier islands, only second to Ambergris Caye, a celebrity favorite spot.
What Is the Population of Caye Caulker?
As of recent data, Caye Caulker’s current population is around 2000. This population has increased in the last decade, with only a record 1,000 in 2010.
Does Caye Caulker Have a Beach?
Caye Caulker is an island that is surrounded by sandy beaches that sits at the surface of coral reef. Caye Caulker’s beaches are arguably some of Belize’s most scenic, because of their positions, just off the mainland shores of the country.
Caye Caulker Village and the many beaches are popular with backpackers, explorers, and budget travel-savvy millennials. The town’s laid-back vibe, the beaches along with cheaper expenses, and sweeping views suit many of today’s travelers’ desires.
Can You Swim in Caye Caulker?
You can more than just swim in Caye Caulker. The island is a hotspot for divers and snorkelers where the coral reef under its waters provides a magical experience for seasoned aquatic explorers.
Caye Caulker offers plenty of beaches and spots to swim in. Cate Caulker’s best choice for swimming and relaxing is Koko King Beach, where waves are calm and inviting, perfect for a chill day at the beach, and savoring Caye Caulker’s best.
Where Can I Swim in Caye Caulker?
Caye Caulker is dotted with some of the best beaches in Belize. One of them is Koko King, a Caye Caulker go-to, famed for its docile waves and easygoing vibe. Another one is The Split, a narrow channel that splots the caye into two, it has clean and deep waters.
Caye Caulker also has a public beach which is equally magnificent, you can reach the public beach going to the Split. There is a seawall that you can rest on as you enjoy the crystal clear Caribbean waters.
How Far Is the Reef From Caye Caulker?
The popular snorkeling and diving reef lies 10 miles north of the island, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. A portion of the bigger Belize Barrier Reef, Hol Chan is home to a wide variety of marine life. There are also several patches of reef nearby the Split, where you can grab your snorkel gear and freely explore.
What Is the Split in Caye Caulker?
The island is divided into two by a narrow channel separating the north and the south called the Split. It unknown how the Split came to be, many said it was cleaved because of the infamous Hurrican Hattie, or it was already there but the hurricane’s devastating effects widened the gap.
When Did Caye Caulker Split?
With so many telltales of how the Split came to be, many people claimed that the Split is a natural formation only widened by Hurricane Hattie in 1961.
Now the area serves as a meeting point for locals and tourists to enjoy everything the caye has to offer, with the Lazy Lizard as the running the show.
Is Caye Caulker Safe?
Caye Caulker has a relatively high crime rate. This means that certain forms of crime are prevalent to tourists. Many of the testimonials and experiences of visitors who came to the island said to exercise the utmost caution.
The most common unfortunate experience most visitors have said is theft and scams. When you visit and stay in the Caye Caulker make sure your accommodation has good security and you’re traveling with others.
Can You Drink the Water in Caye Caulker?
Waters in Caye Caulker are unfit for drinking, most of the island’s inhabitants collect rainwater for washing only, and bottled water is widely used. It’s best to the same and has a separate budget for your water needs. Bottled water is commonly sold across the island.
Are There Crocodiles in Caye Caulker?
The crocodile population in Caye Caulker has seen an increase from the increased wildlife protection and ecotourism in Belize. This in turn allows many forms of wildlife to flourish and thrive. In Caye Caulker, leaving crocodiles alone has greatly helped them.
Crocodiles, though intimidating, are shy and timid creatures often seen to veer away from human contact. The Caye Caulker reserve has further emphasized the public to stay away from crocodiles’ natural habitats to steer clear of incidents.
Is Caye Caulker Expensive?
Often called the “less developed” version of the celebrity popular Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is cheaper, even when compared to other parts of mainland Belize.
What Should I Bring to Caye Caulker?
For clothes, make sure you pack tops made out of thin fabrics as they can get hot, especially during the dry and warm season. A simple basic cotton short, a thin button-down top, or even tank tops are ideal. You can pack a good pair of shorts for day strolls, and pants for the evenings.
A bikini, board shorts, swimming trunks are good for swimming, and a pair of sandals or flip-flops are ideal as well. Be sure to bring a medical kit as well, with band-aids, anti-bacterial cream, Tylenol, hand sanitizers, and other first-aid.
For other stuff, bring a key or combination lock to make sure you won’t fall victim to the local crime, zip lock bags to keep things dry, and toiletries, of course.
How Do You Get Around Caye Caulker?
There are no cars in Caye Caulker, so the common modes of transportation are bicycles, rental golf carts, and your own feet. If you’re staying around the village, everything is only within walking distance.
Are There Cars on Caye Caulker?
Cars aren’t allowed on Caye Caulker. However, the island has other alternatives like bicycles and golf carts that can be rented in Caye Caulker Village.
