Manatee River, Goff’s Caye
We began this day with a brilliant full rainbow on top of a glorious sunrise, as we anchored the Sea Lion at the mouth of the Manatee River. Just after breakfast, a company of kayakers headed toward shore by Zodiac, to launch in the calm of the river. Paddling upstream with the wind and current was effortless, making birdwatching and searching for manatees a must. A little later in the morning, those choosing to explore by Zodiac set out, also bound for the calm of the mangrove-lined Manatee River. Although West Indian manatees are an endangered species throughout their range, nearly everyone on board had numerous views of several animals during the morning’s excursion. We also saw nearly two dozen little blue herons, common black hawks, belted kingfishers, great kiskadees, snowy and great egrets, white ibis and tropical kingbirds. We returned to the ship late in the morning, for a snorkel and dive briefing and a delicious lunch. Our afternoon was spent ashore in quintessential Caribbean pursuits – snorkeling, swimming and lounging in the sun. With a thriving coral reef just off the beach, we were able to see dozens of species of reef fish in virtually no time. Schools of juvenile parrotfish and blue tangs swarmed over the reef, grazing on turtle grass and algae, while territorial damselfish valiantly tried to chase them away. Our SCUBA divers returned to shore all smiles after seeing a hawksbill sea turtle and numerous colorful reef fish. Back on shore, we lounged in hammocks or beach chairs, soaking up our first full day of Caribbean sunshine.
We began this day with a brilliant full rainbow on top of a glorious sunrise, as we anchored the Sea Lion at the mouth of the Manatee River. Just after breakfast, a company of kayakers headed toward shore by Zodiac, to launch in the calm of the river. Paddling upstream with the wind and current was effortless, making birdwatching and searching for manatees a must. A little later in the morning, those choosing to explore by Zodiac set out, also bound for the calm of the mangrove-lined Manatee River. Although West Indian manatees are an endangered species throughout their range, nearly everyone on board had numerous views of several animals during the morning’s excursion. We also saw nearly two dozen little blue herons, common black hawks, belted kingfishers, great kiskadees, snowy and great egrets, white ibis and tropical kingbirds. We returned to the ship late in the morning, for a snorkel and dive briefing and a delicious lunch. Our afternoon was spent ashore in quintessential Caribbean pursuits – snorkeling, swimming and lounging in the sun. With a thriving coral reef just off the beach, we were able to see dozens of species of reef fish in virtually no time. Schools of juvenile parrotfish and blue tangs swarmed over the reef, grazing on turtle grass and algae, while territorial damselfish valiantly tried to chase them away. Our SCUBA divers returned to shore all smiles after seeing a hawksbill sea turtle and numerous colorful reef fish. Back on shore, we lounged in hammocks or beach chairs, soaking up our first full day of Caribbean sunshine.
