Manatee River and Goff’s Caye, Belize
Within the protection of Belize’s barrier reef, guests were able to enjoy a morning kayak or Zodiac cruise on the Manatee River looking for its namesake with some success. However, none of our specialists has been able to tell me how to distinguish a “womanatee” from a manatee. In addition to these gentle vegetarian marine mammals, guests had the fortune to see several species of birds. However, the most brilliant and observant among our guests witnessed dozens of moon jellyfish drifting into the river with the incoming tidal current. Following our river adventure, staff member Lisa Sette spoke about manatees and her experiences studying them along this river in the early 1990s.
After a tasty lunch, guests had the option of the short nap or the long nap to prepare them for my scintillating talk on the ecology of the coral reefs in this region, complete with lots of underwater footage of hard and soft corals, fish, invertebrates and a hawksbill turtle. When the shades were raised after the presentation, a strange yellow orb appeared in the sky. Although our memories were a bit fuzzy, some felt it might be a star known as Sol or the Sun.
Most boarded Zodiacs bound for the beach at tiny Goff’s Caye where snorkeling, swimming and just relaxing in a hammock with a good book were the most desirable activities. It was wonderful to absorb the warmth, watch the many reef fish and be in a peaceful, calm and quiet place under rustling coconut palms. The divers among us donned tanks, masks and fins for a venture deep into Neptune’s realm. Despite an unusually strong current and swell at the dive site, the visibility was exceptional and the views spectacular, as it was for the snorkelers in calmer waters near shore. In both places, the much maligned great barracuda (see photo) was seen.
Late afternoon we all gathered on the beach to sample “relaxation specialist” (aka bartender) Ryan’s green flashes as we waited for the real-life phenomenon at sunset. The natural history staff gave recap on the beach, and we watched huge cruise ships passing through the channel, wondering if they were having even a fraction of the fun we were on this beautiful Caye.
Following dinner, a preview of the trip’s video chronicle was featured. Afterwards many guests returned to the beach for a bonfire, s’mores and the stars that covered the sky from east to west and north to south.
Within the protection of Belize’s barrier reef, guests were able to enjoy a morning kayak or Zodiac cruise on the Manatee River looking for its namesake with some success. However, none of our specialists has been able to tell me how to distinguish a “womanatee” from a manatee. In addition to these gentle vegetarian marine mammals, guests had the fortune to see several species of birds. However, the most brilliant and observant among our guests witnessed dozens of moon jellyfish drifting into the river with the incoming tidal current. Following our river adventure, staff member Lisa Sette spoke about manatees and her experiences studying them along this river in the early 1990s.
After a tasty lunch, guests had the option of the short nap or the long nap to prepare them for my scintillating talk on the ecology of the coral reefs in this region, complete with lots of underwater footage of hard and soft corals, fish, invertebrates and a hawksbill turtle. When the shades were raised after the presentation, a strange yellow orb appeared in the sky. Although our memories were a bit fuzzy, some felt it might be a star known as Sol or the Sun.
Most boarded Zodiacs bound for the beach at tiny Goff’s Caye where snorkeling, swimming and just relaxing in a hammock with a good book were the most desirable activities. It was wonderful to absorb the warmth, watch the many reef fish and be in a peaceful, calm and quiet place under rustling coconut palms. The divers among us donned tanks, masks and fins for a venture deep into Neptune’s realm. Despite an unusually strong current and swell at the dive site, the visibility was exceptional and the views spectacular, as it was for the snorkelers in calmer waters near shore. In both places, the much maligned great barracuda (see photo) was seen.
Late afternoon we all gathered on the beach to sample “relaxation specialist” (aka bartender) Ryan’s green flashes as we waited for the real-life phenomenon at sunset. The natural history staff gave recap on the beach, and we watched huge cruise ships passing through the channel, wondering if they were having even a fraction of the fun we were on this beautiful Caye.
Following dinner, a preview of the trip’s video chronicle was featured. Afterwards many guests returned to the beach for a bonfire, s’mores and the stars that covered the sky from east to west and north to south.
