Sibun River and Goff’s Cay, Belize
Today began in a relaxed fashion, a short journey from our dock last night and then a wonderful exploration of the Sibun River. We traveled by kayak and Zodiac exploring the mangrove dominated estuary, and we could not help but marvel at the tangled branches and prop roots of the red mangroves. Most of us were searching for the fabled “mermaids” of yesteryear, more correctly known as the West Indian Manatee, and most of us were lucky enough to get some good views of their whiskered snouts as they took in air at the surface.
We were back aboard for snorkel and scuba briefings and a well deserved nap as the ship repositioned to Goff’s Caye. Late in the afternoon we headed ashore to try out our snorkel gear and our checkout scuba dives, and we were all rewarded with some fabulous coral formations and many schools of different brightly colored reef fish. Parrot fish, Blue Tangs, some menacing Barracudas, and so much more. After our underwater adventures we rested under the swaying palms and enjoyed the ambiance of this perfect deserted tropical isle. As the sun set, a local boat pulled ashore and “Lyall” a local fisherman came ashore with his fresh catch of the day, a large barracuda and some Spanish Mackerel, which he cleaned on the dock as he prepared to spend the night on our perfect tropical isle.
We left the island and the fresh fish feast as the sun dipped below the horizon, a worthy first day on our trip through the Reefs and Rivers of the Mayan World.
Today began in a relaxed fashion, a short journey from our dock last night and then a wonderful exploration of the Sibun River. We traveled by kayak and Zodiac exploring the mangrove dominated estuary, and we could not help but marvel at the tangled branches and prop roots of the red mangroves. Most of us were searching for the fabled “mermaids” of yesteryear, more correctly known as the West Indian Manatee, and most of us were lucky enough to get some good views of their whiskered snouts as they took in air at the surface.
We were back aboard for snorkel and scuba briefings and a well deserved nap as the ship repositioned to Goff’s Caye. Late in the afternoon we headed ashore to try out our snorkel gear and our checkout scuba dives, and we were all rewarded with some fabulous coral formations and many schools of different brightly colored reef fish. Parrot fish, Blue Tangs, some menacing Barracudas, and so much more. After our underwater adventures we rested under the swaying palms and enjoyed the ambiance of this perfect deserted tropical isle. As the sun set, a local boat pulled ashore and “Lyall” a local fisherman came ashore with his fresh catch of the day, a large barracuda and some Spanish Mackerel, which he cleaned on the dock as he prepared to spend the night on our perfect tropical isle.
We left the island and the fresh fish feast as the sun dipped below the horizon, a worthy first day on our trip through the Reefs and Rivers of the Mayan World.
