Lighthouse Reef, Belize
This morning began with the news we were starting the day on Plan B. This meant we were unable to moor the ship at Half Moon Cay as originally planned, and had to anchor on the protected leeside of Long Cay. We still intend to visit Half Moon Cay, it would just now be done after a slightly longer Zodiac ride, how about a three mile Zodiac ride!
No problem, we all shuttled to shore to visit the first National Park created in Belize, indeed Half Moon Cay has now been declared a National Monument, created to protect the remarkable red-footed booby and magnificent frigatebird colony that nests there. There was a short walk through some coconut palm trees and gumbo limbo woodlands, that ended at a metal observation tower. On ascending the tower we were all amazed to be face-to-face with nesting boobies and frigatebirds. Everywhere we looked was covered in roosting and nesting birds, the sounds of courtship all around, it was spectacular. You did not need a zoom lens on your camera, this booby pictured was only a few feet from the platform!
After visiting the birds, we dropped into the turquoise waters to visit some more spectacular reef formations and the colorful inhabitants that call the reef home. In the afternoon we spent time snorkeling, listening to a lecture, or diving. And some among us were lucky enough to see a massive sea turtle during a dive off Long Cay.
A worthwhile day was had, visiting the offshore atoll of Lighthouse Reef.
This morning began with the news we were starting the day on Plan B. This meant we were unable to moor the ship at Half Moon Cay as originally planned, and had to anchor on the protected leeside of Long Cay. We still intend to visit Half Moon Cay, it would just now be done after a slightly longer Zodiac ride, how about a three mile Zodiac ride!
No problem, we all shuttled to shore to visit the first National Park created in Belize, indeed Half Moon Cay has now been declared a National Monument, created to protect the remarkable red-footed booby and magnificent frigatebird colony that nests there. There was a short walk through some coconut palm trees and gumbo limbo woodlands, that ended at a metal observation tower. On ascending the tower we were all amazed to be face-to-face with nesting boobies and frigatebirds. Everywhere we looked was covered in roosting and nesting birds, the sounds of courtship all around, it was spectacular. You did not need a zoom lens on your camera, this booby pictured was only a few feet from the platform!
After visiting the birds, we dropped into the turquoise waters to visit some more spectacular reef formations and the colorful inhabitants that call the reef home. In the afternoon we spent time snorkeling, listening to a lecture, or diving. And some among us were lucky enough to see a massive sea turtle during a dive off Long Cay.
A worthwhile day was had, visiting the offshore atoll of Lighthouse Reef.
