The Blue Hole
At Tsunami Adventures we offer a few ways to experience the Great Blue Hole. We dedicated this page to tell you all about the Blue Hole. There is two Blue Holes in Belize. One on the Sea and one in the Jungle. The one on the Sea, draws the most visitors.
You can snorkel or dive it and you can also fly over it on our Scenic Flight over the Blue Hole and surrounding Atolls. Turneffe Atoll and Lighthouse Reef Atoll. The price per person is $200USD. We need a min. of 3 people to guarantee this price as it is a 3 seater plane. We also have 5 seater plane available. The flight takes one hour return to Caye Caulker airstrip. Everyone has their own view window. Get your batteries charged and come and see the amazing barrier reef and atolls by flight. Another trip that is booked exclusively with Tsunami Adventures. We include transportation by golf cart to the airstrip.
Here is a video of the flight.
Here is some interesting facts about the Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef Atoll
The Blue Hole is a geographical phenomena – 71 miles from Caye Caulker about a 2 hour boat ride. Almost perfectly circular, the Blue Hole has a radius of more than 1,000 feet (305 m). It is considered one of the most astounding dive sites to be found anywhere on earth. Located in the center of the Lighthouse Reef the Blue Hole is a large hole of water 480 feet (145 m) deep, which gives the deep blue color.
The coral around the Blue Hole breaks the surface in many sections at low tide. Except for two narrow channels, the reef surrounds the hole. The hole itself is the opening to a system of caves and passageway that penetrate this undersea mountain. In various places, massive limestone stalactites hang down from what was once the ceiling of air-filled caves before the end of the last Ice Age. The hole is the opening to what was a dry cave system during the Ice Age. When the ice melted and the sea level rose, the caves were flooded. The Blue Hole is famed for its sky beauty and ever since Jacques Cousteau came here in 1970 it has drawn divers from all over the world.
The Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef Atoll
 Half Moon Caye |
 puffer fish |
Made famous by it’s beauty and Jack Cousteau. Half Moon Caye and Blue Hole is now protected as a Natural monument and is technically a “karst-eroded sinkhole”. The Blue Hole is 1000 feet in diameter and 408 feet deep which opens out into a complex network of caves and crevices, complete with stalactites and stalagmites. It was formed over a million years ago when Lighthouse Reef was a sizable island – or even part of the mainland. The rim of the Blue Hole is blanketed with various species of brightly colored corals and sponges which is ideal for snorkeling.
Half Moon Caye is the second site of the day. We snorkel the gently sloping sandy bottom dotted with patches of sea grass. Here commonly seen are stingrays, barracudas, hog snappers, jacks and yellow tail snappers. At 40 feet deep the sandy slopes joins a wall of pinnacles covered with a rich variety of coral life. We zigzag through the endless pinnacles until the end of the snorkeling trip. The marine life and the coral formations in this area are simply amazing. We visit Half Moon Caye National Monument where we have lunch and you can visit the only nesting area of the red footed booby birds in Belize and next to Galapagos Islands (Blue footed Booby Birds).
Long Caye is the third site of the day called the Aquarium. Large coral sponges and plentiful marine life. A great way to end a spectacular day at Lighthouse Reef.
Trip includes round trip transport, fully guided by local experienced snorkeling guide, entrance fees, breakfast and lunch. Trip departs really early 5:30am and returns by 4pm It takes almost 2 hours to reach Blue Hole. 70 kilometers.
Also included snorkeling gear. Trip is operated by local dive shop, we will advise you at time of booking.
Prices is usually around $160USD per person depending on which dive shop you end up going with, as this trip is not operated daily.
The Blue Hole National Park Cayo District
 inland blue hole |
 St Herman's Cave |
The park is over 800 acres in size with hiking trails and features swimming and nature trails. The Blue Hole is actually a sinkhole formed by the collapse of an underground river channel. The exposed section of the underground Cave Branch Creek tributary can be viewed for about 150 feet before it disappears again beneath the surface. Located just off the Humming Bird Highway, Blue Hole steps lead to a 25-foot deep pool, for which the park is named. Its cool, turquoise waters, surrounded by dense forest, overhung with mosses, vines and ferns are the perfect spot for a cool and relaxing dip. St .Herman’s Cave is located about 500 meters from the Hummingbird Highway. The information center and parking are located just off the highway. The largest of the three known entrances to St. Herman’s Cave sits in a sinkhole 180 feet wide narrowing to a 60-foot wide entrance. Concrete steps cover stone steps once cut by the Maya. A trail with markers has been placed within the cave. It’s about a half mile through to the exit. Once inside, visitors can clamber over rocks and splash through the water, while admiring stunning cave formations. After exploring the cave, there is the option to hike a 2 mile interpretive trail. There are a number of other trails to hike within the park. Some of the unusual birds known to frequent this area include White Hawk, Spotted-Wood Quail, Crested Guans, Lovely Cotinga, Keel-Billed Toucans, Red-Legged Honey Creepers, and Slaty-Tailed Trogons.
Blue Hole National Park is located about 12 miles southeast of Belmopan on the Hummingbird Highway heading to the coast and Dangriga.
$123.75USD PER PERSON.
Trip includes round trip transportation from Belize City and return, experienced guide, entrance fee and lunch. Trip departs at 7am and returns at 5:30pm.
ALL PRICES are inclusive of the 12.5% GST tax.
Watershot
Remember the days when we travelled and we wrote a journal, sent postcards. We took pictures, which we had to wait until we got home to develop. When Tsunami Adventures first opened in 1999, we used to even sell Film for manual underwater dive cameras. We used to rent these cameras to guests who dove the Blue Hole. We made our bathroom a dark room. Well I can definately say, this new product has finally made taking underwater photos so much fun and easy to instantly upload your underwater pics to facebook or your travel blog or email your friends and family.
Tsunami Adventures has the new WATERSHOT for iphone 4 and iphone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy 4.
Your phone fits inside securely and waterproof. Depth rated to 195 feet for the samsung galaxy and depth rated to 130 feet for the iphone 4 and 5.
 watershot |
 watershot samsung galaxy |
These cases are very popular, so reserve yours now.
Special discount price when you book a snorkeling tour with Tsunami.
Stop by and check out this new amazing product.
Island Hoping Caye Caulker to Goff’s Caye
One of our more popular tours. Island Hoping to the Southern Reef. This tour gets a lot of attention. Get to relax on beautiful Goff’s Caye, where we prepare a home made Belizean Seafood Barbecue.
Put your feet in the sand and slip into the silky blue waters surrounding Goff’s Caye. A small island hosting a dozen coconut trees. A picture perfect postcard Paradise sitting right on the Belize Barrier Reef. A guided snorkelling tour of the reef, while our chef prepares your food. Lots of time to soak up the sun and snorkel right from the beach.
A full day tour departing at 9am and returning at 5pm
Island Hopping Tour
 Goff’s Caye |
 Sergeant's Caye |
Sergeant’s Caye was once home to a few Belizean Families. Could you just imagine what it would of been like to live here? Sergeant’s Caye is now a sand caye on the Barrier Reef about 15 minutes from Goff’s Caye. We take you to this little disappearing island surrounding by corals. A guided snorkelling tour.
Manatee Watching at Swallow Caye is our last stop of the day. Here we get to see gentle manatees in their natural habitat. Viewed from the side of the boat, we do not swim or snorkel with the manatees as they are protected.
This trip includes your marine reserve fees, snorkeling gear, waters, sodas, juices, rum punch, fruits, chips and salsa, seafood barbecue lunch including Lobster when in Season.
Lobster Season close Feb 15th-June 14th.
We require a min. of 6 people to operate this tour. We take a max. of 8 people.
The price per person is $95USD inclusive.
New Years Eve and January 2014
With 2013 coming to end and everyone gearing up for the New Years Eve Party. Tourist asking, where will be the best place to be. Some would say The Lazy Lizard and definately Oceanside. Well I think the plan is to first start out at Sports Bar, then move to I and I then onward to the Split aka Lazy Lizard to bring in the New Years with fireworks and then finish off with Oceanside to dance until dawn. If you are not one for partyn, then a great way to spend your night, is stargazing at the end of one of the docks. Costa Maya has a great dock for this. Palapa with hooks for hammocks and chairs to chill out in. Lots of really good restaurants on the island to start your evening. Rose’s Grill with it’s new palapa hut. The Rainbow Grill, both serving fresh seafood. What is nice about Rainbow is it is located partly over the water on the dock in front of their hotel Rainbow. The new Coconut Reef Caribbean Trattoria.
If you decide for a nice dinner and some stargazing and a good night sleep, the next day Tsunami Adventures will be open and ready to take you out on a snorkeling excursion or any of our mainland trips.
January is relatively busy in Caye Caulker. Weather is mild, not too hot, like the summer heat. Water temperature is usually around 25 degrees. Sunrise around 6am and Sunset after 5:15pm.
We look forward to seeing you down here and please contact us with any questions you may have about any trips.
There is space available at Costa Maya Beach Cabanas and there is space on all of our tours.
We hope to see you here soon.
Tour Packages
Come Relax and Enjoy Caye Caulker and Belize.
We designed these trips based on previous guests choices and recommendations. Our most popular trips. For a reason of course. The best of the best. A perfect combination of tours in the right amount of time. The packages include everything while on your tours. All you need is sunblock, towel and a mind to have a good time. Lunch included on our full day tours. All prices quoted are for any time of year and you can choose your dates. You can be flexible and change things around if you would like, just ask us.
Reef and Ruins
2 Snorkeling Tours
2 Mainland Tours
$416USD for one person
$832USD for two persons
 Sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve |
 Cave Tubing Adventures |
Marine Explorer
5 different Snorkeling Tours
$397.50USD for one person
$795.USD for two persons
 Green Turtle at Hol Chan Marine Reserve |
 Southern Sting Rays |
Extreme Adventure
4 Extreme Adventures
$940USD for one person
$589USD for two persons each
 The hour glass entrance to ATM |
 Lots of fun on the Jetski |
We offer also offer Fishing and Private Charters, if you have any requests
Prices includes GST tax 12.5% tax.
Prices can be subject to change.
A must do, when in Belize!
Most of you have heard of ATM, but it Belize it doesn’t mean Automated Teller Machine, here is means Actun Tunich Muknal. At Tsunami Adventures we offer an unforgettable day exploring the rainforest in the foot paths of ancient Maya as you pass through the hourglass-shaped opening of this cave system in the Roaring Creek Valley. Actun Tunichil Muknal- the Cave of the Stone Sepulcher is one of the most thrilling caving experiences Belize has to offer.
 A beautiful hour glass entrance |
 left for centuries untouched |
Your caving adventure begins with a hike through the tropical forest at the edge of Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The heat and humidity will be forgotten once you swim across the deep pool at the gateway of the underworld. Wading through the cool water of the Muknal stream, climbing over rocks, and crawling through narrow passageways requires a good level of fitness. If you are up to the challenge you will be greatly rewarded.
Actun Tunichil Muknal was a sacred place to the Maya people, who used the cave during the Classic period (AD 250-909). The Mayas believed that gods, who provided rain and agricultural fertility, resided in this underworld. The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave offers a unique historical perspective; as you will see many of the artifacts are exactly as they were when the cave was first explored by archaeologists. Visitors also enjoy beautiful stalagmites, stalactites, and flow stones.
The Stelae Chamber is a major archaeological interest in the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. It contains two slate stelae in front of which high status individuals performed rituals, where they cut themselves with obsidian blades to offer their blood to the gods.
 crystal maiden |
 pottery ATM |
The Crystal Maiden was a young woman of about 20. It is believed she was clubbed and left for dead, and with the passage of time she has been encased in calcite. The Mayas sacrificed humans in the hopes of appeasing the gods and bringing fertility to the land. The skeletal remains of 14 have been discovered in Actun Tunichil Muknal’s Main Chamber.
The History of ATM
Actun Tunichil Muknal was discovered in 1989 and opened to the public in 1998. Dr. Jaime Awe, a Belizean archaeologist was the first to explore the cave. Dr. Awe and his Western Belize Regional Cave Project (WBRCP) conducted archaeological research at Actun Tunichil Muknal from 1993-2000.
In January of 2003, it was decided that 455 acres of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve would be re-designated as a natural monument. Official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Belize Audubon Society and the Institute of Archaeology (IoA) occurred on June 10, 2004. This agreement was the first of its kind to be signed by the Society for the co-management of an archeological site.
Stop by Tsunami Adventures today and set yourself up for an amazing adventure. We only need two people to conduct this tour. Departing at 6:30am from Caye Caulker and returning on the last boat back.
The New Costa Maya Beach Cabanas
Costa Maya Beach Cabanas new hotel is almost complete. The main part of the building will be ready by mid November and ready for the finishing touches. We will be taking reservations starting for March 2014. Please scroll down to our instant booking page and reserve your room now. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us.
There is a total of 6 new identical rooms plus a top fourth floor two bedroom suite.
We are open right now if you would like to stay in our original rooms, however there is still some construction noise, if you are ok with that.
Here are some pictures of the new building in progress and floor plans of the new rooms.
Costa Maya rooms offer two double size beds. Sitting area with cable TV. Private bathroom hot and cold water. Kitchen complete with microwave, fridge, toaster oven and coffee maker. In room safe to secure your valuables. Great location, beautiful views and private dock. Relax in air conditioned comfort.
 almost there |
 new rooms at Costa Maya |
 Costa Maya new hotel floor plan |
 view from 3rd floor Costa Maya |
We look forward to hearing from you.
A quiet place to relax and enjoy the sea….
 Relaxing on the Beach at Costa Maya |
 Costa Maya Beach Cabanas view from the beach |
PLEASE CHECK BELOW FOR INSTANT AVAILABILITY OR BOOK YOUR ROOM INSTANTLY WITHOUT WAITING FOR AN EMAIL REPLY.
All cabanas at Costa Maya are air conditioned and have private bathroom with hot water showers.
Each cabana has cable TV, coffee maker and fridge and toaster.
Cabana 5, 6 and 10 are BEACHFRONT and offer fantastic views.
These units also have microwaves. Cabana 6 has a stove. Cabana 5 has a electric grill.
 Cabana 6 one bedroom apartment |
 Cabana 6 kitchen |
Cabanas 7, 8 and 9 are partial view but still have great views and breeze from the sea.
These cabanas have toaster, coffee maker, fridge. These are standard type rooms, offer double size bed. Cabana 7 has an additional single bed.
At Costa Maya we offer free use of our 2 person canoes and our hotel bicycles.
Free WIFI signal is also available for guests of Costa Maya.
The new rooms are located at the back of the property. The ground floor has two units, 2nd floor and 3rd floor both offering 2 units.
3rd Floor offering best view. Each Room is is named instead of a number.
 Cabana 5 Costa Maya |
 Cabana 6 bedroom |
 Costa Maya 7, 8 and 9 |
 Cabana 7 |
 Cabana 8 |
 Cabana 8 and 9 |
 Cabana 10 |
 Cabana 10 patio |
Tsunami Adventures Tour Boats
At Tsunami Adventures, we have 6 boats different style boats available for any type of excursion you want to do around Caye Caulker and Belize. Check out our pages dedicated to snorkeling excursions and private charters.
 Cyclone Snorkeling Boat |
 Mowgli |
Cyclone is a 25 foot Pelican. Built in Belize and is one of the most popular style snorkeling boat. Complete with the ideal 115 Yamaha Enduro engines. Any mechanic will tell you this is the best machine. Canopy for shade, ladder, life jackets and all safety equipment. Licensed for 16 passengers including Captain. Plenty of room max. 8 people per trip.
Mowgli is a typical launchen style boat that originally came from Mexico. Ideal for fishing trips, snorkeling and cruising. Same size and comfort like Cyclone.
 Seaprowler |
 Mr. Wolf |
Twister is how it all started. A perfect size boat to travel back and forth to Belize City and the islands of Belize including the outer Atolls. The first Twister was an open wooden made boat and was painted red with a simple twister drawing painted on the side. Twister is now a 38 foot Bradley boat with front hard top canopy. Dry storage area for luggage. Two yamaha 200hp outboard engines. Strong sturdy ladders available for all our larger boats for snorkeling charters. All of our boats are painted white and blue. Sea Prowler and Mr. Wolf being just like Twister, offering same engine sizes, seatings and storage. These boats are busy transporting local football teams to games and taking out international groups snorkeling to the barrier reef.
 Twister |
 The Big Tsunami |
Big Tsunami and Twister are currently under refurbishment to be ready for the busy season, which is from December until April. Big Tsunami with it’s limosime size of 49 feet of length, transporting people all over the Cayes. Often hired by water taxi companies and cruiseship companies. Plan your next event with The Big Tsunami. Licensed to carry 65 people. It is fully open boat with three two hundred yamaha engines.
 Queeny boat |
Ramon’s Catamaran is waiting for it’s Maiden Voyage to begin. Miticoulasly being prepared for one day where the ropes will leave the security of the dock and take you all out on a fun adventure to the reef. Sunset cruises will be a must.
Queeny named after my first dog, who will be sadly missed. A small 15 foot skiff with 25hp enduro yamaha engine. Canopy for shade and ladder. Great for a quick trip for two out to the reef or fishing around the island. This boat is an original Glastron 1968 boat.
Jet Skis, which are new to Costa Maya this year 2013. Available for rental. Storage space. Cruise around the islands of Caye Caulker. Swim in beautiful waters surrounding the island. Easy to use and lots of fun. min. rental time is 1/2 hour at $50USD per jet ski. Yamaha Waverunner.
 Yamaha Wave Runner Jetski |
Costa Maya dock
 come relax at Costa Maya Caye Caulker |
 Cuervo enjoy the beach at Costa Maya |
The dock at Costa Maya Beach Cabanas and Tsunami Adventures is the second to last dock on the North end of the South Island of Caye Caulker. A great place to relax and enjoy the view, breeze and sound of the sea. Plenty of shade and sun. A traditional palapa hut complete with hammocks and chairs to relax. Read a book, enjoy a cool beverage. Cool off and jump in the water. Lots of fish under the dock. Bring your mask and snorkel and swim around. Easy to get back on the dock as we made sure there is a strong sturdy ladder with hand rails to get back on the dock. All of the Tsunami Trips depart from the dock and the boats are moored here for the night. What else happens at the end of Costa Maya dock. Well lately it seems to be the choosen spot for couples to tie the knot. Look here for some great photos, that have been found on the internet and some of our own.
Soon the new Costa Maya Hotel will be complete and business will be back to normal for 2014. Six new rooms are being added with everything you need to make your stay comfortable.
 enjoying the breeze at the end of the dock |
 one of the cooler places to chill on a hot sunny day |
Belize’s National Symbols
A national symbol is a symbol of any entity considering itself and manifesting itself to the world as a national community: sovereign states but also nations and countries in a state of colonial or other dependence.
National symbols intend to unite people by creating visual, verbal, or iconic representations of the national people, values, goals, or history.
These symbols are often rallied around as part of celebrations of patriotism or aspiring nationalism (such as independence, autonomy or separation movements) and are designed to be inclusive and representative of all the peoples of the national community.
September 21st every year in every village, town and city. Belize Celebrates it’s Independence. People decorate their houses and businesses. Parades are organized and all come out to celebrate.
The Belize Flag with the Coat of Arms in the centre. The flag is Royal Blue with red stripes along the top and bottom, with the Coat of Arms in the middle. The coat of arms is divided into three sections by a vertical line and an inverted V. The base section represents a ship in full sail on waves of the sea. The two upper sections show tools of the timber industry in Belize: a paddle and a squaring axe in the right section and a saw supporting the shield are two woodcutters, the one on the right holding a beating axe over his shoulder in his right hand, and the one on the left holding a paddle over his shoulder in his left hand. Above the shield rises a mahogany tree. Below the shield is the motto scroll. A wreath of leaves encircles the Coat of Arms. The motto says: “Sub Umbra Florero”, meaning “Under the shade I flourish.” The Coat of Arms embodies an important aspect of the history of Belize, as the mahogany industry formed the basis of our economy in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The National Flower is the The Black Orchid. This orchid grows on trees in damp areas, and flowers nearly all year round. The black orchid flower has greenish-yellow petals and sepals with deep purple, almost black, with conspicuous radiating purple veins. This beautiful flower can be seen at the Mayan Sites and on jungle trails, like Blue Hole National Park and St. Herman’s Cave.
 The black orchid |
 The Belize Flag |
 The Mahagony Tree |
The National Tree is the Mahogany Tree and is one of the magnificent giants of the forest. Rising straight and tall to over a hundred feet from great buttresses at the roots, it emerges above the canopy of the surrounding trees with a crown of large, shining green leaves. In the early months of the year, when the leaves fall and new red-brown growth appears, the tree can be spotted from a great distance. The mahogany tree matures in 60 to 80 years. Mahogany dominated the economic, social and political life of our country until the middle of the 20th century. In the 18th century, mahogany was valued in Europe by cabinet makers, by the shipbuilding industry, and later by builders of railroad carriages. The forests of Belize contained a great deal of mahogany. The British settlers were ready to log it.
The National Bird of Belize is the Keel Billed Toucan. It is noted for its great, canoe-shaped bill, brightly colored green, blue, red and orange feathers The bird is about 20 inches in overall length. It is mostly black with bright yellow cheeks and chest, red under the tail and a distinctive white patch at the base of the tail. Toucans are found in open areas of the country with large trees. They make a monotonous frog-like croak. Toucans like fruits, and eat by cutting with the serrated edge of their bills. Often spotted on our Mayan Ruin Tours. Toucans nest in holes in trees, using natural holes or holes made by woodpeckers, often enlarging the cavity by removing soft, rotten wood. They lay two to four eggs which are incubated by both parents. The nesting stage lasts from six to seven weeks.
 The Tucan Bird |
 The Tapir |
The National Animal of Belize is the Tapir
The Tapir or Mountain Cow (Tapirello Bairdii) is the largest land mammal of the American tropics. The tapir is a stoutly built animal with short legs, about the size of a donkey and weighs up to 600 pounds. Its general color is dusty brown with a white fringe around the eyes and lips, white tipped ears and occasional white patches of fur on the throat and chest. In spite of it’s local name, the tapir is not a cow. It is closely related to the horse and is also kin to the rhinosceros. The tapir is a vegetarian. It spends much of its time in water or mud shallows, and is a strong swimmer. The National Animal is protected under the wildlife protection laws of Belize, thus the hunting of the tapir is illegal.
We’re Styrofoam Free!
