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Swim With Turtles!!!!
Swim with Turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The nurse sharks and sting rays got competition now.
The Sea Turtles of Belize evolved over 200 million years ago. They are protected in Belize. Once served for dinner and now only photos allowed. The HAWKSBILL turtle with it’s hawk-like beak. A turtle that can get as big as 200lbs and a shell 3 feet across. Likes Coral reefs and sponges. The GREEN Turtle or sometimes referred to as White Turtle as it’s underneath skin is white. Can weigh up to 500 lbs and a shell over 3 feet. Loves coral reefs and sea grass beds. Often found in the shallow area of Hol Chan. The LOGGERHEAD Turtle with it’s large head. Weighing up to 450 lbs and a shell of up to 3 1/2 feet. The loggerhead loves Coral reefs and crustaceans and molluscs. The LEATHERBACK Turtle with it’s soft unique shell. Black with white spots on it’s prominent ridges. They love the open ocean and jellyfish. These gentle giants of up to 1100 lbs and a shell of 6 feet are only seen by few of the lucky ones.
Sea Turtles can live for over a 100 years. So respect your Elders and don’t touch, feed or ride turtles! Besides it is not allowed and you will be fined!
Between the ages of 20 to 50 years the turtle has it’s first breeding. Mating occurs at offshore nesting beaches, which is more than 500 miles away from Belize. Costa Rica, Mexico and Grand Cayman Islands. Several clutches of eggs are laid. They mate at 2 week intervals, after mating they return to their feeding areas. Breeding migration occurs at 2-8 year intervals. Meanwhile back at the beach, hatchlings leave the nest. 1 in 1000 hatchlings survive to adulthood. Very sad odds, I must say. The first 1 -5 years of the turtles lives is open ocean surface feeding. The immature turtles settle out in coastal areas at the size of a basketball. The circle of life continues. The turtles at Hol Chan have been photographed by probably a million people over the last 10 years. They are very used to us, taking photos and sometimes I almost think that they are making sure you get a good photo. Here is some proof.
 Guess that type of Turtle |
 Green Turtle at Hol Chan |
Here are websites that help protect Belizean Turtles.
Please keep in mind, that Belize Fisheries Regulations prohibit harvest of all sea turtles in Belize!
www.seabelize.org
www.belizeaudubon.org
www.ecomarbelize.org
www.pactbelize.org
www.seaturtle.org
www.widecast.org
Good to Know
There is lots of services available to travelers coming to Belize. It may be hard to find, when you are only here for a week or two. You are too busy enjoying yourself. After living here for so long, I have found out most of this information over time and a lot more of life’s conviences are now available in Caye Caulker.
If you have an iphone or ipad, make sure you download the free Belize Telemunications Ltd APP for their complete online phone book. I found mine on iTunes, under free apps. Search Belize APPS. You will have easy access to all the phone numbers you will need for Belize. If your phone is locked and you don’t want to pay for expensive international roaming. Then consider purchasing a phone at the airport or wait until you reach the island and contact Blue Wave on beachfront street. They are just up the street from Tsunami. I got a phone with a local number for $110BZD, this also included $10BZD worth of phone credit. Only $55USD and you are connected. Price subject to change. You can stay in touch with home, as well as keep contact with other friends and/or family who you are traveling with. Texting is so popular now. I have guests that I text to confirm trips. Almost all over the island you can get free wifi, so you will also be able to check your emails regularly. You can also sell your phone back to Blue Wave at discount when you leave.
There is an ATM machine that is open 24 hours. Don’t forget your pin number. Most establishments take Visa or Mastercard. It is always good to bring USD cash. Travelers Checks are becoming harder to use. You can cash them at the bank for a small fee.
If it is someone’s birthday, let us know and we can arrange a Birthday Cake. Made from scratch to your request and design. $30USD.
If you want to drive, make sure you bring your driver’s license. There are golf carts to rent by the hour or day and you need to have a valid driver’s license. Many car rental companies in Belize with all types of vehicles. We rented a 15 passenger Ford van with some friends and it was a great touring van. We stopped at the Belize Zoo, inland Blue Hole, St. Herman’s Cave. Cahal Pech and Xunantunich Maya Sites. Made a side trip to Placencia from Hopkins. We can help you with your plans.
In Caye Caulker there is almost 10 grocery stores. You can buy almost anything. If you want good batteries for your camera, buy them at home. The best they sell is Duracell Advanced. Which are not the greatest for digital cameras. It is better to have Lithium batteries. they last longer. You can get all your snacks and even make some awesome dinners at Costa Maya Beach Cabanas. Relax on the patio and come and enjoy Belize and have all the conviences of home.
Any questions you may have, please ask us.
Birding in Belize
At Tsunami Adventures, we not only offer fantastic snorkeling tours, that can be enjoyed year round, but we also offer TWO Birding Tours of Caye Caulker. One can be enjoyed on the North Island by boat and the other is on the South Island by walking the trails. We like to offer birding on almost all of tours. At the end of day of our Best of Belize Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, we cruise the mangroves and watch for island water birds, like the Roseate Spoonbill.
The other day, a friend and I went overnight to the Cayo District and we went to Xunantunich Mayan Site. Once we reached the top, we had a bird’s eye view and we where so lucky to have meet some local guides that where taking their day off to bird watch. They had their scope on a flock of Toucans.
 Red Bank Scarlet Macaw Bird Watching |
 lucky to see so close Scarlet Macaws |
Another adventure down south to Red Bank Village, our mission was to see wild Scarlet Macaws. Macaws are seen in this area for only a brief period of time each year to eat the fruit of the annato tree. They come from the Chiquibul forest once a year. Sending out scouts earlier in the season to survey and determine the right time to return with the flock. We climbed a steep and muddy hill until we came to the clearing. After 20 minutes of downpour a flock of macaws rested in the branches close to us. We where very lucky.
I have traveled most of Belize and there is plenty more to explore. I have enjoyed Bird Watching. October is getting colder up North and the start of the migratory birds to Belize. I look forward to seeing the returning birds, just like I do with our repeat customers that stay with us at Costa Maya Beach Cabanas and use our tour services at Tsunami Adventures.
Another great reason to come to Belize. A bird watcher’s Paradise. Please take a look at our newest page on our website
and please email us with any questions.
We can put together tour and accommodation packages. Stay a few nights out in the Cayes and go explore the Cayo district in search of the Blue headed Parrot or Toucan.
ISLAND BIRD WATCHING TOURS CAYE CAULKER
Bird watching can be enjoyed all year round outside the heat of the day. Belize has well over 500 residential and migratory bird species with 80% being residential. Whether you are an experienced ornithologists or a birding beginner, Belize is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Below is two Bird Watching Tours that we offer in Caye Caulker. Many birds can be spotted on our regular tours like Lamanai Mayan Site and Jungle River Cruise. Parrots and Tucans are often spotted at Mayan Sites in the Cayo District.
Caye Caulker Birding and Island Tour by boat
Enjoy a leisurely 2 hour cruise around Caye Caulker North and travel to Caye Caulker Forest Reserve a literal forest with 3 types of mangroves, red, white and black. Mangroves are an excellent habitat for crocodiles, turtles, fish and year round water birds, like The Great Blue Heron and White Heron, Egrets, Pelicans, Osprey, Hawks, Falcons, Frigate birds, ducks and the pink Roseate Spoonbills. Native species are crabs, boa constrictors, iguanas and lizards. Highly recommended tour. Boat has canopy with shade. Water and fruits included.
$75BZ per person, minimum 2 persons to confirm.
 Graceful Friget Birds Caye Caulker |
 Bird Guide by Seahawk Press |
Caye Caulker Bird Watching Walking Tour
Enjoy a guided walking tour with local bird naturalist. We meet at the Caye Caulker Forest Reserve located by the airstrip. We walk the southern trail in search for birds.
$45BZD per person. minimum 2 person to confirm.
If you have your own Binoculars please bring them.
Snorkel for Free Caye Caulker
You wouldn’t think we would want to tell you about free snorkeling, when we have all these wonderful tours we want you to go on.
Well, we all want somethings for free. It certainly isn’t going to be as good as a one of our reef tours, however it will surely be fun and hopefully you will be able to see lots of marine life.
If you have your own snorkeling gear, then great, if you need fins, we have them for rental for only $5BZ or $2.50USD if you need the full set. Mask, Snorkel and Fins we rent all day for $5.00USD a set. If you want a week, then you pay for 5 days rental and get two days free. It’s not entirely free but a heck of a deal.
The best place to go Snorkeling for Free is at the split. I often recommend to people to start from the end of our dock and swim around there and then onwards towards the split over the Sea grass beds, where you will see sea stars and young corals. Swim down along the seagrass edge towards the split bar area, swim along the wall, tons of fish. Dive down and under the ledge there is a few nurse sharks hiding out. You may see some lobsters hiding in the cracks. Swim accross the split and snorkel through the mangroves. Lots of fish hiding out in the mangroves.
Be careful crossing the split. Look both ways twice and then swim across fairly fast and get to the side of the mangroves.
If you are a little more adventures, swim around the whole South island of Caye Caulker. Stay close to shore. We do not recommend swimming out to the reef with out a canoe or kayak and life jackets, as well as permission from the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve.
With a good eye you can spot hidden Sea Horses wrapped around the mangrove roots.
 seahorse at split, Caye Caulker |
 juvenile queen angel fish |
If you have plenty of energy consider renting a canoe or kayak with a friend. We have double canoes and 1 double kayak for rental at Tsunami Office for $25USD all day or $7.50USD an hour. You can paddle out to the Reef, with permission of the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve and a $10BZD per person fee. So this pretty much defeats the purpose of FREE SNORKELING….but if you need more information about this, then you now know it is available.
If you are a guest of Costa Maya Beach Cabanas, Canoes are included in your nightly rental rate. Another good reason to stay at Costa Maya Beach Cabanas. Not only do they offer FREE WIRELESS and BICYCLES. CANOES TOO!!!!
 The Caye Caulker Split from North side |
Consider snorkeling at the split at night for a totally different experience. Don’t be afraid of the dark. For only $5USD we rent underwater flashlights. But if you have your own then better, because it is FREE……Don’t go alone, make sure you bring your friend and stay close to this side of the split only.
Belize in October
Great Reasons to come to Belize in October.
I should of posted this in September, however no better than making a spontaneous decision and taking advantage of the cheap airfares that are going on right now to Belize. Reason; number one.
This time of month is typically the “low season” or slow season. Caye Caulker’s moto. “Go Slow”. So go slow and come in slow low season in Caye Caulker. Take advantage of all the discounts that we are offering.
Room rates are discounted, upgrades are being offered. Tours are discounted and extra bonus stops are being included.
The kids are back to school and the colder days of winter are approaching. Don’t put up your summer clothes just yet. Pack them into a suitcase and get on down here.
Still need some more reasons. The weather is good 75% of the time. We have our morning and sometimes evening showers. Not as much breeze, but that is good if you plan on spending most of your time diving or snorkeling. Tours are operating and not as full, so you get lots of time and space to enjoy the all the sites. The cruise ships are still coming but only one ship a day instead of 3 or 4 and only a maximum of 3 times a week. There is extra space on the water taxis and local flights. No big line ups and better yet, all of us that depend on you coming to visit can give you more time and amazing service.
I almost forgot that Conch and Lobster are both in season. Have you ever tried Conch Soup?
The birds are migrating this way, so take their advice and come down for a little while.
 A great day out at Hol Chan Marine Reserve Oct 5 2012 |
 taking a breath break at Hol Chan |
Hand Painted Signs of Caye Caulker
Every year at Tsunami, during our SLOW season, which is happening right now, we take the time to fix up our tour signboards that we have in front of our buisness. It is lots of fun painting and it soothes the mind. At Tsunami Adventures, we are the last of the original hand painted sign boards. Lots of buisness’s now have the graphic shops in the city produce their signs. My first career, I was a graphic Artist, so I have the experience to do them both ways, however I enjoy painting. I inspired Brioni to explore her hidden talent. We had lots of fun painting and now proud to show off our brand new original hand painted tour signboards. Our signboards last year, to my surprise where even filmed and where part of a short travel story for CNN. It’s at the very beginning of the video.
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2011/07/13/caye.caulker.belize.cnn?iref=allsearch
 Welcome to Tsunami Adventures |
 Caye Caulker by Night |
Get inspired and discovery your artistic side, whatever it may be and make Belize your palet. There is many talented Belizean Artists. Several art studios on the island and beautiful paintings to admire and purchase for your home. You can buy artist supplies in the city at Angeles Press and Stationary house. Go snorkeling and paint the beautiful sea. Meet the lush jungle and visit amazing Mayan Sites and draw the beauty of Belize. Belize is so colourful and proud. No wonder I love this place so much.
 Having fun painting |
 See the endangered Manatee of Belize |
Caye Caulker Coconut Oil
COCONUT OIL
Caye Caulker residents made a name for themselves with shipbuilding, forming the first Fishing cooperative, but the coconut has also featured prominently in the island’s history, long before coconut oil was promoted as a healthy substitute for cooking oil, Belizeans were making it themselves and using it to flavor their food. Coconut oil is part of all Belizean diet and one Caye Caulker’s income earner for several families be it collecting coconuts or actual processing the nut to make coconut oil.
 Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut Oil |
 shucking coconuts by hand |
Coconut oil is produced mostly by the women within this community, who are the teachers of the house hold and have pass on the skill to their children. Being productive and economic by utilizing these precious commodities on areas available in our environment. Caye Caulker women are on threshold of motivating it community on being an entrepreneur producing this great product.
Producing coconut oil is a time consuming process and requires two days to produce. The first process is extracting the milk, second is to set the crude and thirdly is the cooking process to make the oil and last is to bottle the oil.
Some of the women carrying on this tradition are Miss. Maria Vega along with her Staff Miss Levita Cho and always to be remembered Mrs. Petty Joesph, who sadly passed away this year. At sun rise the process would start with the husking and breaking of the coconuts, then the fleshy inside would be taken from its core and hand grated, approximately one hundred nuts to produce a batch of oil.
The grated nut would be placed in a bucket of hot water; which would assist in the extraction of the milk, the straining progression will start a few minutes later. With the assistance of a cheese cloth with a strainer place on a large container, the hot mixture would be place in the cloth, which will be folded close, with a person holding at each end, over the strainer and container, both will twist the cloth in opposite direction, at the same time the coconut milk will be collected in the container. After this development is finished the container will be covered with a cloth and left overnight for the milk to set, in the morning the milk will curdle and be separate from the water. The cooking method will take place with a huge wooden spoon and a large cooking pot on the fire hart, the curdled milk will be placed in the pot and constantly stirred as the heating process changes the milk to oil.
 fresh cracked coconut on the beach |
 coconuts ready to harvest |
Just on the news today, it has been proven that brushing your teeth with coconut oil prevent cavities, eliminate bad breath and reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Many people use coconut oil on the scalp to kill head lice bacteria and parasites, but coconut oil also works well at killing bad breath causing bacteria in the mouth. There is so many health benefits of coconut oil including hair care, skin care, massaging the body with coconut oil, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes and more. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric, capric, and caprylic acid and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.
At the moment there is only one person that is shipping pure virgin handmade coconut oil out of the country. Here is the link to get yours send to you. http://turneffecoconut.com
Or better yet, come to Caye Caulker and try Mrs Vega’s homemade coconut oil and enjoy the island for a week or two.
Which reminds me, I need to get some coconut oil. I just love this stuff and I cook with it all the time and use it on my hair and skin.
September in Belize 2012
September in Belize is always a great time to visit. The weather is hot and wet in most of Belize. The average temperatures often feel like 10 degrees hotter than it reads on the thermometer. Rainstorms are heavy but brief and it’s easy to find shelter and wait for it to pass. September is considered slow season without the international arrivals at the airports and borders. The island streets of Caye Caulker are peaceful and tranquil.
 Belize Celebrations 2012 |
 Belize Parade |
Two big holidays are celebrated in September. The big one is Belize’s 31 years of independence September 21st and it is the 214th anniversary of the Battle of St. Georges Caye on September 10th. September 8th is the day to parade, Jouvert and Carnival Road March through Belize’s City streets and elsewhere around the country. Even Caye Caulker has a parade that is lots of fun. With the September fall Equinox, there are also special events that are taking place around Belize’s Maya Sites. September 20th and 21st at Caracol Maya Site overnight Equinox Event with the last Equinox Tour being on the day the Mayan calendar ends December 20th and we enter into the 14th Baktun.
Caracol is located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. It is almost a whole day reach from Caye Caulker and requires an overnight trip. Caracol had a pop. 140,000 people at its peak. The current population of Belize City is 75,000. Discovered in the 1930s and excavation beginning in 1975. Caracol is waiting to be discovered along with the rest of Belize. Come and enjoy the celebrations of September and get to see some amazing culture while enjoying the tropical ambiance of Belize.
 arial view of Caracol Maya Site |
 Fireworks in Caye Caulker September 21st |
Sealife Digital Underwater Cameras for rent
Whether it’s your first time snorkeling or your annual scuba trip to Belize. Tsunami Adventures and SeaLife Cameras can help you discover the underwater world. For over 25 years, Pioneer Research has made the world’s most popular underwater cameras.
 Turneffe Atoll Turtle DC1200 |
 Snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve Mini II |
Why buy when u can rent a camera with us for snorkeling or snorkeling trip or dive excursion when you are here.
www.sealife-cameras.com
Pioneer developed the first SeaLife underwater camera in 1993. A new breed of cameras, our cameras made it easier and more enjoyable then ever before to take pictures underwater. In 2000, SeaLife pioneered underwater imaging with the introduction of its first digital underwater camera that revolutionized the world of underwater photography.
At Tsunami Adventures we rent the new Mini waterproof up to 200 feet with wide angle lens.
All the pictures on our website and facebook page are all taken with Sealife Cameras.
We’re Styrofoam Free!
