21 Top Belize Islands Beyond San Pedro & Caye Caulker

If you’re looking for the best islands in Belize that aren’t Caye Caulker or San Pedro — this is it. You’ll find options for every budget, interest, and travel style.

I’ve lived in Belize most of my life and explored many of these cayes (pronounced keys), so I can tell you exactly what makes them special. And while this list is long, I made it easy to scan and compare.

One thing to know: Belize isn’t famous for beaches, but the reef and sheer number of islands more than make up for it. Some of these cayes look like they were pulled straight from a postcard.

To help you narrow things down, I’ve grouped the list by budget islands, luxury islands, and marine reserve islands. Whether you want to day trip, dive, or find a remote escape, this guide has you covered.

Let’s find the caye that fits you best.

Choosing The Right Island

Budget-Friendly Islands

Cheapest Overwater Bungalow

Tobacco Caye

• 🤿 Shore Snorkeling
• 🪸 Near Barrier Reef
• 🛖 Overwater Bungalow
• 👫 Best For Couples

If you're looking for an affordable way to experience an overwater bungalow, Tobacco Caye is your spot. The Caye is best described as a hidden paradise with picturesque colorful cabañas right over the water. With only four main lodges located on the island, it might be the most economic way to stay at a private island.

It's important to know that this is more of a rustic stay but well-worth the sacrifice in luxury. There are also options to stay on the island by renting tents if you don't mind mind that option. Meal plans are also make obligatory, so while the rooms are budget-friendly, the food will double the nightly rate for the 3 meals provided per day.

Activities on the island include: snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP Boarding. Some of the lodges include all these rentals in their accommodation (Joe Joe's). If you're interested in turtle nesting, the season is between June 1st & October 31st.

Getting to Tobacco Caye

Tobacco Caye is only a 35-minute boat ride off the coast of Dangriga (10 miles/16km). There are community boats to the island that leave Dangriga at roughly 11:30AM which accommodate 4 passengers. It then leaves the island at 9:00AM. The cost is $35 USD per person and leaves from Riverside docks or Jetti Pier.

Low Key & Dreamy Caye

Bread & Butter Caye

• 🤿 Shore Snorkeling
• 🪸 Near Barrier Reef
• ☀️ Day Trip Worthy
• 🎒 Best For Backpackers

Similar to Tobacco Caye, Bread & Butter Caye is a low key getaway rustic cabañas and basic amenities available at the caye. The most popular way to visit the caye is by going on a day trip.

The island has a very local feel with very friendly owners that feel like family. It's a great spot to spend the day with your family fishing and grilling your catch of the day. There are picnic tables and hammocks for you to lounge and even a trampoline in the water.

Getting to Bread & Butter Caye

Bread & Butter Caye is only a 20-minute boat ride off the coast of Hopkins (5 miles/8km). Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye. Island-hopping packages are also offered.

Picturesque Cast Away Island

Ranguana Caye

• ⛱️ White Sandy Beach
• 🐢 Hatching Turtles
• ☀️ Day Trip Worthy
• 👫 Best For Couples

Ranguana Caye is quite possibly the most day-trip worthy island to visit. This small piece of 2-acre tropical paradise is picture perfect. If you had to get shipwrecked somewhere, this would be your first choice.

Activities on the island include snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, playing volleyball, and of course napping in a hammock. Oh, there's island barbecuing happening too.

Getting to Ranguana Caye

Ranguana Caye is a 45-minute ride off the coast of Placencia (18 miles/29km). Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye.

Accessible Hidden Gem

St. George’s Caye

• 🛖 Overwater Bungalow
• 🤿 Scuba Diving
• ☀️ Day Trip Worthy
• 👫 Best For Couples

Frequently overlooked, St. George's Caye is a tiny island that's so quiet it almost feels like it has frozen in time. This is the place to visit if you're looking for the overwater bungalow experience.

Having been to the island on a day trip with my family, I can attest to the tranquility of simply walking the whole island. My cousin and I took a kayak and explored the entire island as well.

Also worth noting is that St. George's Caye is very quiet and mostly residential. In fact, the people living there are either locals or maybe an expat or two. They are likely retirees or caretakers for the properties.

Getting to St. George’s Caye

St. George’s Caye is only a 20-minute boat ride off the coast of Belize City (7 miles/11km). Transportation is provided by the resorts on the island. Alternatively you can sail there if you are on a boat yourself.

Snorkeling & Diving Paradise

Laughing Bird Caye

• 🐠 Abundant Marine Life
• 🤿 Shore Snorkeling
• 🏝️ Uninhabited
• ☀️ Day Trip Worthy
• 🤿 Best For Divers

As one of Belize's prized national parks and UNESCO Heritage, Laughing Bird Caye is the island to visit if you want to see marine life and do some birding. In fact the caye got it's name from the Laughing Gull.

The beach is pristine with white sand and turquoise waters. The marine life is exquisite with coral reef systems, tropical fishes, lobsters, shrimps, conch, and even turtles & rays.

Getting to Laughing Bird Caye

Laughing Bird Caye is only a 30-minute boat ride off the coast of Placencia (11 miles/18km). Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye. Island-hopping packages are also offered.

Post-Card Perfect Island

Silk Caye

• 🤿 Shore Snorkeling
• 🏝️ Uninhabited
• 🐋 Whale Shark Spotting
• ☀️ Day Trip Worthy
• 👶 Best For Families

Part of the Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, Silk Caye is more of a sand bank than an island but it has clear blue waters and sandy beaches. The uninhabited island is popular for day trips from Placencia.

Besides being a heavenly place to snorkel and dive, it's also possible to spot the largest fish in the ocean world — the whale shark. Marine life also includes various species of fish, sea turtles and rays.

Did you also know Silk Caye was at the point of disappearing at some point? The shoreline was rapidly eroding and local community efforts led by Eworth Garbutt had the island rebuilt and restored. Silk Caye is a vital part of Placencia's economy.

Getting to Silk Caye

Silk Caye is a 1-hour boat ride off the coast of Placencia (22 miles/35km). Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye. Island-hopping packages are also offered.

Tiny White Beach

Rendezvous Caye

• 🪸 Near Barrier Reef
• ⛱️ White Sandy Beach
• 🏝️ Uninhabited
• ☀️ Day Trip Worthy
• 👶 Best For Families

The two most common ways of visiting Rendezvous Caye is by cruise ship stop and by a catamaran tour. Honestly, there's not much to say about the island besides it checking the entire list for a Caribbean Island. It has a nice shallow snorkeling area, lounging chairs, hammocks, bar and even a toilet.

If you signed up for one of the 3-day sailing packages, you will likely spend a night camping under the stars here as well.

Getting to Rendezvous Caye

Rendezvous Caye is a 1-hour boat ride off from either Belize City or Dangriga. Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye. Island-hopping packages are also offered.

Luxury Private Islands

Exclusive Eco-friendly Experience

Hideaway Caye

• 🌱 Off-Grid Island
• 👫 Best For Couples

Located in the southern end of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Hideaway Caye is a literal hidden gem in Belize. Exclusive is an understatement at this island with only one cabaña on site for the guests and a house for themselves. Oh there's also an open air bar and restaurant on site.

It's a truly authentic off-the-grid experience with solar and win powering the Airbnb. What makes it more unique is the fact that the entire island is on stilts and built above the mangroves which means it was truly built in harmony with the ecosystem. Having no sand on the island also means there are no sand flies!

The private island is owned by an American couple Kim & Dustin along with their daughter.

Getting to Hideaway Caye

Hideaway Caye is only a 2 hour boat ride off the coast of Placencia (50 miles/80km). Since the Private island has only one owner and one Airbnb room, the transportation is provided by the Hideaway Caye. Alternatively you can sail there if you are on a boat yourself.

The Maldives Of Belize

Moho Caye

• 🪸 Near Barrier Reef
• ⛱️ White Sandy Beach
• 🏝️ Uninhabited
• ☀️ Day Trip Worthy
• 👶 Best For Families

Moho Caye is a small private island and possibly the best beach in Belize. At only 12 acres, it's the perfect caye for a day trip that feels like you're renting out the island to yourself. In fact, the island does frequently get rented out for the day.

The Caye has no hotels, restaurants or bars. You will have to bring your own food to this tiny little private island.

While snorkeling might not be the greatest since there's it's not close to the barrier reef, it makes up for it with it's sandy white beach. On site there are picnic tables, hammocks, beach chairs and even a volley ball space. It's the perfect place to relax with a small group.

Getting to Moho Caye

Moho Caye is only a 35-minute boat ride off the coast of Placencia (12 miles/20km). Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye. Island-hopping packages are also offered.

All-Inclusive Private Island

Thatch Caye

• 🛖 Overwater Bungalow
• 💍 Honeymoon Paradise
• ✅ All-Inclusive Resort
• 👫 Best For Couples

Thatch Caye gets its name from the iconic thatched roofs on the surrounding overwater bungalows surrounding the islands. There is only one resort on the private island and it caters for an all-inclusive experience.

If you have plans to get married or spend your honeymoon somewhere, this might just be the perfect place.

Getting to Thatch Caye

Thatch Caye is only a 25-minute boat ride off the coast of Dangriga (9 miles/15km). Being all-inclusive, the transportation is provided by the resort. Alternatively you can sail there if you are on a boat yourself.

Boutique Diving & Wellness

Raye Caye

• 🛖 Overwater Bungalow
• 🤿 Scuba Diving
• 🪸 Near Barrier Reef
• 👫 Best For Couples

Raye Caye is marketed as a sustainable and luxurious private island resort. At only 7 acres, it includes all the bells and whistles like private pool, yoga studio to fitness center. It gets even better. Most of the food served is actually grown in the organic garden on the caye.

Oh, did I mention they have a saltwater slide? And they have a helicopter pad for that exclusive transfer.

If you have the budget, you can actually rent the entire island. It'll only set you back a little under $25K USD per night with a minimum of 3 nights.

Getting to Raye Caye

Raye Caye is a 1-hour boat ride off the coast of Placencia (18 miles/29km). Being all-inclusive, the transportation is provided by the resort. Alternatively you can sail there if you are on a boat yourself.

Quirky Pirate-Themed Island

King Lewey's

• 🏴‍☠️ Pirate Themed
• 🪸 Near Barrier Reef
• ☀️ Day Trip Worthy
• 👶 Best For Families

If you think islands can't get unique, you have to check out this pirate-themed island. Besides the treasure chest, and pirate props, there are actually some parrots on the island roaming around.

There's not much else to say other than it's a private island with spectacularly clear water and a fun water activities to do the entire day.

This island is very popular for day trips and many guests come here to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and other special family celebrations.

Getting to King Lewey's

King Lewey's is a 35-minute ride off the coast of Placencia (12 miles/20km). Being all-inclusive, the transportation is provided by the resort. Alternatively you can sail there if you are on a boat yourself.

Belizean-Owned All-Inclusive Island

Coco Plum Caye

• ✅ All-Inclusive Resort
• 🪸 Near Barrier Reef
• 👫 Best For Couples

Coco Plum Caye is an all-inclusive, award winning resort recognized for its hospitality which happens to be Belizean. Having a local friend that worked here I can vouch for the attention to detail.

Their packages are designed for couples and include literally everything — accommodation, transport, all meals, drinks and tours. You're basically treated like royalty at this place. That's classic Belizean hospitality for you.

Getting to Coco Plum Caye

Coco Plum Caye is a 30-minute ride off the coast of Dangriga (9 miles/14km). Being all-inclusive, the transportation is provided by the resort.

A Private Island For Celebrities

Cayo Espanto

• ✅ All-Inclusive Resort
• 👫 Best For Couples

Cayo Espanto is at the top of the food chain when it comes to private islands in Belize. it's an award winning resort, 5-stars, named the "World's Best Private Island" and a part of the top resorts of the world.

Marketed as the best romantic island in Belize, you can be sure this is an amazing honeymoon experience. Celebrities like Leonardo Dicaprio have stayed here.

In fact, after staying here, Leonardo bought his own private island nearby called Blackadore Caye which is mentioned as a bonus island at the end of this post.

Getting to Cayo Espanto

Cayo Espanto is only a 7-minute ride off the coast of San Pedro (3 miles/5km). Alternatively you can fly there by private helicopter transport available with the resort.

Marine Reserve Islands

Pristine & Protected Island

Half Moon Caye

• 🤿 Shore Snorkeling
• 🕳️ Near Great Blue Hole
• 🐠 Abundant Marine Life
• 👶 Best For Families

Half Moon Caye is a part of Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Visiting this caye requires you to book a 3-hour excursion tour that stops at the Blue Hole as well. The caye is not only recognized and protected for its marine life but also for the rare colony of rare Footed Boobies (birds).

Having visited myself, I was impressed with the beauty of the island, the marine life, the animals on the island and the respect the guides had for the place. The caye is fairly large so you can spend a lot of time walking the beach and exploring inland.

Oh and Half Moon Caye got its name because of its crescent shape. It genuinely is beautiful to see even from the ground.

Getting to Half Moon Caye

Half Moon Caye is a 3-hour boat ride off the coast of Belize City (50 miles/80km). Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye.

Unspoilt Diver's Paradise

Long Caye

• 🕳️ Near Great Blue Hole
• 🤿 Shore Snorkeling
• 🐠 Abundant Marine Life
• 🤿 Best For Divers

Alike Half Moon Caye, Long Caye is also a part of Lighthouse Reef Atoll. As a result, it also requires you to book a 3-hour excursion tour. The stop at Long Caye is normally in the diving excursions so this will be one of the few ways to visit this island.

Long Caye is generally catered for serious divers since some of the world-class diving spots are in close proximity. Snorkeling is also equally impressive with opportunities to spot marine life like spotted eagle rays, sea turtles, nurse sharks, moray eels and corals & sponges.

Getting to Long Caye

Long Caye is only a 2-hour boat ride off the coast of Belize City (44 miles/70km). Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye.

Marine Life Heaven

South Water Caye

• 🤿 Shore Snorkeling
• 🪸 Near Barrier Reef
• 🐠 Abundant Marine Life
• 👶 Best For Families

The largest marine reserve in the country is South Water Caye. Because of it's remote location, it's very much untouched and a super laid-back beach escape. The caye also has a front-row view of the Belize Barrier Reef. Did you know this marine reserve is also a UNESCO site?

South Water Caye is perfect if you're looking for a peaceful getaway, snorkeling and sunset views. On clear evenings, you can also spot the second-largest peak in Belize glowing in the distance — Victoria Peak. One of the resorts on the caye is called Pelican Peach Resort which was aptly named because the birds can be found gliding by.

Getting to South Water Caye

South Water Caye is only a 40-minute boat ride off the coast of Dangriga (14 miles/22km). It's also reachable off the coast of Hopkins (6 miles/10km). Only private transfers provided by the resorts at the caye are available.

Best Diving In Belize

Glover’s Reef Atoll

• 🤿 Shore Snorkeling
• 🐠 Abundant Marine Life
• 🐋 Whale Shark Spotting
• 🤿 Best For Divers

As part of the Glover's Reef Marin Reserve, this atoll one of three atolls in Belize. Atolls — by the way — are ring shaped coral reef with a central lagoon. That makes them extremely unique and you can imagine the marine life reflects this.

Some animals you can find here include various species of sharks, rays, sea turtles, plenty of fish, different corals and some endangered species like the Nassau Grouper. Oh, and there's also a marine station on the atoll which you can learn a bunch from.

Getting to Glover’s Reef Atoll

Glover's Reef Atoll is a 2-hour boat ride off the coast of Dangriga (28 miles/45km). Only private transfers provided by the resorts at the caye are available.

Belizean-Owned Island Oasis

Lime Caye

• ⛱️ White Sandy Beach
• ☀️ Day Trip Worthy
• 🤿 Best For Divers

Lime Caye is found in Southern Belize near Punta Gorda Town. Well, in reality, it's smack between the water areas of Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. Officially, it's a part of Sapodilla Cayes.

Getting to Lime Caye

Part of Sapodilla Cayes, Lime Caye is a 3-hour boat ride off the coast of Punta Gorda (46 miles/74km). Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye. Alternatively you can sail there if you are on a boat yourself.

Diving & Fishing Paradise

SouthWest Caye

• 🤿 Scuba Diving
• 🐟 Saltwater Fishing
• ⛱️ White Sandy Beach
• 👫 Best For Couples

Searching for SouthWest Caye won't turn up much results which adds to the island's seclusive nature. The caye is located smack between the Glover's Atoll and Gladen Split & Silk Marine Reserve.

The resorts on the caye pride themselves on world class scuba diving, snorkeling and saltwater fishing. Because it's located in a marine reserve, conservation and sustainability are top priority.

Getting to SouthWest Caye

SouthWest Caye is a 1.5 hour boat ride off the coast of Dangriga (36 miles/58km). Only private transfers provided by the resorts at the caye are available.

Manatee Sanctuary

Swallow Caye

• 🏝️ Uninhabited
• 🤿 Best For Nature Lovers

Also very difficult to reserach online, Swallow Caye is only really known to those in the conservation world. The wildlife sanctuary protects manatees specifically the West Indian manatee population in the area.

The office of the non-profit conservation organization is found in Caye Cualker. Here, you can arrange an ethical tour that doesn't disturb the manatees and allows visitors to observe the gentle giants in their main habitat from the comfort of their boats.

Getting to Swallow Caye

Swallow Caye is a 45-minute boat ride off the coast of Caye Caulker (19 miles/31km). Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye.

Bonus Island: Blackadore Caye

Here's a bonus island that isn't really worth visiting but fun to know about — Blackadore Caye which is owned by Leonardo Dicaprio.

Dicaprio was scheduled to build and open a revolutionary self-sustaining eco-resort since 2020. The project has been stalled due to fierce local opposition despite the self-sustainable game plan.

If you find yourself curious about the island, it's fairly close to island of Ambergris Caye where you can charter a boat and visit for a day trip. Then you can tell everyone you stepped foot on Leo's private island!

Blackadore Caye is a 35-minute ride off the coast of San Pedro (10 miles/16km). Only private transfers provided by tour companies are available for day trips to the caye. Alternatively you can sail there if you are on a boat yourself.

Islands To Avoid Due To Overtourism

While I'm not here to change your mind about where you should or should not go, it's important for me to share islands in Belize I feel align with the values of this blog.

So these are some islands I suggest you take a closer look at before deciding to visit them.

Harvest Caye

While Harvest Caye is very popular, it's owned by the Norwegian Cruise Line. I haven't personally been here, but it's been described as the Disneyland Island in Belize.

Given it caters to cruise tourism, you can expect to see very little locals and culture as a result. Prices here will obviously be inflated. At least they have a very nice pool.

Caye Chapel

Caye Chapel is very popular among higher end tourists looking for a premium experience. In fact, it's home to the luxurious Four Seasons Resort.

If you're a golfer, this might be a good choice for your vacation plans. But for eco-conscious travelers, this won't be the best choice. The over-development of the caye has caused major controversy locally especially with dredging (excavation of material) due to construction.

Goff's Caye

Goff's Caye is one of the most popular islands after San Pedro & Caye Caulker. Cruise ships swarm this island — so much that it had to be closed down for a while for some reconstruction. This is not your choice for an island if you want to avoid overtourism. Skip this island if you don't want to see huge crowds on a tiny 1-acre sand barrier.

Facts About Belize Islands

1. 🪸 There are 400 cayes, 3 atolls, and 7 key marine reserve zones in Belize.
2. 🏝️ The three atolls located in Belize are: Lighthouse, Glovers, Turneffe.
3. 🇧🇿 The Belize Barrier Reef spans 180 miles (290km) — the largest in the Western Hemisphere.
4. 🐠 The Reef is home to 500+ species of fish, 65+ species of coral, and endangered animals like turtles and manatees.

Final Thoughts

There’s so much more to Belize than just San Pedro and Caye Caulker. Whether you’re looking for a luxury island retreat, a budget-friendly escape, or a wild marine reserve to snorkel and explore — there’s a caye that fits your vibe.

Choosing is the hardest part, but I hope this guide has narrowed down your perfect island to help you experience the authentic island life in Belize.

About Author

Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.