In February 2019, we decided to take a sailing vacation in Belize. My husband has been working on his ASA (American Sailing Association) sailing certification, taking lessons at Victoria Sailing School in Denver, Colorado for the past two years. This trip gave him the opportunity to complete his remaining two classes through Belize Sailing Vacations, which offers a full charter certification program.
We chose Belize knowing it would be an experience of a lifetime. We booked a six-day trip that included hands-on training, written exams, a private cabin, three meals a day, afternoon snacks, after-dinner dessert, and alcoholic beverages.
After each day of training, our captain selected beautiful islands known as Cayes (pronounced “keys”) where we could kayak, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply relax on the beach. A Caye is a low-elevation, sandy island that forms on top of coral reefs—ideal for exploring and unwinding.
I’m excited to take you along on our daily journey. If you’re curious about sailing vacations, I encourage you to research different companies to find the one that best fits your needs, as offerings vary. Belize Sailing Vacations also offers family trips that don’t include sailing certifications. I’ll link their information below.
Day 1:
When we arrived at the airport, a driver from the company picked us up and brought us to the marina, where a 50-foot catamaran awaited. We met our captain and ASA instructor, Jesse Halley, and First Mate Karla Gomez. They gave us an overview of the daily schedule, training expectations, and the layout of the sailboat. We also met the two other guests completing their charter certification. Once everyone settled in, we set sail for our first destination: Colson Caye.
That afternoon, my husband Glen caught his first fish—but unfortunately, it slipped away. Captain Jesse keeps fishing lines attached to each side of the boat in hopes of reeling in the evening’s dinner. After sailing for about two hours, we docked at Colson Caye for the night. Karla served a delicious lobster tail dinner, and afterward we enjoyed cocktails under the stars.
Day 2:
The next morning, I woke up seasick. I had brought scopolamine patches with me but hadn’t put one on initially because I felt fine during the first sail. After a couple of hours—and plenty of fresh ocean air—I felt completely better and had no issues for the rest of the trip. If you think you might get seasick, make sure to bring scopolamine or another remedy from your doctor or over the counter before traveling.
After breakfast, the lesson for the day was to sail to Long Coco Caye, another breathtaking spot surrounded by crystal-clear blue water. Once we anchored, we used the boat’s dinghy to get to shore. We walked the entire island, taking in uninterrupted ocean views from every angle. Long Coco Caye had hammocks tucked beneath lush palm trees and small gazebos perfect for lounging and relaxing.
We snorkeled for a while, and I was amazed by the vibrant corals in every color imaginable. That evening, after dinner, Glen and I lay on the boat’s trampoline, staring up at the stars and listening to the gentle rhythm of the waves.
Day 3:
On Day 3, Captain Jesse needed to pick up extra supplies at a nearby Caye, so we sailed to the peninsula of Placencia. After walking around and soaking in the culture, the soft sandy beaches, and the lively local tiki bars, we returned to the boat, settled into our cabin after dinner, and ended the night with a movie.
Today we visited Ranguana Caye. We started with a drink at the island’s tiki bar and then went snorkeling in the clear, warm waters. Glen caught another fish—a king mackerel—which we enjoyed for dinner that evening. Captain Jesse treated us to piña coladas as we lounged on the trampoline and watched the sunset. The highlight of the day was First Mate Karla’s fresh conch shell ceviche served as our afternoon snack—absolutely unforgettable!
Day 5:
Today we visited another breathtaking island, Tobacco Caye, and decided to spend a relaxing afternoon at the beach bar. Later that day, Glen caught a dorado—also known as mahi-mahi—which became our dinner. The highlight of the evening, though, was watching a group of spotted eagle rays glide gracefully in the water off the stern of the boat. There were about eleven of them, and they were absolutely stunning.
Tobacco Caye Beach Bar
Day 6:
Glen spent the morning snorkeling while I caught up on my writing. That afternoon, we enjoyed a long sail back to the marina, followed by dinner and drinks with the other passengers and crew. We shared stories, laughed, and reflected on the bond we had developed over the week.
Day 7:
This was the final day of sailing practice for the guys, followed by lunch and then a couple of plane rides home.
Leaving the sunny beaches, breathtaking views, warm breezes, and the soothing sound of the waves—only to return to 20-degree weather—was definitely an adjustment. But we arrived home feeling refreshed, relaxed, and incredibly grateful for such a memorable vacation. I would recommend a sailing trip to anyone. It’s a unique experience you’ll always remember.
I hope you enjoy the photos from our adventure. Comment below if you have any questions or visit Belize Sailing Vacations for more information.
