The Best Sight in Sapodilla Cayes, The Cayes and Atolls

Few visitors make it to this collection of six sand and mangrove cayes, Belize’s southernmost island group. If you’re one of those lucky few, you’ll come back with tales of Hunting Caye, the largest of the Sapodillas, and its gorgeous white-sand beach. Shallow waters immediately off the islands’ coasts make for good snorkeling; various dive sites lie farther out. Spadefish, parrotfish, and dolphins are yours for the viewing. The marine reserve is managed by TIDE, and Camping on Lime Caye is your only option for an overnight stay. Save for a Coast Guard stationed at Hunting Caye, the islands are otherwise uninhabited. Guatemala and Honduras also claim the Sapodillas as their own, but Belize maintains control of the islands, with its own military on Hunting Caye to ensure that status. The dispute need not concern you as a visitor, and, indeed, you might rub shoulders with day visitors from Livingston, Guatemala. They all need to go through immigration at TIDE's office on Hunting Caye. You won’t. Outfitters in Punta Gorda can fix you up with a trip, either for the day or overnight.