Salamander Hideaway
Things to do

If you are reading this page you are probably trying to make sure the non fishing or diving members of your group will have a good time.   There are some  quotes  at the bottom of the page and we would be happy to send you lots of references from avid flyfishers, divers or just plain vacationers! 

Here are some ideas for some non fishing adventures:

In and On the Water

Manatee Safari

Sight the friendly, toothless creatures called West Indian Manatee. (Although the population here is small and protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, Belize enjoys the largest population of this Manatee in the Caribbean). Snorkel and swim off a beautiful, isolated island and enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch. Two other exciting snorkel stops included and time permitting, a stop at neighboring Caye Caulker. Lunch, beer and soft drinks included. Bring snorkel gear. Departs on demand, not on Tuesday or Friday. Time: 8:30am-5:30pm

Sail/Snorkel Caye Caulker

Sail aboard the "Me Too", a 36 ft. McGregor Catamaran. Snorkel th e sites with the most prolific fish life on the reef: Hol Chan Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Enjoy lunch and a stroll through the lobster fishing village of Caye Caulker. Rum punch, beer and soft drinks included. Bring snorkel gear, lunch money and Hol Chan Park entrance fee ($2.50 US) and a laid back attitude for a relaxing day. Departs daily on demand. Time: 8:30am-5:30pm

Private Tour by Boat

Arrange for a private boat tour and driver to explore the area, tailoring the trip to your specific interests. Your guide can take you to a secluded sandy beach where you can swim and sunbathe in total isolation or your can fish on the way to a neighboring caye. You tell us what the tour should include. Departs on demand. Time: Anytime you want

Deep Sea Fishing

Board Sea Boots, a 52ft. sportfisher and within 10 minutes, you can be fishing in 1000' of water where the action begins! Sit in one of four fighting chairs waiting for a hit or relax with a drink while not worrying about where you will find the next restroom (Two onboard the Sea Boots) Your catch might include Wahoo, Grouper, Sailfish, Marlin and a host of other large game fish. It's always an adventure with Capt. Tom. Drinks included. Lunch included on full day trips. Departs daily on demand. Time: Flexible (1/2 day is 4 hours; full day is 8 hours)

Bacalar Chico Mayan Channel Adventure

Board the Sea Boots and troll while traveling north with Capt. Tom. Snorkel and swim, and enjoy a fresh lunch prepared in the boat's galley. On a guided tour of Bacalar Chico Nature Reserve, you will see birds, fish and underwater caverns. Experience an ancient Mayan mangrove canal and then troll past famous Rocky Point fishing grounds on the way home. Departs daily on demand. Time 8:00am-5:00pm

Parasailing

Get a bird's eye view of San Pedro, sailing high above the sea for about 15 minutes. Nerve wracking excitement included. Take your courage... Departs Tuesday and Friday Time: 8:30am-5:30pm

On the Mainland

Altun Ha

Travel south around Ambergris Caye, west to the mainland and cruise up a jungle river viewing orchids, birds and an occasional crocodile. Continue by van to Altun Ha Maya ruins and visit exotic Maruba Jungle Lodge for lunch (where you can also enjoy spa facilities or horseback ride). Soft drinks and beer included. Take $5.00 entrance fee for ruins entrance, lunch money and a swim suit for a dip at Maruba. Departs Tuesday and Friday Time: 8:30am-5:30pm

Belize River Wildlife Tour

Spend a fascinating day on the waterways of Belize! Travel to the mainland to Belize City up Haulover Creek to the Belize River. Travel further up the Belize River to the vicinity of the Baboob Sanctuary. Besides lush green plants lining the river bank, you will see crocodiles, iguanas and of course the "baboobs" of Belize (howler monkeys). Lunch and drinks included. Departs Tuesday & Friday Time: 7:00am - 6:30pm

Butterfly Nature Reserve

Travel by boat north to Sarteneja on the mainland and travel by van into pristine Shipstern Nature Reserve. Here you will visit the Butterfly Reserve, walk a medicinal trail, explore a bat cavern and see a variety of birds and other wildlife from an observatory deck in the jungle. Includes lunch, drinks and entrance fees. Departs Thursdays Time: 7:00am - 5:00pm

Caracol/Mountain Pine Ridge

Fly directly from San Pedro to Mountain Pine Ridge and visit Caracol, a magnificent Mayan site, still in the process of being unearthed. An artifact at the site describes a victory over Tikal, which was once thought to be the most powerful of the Mayan cities. In Mountain Pine Ridge, see the famous 1000 ft. falls and the surrounding lush vegetation. Lunch, drinks, entrance fee all included. Departs daily on demand. Time: 8:30am-3:30pm

Crooked Tree

Fly to the mainland and take a short ride to this bird sanctuary well known for it's herons, falcons, vultures, and a variety of other birds. Most spectacular among the birds, the Jabiru-Stork, the largest bird in the Western Hemisphere. Lunch, drinks, and entrance fees all included. Departs daily on demand. Time: 8:30am-3:30pm

Jaguar Paw Tube Cave/Zoo

Fly into Belize City, take a quick tour of the zoo, then travel to jaguar Paw for a spectacular 3 hour inner tube float through an underground river cave system. Bring extra clothes. Lunch, soft drinks and fees included. Departs Friday Time: 6:30am-6:30pm

Mountain Pine Ridge

Fly into Belize City and travel by van on the Western Highway to this beautiful forest reserve. Wear your walking shoes and bring your swim suit for a variety of activities in this rugged part of the country. Sites you will visit include Rio Frio Caves, Rio on Rapids and Pools, and the 1000 ft. Hidden Valley Waterfalls. Includes lunch, drinks and entrance fees. Departs Monday & Thursday Time: 6:15am-6:30pm

Xunantunich/Panti Trail/Butterfly Farm

Fly directly from San Pedro into the Cayo District and travel by van across the Mopan River (via a hand cranked ferry) to the major ceremonial center of Xunantunich. Also on this trip, visit the Panti Trail, named after Belize's greatest herbalist, Elijio Panti, and a breeding center for the amazing Blue Morpho Butterfly. Lunch, drinks and entrance fees included. Departs daily on demand. Time: 8:30am-3:30pm

Xunantunich/Zoo

Fly to Belize City and travel by van along the Western Highway nearly to the Guatemalan border. The ruins of Xunantunich sit high on a plateau and it is possibly to climb to the top of the largest temple for a breath-taking view of the Cayo District and Guatemala. On the way back to Belize City stop at the Zoo, home of many indigenous exotic species of animals. Lunch, drinks, and entrance fees included. Departs Sunday & Wednesday Time: 6:15am-6:30pm

Lamanai Ruins

Because of it's popularity as a site, there are three options to visit Lamanai. All include a trip down the historic New River to the New River lagoon, the longest occupied area of the ancient Maya. The river offers spectacular bird life and occasional sightings of shy crocodiles. At the Maya site of Lamanai, which means "Submerged Crocodile" you will not only learn about the ruins, but you will learn about the medicinal uses of jungle plants. Most likely, you will enjoy an encounter with a troupe of howler monkeys in the wild and time permitting, visit a museum of artifacts from the site.

Lamanai (Airplane/Boat)

Fly directly from San Pedro to airstrip near the New River lagoon. Boat a boat for a trip down the New River and have ample time to explore the ruins and additionally, see an old Sugar Mill in Indian Church, near Lamanai. Includes lunch at Lamanai Outpost Lodge, drinks, entrance fees. Departs daily on demand. Time:8:30am-3:30pm

Lamanai (Airplane/Van/Boat)

Fly to Belize City and travel by van to Orange Walk district. Wind down the river to the Lamanai, where you will enjoy a packed lunch and a tour of the ruins. Departs daily. Time: 6:15am-6:30pm

S

DIVING

Although there is no dive shop at Salamander we wil get one of the best operators to meet you at our dock.

DIVE SITE INFORMATION

North Ambergris Caye Dive Sites

M&M Caverns

M&M Caverns Caverns 70'-90' Boat Tiger, Grouper, Jacks

This is probably one of the best dives found off the barrier reef on Ambergris Caye, located only a half mile from our Dive Center. This dive is noted for its extensive tunnels and caverns. As you descend down to a depth of 90' you see the entrance to the first tunnel which has a length of 30' to the exit which comes out at a depth of 60'.

Because of the deep water surrounding these tunnels, there are always schools of horse eyejacks and a good opportunity to see deep water pelagics cruising the reef. A dive not to be missed!

Renegades

Renegades Overhang 80' Boat Lobster

Fish-watching at its best!! This dive site is one of the sites where the yearly grouper spawning take place on the full moons of December and January. This means there is always a congregation of groupers and lots of other species for you to see.

Another interesting point of this dive is the unusually large coral formation shaped like a huge mushroom which the fish seem to use like an umbrella for shade!

Happy Hour Reef

Happy Hour Reef Coral 70' Boat Beautiful Coral, Sponge

We call it Happy Hour Reef because of the first time we went there one late afternoon, and were lucky enough to witness the spawning of the coral, which happens once a year. All year round though, you will see lots of big barrel sponges, sea fans and phenomenal colors. This is a drift dive so you can take all the time you need to explore.

Eailman’ Reef< /font>