Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary
A West Indian manatee sanctuary offshore from Belize City, where boats wait quietly beside the seagrass beds and manatees often surface to breathe.
The sanctuary was established in 2002. Seagrass beds surrounding Swallow Caye and a deep-water pool are home to West Indian manatees. To protect the animals, swimming is prohibited. Boats cut their engines or approach with poles and wait quietly for manatees to surface for air. Most trips leave from Caye Caulker, and half-day tours are often combined with snorkelling, though you can also charter a boat from San Pedro. A sanctuary entrance fee applies, and the proceeds go toward manatee conservation.
Opening hours
Daytime, boat tours only
Nearby sights
- Caye Caulker
- Turneffe Atoll
- Altun Ha
- Shark Ray Alley
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve
- Marco Gonzalez Maya Site
- San Pedro Town
- Boca del Rio Park