Southwater Caye, a 15 acre island, is located in the center of the Southwater Caye Marine Reserve 14 miles off the coast of Dangriga. This picturesque tropical island sits atop the Belizean Barrier Reef which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1997. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/pelicanspouchsouthwatercaye/hotel/1576/3/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:43:02 EST Welcome to the most relaxing "island getaway in Belize". At Southwater Caye, a 15 acre island perched atop the barrier reef, choose from Belizean styled wooden cottages with names like the Osprey's Nest, Heron's Hideaway, and Egret's Escape or rooms with a view of the reef crest in the Pelican's Pouch. Snorkeling, scuba-diving, sunbathing, hammock-testing and relaxation are a few of your choice activities. Our location makes it convenient for a spontaneous snorkeling adventure into coral gardens 20 yards offshore. With hammocks and lounge chairs, and short trips easily arranged, this is the perfect place to snorkel, scuba-dive, learn about the marine environment or just relax. To take advantage of natural sunlight and wind and to avoid noisy generators our lighting and some refrigeration is provided by a photo voltaic system (solar powered energy). Bathroom facilities are state of the art, water-saving composting toilets in half baths located in each unit, with shared gravity-fed ground level showers. Sounds rustic? We've planned our facilities so that you can really relax and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you. All your needs are taken care of so you can avoid making major decisions - no need to wear makeup, dress up for dinner, carry around your wallet, or even remember when mealtimes are (just listen for the bell!). All the reservations and administration for this facility are done at our Dangriga location, leaving our staff to concentrate 100% of their energies on making your stay a memorable one. Our guest book is filled with wonderful comments probably best summarized in the following quote: "the food, the people, the snorkeling, the hammocks, the Osprey's Nest - paradise found!" AMENITIES: Your hosts are the "Pelican Beach family" a group of enthusiastic professionals representative of the many cultures to be found in Belize - Garinagu, Creole, Mayan, and Mestizo to be found throughout Belize. The makeup of the Pelican Beach family is defined, not by the blood lines of the original owners, Henry and Alice Bowman, but by the common commitment of our team to taking care of our guests and ensuring that you enjoy your vacation. Since we opened in 1971 we have aimed to serve the best of Belize's magnificent reef, rainforest and culture with genuine Belizean hospitality. Accommodations - on the south end of your island retreat A large two-story colonial wooden building, formerly a "Convent" belonging to the Sisters of Mercy, houses the "Pelican's Pouch", our central dining room on the ground floor, with 5 spacious rooms on the second story. Each room has a double and two single beds, half bath with compost toilet and wash basin, and bird's-eye view of the magnificent reef crest and first claim on the tropical breezes. There are two ground level shared showers for the five rooms. At the exclusive southern end, there are 3 Belizean style wooden cottages: The Osprey's Nest - which sleeps up to six in 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms with adjacent ground level shower and two large verandahs. The Heron's Hideaway - our "honeymoon" cottage with queen bed which is nestled in the trees, has one bedroom with half bath, adjacent ground level shower and very private east porch with hammock. The Egret's Escape - another recently added honeymoon cottage located on the exclusive south end of the island with queen bed, half bath, adjacent shower and a stones throw away from the beach.. Meals are served family style in the Pelican's Pouch, with plenty of Belizean dishes and seasonal seafood. Meals are served family style in the Pelican's Pouch, with plenty of Belizean dishes and seasonal seafood. Pelican's University Located near center of the island, The Pelican's University is self-contained and designed to house larger groups and can sleep up to 23 people. This large two-story building has 5 bedrooms with bunk beds, half baths upstairs, ground level shared showers and a kitchen and spacious recreation and dining area downstairs. This is the ideal location for larger family or educational groups that prefer to be together. We offer fully customized itineraries for these groups including full in country transportation, marine and terrestrial instructors combined with side trips to rainforest, mangrove and marine habitats throughout the country of Belize. Since first opening in 1971 we have had extensive experience in providing these services to groups from high schools, colleges and organizations. ACTIVITIES: Snorkeling - is possible right off the southern tip of the island and additional side trips to a variety of patch reefs; "the drop off"; Man 'O' War Caye -sanctuary to the magnificent frigate birds and brown boobies; and mangrove habitats are all easily arranged. SCUBA - all diving arrangements can be made easily, but need to be confirmed in advance with mainland office. Kayaking - kayaks are available at no charge for a trip around the island or just a little exercise. Birding - A wide selection of herons and other wading and shore birds are resident on the island along with Pelicans, Osprey, warblers. Visitors include North American migrants in the winter months as well as the Magnificent Frigate birds from nearby Man 'O' War Caye. Marine Ecology tours - Surrounded by a multitude of marine habitats, guided snorkeling adventures cover the patch reefs, floating mangrove roots, a large sinkhole, the spur and groove formations outside the reef and even a snorkel over the unending "drop off". Games and Library - An assortment of board games and a small exchange library are available in the Pelican's Pouch. Hammocking - An activity? Only if you have to push with your foot to keep swaying or if you count trying to decide which hammock to try this time! Diving packages including PADI certification, resort courses, single dives, night dives up through 2-3 dive/day packages are available on patch reefs, the drop off, outer atoll of Glovers Reef and more. Diving arrangements need to be confirmed a week in advance. Information on diving the Barrier Reef follows, but dives to other sites such as Glovers Reef and Sharks Cave can also be arranged. Barrier Reef Diving: The walls around South Water Cay are amongst the best in Belize. From right in front of the caye to approximately 8 miles south extends an underwater cliff face. This wall starts at between 35 to 65 feet and drops off into the abyss. Turtles and eagle rays are the most common large animal encounter. One dive would be done in the morning and one dive after lunch picking dive sites that suit the experience level of the divers. Generally the first dive would be about 70ft deep and the second one about 50ft deep. Dive site names include The Abyss, Trick Ridge, Black Beauty, Paradise View, Long Reef. All dives are drift dives, where the boat follows the divers. The divemaster carries a marker buoy for safety. All guides are licensed and experienced. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: Hotel Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/pelicanspouchsouthwatercaye/hotel/1576/3/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:43:02 EST