Belize resort offering breathtaking dive trips, big game fishing, and spectacular ecotourism. Long Caye is a 650-acre, 2 1/2 mile-wide, and island located 45 miles off the coast of Belize, at the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/longcayeislandresort/hotel/557/3/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:29:35 EST Long Caye is a 650-acre, 2 1/2 mile-wide, and island located 45 miles off the coast of Belize, at the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. The island of Long Caye borders the western side of the Lighthouse Atoll and is the island in the Atoll. The islands in the atoll are landmasses where the coral buildup is above sea level and plant life has taken root. The atoll is a large lagoon with coral formations along its perimeter. Long Caye is protected from severe weather by the reef formation of the Atoll. Long Caye Island has its own fresh water source and is surrounded by salt water ranging in depth from 3 to 30 meters within the atoll, to over 1200 meters in depth beyond the coral formation. It is only a 1.5 hour flight from Miami and minutes from fabulous dive sites including the Blue Hole, and the Belize Barrier Reef. The Blue Hole is where Jacques Cousteau and his crew filmed a documentary for the National Geographic. The reef is home for a large variety of marine life and coral reefs. Long Caye is home to many exotic species of birds, reptiles, plants and marine life. The island is surrounded by magnificent walls of coral with a marine ecosystem that extends for miles. High and low, mangrove plant communities can be seen throughout Long Caye, harboring nurseries for marine life as well as a stopover and nesting area for a variety of birds. Sea Turtles and red-footed booby birds have nested on these beaches for generations. The Mangrove cuckoo, Green heron, Osprey, Great-tailed grackle and the White-crowned pigeon can also be found on the island as well. For tropical migratory birds, Long Caye plays an important part in their seasonal migration. Due to its significant size and extreme eas tern location, this island is unique in these open waters of the Caribbean Long Caye is a premier location for scuba diving, snorkeling, recreational fishing, bird watching, beach combing and exploring. Its location allows for the control needed for ongoing research and study by members of the scientific community...sounds like an island paradise vacation. AMENITIES: This newly developed resort is built with nature in mind. Our accommodations are ecologically and environmentally friendly. Our huts are located right on the beach next to the restaurant and the pier. The diagram below represents one hut, two rooms. ACTIVITIES: You can expect to relax all day in the sun on a sandy beach or enjoy daily dive trips. Our dive trip packages also include one evening dive at the Blue Hole. On the other hand, you may simply enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, wind surfing, bird watching from our bird towers or hiking around the island- our vacation packages offer a great variety of activities. Long Caye Island Resort shares this island paradise with a limited number of seasonal residents as well and property is still available—the parcels sold at pre-construction prices. Snorkeling: If you do not dive and you want to enjoy the marine life, there is snorkeling, which can be just as exhilarating as diving. Snorkel in shallow water with brilliantly colored coral or over Deep Ocean waters beyond the reef and experience the finest aquatic paradise in this hemisphere. Going at night is a good way to see a variety of nocturnal sea creatures that are entirely different from those seen during the day. By day, there is plenty of variety of marine life also. Windsurfing: Long Caye Island is a great place for windsurfing. Each winter month can offer more than 20 days of wind over seven mph. The windy season is generally October thru March, whereas the calmer months are generally July through September. Kayaking: Easier on the environment than powerboats and a lot of fun for you, kayaking is a popular way to see the sights. A local guide is available for guided tours to Half Moon Caye and around the Atoll. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: Resort No. of Rooms: 27 Diving: Dive Resort/Dive Operator Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Belize/longcayeislandresort/hotel/557/3/ Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:29:35 EST