One of the favorite pastimes of BIB residents is to while away a lovely day on Vaca Lake. The collection of kayaks tied to the Kayak Tree testifies to that. But not everyone is a kayaker, and kayakers sometimes want a more laid-back ramble.
A pontoon boat cruise is the ideal way to enjoy the water, the tropical weather, and the company of friends all at the same time.
There are three lazy-day boat options on Vaca Lake: Jungle Splash Eco-Tours, Martz Farm Pontoon Boat Adventures, and Hide-A-Way Camp Adventure Tours. Click on the caption below each image to visit that website for more information.
What better way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, holiday, full moon (yes – moonlight trips are available!), or just a chance to get together with friends and celebrate beautiful Belize during a lovely day on the water.
You can arrange your adventure (whatever “floats your boat”) with the individual boat tours, which offer visits to waterfalls, onboard food grilling, swimming stops, hiking, birdwatching, and other options to choose from.
The prices vary, according to tour operator and the adventures you select. All of the boats are covered with awnings for protection against tropical sunshine or the occasional shower.
Although there’s no guarantee, you might spot tapir, jaguar, howler or spider monkeys, toucans, roosting bats, or big orange or green iguanas. Flocks of scarlet macaws have been spotted there, too.
You might also NOT see those things – there are no wildlife-viewing guarantees in this wild river setting. But whether or not you see lots of wildlife, the palm-dotted rainforest extending down to the lake on all sides is breathtakingly decorated with orchids, ferns, and trailing vines, and often sweetly scented with frangipani and other mysterious perfumes.
Jungle Splash and Martz Farm boats launch near the kayak tree, and the Hide-A-Way boat launches about a mile down the lake at Hide-A-Way Camp.
Kids have a great time on the pontoon boat trips, and innertubes provide lots of options for having fun – for adults, too.
The tours usually visit Twin Falls, where you can stand directly in the spray from the falls if you want, or sit on the sandy beach nearby to soak up some sun and chat with others.
Dogs are welcome on the pontoon boat tours too, as long as they’re well-behaved.
Both of the large pontoon boats will grill your food right on the boat as you cruise. The smaller, more intimate pontoon boat moors at Twin Falls for a feast grilled on the beach.
Consider taking a full-moon tour, too. The celebration can start out in late afternoon with a visit to the falls and dinner cooked on the grill. Then, as the moon rises over Pine Ridge, sit in companionable silence to enjoy the cricket, katydid, owl and frog chorus in the silver moonlight. What could be more satisfying than THAT!
Wow. Sign me up!