Kayaking the caves was definitely a worth-while experience! The meeting guide was at the port exit gate earlier than the posted time, which is a good thing because we needed every extra minute to make it back to port in time (there was traffic on the way back)! I've been on a tour to the Belize cave area before on a large bus, and you have to wait for everyone. This tour operator, took my wife and I who were kayaking, and 6 others from the ship who were tubing, in a van to the cave area. They kept us entertained on the 45-60 minute ride. When we got to the site, we geared up and the two guides Nelson and Roc, took us on a 30-45 minute easy hike to the launch site. The hike was actually relatively easy, and very fun and informative. They told us about many trees, plants, and animals/insects as we passed each. Nelson found us a tarantula to hold, and stuck his arm in a termite mound so we could TASTE one! (they taste like mint!). Along the hike we crossed the river three times - it was cool but felt VERY good! One awesome thing is that we did not have to carry our tubes or kayaks. They had them ready at the launch site. As we were hiking leisurely stopping to see different things, many groups from other tour operators passed us in a hurry - they were carrying their own tubes! My wife and I were the only ones that day kayaking (in any group!), so we had Nelson all to ourselves on the kayak trip (which is a lot longer and much more active than the tube trip). The kayak trip goes deeper into the caves, at a faster pace. Nelson showed us many details of the cave walls and ceilings, and even a waterfall area. After kayaking, lunch was provided (BBQ chicken, rice and slaw).
You don't have to be an experienced kayaker (I am not but I have done it a couple times so I know how to steer, stop, turn and can paddle decent enough), but if you have never kayaked before, you might not want to do this as it might be difficult to keep up, especially in some of the skinnier sections of the cave.
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hello Texas Drums. Thank you for your review of the Belize Caves Branch River and 5 Cave Kayaking Excursion you booked through us. We are so glad to read you and your wife enjoyed your day in Belize so much. It sounds like you picked the perfect Belize excursion for seeing the natural beauty this country has to offer. This excursion is unique in many ways starting with the visit to 5 different caves, not 1 to 3 as the others do. It is amazing you get to try termites although it is the first time we hear they taste like mint. With every excursion we recommend, we want to make sure our guests receive a personalized service and small details, like having the kayaks ready on site, is what make a huge difference with other companies. This kayaking is suitable for everyone and the guides are very attentive with their #1 priority being guest safety. The lunch afterward is a great bonus after a fun time on the river! Thank you very much for your preference on Shore Excursioneer, we hope to assist you again in the near future with more excursion bookings, it will be a pleasure to help you. Your Shore Excursioneer Team 2016