Top 10 Beaches in Belize (and More Awesome Swim Spots)

Belize might be small, but don’t let the size fool you. The second-smallest country in Central America, this little gem is packed with lush jungles and rainforests as well as a stunning Caribbean coastline and ancient Maya ruins.

Today, however, we’ve decided to hone in on the wonderful Belizean coastline—imagine calm Caribbean waters sitting alongside cute seaside towns with year-round great weather… what more could you ask for? This country is home to a variety of beaches, from bright white sand to stony beaches, which you’ll find tucked away in remote regions and along luxury beach resorts.

In our list of the best beaches in Belize, we’re going to look at beaches for everyone—remote coves for snorkeling, party beaches, beaches for families, and more… Let’s get into it!

P.S., if you’re looking for a more comprehensive blog about this wonderful country, check out our blog on the best things to do in Belize!

1. The Split (Caye Caulker)

Vibe: Chill, colorful, and reggae-infused. Think hammocks, beach bars, and snorkel gear by day, rum punch by night.

Kicking off our list is the quintessential ‘the Split’ on the island of Caye Caulker, the perfect beach to spend a morning or a full day. Its name refers to a stretch of water that divides Caye Caulker in two, formed by Hurricane Hattie, a cyclone in the 1960s that did massive damage to Belize’s coastline. Since then, the Split has become one of the most popular bathing spots in the country, for locals and tourists alike.

This beach is a great place to go for a swim, snorkel, or to simply sunbathe as you look out over the coastline. The Split also comes equipped with a good range of amenities. You have a spa, a rental shop with kayaks and paddle boats, along with various restaurants and bars to choose from. If you want to party, check out the legendary Lazy Lizard, perhaps the most legendary beach bar in the country, which comes equipped with a rooftop bar.

And if you’re up for a little adventure beyond the shore, just hop on a boat tour to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, departing daily at 9 AM from Hattie Street, just a stone’s throw away. It’s a short ride away, but you’ll feel worlds apart once you’re drifting over coral gardens, spotting sea turtles, and swimming with nurse sharks at Shark Ray Alley.

2. Secret Beach (Ambergris Caye)

Vibe: Instagram-friendly, lively, with shallow turquoise water and beach bars floating on the sea.

Okay, okay. Secret Beach isn’t quite the ‘secret’ that it was before. This once-quaint, local spot has been developed into a true beach destination—you won’t have it all to yourself, but you will be able to enjoy the tranquil, clear waters, along with all of the amenities you might need, with plenty of beach bars/clubs to enjoy drinks and good music. If that’s not your thing, Secret Beach is also a great snorkeling spot!

You’ll find Secret Beach on the west side of the island of Ambergris Caye. Most people make there way to secret beach on a rented golf cart from San Pedro, a pleasant journey that generally takes between 30 and 45 minutes.

3. Goff’s Caye

Vibe: Remote, castaway island vibes with powdery sand and coral just offshore. Beach all around.

A 30-minute boat ride across the English Channel from Belize City, this small island (known as a Caye, pronounced ‘key’) is right on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef. If you’re looking for a true island escape, Goff’s Caye is your best bet. Surrounded by lovely sandy beaches, as well as beautiful coral reefs and diverse marine life, Goff’s Caye is picture-perfect. Whether you’re lounging in the sun looking out over the sparkling Caribbean Ocean, or exploring the ocean floor with your snorkel, a good time is sure to be had by all.

4. Seine Bight Beach

Where?: Just north of Placencia, along the eastern coast of the Placencia Peninsula.
Vibe: Peaceful, authentic, and rooted in Garifuna culture — fewer crowds, more soul.

Just a 15-minute drive north from Placencia, Seine Bight is slightly different from the other beaches we have on our list. This long, sandy beach has lots of potential, but it isn’t as nicely maintained as other beaches in the area, so we wouldn’t recommend it for a day out. For that, we’d recommend Maya Beach—a lovely secluded beach to enjoy the sunshine and views of the Maya Mountains.

The real value in Seine Bight is its cultural value. Here, you’ll find a tiny Garifuna village, home to around 1,000 people. The Garifuna People are an ethnic, Afro-Indigenous people who now primarily live in Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, though their history is rooted in Saint Vincent, a Caribbean island. As part of this Garifuna culture tour, you’ll visit this village in Seine Bight, meet with some locals, enjoy a traditional lunch, and learn about their traditional music and dances.

5. Barton Creek

Vibe: Calm, shaded, and mysterious — more Indiana Jones than sunbather.

Who says that the only place to enjoy water is at the beach? In a country as geographically diverse as Belize, it would be a mistake to spend your time on the coast. One absolute must you’ll find deep in the jungle, in the Cayo District, near San Ignacio.

Barton Creek is the largest river cave in Belize and a popular site to visit. Aside from being a cool place to check out, this cave was also an important site for the ancient Mayas, with artifacts in the area suggesting that it was used for various rituals, including human sacrifice, 1,800 years ago.

The best way to explore this ancient, sacred site is on this Barton Creek day trip from San Ignacio, which includes a canoe trip and a delicious lunch.

6. Rio On Pools

Where?: Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, about an hour from San Ignacio.
Vibe: Nature-made infinity pools with waterfall massages and jungle views.

Located near San Ignacio, within the magnificent Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Rio on Pools is one of the most scenic natural water features in the country, and the perfect place to spend an afternoon, just 90 minutes from San Ignacio.

If you want to check out this scenic location for yourself, you’ll need to rent a car, preferably a 4×4 to make it up the unpaved roads. However, the easiest way to get there is to pack your swimsuit, a small picnic, and your camera, and embark on this Caracol day trip from San Ignacio, which includes a hike through Pine Ridge Mountain and a stop at Rio On Pools. As the tour title suggests, this activity also includes a visit to the archeological site of Caracol, the largest Maya city in Belize.

7. Silk Cayes

Vibe: Remote, reef-surrounded, and unreal — this is the snorkel trip of dreams.

Silk Cayes is around 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the coast of Placencia, a tiny group of three islands which are most easily accessed from Placencia. These islands were once called Queen’s Cayes, and are now, alongside the Gladden Spit, part of a protected marine reserve in Belize’s Barrier Reef.

These islands give off a real ‘castaway‘ vibe, with bright white beaches, coconut palm trees, and endless ocean in each direction. If you’re into scuba diving or snorkeling, this is one of the best spots in the country to do it, with colorful marine life and ancient coral reefs waiting to be discovered.

You can get to these islands by renting a boat from Placencia Village, or going on a guided tour from the village.

8. Big Rock Falls

Where?: Mountain Pine Ridge, near San Ignacio.
Vibe: Dramatic, wild, and perfect for adventurous swimmers—cliff-jumping optional.

Also right in Mountain Pine Ridge is a de facto hidden gem, the absolutely jaw-dropping Big Rock Falls. This magnificent natural wonder stands around 150 feet (45 meters) in height, from which water hurtles down at speed into a relatively small pool at the bottom.

If you get to visit Big Rock, make sure you bring your swimming outfit. Around the falls, there are some places from which you can jump into the water (always make sure to make sure your landing area is safe before you take the plunge), or, of course you can wade in and enjoy the water that way.

The easiest way to get to Big Rock Falls is by renting a car from San Ignacio. The drive takes around 45 minutes. Another option is getting a bus to San Antonio and then renting a taxi.

9. Hopkins Village Beach

Vibe: Unpolished, slow-paced, and packed with cultural flavor.

Located on the southern Belize coast, just north of Sittee River, Hopkins Village Beach is a chilled-out spot to spend a few days. Hopkins Village itself is a friendly, seaside village with all of the Caribbean charm you could possibly want, with lots of Garifuna charm. You’ll find lots of upscale resorts, local eateries, and buzzing beach bars… Most of all, though, this area has a local charm, and always feels safe to walk around.

10. Maya King Waterfalls

Vibe: Jungle swim spot with rope swings and lush scenery.

Just outside of Placencia, the Maya King Waterfalls (sometimes referred to as the Mayan King Waterfalls) are one of the most iconic landmarks in the country, and for good reason. These falls are absolutely spectacular, especially during the rainy season (June to November), when the water crashes down into the pool below even more spectacularly than during the rest of the year. What’s more, this is a great spot to take a dip in refreshing water!

The best way to visit these falls is on this Maya King Waterfalls day trip from Placencia with Civitatis. Another option is renting a car and making the drive yourself. There is a carpark a short walk from the falls.

There you have it for our list of the best beaches (and other swim spots) in Belize. There’s lots to check out aside from beaches as well. If you’re interested, check out more tours and experiences in Belize with Civitatis!