Snorkel the Perfect Tropical Isle Silk Caye with Turtles, Rays and Sharks
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Placencia, Belize
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Depart Placencia for one of the best and clearest snorkeling spots on Belize’s barrier reef, the marine reserve of Silk Cayes. A licensed guide gets you there and helps you gear up to safely explore colorful coral gardens teeming with lobsters, crabs, and colorful reef fish. Refuel with a Belizean-style lunch before splashing back in at a spot famous for attracting throngs of nurse sharks, sting rays, and sea turtles.
- Spend the day snorkeling at Silk Cayes, a protected group of islands on Belize's barrier reef
- The marine reserve offers crystal-clear water, pristine beaches, and healthy reefs
- Swim among nurse sharks and sting rays for a safe yet thrilling adventure
- Includes a picnic-style lunch or traditional Belizean barbecue
What's Included
- Pickup and Drop off along the main road in Placencia Village.
- Park Fees.
- Taxes.
- Licenced Snorkel Guide.
- Use of Snorkel Vests or Life Jackets (available on request)
- Towels
- Use of Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- Sunscreen at the Dive Shop.
- Water/ Fruit Punch.
- Lunch and Snacks.
- Pickup and Drop off outside of Placencia Village (can arrange for US$ 10.00 per person)
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Splash Dive Centre2287 Placencia Peninsula Road, Placencia 00000, Placencia, Belize
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Pickup details
We text guests to arrange time and place for pickup. We provide complimentary pickup and drop off along the main road in Placencia Village but charge US$ 10.00 per person for pickup/drop off north of Placencia Village.
Operating hours.8:30 am
What To Expect
Meet up with your licensed guide who will provide a safety briefing, equipping you with the skills to fully immerse yourself in this magical underwater world. Then, beginners and experienced snorkelers alike can delve into the vibrant coral gardens of Silk Cayes, a protected group of islands on Belize's barrier reef, offer pristine beaches, flourishing reefs, and unparalleled clarity.
Take a break from all the activity to indulge in a delectable Belizean-style lunch, replenishing your energy for more underwater escapades. Marvel at the nurse sharks, sting rays, and sea turtles that flock to this snorkeling spot.
Spend ample time discover the wonders of the coral and the captivating creatures that call it home—from lobsters and cleaner shrimp to snapper and barracuda—before heading back.
Take a break from all the activity to indulge in a delectable Belizean-style lunch, replenishing your energy for more underwater escapades. Marvel at the nurse sharks, sting rays, and sea turtles that flock to this snorkeling spot.
Spend ample time discover the wonders of the coral and the captivating creatures that call it home—from lobsters and cleaner shrimp to snapper and barracuda—before heading back.
1
Mesoamerican Reef (Belize Barrier Reef)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Infant meals not included.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Wendy_Z
This was the highlight of my week! Splash was very professional and the entire team was very attentive. They coordinated pickup from our hotel and made everything seamless. Our trip included snorkeling around the island, then a break for a homemade delicious lunch, back to snorkeling out at the reef. On the way back, we stopped at a popular spot known for turtles, stingrays and nurse sharks. Erin was very knowledgeable and engaging! I could possibly recommend more! This was a great time and I highly recommend! You won’t be disappointed!
Reviews
4.8
based on 107 reviews
Wendy_Z, Apr 2026
This was the highlight of my week! Splash was very professional and the entire team was very attentive. They coordinated pickup from our hotel and made everything seamless. Our trip included snorkeling around the island, then a break for a homemade delicious lunch, back to snorkeling out at the reef. On the way back, we stopped at a popular spot known for turtles, stingrays and nurse sharks. Erin was very knowledgeable and engaging! I could possibly recommend more! This was a great time and I highly recommend! You won’t be disappointed!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you, Wendy, for taking the time to share such a detailed review. We’re very pleased to hear that your day with Splash Dive Center was the highlight of your week. It’s great to know that the team made everything feel seamless from hotel pickup through to the end of the trip, and that you enjoyed both the snorkeling and the homemade lunch on the island. Silk Caye and the surrounding reef are special places, and we’re glad you were able to experience such a variety of marine life—including the turtles, rays, and nurse sharks on the way back. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind comments to Erin; she’ll appreciate hearing that her knowledge and approach made a difference to your day.
Thank you again for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for another great day on the water in the future.
Marta_L, Nov 2025
The snorkelling tour was amazing.
Cant recommend enough. Nice helpful guides showing a lot of reef and fish.
Unfortunately we didn’t see turtles.
Boat ride is pretty bumpy so be ready for that.
Also - bring sunscreen with you. There are three separate snorkelling events during this trip and it’s good to reapply the sunscreen.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you sharing your experience with Splash on Viator! I'm really happy that you had an amazing time snorkeling at Silk Caye and that our guides helped make the day enjoyable and informative.
We’re sorry you didn’t spot any turtles this time — wildlife can be unpredictable — but we’re glad the rest of the marine life made the trip memorable. And yes, the ride can get a little bumpy depending on the seas, so we appreciate you mentioning that for future guests. Great tip about bringing extra sunscreen, too!
Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure (with turtles next time!).
Kayla_B, Jun 2025
Excellent tour! While the weather wasn’t on our side today tour guides still made sure we had an amazing experience! We saw so many types of fish, some sharks, swam in the beautiful sea and had a great lunch! Our guides knew so much and taught us way more than I ever expected!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Kayla, thank you so much for your kind words and for joining us on the Silk Caye snorkel tour! I am really happy to hear that even with less-than-perfect weather, our team was able to make it a memorable and exciting experience for you. It’s always our goal to share not just the beauty of Belize, but also a deeper understanding of its incredible marine life and to turn our guests into ambassadors for Belize and Splash. You are hereby appointed ambassador pro tempore!
Jonathon_R, Apr 2025
They stole my money and Viator did nothing about it despite selling me on the trip. We are currently suing Viator.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. Our primary goal is to ensure the safety and satisfaction of all our guests, and we regret that this was not the case during your visit.
Your group of six was booked as part of a larger group of 15 snorkelers for a shared tour. Our boat, a 41-ft vessel, was prepared and ready to go, with ample space for your group and a private guide assigned to you. We waited until the scheduled departure time to see if you would reconsider, but unfortunately, you and your group decided to leave.
We offered you the option of a private tour on a different boat, but you declined due to the cost. We also explained that, due to the operational expenses we had already incurred in preparing for the tour, including crew, meals, and other necessary arrangements for the 15 guests, we could not offer a full refund. As outlined in both our policy and Viator's, cancellations close to the tour date do not qualify for a full refund.
While we understand that you were disappointed with the situation, we regret that this misunderstanding led to your cancellation. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back under different circumstances in the future.
Maya_B, Mar 2025
My friend and I had the most amazing time snorkeling at the Silk Caye. Captain Ian and guide, Moses were professional, but also fun and relatable. We were lucky enough to see turtles, nurse sharks, spotted eagle rays, sting rays, barracudas, and a host of amazing tropical fish around the gorgeous coral. The boat ride was about an hour from Placencia. It went by quickly and there was an excellent playlist for the experience. The gear was in great condition and made by quality brands. Highly recommend booking!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for very positive review! I am really happy to hear that you and your friend had such a fantastic time snorkeling at Silk Caye! It’s truly a special place, and we love that you got to experience it with Captain Ian and Moses—they’re both incredible at what they do, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words. Seeing turtles, nurse sharks, eagle rays, stingrays, and barracudas all in one trip is such a magical experience! We're also happy to hear you enjoyed
Thank you for the high recommendation! We’d love to have you back for another unforgettable day on the water.
Tracy_K, Jan 2025
Simply amazing experience. The tour and snorkel guides are very knowledgeable, helpful and know how to make it a fun experience. The food is also very delicious.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Tracy, thank you for sharing your experience with Splash. Our licensed guides are love to share their knowledge with our guests and to enlist our guests as unofficial ambassadors for Belize and Splash. I am happy that you had a good time on the tour. And yes, a genuine Belizean lunch on a caye is always delicious.
Nathan_B, Dec 2024
Moses, our personal snorkel guide, was such a good dude. He was extremely professional while also being very personable. He let us know about all the sea life we were looking at, and how they live.
All the crew worked well together and made us feel right at home. Swimming with the sea turtles, sting rays and sharks was breathtaking. I would highly recommend this trip.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Nathan, thank you for a great review and for sharing your experience on Viator/Trip Advisor. Close encounters with rays, sharks and turtles is the exciting norm at Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. We will pass on your comments to Moses who loves to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with our guests.
ErinA_S, Nov 2024
Had a wonderful experience and this snorkeling adventure. We saw colorful fish, turtles and saw a nurse shark. Captain Mombo, Luis and Melvin were so knowledgeable about what we would see and what we did see.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Hi Erin. Thank you for taking the time to describe sharing your experience with Splash. Our crews love to share their knowledge with our guests and we will share your comments with them.
Vivian_V, Aug 2024
Beautiful! Loved seeing turtles, rays and sharks, as well as the reef!
Great guides and fine food!
The ride out was bumpy.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Vivian, thank you for a five star review! Sorry about the bumpy ride out - sitting near the back of the boat with and leaning forward helps (leaving forward lets your back work like a hinge which takes up most of the bump). We hope we will see you down this way again - we have lots of days with smooth seas and lots of great inland adventures.
Michelle_S, Jun 2024
This experience exceeded my expectations! We saw turtles, rays, sharks, and more! Ulises, Marlena, and Justice were awesome and made sure we all had the best time!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for the feedback on your snorkel trip and our crews - they love to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with our guests. We will share this review with them.
Andrea_S, Jun 2024
The tour was great. The guides were amazing and well informed. Lunch was delicious. The weather was bad so we ended up at laughing bird caye instead. So We didn’t get to see all the things I had my heart set on but the coral reef conservation efforts are amazing and my husband and I will ALWAYS support that.!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Andrea, thank you for agreeing to go to Laughing Bird Caye which is an inner reef destination so more reachable when weather is not cooperating. It is also a national park and an UNESCO World Heritage Site, so well worth a visit. We will share your comments with our crew and the cook!
Gina_W, Mar 2024
Swimming with a giant sea turtle in its natural habitat was the highlight for me. Our guides, Ulysses and Ian were thoughtful and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Gina, thank you for sharing the highlight of your experience swimming with a giant sea turtle at Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. We usually find rays and nurse sharks in abundance at Silk. We will share your comments with Ulysses and Ian.
Clayton_A, Mar 2024
Overall a great experience for our family. We were with three kids, 9, 6, and 2 and Tatiana and Brian were great with them. Our oldest was stung by fire coral and they were quick to treat her and get her back in the water.
We Snorkeled Silke Caye first, then moved to a location to see various Rays, sharks and huge turtle. Finished the adventure in Ray Caye for a dip in a pool and opportunity for an adult beverage. Ulisis, the tour guide and Carlos the boat captain were very engaging and helpful. Would certainly book another trip with Splash again. (Apologies for any name misspelling)
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Splash on Trip Advisor. It seems like you had a perfect day and we look forward to your next visit.
Lisa_R, Mar 2024
My six-year-old son took a little while to get comfortable swimming in the ocean with the current. One of the guides stayed back with us to snorkel on the first stop, and then he was ready for the second. Another guide brought him around the reef swimming with him hanging into a lifevest, since it was too long of a swim for him to do on his own. We appreciate so much, the extra attention, our child needed. He had a great time and so did we all due to the extra attention from the crew.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for sharing your special attention experience with Splash - our guides love to work with kids and soon have them snorkeling like pros.
Joshua_K, Mar 2024
I got a complimentary upgrade to Glovers reef which is farther out. Since I was the only snorkeler (others were divers) I had a private guide all to me. Crews were friendly and they communicated well with all the details before the trip. Water was so clear and I saw tons of fish, stingrays and sharks. It was well worth getting up at 5am!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for a very positive review! Glover's Reef is a beautiful spot and one of the very best dive and snorkel destinations in Belize and my personal favourite. Clear water and lots of marine life with healthy corals.
Isabelle_A, Feb 2024
It was a great trip! The snorkeling guide was very knowledgeable and pointed out all the fish and aquatic life around us.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Isabelle, I am really pleased that you enjoyed your trip and thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Splash on Trip Advisor. Our guides love to share their knowledge and to show our guests how to find the good stuff.
Chance_B, Feb 2024
We had a great time! The weather was perfect. We rode a boat out about 45 mins to Laughing Bird Caye. We snorkeled the 1st session and saw so many different fish. We took a lunch break and had a great Belizean meal then went out snorkeling for our 2nd session. Our guide, Danny, was very knowledgeable. It was a very fun group of staff.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience at Laughing Bird Caye National Park with Splash. This is a United Nations World Heritage Site and it's protected status is a boon for marine life. Yes, Belizeans know how to cook! We will share your comments with Danny and the rest of our staff and crew.
Alaina_B, Jan 2024
We loved our experience! The guides were amazing and super helpful. They took time to point out all the different marine life and explain what everything was. We saw many different fish, an octopus, sea horse, several sting rays, eagle rays, turtles and sharks. It was the biggest variety of sea life I have seen snorkeling ever! Would definitely recommend going!
Ashlyn_M, Sep 2023
It was super cool to see a sea turtle and pet the nurse sharks! Another big highlight was seeing a baby turtle on the island make its way into the ocean. And of course lunch was delicious! Would definitely do again!
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Hi Ashlyn Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at Silk Cayes with Splash. It is always amazing to see the baby turtles emerge from their egg shell buried in the sand and instinctively know where to find the sea. We hope we will see you down this way again.
Lisa_M, Aug 2023
The good: our tour guides and boat captain were excellent and knowledgeable. They were very friendly and helpful.
The bad: the seas were very rough and our captain did not think it best to go to Silk Caye in the morning. After lunch, we were offered an opportunity to go to Silk Caye as the ocean had calmed but two individuals from another group did not want to go so we were forced to stay on the island. We did two snorkels instead of three.
It was really disappointing. The whole propose of our trip was to snorkel with rays and sharks at Silk Caye and that did not happen. understand not being able to make the trip due to rough seas. I do not understand why two individuals got to decide what the group did. Our guides trip to help my son see sharks in the water from the beach, but it was not the same as snorkeling with them.
We told by our guide that when we got back the company would adjust the cost of the trip since we did the shorter version and that did not happen either. Had we not made it to Silk Caye strictly due to weather I would have totally understood, that is beyond anyone’s control. But not going because two individuals who paid to go to Silk Caye decided they didn’t want to is frustrating.
All in all it was a mixed day for us.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are glad to hear that you found our tour guides and boat captain to be excellent, knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful.
We understand your disappointment regarding the change in itinerary due to the rough seas. The safety of our guests is our utmost priority, and there are situations where it may not be feasible to proceed with the planned destination. While we try our best to offer the snorkeling experience at Silk Caye, there are times when weather conditions make it impossible, and an alternative plan is necessary -this was one of those days.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the two elderly individuals - even though the seas had calmed, conditions were still rough and they did not feel they were up to the trip out to the barrier reef. I will contact Viator/TripAdvisor and ask them to refund the difference between the two tours. August 15 update - refund was made.
Regarding the adjustment of the trip cost, we apologize for the misunderstanding or miscommunication. We strive to provide fair compensation when there are changes to the itinerary or activities offered. We regret any inconvenience caused, and we will review our procedures to ensure a more transparent and consistent approach going forward.
Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we genuinely appreciate you sharing both the positives and negatives of your experience. It is our goal to deliver exceptional service and meet the expectations of our guests. We truly regret that we fell short on this occasion.
We would like to extend our sincere apologies for the mixed day you had with us. We hope that you will give us another opportunity in the future to provide you with the outstanding experience that you initially sought. Please feel free to reach out to us directly, as we would be more than happy to discuss your concerns further and work towards a resolution.
Thank you for your understanding and for choosing our company for your snorkeling adventure.
Best regards, The Management Team
Dawna_M, Aug 2023
Wow!!! What a fantastic day we had!!! It is everything as advertised and more, the crew, the sea life, even the lunch is perfection, it was all just so amazing. I can't not recommend this company enough, granted, it is a big chunk of a vacation day but I promise you won't regret giving up a minute of it.
PS. Bring high spf sunblock, you will be spending most of the day with your back exposed to the sun while you snorkel and unfortunately your 'going on vacation North American sun tan base' isn't likely enough to save you the discomfort of tender skin the next day.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for your wonderful review! We appreciate you saying that your experience exceeded your expectations.
Our aim is to create unforgettable experiences for our guests, and we're glad to know that we succeeded in doing so for you.
Thank you for recommending Splash. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back again for another amazing adventure in the future! Time spend at Silk Cayes is definitely time well wasted! Wearing a rash guard or T-shirt or use of reef-friendly sun block is a good idea.
Leah_E, Jul 2023
Amazing experience! Best snorkeling I have ever seen! We also swam with sharks and sting rays! Lunch on the island was so good also! The guides and captain were so informative and helpful! Would 100% do this excursion again!
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thank you for sharing your incredible experience snorkeling at Silk Caye with rays and sharks! We are thrilled to hear that it was the best snorkeling you have ever encountered.
We prioritize the safety and enjoyment of our guests so our guides and captains are dedicated to make sure you have a great time. And yes, Belizeans know how to cook. Your kind words truly mean a lot to us, and we hope we will see you again.
Mai_T, Jun 2023
Great service they customized it for our family and helped our children snorkel making it so fun!
Lllllllll
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Thank you for sharing your family experience with Splash. Our guides love to share their knowledge and to show our guests where to find the "good stuff".
mbandjet, Apr 2023
Great location with beautiful corals and a variety of fish. Guides were very helpful with first timer to snorkeling.
Response from Host, May 2023
Our guides love to share their knowledge and experience with our guests and to show them where to find the "good stuff". Thank you for sharing your experience with Splash at Silk Cayes on Trip Advisor.
thomas_s, Apr 2023
Great day. Staff was funny and very friendly and helpful, made the whole day easy and relaxing. Saw huge variety of marine life. Food was great and they let you bring your own food or beverages too.
Response from Host, May 2023
Thank you for a great review - we will share your review with our crew. Silk Cayes is a great destination to see marine life and especially the chance of close encounters with rays, sharks and sea turtles.
Michael_M, Mar 2023
The whimsical corals and colorful fishes were amazing. Matt was wonderful as our snorkeling guide. The shore lunch was delicious.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Michael, thank you for taking the time to share your experience at Silk Cayes Marine Reserve with Splash. I like your phrase "whimsical corals". They have an amazing range of lifeforms that make our reefs such magical places.
Keith_J, Mar 2023
Oscar and the captain was great. Very friendly and helpful to new snorkelers . Would do this again . Many fish where seen as well as a baracuta
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thank you Keith for taking time to share your experience with Splash on Trip Advisor. All of our snorekel guides love showing our guest the ins and outs of snorkeling and how to find the good stuff. We are looking forward to your return.
Brittany_M, Jan 2023
The Splash Dive snorkel tour was amazing! Oscar was our guide for the day. He is very attentive, fun, and and knowledgeable. We snorkeled around the Silk Caye island twice and saw barracudas, squid, jellyfish, a sea urchin, and several fish. A black tip shark even passed by during lunch. We ate some delicious stewed chicken, rice and beans, scallop potatoes, and salad. Then we went to see nurse sharks, sting rays, and huge loggerhead sea turtles! This was my favorite snorkeling experience and the whole crew was awesome. They even picked us up from our villa and dropped us back off. Would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hi Brittany. Thank you for taking the time to do a detailed review of your day at Silk Cayes Marine Reserve - this is a great destination for seeing lots of marine life and yes, Belizeans know how to cook!
Susan_S, Dec 2022
The weather for our trip did not cooperate but the staff stayed cheerful and helpful. Even though it was a very rare cool day, staff was prepared to get in the water with whomever chose to check out the fish. Lunch was delicious. We had chicken and meatballs made with a local spice by a villager. Hot coffee was waiting for us when we arrived back. Thanks for a wonderful and safe day at Silk Caye.
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Susan, thank you for a great review. You likely felt warmer in the 82 degree water than in the 70 degree air (70 degrees is a cool day in Belize). Belizeans sure do know how to cook and absolutely enjoy sharing their marine knowledge with visitors.
Corinne_G, Oct 2022
Absolutely, amazing experience! Our snorkel guide was very knowledgeable, and shared a bit of info about each of the different types of fish we were shown. Dolphins, sharks, rays, turtles! A day I will never forget!
Response from Host, Oct 2022
Hi Ambassador Corrine and thank you for taking time to share your snorkel experience with Splash. Our guides love to share their knowledge and to turn our guests into ambassadors for Belize
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