Our first moments in Belize consisted of jumping from plane to tiny plane to taxi to boat. And while that may seem tiring, the views were so stimulating it was absolutely worth it. We arrived at Belize City International Airport and boarded a tiny plane bound for Placencia. The flight was unexpected and exhilarating (if you’re not terrified of small planes) allowing us to fully take in our first look at the coastline from above: patches of turquoise water, scattered islands, and dense green stretching in every direction. From Placencia, we took a local taxi which brought us to the Moorings dock. Though it wasn’t very glamorous it was genuinely warm; an early glimpse into the kind of hospitality that would define the rest of the trip.

The second day began with sunrise. From the top deck, the view stretched across nearly untouched islands and we took in the gorgeous sights before gliding into morning rhythms. Movement came naturally–stretching and meditating to the soft laps of the water and occasional bird cutting through the stillness.

After breakfast, we made our way to Moho Caye, a small island defined by its bright white sand and clear, shallow water that shifts between shades of blue. We were delighted to spot stingrays moving through the water alongside small nurse sharks that were calm and completely unbothered in their environment. Time here was unstructured. We swam, walked the beautiful shoreline of Moho Caye, and stopped for coconuts just cut from the trees above. 

By late afternoon, after snorkeling and swimming, we continued on to King Lewey’s Island, a tiny–borderline cheesy–yet fun island with a restaurant, lookout spot, and swings hanging directly over the water. We headed back onboard for another delicious dinner with The Moorings and watched the stars as our boat began to feel like a home. By day three, we had settled into a rhythm. We started each morning the same; with sunrise, but slow and easy. We’d wake up, jump straight into the water, snorkel, or try our hand at fishing before breakfast.

Towards the evening, we made our way to Hideaway Caye, a privately owned island with a deeply personal story attached. We listened to a fantastic retelling of the island’s origin by the owner, Dustin. He bought the island in his twenties with a couple hundred dollars in his pocket, a lucky loan, and built it up over the years with his wife. Decades later, it’s still owned by their family, welcoming guests for dinner daily, and includes a small gift shop run by their daughter. He made us feel like we were being welcomed into his life, this one-of-a-kind destination. There was a small dock that Dustin shared with us where we got in some exercise while others stayed at the bar listening to his stories with what they claimed were the best rum punches of their lives.

Day four began in crystal-clear, almost neon-blue water, with our group drifting between swims, singing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” and settling into a vibey rhythm that carried through the morning. The Moorings then brought us to Rendezvous Caye, which was once owned by Ringo Starr. A short stretch of uninhabited beach, a few weathered structures, and slab of wood with a lone bottle of liquor sitting out.

After leaving Rendezvous, we arrived at one of the more developed islands of the trip–Ray Caye–where we encountered the most people since leaving the airport that first day. Fewer than ten villas dotted the tiny island, alongside a small restaurant, a small coast with a few beach chairs, a well designed beach restaurant, and even a dock with a water slide on the other side of the island. It still felt deeply intimate, just with an added sense of ease. It’s somewhere you could truly settle into for a while.

After a stunning morning workout at Ray Caye Resort’s gym, and a final stroll around the island, we sailed back toward Placencia and docked just off the main street on the boardwalk. After days on the water, it felt lively in the best way. We wandered along the boardwalk, weaving through rows of handmade souvenir stands and picking up a few keepsakes. We stopped for ice cream before heading to the Barefoot Bar for live music, drinks, and an easy, fun dinner atmosphere. But of course, our final night couldn’t end there.