“Do you see it? It’s right there!” our guide Harry Sr. exclaimed, pointing towards the clear waters. We couldn’t see anything initially, but we eagerly moved to the front of the boat to search for the elusive manatee grazing on turtle-grass at the sea bottom. Hidden in the shadows of the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, we finally spotted the dark figure swimming near our boat. It was our first manatee sighting!
Manatees are gentle herbivores found in the coastal areas and rivers of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, the Amazon Basin, and Western Africa. These slow-moving animals, often called “sea cows,” have a slow metabolism and are typically found in shallow, warmer waters to survive.
We hadn’t been searching long—maybe 30 minutes—before we found our first manatee. How our guide spotted it remains a mystery to me, as Nick and I had been watching the water intently and saw nothing. Our second guide, Harry Jr., cut the motor to let us savor the peaceful moment. Using a large bamboo pole, Harry Jr. moved the boat toward the manatee’s next predicted breathing spot. Manatees can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes, so spotting them often requires patience.
Our best sighting was near the end of the day. Despite the sun’s glare off the water, Harry Sr. managed to spot the sixth sea cow. He thought it was circling to the back, prompting the other tourists to rush there. Nick and I stayed in the middle of the boat, which turned out to be the best decision. We saw its little nose, whiskers, cheeks, and two round eyes pop up from below the surface, giving us the closest encounter of the day. As we fumbled with the camera, the manatee exhaled, inhaled, and with a swoop of its tail, disappeared back into the water.
Throughout the day, we saw a total of seven manatees! This was a rare treat, and we credited our experienced guides, Harry Sr. and Jr., for their keen “sea eyes.” As father and son natives of Caye Caulker in Belize, they are incredibly knowledgeable about the island, the sea, and the manatees. They answered all our questions and their ability to spot these creatures was amazing.
But the day wasn’t just about spotting manatees; we wanted to get wet too! Unfortunately, we couldn’t snorkel with the manatees, but we did explore the stunning Belize Barrier Reef nearby. We snorkeled above colorful coral, spotting a stingray, moray eel, and various fish species. We also saw some playful dolphins from the boat. The marine life in Belize is fantastic!
We had once spotted a dugong in Mozambique, but seeing seven of its cousins while exploring Caye Caulker was thrilling. Being on the water recharged our batteries, and the experience felt truly special.
We chose E-Z Boy Tours partly because of their welcoming, colorful office by the water and because the company is run by one of the first families to settle on Caye Caulker. Opened in 1997, this family-run business has provided jobs for locals and safe, memorable excursions for tourists for many years. The owner, Hans, is the fifth generation of fishermen in his family and has expanded the company’s offerings to include snorkeling and island trips.
E-Z Boy Tours offers a variety of sightseeing options, including six speedboat tours and three sailing tours, with sailboats available for private charter. Recently, they’ve added a three-day sailing trip to Placencia, camping on islands along the way.
We chose the Manatee Tour, a seven-hour day trip starting at 9:30 a.m. We spent the day exploring Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, stopping at St. George’s Caye for lunch. On the return trip to Caye Caulker, we stopped at two snorkeling sites known for their great coral and marine life. The tour cost $85 USD per person, with a minimum of five people required.
The E-Z Boy guides, all third and fourth-generation islanders, were highly qualified and full of information about Caye Caulker, marine life, and nearby sanctuaries. Harry Sr. and Jr. were not only knowledgeable but also genuinely nice, a quality that’s rare in guides.
Pros:
The standout feature of the tour was the guides. Interesting, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable, Harry Sr. and Jr. answered all our questions about manatees, Belize, Caye Caulker, and even personal queries. The speedboat was built in Belize, comfortable, and of good quality, offering both shade and life jackets. The snorkel gear was well-maintained, and they even provided prescription masks! While we weren’t allowed to snorkel with manatees inside the sanctuary, the guides respected the rules, ensuring we didn’t disturb the sea cows.
Cons:
Although the fish lunch with rice, beans, salad, and fruit was tasty, we were disappointed it was brought from Caye Caulker in styrofoam containers rather than being freshly cooked on St. George’s Caye. Eco-tourism is important to us, and although E-Z Boy assured us they don’t feed or touch marine life, one guide picked up a starfish for everyone to hold during the snorkeling. It only happened once, but it’s hard to find a tour operator in the area who doesn’t sometimes disturb sea life.
Book a tour with E-Z Boy Tours in Caye Caulker online or contact them through Facebook.
This experience was part of the Momondo series where we were challenged to spot manatees in Belize, and thanks to E-Z Boy Tours, it was a memorable adventure!