About St. George's Caye, and the family house on it.
St. George's Caye is a small, quiet island 8 miles East of Belize City. It is primarily made up of local family vacation homes, including Casa Al Mar.
St. George’s Caye
St. George’s Caye is a quiet residential island made up primarily of local family homes, sandy paths, calm Caribbean waters, and easy access to the Belize Barrier Reef. Guests will not find busy nightlife, shopping districts, large resorts, or rows of restaurants here — the atmosphere is intentionally peaceful and relaxed.
For travelers seeking a slower-paced Belize experience centered around privacy, nature, and time together, St. George’s Caye offers one of the closest and most accessible island escapes from Belize City.
Why the Caye works for groups
One of the unique advantages of St. George’s Caye is its location — just 20 minutes by boat from Belize City, making it one of the easiest quiet island escapes to reach in Belize without needing an additional domestic flight. The Belize Barrier Reef is only a short boat ride away, allowing guests to easily enjoy snorkeling, sandbar trips, fishing, and nearby cayes throughout their stay. Because the island is primarily home to local families and private residences, the atmosphere remains peaceful and relaxed while still allowing convenient access to mainland adventures like Maya ruins and inland tours.
A Little History
St. George’s Caye holds an important place in Belize’s history. Every year on September 10th, Belize celebrates the Battle of St. George’s Caye, a defining moment in the country’s history that took place in the waters surrounding the island itself.
Before Belize became an independent nation, the country was known as British Honduras, and St. George’s Caye served as its very first capital and one of the earliest settlements for the Baymen who lived and worked along the coast. In 1798, Spanish forces attempted to remove the settlers from the territory, leading to a series of battles that culminated just offshore from the caye.
Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Baymen and their supporters successfully defended the settlement, marking the end of Spain’s attempts to control the territory that would later become Belize. Today, the Battle of St. George’s Caye is remembered as an important symbol of Belizean identity, resilience, and community, with celebrations held across the country each September. A historic canyon remains on the island from the Battle of St. George’s Caye.
For groups interested in exploring more of Belize’s history, inland day trips to Maya sites such as Lamanai, Altun Ha, or Xunantunich pair easily with a stay at Casa Al Mar. Lamanai is especially popular thanks to the scenic boat ride along the New River and the impressive temples surrounded by jungle.
Belize for first-time visitors
Belize is an easy and welcoming destination for first-time international travelers, especially for guests visiting from the United States and Canada. English is the official language, U.S. dollars are widely accepted, and the country operates on a simple exchange rate of 2 Belize dollars to 1 U.S. dollar.
Most guests arrive through Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) just outside Belize City, with direct flights available from major North American cities including Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Toronto, and more. Belize uses Central Standard Time year-round, standard 110 volt/60 cycle outlets, and filtered drinking water is provided throughout Casa Al Mar for guest comfort and convenience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.
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St. George's Caye is a small island in Belize, about 8 miles offshore from Belize City and roughly 20 minutes by private boat from the city dock.
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No. St. George's Caye is a residential island of family homes. Casa Al Mar is a private full-house buyout for one group, and the caye itself is shared with neighboring family houses.
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Family homes, one small adults-only resort, the reef in the near distance, and a quiet residential pace. There is no town, no shopping street, and no nightlife.
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Yes. The Belize Barrier Reef is about a 15-minute boat ride east of St. George's Caye, with some snorkel sites closer. Groups reach the reef, sandbars, and neighboring cayes as half-day boat runs from Casa Al Mar's East dock.