5 Nights · Families with Kids 6 to 12

A Belize Family Vacation Itinerary at Casa Al Mar

Casa Al Mar is a private, fully-staffed island home on St. George's Caye, taken by one family of 8 to 14 at a time. Over five nights, a private boat, captain, licensed guide, and chef make Belize easy with children: snorkel lessons start at the dock, the sandbars are minutes away, and the days move at the family's pace. For the youngest, there is a sandbox on the island and easy swimming off the dock, and a crib, high chair, and baby bath are provided when needed.

With your own boat, captain, guide, chef, and house, the days bend to the family. The plan is set on the first evening and shifts around nap times, energy, and what the kids take to. Arrival is short: 20 minutes from BZE to the Belize City dock, then 20 minutes by boat to the caye, with no domestic flight.

Day 1: Arrival and Island Life

Arrive at Belize's International Airport (BZE), where your host greets you and coordinates the short transfer to Belize City. From there, board your private boat for the 20-minute ride to St. George's Caye. Once you arrive, kids can head straight for the dock to jump in.

Settle in over an early family dinner and a sunset walk around the island. There are hermit crabs to find along the shore before dinner, and races after if the catch is good.

Day 2: Learning to Snorkel

After breakfast, the guide fits masks, snorkels, and fins for the whole family. The first lessons happen right at the dock before heading out with the captain and guide for a family-friendly reef site. For first-timers and younger kids, the guide takes extra time to get everyone comfortable in the water. Water, drinks, and snacks come on the boat.

For children aged 10 and older, an introductory scuba experience or Junior Open Water Diver training can be arranged in advance through certified dive partners, depending on scheduling and certification requirements (extra fee). The afternoon is for swimming, kayaking, beach games, and dock jumping, with an early dinner and time for stargazing.

Tip: buy younger kids' snorkel gear ahead of time so it fits and is comfortable before you arrive. Gear is included, but a fitted mask makes the first day easier.

Day 3: Sandbar Day

Today is built around the sandbars, shallow turquoise water where children can splash and swim with the boat anchored alongside. Lunch is a picnic on the boat, then back to the house for a slower afternoon. Some sandbars are minutes from the island, and a few are visible from the balcony, so the day is more water and less travel.

Day 4: Caye Caulker

Cruise to Caye Caulker, about 35 minutes by boat. On the way, you stop to snorkel coral gardens and swim with nurse sharks and rays. On the island there is time to wander and to feed the tarpon on the west side, before the ride back to Casa Al Mar for dinner.

Day 5: Fishing and Sandbars

Take the day at the family's pace. Drop fishing from the boat in the morning, then a sandbar afternoon in the shallows, where you can stay an hour or stay for four. If the fishing goes your way, the chef can cook the catch for lunch or dinner. On the sandbar, snacks and a bartender come out on the boat, so no one has to leave the water.

Day 6: Departure

Enjoy one final breakfast before boarding your private boat back to Belize City and the transfer to BZE for your journey home.

Good to Know for Families

For toddlers and younger kids: a sandbox on the island, easy swimming off the dock, and a crib, high chair, and baby bath provided when needed.

Snorkel gear: included, with first lessons at the dock; buy younger kids' gear ahead so it fits.

Older kids who want to dive: ages 10+ can do an intro scuba experience or Junior Open Water training through certified partners, arranged in advance (extra fee).

Pace: set on the first evening and adjusted day to day around the family.

No A/C: the house is built to catch the breeze through open windows, with ceiling fans.

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Common Questions

Is Casa Al Mar good for young children and toddlers?

Yes. There is a sandbox on the island and easy swimming off the dock, and a crib, high chair, and baby bath are provided when needed. With a private boat, chef, and house, the days move at your family's pace.

Can the kids learn to snorkel here?

Yes. The guide fits masks, snorkels, and fins and starts the first lessons right at the dock before any reef trip, with extra time for first-timers. It helps to buy younger kids' gear ahead so it fits, though gear is included.

Can older kids scuba dive?

Children aged 10 and older can do an introductory scuba experience or Junior Open Water Diver training, arranged in advance through certified dive partners. It depends on scheduling and certification requirements and carries an extra fee.

Is there air conditioning?

No. The house is built to catch the Caribbean breeze through open windows, with ceiling fans keeping the air moving.

How far is everything by boat?

Several snorkel sites and sandbars are within 15 to 20 minutes by boat, and some sandbars are visible from the balcony. Caye Caulker is about 35 minutes.

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