Why here, what’s so different?
This small island resort just minutes by boat from Belize City, has everything a visitor could want. Whether you are looking for a diving base, a romantic honeymoon, a special anniversary or secluded tranquility, St. Georges has it all.
The resort prides itself on its appeal to divers and non-divers alike, non-divers can take advantage of the resorts facilities or take one of the many daytrips, ensuring that both of them have a fun and rewarding day.
The island itself has a long and distinguished history. This tiny island was the first capital of Belize, due to its settlement by the Baymen–shipwrecked pirates & buccaneers–who were the first Europeans to settle here. The Battle of St. George’s Cay is a national holiday celebrated each 10th September throughout Belize. The battle was a short military engagement that lasted for 7 days in 1798 as the Spaniards tried once again to expel the settlers. The name commonly refers to the final battle that occurred on 10 September when the Baymen succeeded in ousting the Spaniards. For a very entertaining read, track down a copy of Belize 1798, the road to glory: The battle of St. George’s Caye by Emory King.
The resort is the only place to stay on the island, unless you have access to one of the island is private residences. Which are mostly occupied only at weekends and holidays as the owners escape the hustle and bustle of Belize City for their little piece of island paradise.
Rooms/Accommodations
The original lodge, built in 1970 by Fred Good in order to share his love of the local diving, is now the restaurant, bar and lounge for the resort. The wooden building is cozy, with gleaming varnished surfaces a suspended sofa swing and dazzling smiles from the staff.
Eating is a communal affair, as the number of guests fluctuate so do the seating arrangements, making it a great way to meet and make new friends. The smaller lodge rooms all lead of this central area, they are compact, cozy and all with their own unique view.
The resort also offers a choice of deceptively rustic looking, wooden, thatched cabanas, each with its own private porch, complete with hammock, chairs and view. All the cabanas have private bathrooms, air conditioning, ceiling fans, comfortable seating areas and breathtaking views.
The four Oceanfront Cabanas face the Caribbean Sea and border the beach, meaning you are just steps away from white sand, sun loungers and mini palapas.
The two Oceanview Cabanas are tucked a little back from the sea, affording a better view of the garden and a little more privacy.
The Over the Sea Cabanas, were our favorite. They are on the mainland side of the island meaning a flat, calm, ocean and spectacular sunsets. The six Cabanas share a common circular dock, which allows for glimpses of the stingrays, lionfish, barracuda and even the short-nosed batfish that live in the area. We recommend Cabanas #1 & 6 as they are end units and have flourishing mini reefs growing on their concrete supports.
Facilities
The resort has its own excellent bar and restaurant. The day’s menu is chalked up each morning, meaning you can droll all day over the anticipated goodies to come. We found the food to be plentiful, tasty and varied. The bar area is a great place to catch up on the day’s activities with your fellow guests and enjoy a rum punch or two.
You will not find a TV or a phone in any of the Cabanas and internet is only available in the main building, which enables guests to really get unplugged from their normal lives and actually relax.
Warm blue sea on both sides of the resort and a freshwater swimming pool means plentiful options for cooling down or simply catching some rays on your own white sand beach.
Kayaks, Hobie cat sailboats, windsurf boards and snorkel equipment are all included, as are the biggest smiles you can find anywhere in Belize.
The resort also has a small Spa for a little extra pampering.
Romantic private dinners are a speciality and easily arranged.
Freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee arrives on your porch every morning, the perfect way to start your day.
All ground and boat transfers to the resort are included in the nightly rate.
Activities
Learn to sail on the resorts Hobie cat.
Kayak around the island or through the mangroves.
Snorkel off the dock and marvel at the schools of fish that swirl there, including the small school of juvenile tarpon.
Walk to either end of the island past private residences, the ancient cemetery, or the old cannon said to date from era of the battle of St Georges, or maybe visit the small aquarium for a small fee.
Go scuba diving with Carlos the dive instructor, during his 20 years there he has learnt every site on the reef. This is one of the few places in the Cayes where your boat will be the only ones on the site. No cattle boat diving here!
For those who would rather see their fish on the end of a line, fishing trips with experienced guides are available.
Take advantage of the wide range of off island tours, such as visiting the Belize Zoo, the Jaguar reserve, the inland Blue hole or try zip lining and cave tubing, you can also spend the day in Belize City and the Casino.
What’s to love?
The staff! They all exemplify the Belizean spirit of hospitality, fun, graciousness and tolerance. Like Belize itself the staff comes from different ethnicities and areas, they all have the traits that make this country and people so special and most of them are trilingual.
Esta the housekeeper and Herbert the boat captain have both been there 9 years, others such as Theresa and Santiago are relative newcomers. Regardless of how long they have been there, the staff care about you, your comfort and your needs.
Saturday night is beach bonfire & barbeque night. The smiling chef chats and jokes as he bastes flips and stirs vast quantities of chicken, ribs, steak and beans.
Take the opportunity to share a very special, private dinner with your loved one. You choose which area you would like to eat, whether a secluded arbour in the gardens, the end of the dock or under the trees with your toes in the sand. The staff will take care of the rest, all you have to do is enjoy!
What’s not to love?
As much as we loved this place, there are a couple of minor things.
As is usual in the tropics, there are a few bugs. Sand flies, and mosquitos are the usual culprits and these are more prevalent when walking outside of the resort.
My own personal pet peeve was not enough salads or green vegetables with meals, which the management is addressing.
Apart from scuba diving, we did not do any of the tours off island, the guests that did thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Prices did appear to be higher than those we had seen elsewhere, however the cost of getting to and from the island could account for that.
Practical details
Website http://www.belizeislandparadise.com/
Email: reservations@gooddiving.com
Local phone: 501 236 4444
Toll free: 1-800-813-8498
Belize is accessible through major cities, such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, Houston and New York on various carriers. Maya Island Air also operates regional connector flights from Cancun.
Rates vary from US $119 to $169 per person with a $60 per day meal and beverage charge. Special rates offered for last minute bookings depending on season and availability.
