Home to the world’s second-largest barrier coral reef, Belize is a marine nature lover’s paradise. On a weeklong yacht charter itinerary, you can channel your inner mermaid (or merman!) and spend all your time underwater. In this spectacular world of vibrant coral, a multitude of fish, caves, walls, and wildlife-rich mangroves, the highlight is very much in the breathtaking beauty of Mother Nature.

Here’s where a typical Belize yacht charter itinerary can take you:

• Day 1 Rendezvous Island

  Board your luxury yacht charter in Placencia Marina. Settle in at leisure and get to know the crew who’ll guide you through your sailing adventure. Cast off for Rendezvous Island, a gorgeous heart-shaped island that sits on the outer fringe of the famed coral reef. It is right here that you can enjoy your first stint of fantastic snorkeling in Belize.

• Day 2 South Water Cay

  Set sails for the Blue Ground Range this morning and have the option to land onshore for delectable dining (and perhaps a massage) at one of the three resorts on South Water Cay. The sandy beaches are glistening white here, and you can go from sunbathing to snorkeling with just a few lazy steps. In the afternoon, head south to Carrie Bow Cay, a fantastic anchorage spot from where you can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive. Enjoy the watersports equipment onboard your yacht or a lazy afternoon of sunbathing and relaxing on the top deck. Carrie Bow Cay is home to an excellent marine research center, staffed by an extremely friendly crew who’ll be more than happy to have visitors if you fancy a tour of the field station and to learn more about the incredible Belize ecosystem.

• Day 3 Cocoa Plum Cay & Thatch Cay Resort

  Only 11 nautical miles north, still along the same spectacular coral reef, Tobacco Cay is a fantastic anchorage for more of that breathtaking snorkeling you’ll no doubt be addicted to, by now. By early afternoon, after a sumptuous onboard gourmet lunch, travel just a little further to reach Cocoa Plum Cay and the beautiful Thatch Cay Resort. One of the highlights on your itinerary, the eco-resort boasts a stunning restaurant and plenty of attractions with wild coatimundis and spider monkeys roaming about and delighting children. This private atoll is a world away from the bustle of the big port towns and is a perfect on-land stop that offers relaxation and indulgence all in one swift swoop.

• Day 4 Lagoon Cay

  A morning of leisurely cruising down the Inner Channel, with turquoise waters and awe-inspiring coastal views as your companions. Lagoon Cay is a striking spot, one of the most distinctive islands on your itinerary and a wonderful place in which to anchor for the day. An invigorating round-island snorkel, below waves of overhanging mangroves, will certainly ensure you build a ravenous appetite. Grab a kayak and explore the mangroves deeper, where you’ll find curious pelicans, colorful coral, fish, sea sponges and, on occasions, even manatees and eagle rays!

• Day 5 Queen Cay

  Cruise down the Victoria Channel to reach Queen Cay by mid-morning. Arguably the best diving and snorkeling spot of the week, here you’ll be gliding along the outer rim of the barrier reef. Superb sandy shores await you, and even a delightful spot for a beach lunch under the shade of enormous palm trees. Queen is one of three remote islets renowned for their striking beauty, blinding white sandy beaches and dreamy turquoise waters.

• Day 6 Ranguana Cay

  Just across a splendid stretch of open seas, Ranguana Cay hides a charming little resort which is ideal if you wish to get your land-legs back and enjoy an on-shore dinner. This tiny speck of gorgeousness measures barely two acres and in insanely idyllic. A few bungalows and a seaside bar make for the perfect balance of ‘modernity’. On the way, stop over at the edge of a protected national park, which is a haven for birdwatchers and snorkelers alike.

• Day 7 No Name Point, Placencia Harbor

  A slow and relaxing sail back to Placencia Harbor today, from where you can join a Monkey River Tour, or spend your last day on board discovering the wonders of the Placencia Lagoon on a kayak. Land ashore for Mayan ruins sightseeing or hike to crystalline waterfalls among untamed jungle wilderness. In the early evening, indulge in some shopping and fine dining ashore. The amiable and tranquil fishing village is home to an array of fantastic eateries, café, boutiques selling locally made artifacts and unique souvenirs, and a few bars for refreshing sundowners.

• Day 8 Disembarkation in Placencia