Late in the afternoon at the dock by Pelican Beach Resort in Dangriga, the boat loads up and heads out over the water toward a small island with a thatch of palms on it. That island is Thatch Caye Resort, a private island resort in Belize where overwater bungalows, shared farm-to-table dinners and a dive shop sit within reach of the reef. It suits travelers who want to arrive once and let the island handle the rest.
What is Thatch Caye Resort?
Thatch Caye Resort is a private island resort in Belize that takes only 30 guests at any given time. That small number shapes everything: meals are shared, the staff learn names quickly, and the island never feels like a hotel with a beach attached. The island itself is a 12-acre caye in the Cocoplum chain, and the resort sits inside the northern boundary of the protected South Water Marine Reserve.
The style is rustic elegance with a sustainable streak. Accommodations have been renovated using reclaimed island materials, and the power comes from solar panels, wind generators and deep cycle batteries. The resort received TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of Best Award in 2025.
The accommodations
There are five accommodation types: Premier Overwater Bungalow, Overwater Bungalow Penthouse, Oceanfront Cabana, Premier Oceanfront Cabana and Oceanfront Cabana. The overwater bungalows look out over the Caribbean, and every accommodation, whichever you choose, has a private outdoor balcony. That balcony is where mornings tend to start, with a cup of coffee and the water in front of you.
Rooms are air-conditioned and also have wall and ceiling fans. They do not have phones, TVs or WiFi, and that is deliberate. For anyone who needs to reconnect, the Coco Lounge offers WiFi, a TV and phone access, along with gourmet coffee.
What the island package covers
Every stay includes the All-Inclusive, Island Package. It covers three chef-prepared meals daily, plus snacks and unlimited local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The boat ride to and from Thatch Caye from Dangriga is part of it, and so is the Marine Reserve Access Fee.
The package also gives you exclusive use of kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear and other island toys. Service charges are built into all rates and activities, and tipping is customary in Belize, with 10 to 15 percent standard and left to your discretion.
Island living in practice
A few details are worth knowing because the island runs on its own systems. Electricity is 110V with the same plug style as North America. Water from the showers and sinks comes from rain and desalination and is fine for brushing teeth and washing. Each room has a 5-gallon container of drinking water, and bottled water is sold in the Coco Lounge.
One house rule surprises first-timers: no paper products go into the toilets. Everything goes into the trash bin, which housekeeping empties daily. It is a small habit to pick up, and it keeps the island’s systems running.
Where is it and how do you get there?
Thatch Caye sits off the coast of Dangriga in south-central Belize, 9 miles out, and about 2 miles from the second largest reef in the western world. You reach it by boat from Dangriga, so the trip is really two steps: getting to Dangriga, then crossing the water.
From Belize City to Dangriga
At Belize International Airport, a passport and proof of return or onward ticket are required at the point of entry. After Customs, a personal Muy’Ono airport concierge provides a VIP arrival service, meeting travelers and assisting with connections to separately booked commuter flights or land transfers.
There are two ways to reach Dangriga from Belize City. The commuter flight to the Dangriga Airstrip takes 15 minutes, and travelers should arrive at Belize City no later than 3:00pm for it.
The other is the Muy’Ono Explorer transfer, a 2 hour tour in an air conditioned van with a welcome drink, a tour guide and refreshment and bathroom stops. For that one, travelers should arrive at Belize City no later than 11:30am.
| Route | Duration | Arrive at Belize City by |
|---|---|---|
| Commuter flight, Belize City to Dangriga Airstrip | 15 minutes | 3:00pm |
| Muy’Ono Explorer transfer, Belize City to Dangriga | 2 hours | 11:30am |
The boat from Dangriga
Boat pickups leave from the dock at Pelican Beach Resort in Dangriga daily at 2:30pm and 4:30pm, subject to change. The ride is 25 minutes over 9 miles of water, and it ends at the island’s own dock.
With all-inclusive accommodations the boat ride to and from Thatch Caye is included, and roundtrip transfers to and from Dangriga Airport are part of the package. For those arriving on their own boat, the resort’s coordinates are 16°53’10’N 88°07’10’W.
What is on site?
Because there is no traditional restaurant, the day revolves around shared meals and whatever you choose to do between them.
Eating and drinking
Meals are served in an intimate, communal setting, and because it is a private island, ingredients arrive by boat. The menus are never fixed. Every dish is inspired by what is fresh and in season, with seasonal ingredients from Muy’Ono Farms. Most dietary needs can be met if you let the resort know when booking.
Self-serve coffee starts at 6:30 a.m., and breakfast is served at the Coco Lounge from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. Expect eggs, bacon, sausage, Belizean fried jacks, toast and Johnny cakes. The included drinks feature local liquors such as Hyper Vodka, 1 Barrel Rum, 5 Barrel Rum, Crystal Light Rum, Extra Mature, Coconut Rum and Belizean Rum.
Bars and the lounge
The Overwater Starfish Bar serves handcrafted cocktails and light bites during happy hour, with panoramic Caribbean views. A complimentary happy hour snack and WiFi come with the purchase of a cocktail, which is a good excuse to check messages with a drink in hand.
The Coco Lounge has a full bar, cozy seating, a breakfast nook and nightly karaoke. It is also the one place with WiFi, a TV and phone access. The boutique gift shop offers locally inspired treasures.
On the water and on land
The on-site 5-Star PADI dive operation runs diving and snorkeling tours on the second largest barrier reef. To join curated tours like snorkeling, diving or reef fishing, guests must notify the resort by 5 p.m. the day before.
Complimentary gear includes kayaks, snorkel gear, stand-up paddleboards, bikes, volleyball, ping pong and corn hole. The natural saltwater pool has a water swing and is suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
Yoga and fitness
Serenity Point is a yoga, fitness and massage platform with panoramic Caribbean views. There is also an open-air, overwater yoga shala. Yoga retreats led by renowned instructors take place throughout the year, with cold-pressed juices and detox and retox mixology creations on offer. For details on retreats, write to [email protected] or call 1 (877) 927-6466.
Good to know before you go
The U.S. State Department rates Belize Level 2, “Exercise increased caution”, because of crime, and says the south side of Belize City has historically had the highest concentration of violent crime.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so plan an island stay with that window in mind. Service charges are already built into rates and activities, so tips are an extra gesture rather than a requirement. With rooms free of phones and WiFi, tell family where you will be, and remember that the Coco Lounge is where you can reconnect.
Sources
- Thatch Caye Resort, about (https://www.thatchcaye.com/about-thatch-caye), checked October 11, 2026
- Thatch Caye Resort, getting there (https://www.thatchcaye.com/getting-to-thatch-caye), checked October 11, 2026
- Thatch Caye Resort, island amenities (https://www.thatchcaye.com/island-amenities), checked October 11, 2026
- Thatch Caye Resort, accommodations (https://www.thatchcaye.com/accommodations), checked October 11, 2026
- Thatch Caye Resort, all rooms (https://www.thatchcaye.com/all-rooms), checked October 11, 2026
- Thatch Caye Resort, dining (https://www.thatchcaye.com/dining), checked October 11, 2026
- Thatch Caye Resort, FAQ (https://www.thatchcaye.com/faq), checked October 11, 2026
- Thatch Caye Resort, all inclusive (https://www.thatchcaye.com/all-inclusive), checked October 11, 2026
- Thatch Caye Resort, yoga retreats (https://www.thatchcaye.com/yoga-retreats), checked October 11, 2026
- Thatch Caye Resort, yacht moorings (https://www.thatchcaye.com/yacht-moorings), checked October 11, 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Belize Travel Advisory, Level 2, March 11, 2026 (https://travel.state.gov/), checked October 11, 2026
- NOAA National Hurricane Center, Climatology (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/), checked October 11, 2026
To plan your stay
- Cayo Espanto: Private Island Villas, Getting There and What Is on Site
- Chaa Creek Belize: The Lodge, the Macal River, Rainforest Trails and Day Trips
- Hamanasi Resort Hopkins: Rooms, Reef and Rainforest Tours, and Where It Sits on the Coast
- Belize Overwater Bungalows: Thatch Caye, Where to Stay and How to Get There