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Isla Marisol
Resort is located on Southwest Cayes Glover's Reef Atoll.
The resort offers
beach combing, diving, and fishing vacations on the private island.
Professionally guided Belize tours features scuba diving, snorkeling,
fishing, beach combing, and seafood feasts, all set in the exotic
environment of the tropics. The view of the dawn and the sunset
from pier is spectacular. You can watch the southern stingrays swim
past, along with the colorful shoals of smaller parrot fish and
even the occasional nurse shark. Enjoy the one of the best in Belize
vacations on the family owned island. The nature of the Caye
has remained largely the same for over 50 years whilst in the
ownership of the Usher family.
About Glover's
Reef & Its History
Glover's Reef
is the smallest of three coral Atolls in Belize. Declared a Heritage
Site by United Nations and a National Protected Area by the
Government of Belize, Glover's Reef Atoll is located some 35
miles South East of Dangriga Town. It is made of about five
atoll islands, one of them being the family-owned Island of Southwest
Caye, home to Isla Marisol Resort.
Southwest Caye
was bought in 1942 by Mr. Jack Usher whose family has used the island
exclusively since that time. The family still owns the whole Island
and access to all parts of the Island is available to guests. The
resort has been developed in the southern part of the Caye and is
close to the private creek that divides the Southwest Caye from
a neighbour Island.
The waters around
the Cayes provides plenty of opportunities to see Turtles, Dolphins,
schools of Flying fish and myriad's of sea birds. The white sand
beaches of the Caribbean are here at the resort. Facilities
Scuba Diving
Glovers Reef Atoll with Isla Marisol PADI dive resort is no ordinary
experience!
Glover's
Reef Atoll
Beneath the
turquoise waters of Belize is an underwater world that exceeds every
other Caribbean dive destination in diversity, size and scope. Extending
over 185 miles north to south, the Belize Barrier Reef system is
the greatest stretch of coral in the Western Hemisphere and the
second largest barrier reef in the world. The reef system encompasses
wall drop-offs, pinnacles, spur and groove formations, swim-throughs
and more.
Beyond the barrier
reef lie three enormous rings of coral, known as atolls. These formations
provide divers and snorkelers with hundreds of miles of additional
reef. Lighthouse Reef, the Turneffe Island Atoll and Glover's Reef
Atoll together cover more than 400 square miles with a total of
140 miles of drop-off walls. Incredibly, these atolls comprise as
much reef surface as the Belize barrier reef itself! These Belizean
atolls, unlike Pacific atolls built on volcanoes, sit atop two parallel
submarine ridges close enough to the surface to allow the formation
of massive coral and sponge growths.
The reef that
surrounds the five islands (called "cayes," pronounced
"keys") that comprise Glovers Reef Atoll is a Marine Nature
Reserve. The clarity of the water that surrounds Glovers and the
abundance and diversity of fish species found here makes it the
premier diving base in the country. Divers at Glovers regularly
spot eagle rays, turtles, moray eels, southern stingrays, large
grouper, barracuda, king mackerel, dolphins and several shark species,
as well as almost every kind of smaller tropical reef fish. The
dives are typically wall drift dives interspersed with sand channels
adorned with hard and soft coral and massive multi-colored sponges.
The largest fish in the sea, the whale shark, also visits our area
during the months from April to June.
Isla Marisol
recommends each guest 15-17 dives per week per person. Each of the
15 dive sites in the area showcases a different view of Belize's
unique underworld. No two dives are ever the same. Their Padi-certified
dive master will guide you through a maze of corals along the atoll's
steep drop-off. You will mainly dive Glover's Reef, but can also
arrange dives off Southern Reef walls, Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse
Reef, the Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye, the Elbow and more. Each dive
lasts roughly 45 minutes after which you will return to the island
for meals or simply to gather your breath for the next dive.
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The Cabanas
Tropical cabanas
are all situated on the white, sand overlooking the reef or creek.
Accommodation features a well-designed cabana for two people sharing
with a porch and hammock area. Charming and rustic, each cabana
includes a private bathroom, hot and cold water and daily housekeeping
service.
Configurations
of beds vary from cabana to cabana, from singles to doubles and
queen beds. Cabanas are spaced to offer you peace and quiet. The
azure waters of the Caribbean are only a few steps away. You will
be close to the creek and pier offering you some of the most wonderful
sunrises and sunsets imaginable.
The Food
The cuisine at Isla Marisol Resort is said to be some of the best
in Belize. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, offering a variety
of local cuisine. The evening meal is served in the restaurant --
perhaps seasonal conch, lobster, chicken or pork. All meals are
prepared with seasonally available fresh fruits and vegetables from
family farms and gardens around the country. The meals include dishes
from Belize, and the Caribbean. All-day supply of iced water and
freshly brewed coffee, along with a selection of teas and juice
for your refreshment available. They endeavor to accommodate any
special dietary needs with advance notice. Belizean Menus are proposed.
The Bar
The bar offers a wide variety of beverages, along with happy hour
snacks. The close proximity of the beach will allow you to benefit
from the propane-powered refrigeration unit that keeps the beer
and soda cold!
Above:
The Crack
Great
snorkeling trips also offered
Fishing
Guests interested
in sport fishing will not be disappointed. The bone fishing is superb,
and it is common to pull in up to a dozen Bonefish per session.
Permit, Jack, and Wahoo, Barracuda, Bone Fish, Tarpon, Kingfish,
Trigger Fish, Grouper, Rock Fish and Bonito also provide great action
for the sea fisherman.
Fly-Fishing
Guide - two anglers per boat.
Species - Bonefish,
Permit and Tarpon
Equipment -
Fly Fishing Tackle
Blue Water
Trolling
Guide - two anglers per boat.
Species - Baracuda,
Wahoo, Kingfish, Tuna, Groupers, Jacks and Dorado
Equipment -
Blue Water Fly Fishing Tackle
Drop-Fishing
Guide - two
anglers per boat.
Species - All
Snappers, and other small fish
Equipment -
Light spinning tackle or handline
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Isla Marisol Resort - Glover's Reef