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Cave Kayaking Adventure: Explore Ancient Caves
4.8
414 Ratings
Belize City
Embark on an ancient cave kayaking adventure to explore sacred sites and nature trails. Expert guides provide equipment and share fascinating insights along the way. Join us now!
Embark on an ancient cave kayaking adventure to explore sacred sites and nature trails. Expert guides provide equipment and share fascinating insights along the way. Join us now!
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve - For cruise passengers, the tour begins 1.5 hours after the ship docks. Kayak through the river of caves with knowledgeable guides, just as our ancestors did, navigating the Caves Branch River. The Nohoc Chen Caves network features the Caves Branch River flowing through them. The lower three…
- Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve - For cruise passengers, the tour begins 1.5 hours after the ship docks. Kayak through the river of caves with knowledgeable guides, just as our ancestors did, navigating the Caves Branch River. The Nohoc Chen Caves network features the Caves Branch River flowing through them. The lower three chambers are popular for cave tubing, while the crystal-clear upper chambers remain largely unexplored, accessible only to those who choose this kayaking cave tour. Discover more caves by kayak, exploring both the upper and lower caves. Enjoy the opportunity to hike a 20-minute trail in the rainforest, paddle through the dark caves, and marvel at the stunning formations at Nohoc Chen Park. Spend time swimming in the crystal-clear water, surrounded by crystallized formations.
Guides and vans are assigned to each ship visiting Belize, so book the 8 am tour and come ashore as early as possible when ship tendering begins. The guides will be ready to start the tour within an hour of the ship’s arrival. Reserve now and have no fear of missing out; we cater to thousands of guests from all cruises. We have been touring the caves and returning to the port on time since 2012. See you soon!
What's Included
- Refillable water bottles
- Kayak Portage
- Heavy duty sit-on-top kayaks
- Single or tandem kayaks
- Paddles, PFDs, Helmets, jackets
- Tour on Ship Time
- Shared transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Refillable water bottles
- Kayak Portage
- Heavy duty sit-on-top kayaks
- Single or tandem kayaks
- Paddles, PFDs, Helmets, jackets
- Tour on Ship Time
- Shared transport by air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Our forefathers found practical and sacred uses for cave systems for millennia, using them for habitation, spiritual practices, and food storage. Embark with us on an excursion into this subterranean realm. We provide the essentials - headlights, helmets, life vests, kayaks, and a seasoned guide. Fully equipped, our guides will lead you through a…
Our forefathers found practical and sacred uses for cave systems for millennia, using them for habitation, spiritual practices, and food storage. Embark with us on an excursion into this subterranean realm. We provide the essentials - headlights, helmets, life vests, kayaks, and a seasoned guide. Fully equipped, our guides will lead you through a forested trail, explaining the local botanical lore. Upon arrival at the caves, our guide will brief you on the seven-cave layout, kayak handling, and planned route. Here, you’re welcomed by grand cave entrances with a pristine river flowing through them. As you navigate, you’ll pass through a series of caves, and witness an array of intriguing formations. Our guide will identify suitable spots for rest breaks, and even a revitalizing dip. You’ll continue your voyage through the vast cave complex, finally greeted by glistening sunlight on the water’s surface, and the melodic twittering of birds on the river bank at the exit. We’ll then safely store our gear, avail the amenities, and gear up for our journey back.
- we pick up at FSTV cruise port, Terminal One Exit, street side, San Pedro Express water taxi, hotels
- A moderate amount of hiking is involved
- Not recommended for children aged 10 and under
- Inclement Weather Concerns: we get hourly weather updates as to the condition of water levels at the rivers.
- sometimes its raining around the cruise line and coastal areas, and the rivers are fine.so we go ahead and do the tour as scheduled. only if the rains are in the mountains and right now the rivers are low and we need more water in the rivers then the float will be better, last week the kayaks were getting stuck in the lower parts of the rivers. if the rains are in the mountains and more than normal and the water rises and we can not take up the kayaks , then we use tubes to do cave tubing.plus the Crystal Caves… if the rangers in the mountain top measure more than usual water then the caves system are closed for all activities….we have the zipline tour. or the altun ha Maya site tour or refund for not participating on the alternate tour.
- participants must know how to swim
- bring a reusable water bottle, disposing of empty plastic bottles is not allowed
- for helmet cam use, bring helmet attachment
- restaurants, river shoe rentals, available at the park
- bring towels, change of clothing, swimwear, insect repellent, footwear with thick soles used to walk on gravel path and do the river crossing.
- Reserve Online and come ashore early, we dispatch as the vans fill up
Location
Baron Bliss lighthouse
Fort Street
Cruisers, the Tour starts 1.5 hours after the cruise arrives in port. V.i.V. will meet you at the EXIT of Terminal 1 , street side, . V.i.V. Guest staying in Belize City Hotels, we pick you up at the hotel.
Island guest we meet you at the Belize Marine Terminal
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(414 Ratings)
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Kameronconnors
Sep 1, 2025
Kayaking in the Caves - We had so much fun exploring the caves and kayaking. It was easy to follow the meet up instructions. It was about an hour drive to the caves. They have clean bathrooms there to change into. We had to carry our paddle and helmet through the jungle. The guides were great the entire time, telling us about Belize and showing us things as we walked down the jungle. We never felt unsafe and we would love to do this again!
Review provided by Viator
Rosemary_b
Aug 28, 2025
Cool caves! - It was fun kayaking through the caves. Better than tubing. Saw some bats and the caves were really cool! Would definitely recommend this excursion.
Review provided by Viator
Clay_t
Aug 9, 2025
Family fun. - Lotta fun! Nice to jump in the water. We have done the tubing and the kayaking, both are great. Kayaking provides more freedom / exploration.
Review provided by Viator
Monica
Jul 31, 2025
So much fun! - Our tour guide was Abner and he was great! He was very knowledgeable about the caves and how to navigate the water safely (yes, it mattered at some points). He was also very knowledgeable about the jungle we had to walk through and pointed out some very cool things.
The ride from the port to where you kayak is about an hour and the hike to the part where you get in the water was about 25 minutes. There is a nice restroom where you can change when you get there. We had so much fun. The water was really cool....as Abner said, "refreshing". The walk to the water was not bad at all and we also got to walk around inside the cave. I do not recommend if you have mobility issues. This trip was amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
421rositam
Jul 24, 2025
Kayaking in Nohoc Park- Spectacular & Amazing- V.I.V-Arber #1 & #2 & Tracy!!! - Kayaking in the caves with Arber #1 & #2 & Tracy in the Nohoc Park was spectacular and amazing!!! Great from the start- lots of laughs on our way and learn many Belizean culture/history!!! Once we arrived the surroundings breathtaking and surreal!!! The cave’s breathtaking and magical! Never thought such a place existed in the world to experience! The crew very attentive and safety 1st on the waters! Lunch option a must!! The you all!
Cathy-Angelo
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Holly_k
Jun 15, 2025
Do the Kayak Thru the Caves !!! 10************* - On our recent Alaska cruise, we did every adventure excursion, and this topped everyone of those. Kayaking in the caves with Naz and. Abner was absolutely amazing. We were hesitant because of the long van ride to get to the caves, but that turned out to be a big positive. While Abner drove, Naz narrated the trip through the country and Belize City. He answered lots of questions and we learned more about Belize than if we would have gone on one of those bus tours. They even stopped the van and jumped out to pick a cashew nut and show us what it looks like when it’s growing. once we got to the site, they took extra care in outfitting the three of us with correctly, fitting helmets, life jackets, and paddles. Our canoes awaited us after our walk through the jungle. You do need shoes that can walk in the knee deep water and lots of stones. on our hike, Abner told us about plants and animals, stopping to point out different insects and amazing plant life. The trail was not hard at all, similar to a state park trail. Our kayaks were first class. My grandson had brought along his fancy camera and was going to leave it in the van, but Abner told him there would be great photo opportunities and he provided him a dry bag to take in the kayak. The picture opportunities were spectacular, including bats flying, tiny bats, bats roosting, and a toucan, the national bird of Belize. We left our stuff in the van, and it was completely safe. There is security all over the place. We saw the tubers and their expedition, and we were so glad we chose the kayaks. The tubers are all tied together and your guide pushes and pulls them down the river. It would be good for families with little children, though. A tip, that we learned, if you book the tubing through carnival, you have to carry your own tube through the jungle for about a mile. If you book with VIATAR, they have the tubes waiting for you at the riverbank. VIATAR was very conscience of getting us back to the cruise ship on time and were waiting for us when we got off the ship. I cannot say enough good things about this trip, and our guide.
Review provided by Viator
Angel_h
Jun 4, 2025
Do this instead of tubing! - This was 100% worth doing. I loved it all. The tour guides taught about the area on the drive out there and stopped to get snacks at a gas station so they would be less expensive for us.
On the ‘hike’ (it’s a walk and a 2 year old could do it, so if you’re worried about your abilities, this is not a problem), the guides stopped several times to show us some cool things like these little coconuts (which they broke open and we tasted), termites nests (which he stuck a stick into so we could taste if we wanted, apparently they are minty), a colony of leaf cutter ants (did not taste) and then my favourite, a tarantula hole where we could look in with our flash lights and see a tarantula (no, she wasn’t scary and did not attack us, but she did have an egg sac and it was very very cool).
We crossed the river 3 times (bring appropriate footwear) and could cool off in the water. It helped so we weren’t sweaty and sticky.
When we got to the kayaks, we loaded up and went the OPPOSITE way of all the tubers. They went down stream while we paddled into the back parts of the caves upstream. It was so dark that without the headlamps, we couldn’t see our hands in front of our faces. We saw a colony of bats (nope, again, they didn’t attack anyone), and then pulled off to take a swim and jump off the rocks which was so refreshing. When we exited the upstream caves, we were back where the tubers were and made our way down the same as the tubers.
The people in tubes were all tied together floating and relaxing but having no control over where they went or how long they stopped. With the kayaking tour, I could explore and go at my pace. The pace was very manageable even for those of us who don’t kayak much. Not too much of a current so it was easy. My husband and I both commented on how much of a better experience it was kayaking and were glad we chose that instead of tubing, although I’m sure tubing was good, just this was even better.
When we got back, we got on the bus/van and had preordered a Belizian lunch to eat on the way home. Rice/beans, stewed chicken and plantain with a drink for $10 USD. The chicken was dry but flavourful and the rice/beans were good but the plantain was delicious!
The tour guides were great. Very fun and informative. Abner (pretty sure that was his name) is of Mayan decent and I loved learning as we went instead of just walking quietly for 30 min.
If I could give a higher rating, I would. This was certainly the best excursion we did. 100% worth doing this, especially over tubing.
Review provided by Viator
Meredith
May 21, 2025
Kayaking in caves - Abner, our guide, was amazing. He went above and beyond to give us an excellent personalized experience. With a great sense of humor, he taught us about botany, zoology, the history of the caves and forest, and gave us many opportunities to cool off and swim in the clean cool water.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dana_p
Nov 4, 2025
Worth it overall - I really enjoyed the experience and would definitely recommend kayaking over tubing when it comes to options. The “hike” is not difficult, but bring water shoes (they must have a strap on the back - my tevas were just fine) as you will be wading through shallow rocky water on a few occasions. The guides have someone bring all the kayaks to the put-in spot so you’re just walking through the decently flat jungle and then kayaking back down through the caves. For essentially a full day excursion, the kayaking portion felt short in comparison to the hour-long drive there and back but nothing you can do about that. I will say the van was a little run down and ac was not working very well. This was one day after my partner and I had gone on an excursion where we had a lovely transportation experience in a similar style van that was way nicer and the contrast was noticeable. I’d also skip the $10 chicken meal they offer as there was nothing special about it. Overall though, we had a great time, took some breathtaking photos, and really enjoyed our guides.
Review provided by Viator
Kristy_b
Oct 16, 2025
Fun day in Belize - Abner and Naz were very nice , and gave us a lot of history while driving and walking through the jungle. We even got to see a tarantula. Kayaking in the caves was pretty easy for us novice kayakers. We were able to stop along the way and take pictures and here all about the caves. You can purchase lunch for 10 USD which was chicken with rice and beans and very tasty. We were in a hurry to get back to the ship and Abner made sure he got us there in time. I would recommend this tour if your able to walk at least 30 minutes leisurely, you'll have a great time.
Review provided by Viator
