The nice thing about these tropical trips is you can pack pretty light. When selecting clothing think light weight and light colors.
A collapsible bag or duffel (with wheels?) are best. The big hard case luggage is usually a no no. One of the forepeak ‘cabins’ will be empty so it can handle anything that can fit through the hatch. This area usually stays dry.
- Shorts and shirts and bathing suits and light clothing for boating in tropical weather.
- Something nicer for evening dining ashore – resort casual.
- A thin jacket/rain shell for the odd rain squall.
- Sunblock, sun glasses, hat with neck strap (shades head and neck a plus), bug wipes for dusk ashore.
- Your bathroom stuff. One set of sheets towels provided.
- Snorkel stuff. Sometimes I’ll bring my own mask but the base will provide mask, snorkel and fins.
- I go barefoot aboard and wear flops ashore, light shoes on the planes and in nicer restaurants. Your deck shoes should be non-marking (no black soles).
- Money … for cabs to and from airport, meals ashore, food bought to bring aboard, trinkets, airport departure fee if any ($30 I heard) and your skipper’s drinks … or not. 2 Belize dollars to one US dollar.
- Camera, MP3 player. There is almost always a jack to plug your player into the boat speakers.
- Chargers … the boat nav station has 12v so bring your car chargers for everything. We will run the generator once or twice a day but it won’t be on long and is likely to be 220v. Nowadays most chargers can do both 110 (house current) and 220 (Euro house).
- Your drinking cup for your water, juice, grog etc. We tend to get larger water containers to pour from.
- Papers please … Do we all have our passports sorted out? Yours should be good for 6 months after departure from Belize.
Upon Arrival …
Our boats are scheduled to be ready for us by 1800 (6pm). Often it’s ready earlier. You are welcome to text me (C. Woody) during the day for schedule updates. See Adventurevoyaging.com/belize-local for all info on the base including facilities … bar and restaurant, they mention their pool twice, must be nice.
Provisioning …
We found a cool local company like we use in BVI. I’ll be supplanting that food with some fun local shopping on Saturday. Reach out if you’d like to join. Everyone is encouraged to bring aboard food or snacks they might enjoy during the week as our initial shopping is mostly staples that will keep. I understand local fisherman row up and sell us fish and lobster at different islands.
I’ve made some notes for myself here from friends in the area. Local markets …
Rum Fish y Vino, Dave’s veggie market, a couple of Chinese markets, Wallens, and a store out by the airport. Pamela at Peckish does provisioning, owns Rumfish and Vino.
The truck of fresh produce arrives in town Fri PM, sets up across the street from Wallens, and is largely sold out by Sat noon. So if your charter dates accommodate, get to the truck Sat AM and you will have an ample supply – and prices were extremely reasonable.
Scuba, there’s no room for full Scuba gear onboard. We are likely to bump into local dive boats that can provide all gear for a quick dive. Otherwise, plan your dives before and after our Adventure.
Coral, please don’t touch it. If you brush the slime off, other creatures kill it.
Excited to sail with you,
Captain Woody