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Cave Kayaking Adventure: Explore Ancient Caves
4.8
410 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 one hour after the ship docks. Kayak through the Jaguar Paw caves with knowledgeable guides, just as our ancestors did, navigating the Caves Branch River. The Nohoc Chen Caves network features the river flowing through them. The lower three chambers are…
- Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve - For cruise passengers, the tour begins one hour after the ship docks. Kayak through the Jaguar Paw caves with knowledgeable guides, just as our ancestors did, navigating the Caves Branch River. The Nohoc Chen Caves network features the 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 in 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 tendering begins. The guides will be ready to start the tour within one 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
- cruise guest stay on ship time and arrive early, checkin with us as soon as possible , play more , arrive early
- 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, V.i.V. will meet you at Belize City FSTV cruise port, Terminal 1 Exit, street side, terminal 1 Exit street side. V.i.V. Guest staying in Belize City Hotels, we pick you up at the hotel.
San Pedro Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker guest, we meet you at the water taxi terminal in Belize city
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
(410 Ratings)
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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
Cruiser795014
May 11, 2025
Kudos to kayaking - This tour was amazing. The hike was low key and the kayaking easy. The views were incredible! Abner was our guide. He loves what he does and such pride in his country! Best stop on our cruise! Great for all ages!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E9943ptjenniferm
Apr 21, 2025
Cave Kayaking for the Win! - I was waffling between kayaking or tubing through a cave system and I'm really happy this is the option we chose. The cave system itself was fantastic: really cool stalagmites and formations, open and airy (no claustrophobic areas), and a nice mix of jungle as you're going down the river which I wasn't expecting. The main reasons I'm glad we did kayaking is that 1) we got to explore a cave section that tubers wouldn't be able to get to (which included getting to see bats <3) and 2) I bumped into quite a few tubing groups. I would have been annoyed with kayakers if I was in a tube even though it was not intentional at all. No one was hurt but I bet it was obnoxious deferring to a group of people that don't know how to use a paddle to steer themselves. We were all baby giraffes learning to walk and the poor tubers were innocent victims in our bumbling.
To that point, if you've never gone kayaking before - you can totally do this excursion (just ask for a little lesson before you get going)! For the most part it was still water. There was the tiniest ripple in the river water in some parts but I would never classify it as a rapid. The current was strong in one section only, but our guide did a great job of coaching us through it and any other tricky spot. There is a small 30 minute hike to get to where you put in; it is not strenuous but it is not for anyone unstable on their feet. I'm not taking my grandma on this trip, ya know? I would take my 5 and 4 year old, though, and put them in a tandem kayak with me (after carrying them through the water you wade through). Make sure you have shoes that are meant for water and have a strap around the back because you will need to wade through the river about 2-3 times and it can be slick/rocky. Flip flops would get yanked off your feet by the current.
I absolutely loved this excursion and would recommend it to anyone considering it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kyle_h
Apr 14, 2025
We were on a cruise that... - We were on a cruise that had delayed tendering to port due to ocean conditions but the guides waited for us and were able to put together a great experience within the time constraint we had to deal with. Friendly and fun to talk with during the drive and shared a lot of laughs!
Review provided by Viator
Hatch76
Apr 14, 2025
Great experience and guides - We were on a cruise that had delayed tendering to port due to ocean conditions but the guides waited for us and were able to put together a great experience within the time constraint we had to deal with. Friendly and fun to talk with too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
