Island Days.
Your menu of things to do on the island, around Placencia and across mainland Belize.
Things to Do at Magenta and Across Belize
Your Activities Menu, Planned Your Way
Spend the day barefoot on the sand, or set out for the reef, the fishing flats or a Maya city in the rainforest. Everything is gathered here in three courses: what waits for you on the island, the adventures our concierge arranges from it, and the best of mainland Belize.
The island activities are included in your stay. For excursions beyond the island, our concierge connects you with licensed local guides and captains we trust, and we never mark up their prices.
Course One
Activities on the Island
Included in Your StayKids and grown-ups alike snorkel, paddle and kayak right off the beach, and the rest of the day is yours.
Course Two
Excursions From the Island
Arranged by Our ConciergePlacencia is a gateway to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world and a World Heritage Site. These are the days on the water our guests love most.
“The staff provided options for adventures and the timing was 100% up to us.”Gary E., Tripadvisor
Course Three
Mainland Belize Excursions
Arranged by Our ConciergeRainforest, Maya ruins, caves and waterfalls lie inland from Placencia. Many guests explore the mainland first and save the island for the finale. Brisa Oceano, our sister resort on the beach at the tip of the Placencia peninsula, makes an easy base for a day on the mainland.
Your Concierge, Your Choice
How We Arrange It
We are not in the tour business. We focus on the island and on looking after you, so our concierge recommends licensed local guides and captains we trust, coordinates the timing with your stay, and handles the logistics on the island at no charge.
Before You Go
Share your wish list early.Tell us what you would love to do in your pre-arrival questionnaire, or simply reply to your confirmation, and we will line up guides and captains before you land. Fishing guides and whale shark trips are worth reserving ahead in season.
Leave room to change your mind.Most guests find they never want to leave the island, and we can arrange an outing at short notice if you do.
The sea sets the schedule.Trips to the outer reef depend on the weather. If the sea is rough, we will move your trip to a calmer day.
Park fees and fishing licenses.Belize's marine reserves and national parks charge their own entry fees, and sport fishing requires a Belize sport fishing license, sold online by the Coastal Zone Management Authority. Your guide will walk you through both.
Activities and Excursions FAQ
Which activities are included in my stay?
Snorkeling off the beach with gear, ocean kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, one sunset cruise per stay aboard our yacht Sandian (weather permitting), Sunset Bonfires in the Hideaway, beach games, and yoga and fitness equipment. Room bookings of four nights or more also include one complimentary spa treatment for up to two adults per room.
Can you book excursions for us?
Yes. Our concierge helps you book with licensed local operators. You can pay the operator directly, at cost, with no markup and no commission, or we can pay them for you and add it to your bill with a 5% handling fee.
Can children join the activities?
Yes. Kids snorkel, paddle and kayak right off the beach, and Monkey River, the Placencia Lagoon and cave tubing all suit families. Each operator sets its own age and fitness guidelines, and we will help you choose the right trips for your family.
When is whale shark season in Placencia?
Whale sharks visit Gladden Spit in the spring, roughly March through June, around the full moon. Trips go out with licensed whale shark guides, and we recommend planning more than one.
Do I need a license to go fishing in Belize?
Yes. Sport fishing in Belize requires a sport fishing license, sold online by the Coastal Zone Management Authority. Bonefish, permit and tarpon are catch and release by law.
Is the snorkeling good right off the island?
Yes. You can walk in off the beach and snorkel around the whole island, over soft coral with rays and fish. Masks, snorkels, fins and life jackets are provided.
What is there to do in Placencia, Belize?
Placencia is a gateway to the southern Belize Barrier Reef and the Maya Mountains. From here you can snorkel or dive Laughing Bird Caye and the Silk Cayes, swim with whale sharks in spring, fly fish the flats, cruise up Monkey River, and drive to the Cockscomb jaguar preserve or the Maya ruins of Toledo.
How far is Laughing Bird Caye from Placencia?
About 11 miles by boat. It is a protected national park and one of the seven sites of the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site, visited on day trips with a licensed guide.
Can you visit Maya ruins from Placencia?
Yes. Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun in the Toledo District are about two hours away by road and make a full day, often paired with a visit to a cacao farm. Xunantunich, in the far west of Belize, is a longer full day, and Caracol is best from an overnight in the Cayo District.
