Tucked away on a two acre private island just 11 miles from Belize City, this little slice of paradise is the chill all inclusive getaway you did not know you needed. With only a few guests on the island at a time, you can fully lean into your Robinson Crusoe fantasy with none of the roughing it. Think toes in the sand, ocean breeze, and all the creature comforts. And if lounging in a hammock all day somehow is not enough, there are plenty of excursions and adventures to keep things exciting beyond just fishing. Your island escape just got a serious upgrade.

Location and How To Get There

Tarpon Sands is just a short 20 minute boat journey from the mainland. You will first fly into Belize’s only international airport, BZE in Belize City. From there, a friendly staff member will be waiting for you at arrivals, ready to whisk you away on a short drive to the dock before the scenic 20 minute ride across the waves to the island.

While many places in Belize require an extra puddle jumper flight, Tarpon Sands skips the hassle. Being able to head straight from the international airport to the island means you can have your toes in the sand within a couple of hours of landing in Belize.

Belize is lucky to be served by many major US airlines, so flights from North America are frequent and competitively priced. If you are flying in from Europe, you will most likely need to transfer through the US and may need an overnight layover, but trust me it is all worth it once you arrive.

Check In Process

We were met by Pete, the owner of Tarpon Sands, right at Belize International Arrivals before hopping into a transfer to the dock where we boarded the boat for a quick 20 minute ride to the island. The journey flew by and before we knew it, we were setting foot in paradise.

As we stepped off the boat, the island staff came out to greet us with big smiles and a welcome rum punch in hand. Talk about arriving in style. Pete gave us a quick tour of the island, and wow, it was stunning.

Although the island is just two acres, it is home to a handful of different cottages ranging from cozy single suites to spacious three bedroom villas. It is perfect whether you are traveling as a couple, with friends, or even looking to rent out the entire island for a private escape.

We were shown to our suite and much to our delight it had air conditioning which is a rare treat on remote islands.

Rooms

As mentioned, there are a few different suites and cottages on the island. They are all air conditioned, have electricity, and offer a good level of privacy. The three bedroom villa would be ideal for a family or a group of friends travelling together.

We stayed in the Single suite, which was tucked away on the far edge of the island and offered stunning views over the barrier reef. The main space was roomy and comfortable, featuring a double bed, a seating area, and a handy storage unit in the corner.

There was a porch at the front with a small seating area, but the real star of the show was out back. A covered verandah perched over the water made the perfect spot to unwind, whether you are hiding from the sun or staying dry during a tropical shower.

The bathroom had everything you needed, including a shower with both hot and cold water, a toilet, and a nice selection of toiletries. I was genuinely surprised by how modern and practical the rooms were — definitely not what I expected from a tiny private island.

All the windows have screens too, so if you would rather cool off with the island breeze instead of using the air conditioning, you absolutely can. I hear a lot of guests love that option.

Food and Drink

The island is fully all inclusive, which means your room rate covers all your food and drink throughout your stay. I had mentioned ahead of time that I’m gluten free, and it was absolutely no problem. The kitchen staff were more than accommodating and made sure everything was safe and delicious.

Meals were genuinely fantastic and changed daily, keeping things fresh and ensuring there was always something we loved. Everything is personalised to you. There are no set meal times as they’re based around your itinerary, excursions, or just when you feel like eating. On our arrival day, we got to the island just after 4 PM and were welcomed with a plate of nachos once we were settled in. After a long day of travel, it hit the spot.

Meals are served in the club house, a charming open space perched high above the island with a big overhanging deck that offers the perfect sunset view. On our first evening, we were joined by the only other guest staying on the island. It was so nice to chat over dinner and hear about their day’s adventures.

Dinner that night was a feast. We had perfectly grilled fish, scalloped potatoes, green beans with bacon, salad, and rolls followed by a dreamy lemon meringue pie. Everything was fresh and full of flavour.

Drinks are a casual help yourself kind of deal at the club house. They keep several coolers stocked with local beers, sodas, Powerades, and water. There is also a selection of spirits including gin, rum, and vodka so you can mix up whatever you are craving.

The next day started strong with breakfast: Canadian bacon, scrambled eggs, waffles with syrup, and fresh fruit. For lunch, we had crispy fried corn tortilla tacos stuffed with shredded chicken and a side of watermelon.

Breakfast on the second day was another treat with local pork sausages, scrambled eggs with peppers and onions, rolls, and more fresh fruit. Lunch came later as we were out on the boat but it was well worth the wait. We had corn fish empanadas, onion salsa, and every bite was amazing.

One of the highlights was the day we caught a twelve pound snook on a river trip. The kitchen staff cleaned it and cooked it up for our dinner. It was unbelievably fresh and so delicious. You really cannot beat a meal like that.

Facilities

While the island’s main activities revolve around the water, there are always boats on standby with guides ready to take you on any excursion you are in the mood for. Whether it is exploring nearby reefs or heading out to fish, they have you covered.

The island is also dotted with jetties and docks that are perfect for relaxing. You will find hammocks and lounge chairs perched right over the water, ideal for soaking up the sun or watching the fish swim by below.

The main club house upstairs is where you will find a stash of cold drinks in the coolers and a coffee machine indoors so you can help yourself anytime. It is a great little hangout spot with the best views.

Fishing and snorkelling gear is also provided so there is no need to pack your own unless you have a favourite setup you cannot travel without. Everything you need for a day of adventure or a chill afternoon is right there waiting for you.

Activities

This is where Tarpon Sands really stands out – the list of activities and excursions you can enjoy is endless! Being just a stone’s throw from the second-largest barrier reef in the world (second only to the Great Barrier Reef!), water activities are top-notch. You have world-class fly fishing, snorkelling, and diving right at your doorstep!

But if that’s not quite your style, you can easily hop on a day trip to San Pedro or Ambergris Caye, both just a short boat ride away (check out my posts on The Best Things To Do in San Pedro and The Ultimate Travel Guide to Caye Caulker). There are also plenty of mainland tours to enjoy. Being just a 20-minute boat ride from the coast makes it super easy to visit the Mayan ruins, go ATVing, try caving, or experience tubing.

If all that sounds a bit too adventurous, who can resist just sitting in a hammock on the deck, watching the birds swoop by, and letting the day drift away? Fishing just off the island’s dock has also been surprisingly successful.

On our second day, we had planned to go fishing, but a big storm the night before left us wondering if we’d still get out on the water. We spoke to our guide, who suggested heading to the Belize River on the mainland, a little more than a half-hour away. We agreed, and it turned out to be a fantastic decision! We had plenty of bites and some great fights before finally netting a 12lb snook that we brought back for dinner. Our guide, Jaybones, brought all the tackle we needed and tried different techniques to make sure we were successful.

Service

We were incredibly well looked after during our stay at Tarpon Sands. From the moment we were picked up at the airport to the day we left, the service was excellent, always friendly, and served with a smile! There was never a moment when we felt unattended; a staff member was always nearby. They would frequently check in to see if we needed anything, making sure we were comfortable and well taken care of throughout our stay.

Closing Remarks

Tarpon Sands is truly a hidden gem, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return! If you’re into fishing or travelling with someone who’s at least willing to give it a try, this is the place to be! The guides are fantastic and will help you whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced pro. But even if fishing isn’t your thing, or if you’d like to do something else while your travel companion is fishing, the proximity to the northern cayes and the mainland offers a ton of activities to keep you entertained. Plus, the thrill of being on a private island is unbeatable! Bring your friends and family for the ultimate getaway!

Ready to book Tarpon Sands? Click Here!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Belize 6” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

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