A little useful information before your stay
Tobacco Caye is a small, remote island and life here is wonderfully simple.
Most things you need are available at Reef’s End, but getting here, island resources and daily life work a little differently than on the mainland. The information below covers the questions guests ask us most often and should help make your trip as easy as possible.
If you are looking for a small, relaxed Caribbean island rather than a developed resort destination, absolutely! Tobacco Caye sits right on the Belize Barrier Reef and is small enough to walk around in just a few minutes. There are no cars, large hotels or busy streets – island life is simple, informal and mostly about the sea, the reef and slowing down for a while.
Most things here revolve around the water. You can snorkel directly from the island, scuba dive, fish, kayak, paddleboard or swim. We also arrange boat trips to other parts of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve.
And, of course, “hammocking” aka relaxing in a hammock with a cold drink and a view of the Caribbean, is also a perfectly acceptable island activity :)
We have a 3-night minimum stay at Reef’s End and suggest at least 3-5 nights. This will give you enough time to settle into island life, snorkel, explore and fit in a dive, fishing trip or excursion if you would like. Many guests stay a week or longer, particularly divers and those who simply want a slower vacation without moving from place to place.
Yes – this is one of the things that makes Tobacco Caye special. The Belize Barrier Reef runs immediately alongside the island, and at Reef’s End the coral reef begins just outside our dock. You do not need to take a boat every time you want to snorkel; when conditions are suitable, you can simply get in the water and explore from the island.
Yes. Tobacco Caye lies inside the South Water Caye Marine Reserve and is very well positioned for diving along the Belize Barrier Reef. Reef’s End has its own dive shop and boats, and we run local dives as well as trips farther away including Glover’s and Turneffe Atolls. We can also arrange PADI dive training and certification if you are new to diving.
No. Lighthouse Reef and the Blue Hole are too far away to make those trips possible. If you are interested in diving those specific sites we suggest booking a hotel either on Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker.
There are many local dive sites around Tobacco Caye since we are a stone’s throw away from the Belize Barrier Reef and South Water Caye is only a 20 minute boat ride away. In addition, we are able to dive Glovers and Turneffe Atolls, weather permitting.
There really isn’t one single “best” time. Conditions in the tropics can vary from week to week, and sunny days occur throughout most of our season. The drier part of the year generally runs from around February into May, while other months can bring more frequent showers. Water activities continue throughout the season whenever conditions allow, so we suggest choosing your dates around your own travel plans rather than trying to predict the perfect weather months in advance.
Reef’s End Lodge is typically closed for the season from mid August to the beginning of November. This period gives our hard working staff a well deserved break and allows us to do maintenance and other projects that we can’t do while we’re open.
Tobacco Caye is very different from larger destinations such as Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. There are no roads, cars, supermarkets or nightlife districts here. Instead, you get a tiny island with a handful of small lodges, a couple of bars and the Barrier Reef right outside – it’s a much quieter pace of life. If you are looking for shopping and lots of restaurant choices, this probably isn’t the island for you. If you are looking for reef, sea and a simple Caribbean island experience, you’ve come to the right place!
We are happy to arrange your boat transfer between Dangriga and Tobacco Caye. You will receive an email a couple of days before your arrival with the boat, captain and exact pickup details.
The standard departure time from Dangriga is at 11am and the return from the island is at 9am. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes. You may find our regular pickup point here on the map.
If you expect to reach Dangriga later in the afternoon, or would like to stay longer on the island on checkout day, please let us know ahead of time and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. For groups of 4 or more we can usually arrange other departure times. For fewer than 4 passengers, a different departure time may be charged at the 4-person minimum/charter rate.
Life jackets are provided. We have a limited number of children’s sizes, so please let us know in advance if you are travelling with children.
If you travel in one of our boats, the transfer is added to your room bill and paid at checkout. Third-party captains must be paid directly in cash, so please make sure you have cash on hand.
Boat rides can sometimes be “slightly damp” – we recommend storing electronics and other water sensitive items in Ziplock bags, dry bags or waterproof cases. Luggage is placed under tarps and kept dry during the transfer.
If you are pregnant or have back issues, please let us and the captain know in advance so you can be seated toward the back of the boat, where it is less bumpy on windy days.
No, the boat transfer is additional to your stay. The current Reef’s End transfer rate is $40US per person each way, plus applicable GST (currently 12.5%), with a 4-person minimum where applicable.
We will help arrange your transfer to and from the Caye. When you travel in one of our boats, we will add the transfer costs to your final bill.
No worries. Just let us know your expected arrival time in Dangriga. For groups of 4 or more we can usually arrange another departure time. For fewer than 4 passengers, a later transfer may be charged at the 4-person minimum/charter rate.
Our regular boat from Dangriga leaves at 11am and normally gets you to Tobacco Caye around 11.30am. Official room check-in is from 12.30pm, as housekeeping needs time to get the room ready for you.
You are welcome to leave your luggage with us and start enjoying the island while we get your room ready. If the room is ready earlier, of course we will get you settled in as soon as we can.
Our normal departure from Tobacco Caye to Dangriga is 9am, arriving at approximately 9:30–9:45. From Dangriga you can continue by local flight, car or bus to the international airport (Philip S.W. Goldson International / BZE). The local flight is about 15–20 minutes, a private car or taxi is about 1 hour 30–50 minutes and the local bus is about 3 hours.
Please allow 2 hours or more for connections, especially for international flights, as weather and travel delays can happen. International flights departing after 12.30pm can easily be reached in time for check-in when you leave with the 9am regular boat transfer from the island.
We have an arrangement with the Chaleanor Hotel, about 3 blocks from the dock. You may find the location here on the map.
The current charge is $10US / $20BZ per day, paid directly to the hotel in cash and in advance. Please be advised – we cannot add this fee to your final bill at Reef’s End.
If you are staying at another hotel before or after your time on Tobacco Caye, you may ask them whether they offer parking.
Pro tip: drop off your heavier luggage at the boat before parking – some roads are not paved or wheel friendly ;) Our dock hand or captain will assist you and secure your bags.
And, wherever you park, always take your car keys with you.
There are usually four options from Philip Goldson International: bus, rental car, taxi or local plane.
Taxi takes about 1½–2 hours and costs around $200–250US for 2 people, with additional passengers usually $20–30US each. We work with trusted drivers and can help arrange a pickup.
Local plane is the fastest option. Tropic Air and Maya Island Air fly from BZE to Dangriga (DGA); the flight takes about 15 minutes and is usually around $100US per person one way. Allow at least 1½ hours between your international flight and the local flight.
A taxi from Dangriga airport to the Riverside / Island Breeze dock is currently around $7US per person.
Take an early morning water taxi or flight to Belize City and then continue to Dangriga by local plane, bus or taxi. You can also connect by air through Belize City International from SPR or CUK to DGA.
A direct private boat from Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker is technically possible, but it is a very long and costly trip because the boat must make the return journey as well. This is not something we arrange.
Take a taxi or the bus from Hopkins to Dangriga. A taxi is typically $60–70US and takes about 30 minutes. Your hotel in Hopkins can usually help with transport, or we can help arrange a taxi.
Our boat can pick you up from Hopkins – weather and schedules permitting. The price is $50US per person, based on a minimum of 4 passengers.
Bus or taxi are the easiest options.
The bus takes about 2½ hours with an easy transfer in Belmopan. Once you reach Dangriga, the bus station is about a 15-minute walk from the Riverside.
A taxi takes about 2 hours and usually costs around $150–200US. Your accommodation in San Ignacio can normally help arrange a private shuttle. Most taxi and shuttle drivers know the Riverside dock, or you can also ask for the dock by the Island Breeze bar.
Island Breeze Restaurant & Bar is about 100 feet from our usual dock. They open at 7am and serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks, and there are clean restrooms and WiFi for restaurant guests.
Your accommodation includes breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, drinking water, use of our kayaks and paddleboards, and the other amenities listed further down this page.
Bar drinks, snacks, boat transfers, diving, snorkeling and fishing trips and other excursions are additional.
Check-in is at 12:30pm. Check-out is at 9am.
If you would like an early check-in or late check-out time, we will try to accommodate your request when possible. Meals that fall outside normal check in and check out times are not included, but we are happy to arrange breakfast or lunch for an additional charge.
Yes. Each additional guest beyond double occupancy is $65US + taxes per day, including meals.
SeaView Rooms and Beach Cabanas have two double beds and can accommodate up to 4 guests. The You & Me Cabana has two double beds plus a twin and can accommodate up to 5 guests.
Maximum occupancy depends on the accommodation, and no additional beds are provided except a crib for infants.
Yes. We have unlimited WiFi available 24 hours a day, free of charge for staying guests. The connection is normally good enough for video calls, social media and email.
Yes, we have electricity at Reef’s End – our solar system provides power 24/7. Outlets are North American Standard.
The only accommodation with air conditioning is the You & Me Cabana. It is a solar-powered AC, normally available from about 8:30am–4pm depending on sunlight and the time of year.
All units have high-efficiency ceiling fans.
Straight from the tap, our showers are “room temperature” using collected rainwater stored in tanks. In our tropical climate, most guests find this surprisingly refreshing :)
We are an eco lodge and are largely self-sufficient on fresh rainwater collected around the property. That water needs to last throughout the season, including the dry period from around mid-February until mid-June.
Hot showers would considerably increase water consumption and require us to produce more fresh water with our desalination unit. The unit uses a lot of power and would mean running a smaller generator to support it – something we try to avoid as part of our eco approach.
We try to balance guest comfort with conserving water and other island resources. For stays of 3 days or less, room service is available upon request. For stays of 5–7 days we normally service the room about halfway through, and longer stays are serviced approximately every fifth day.
Just ask if you need something in between.
Yes. We can provide laundry service with a 1–2 day turnaround. The cost is $15US for a large load of up to 10 lbs.
Yes, dogs are allowed in our cabana accommodations with an additional $40US cleaning fee. Please bring food and bowls.
There are other friendly dogs roaming freely around the island, so keep this in mind if your dog is not comfortable around other dogs.
Yes. Your booking includes three daily meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner — within the cost of your stay.
Yes. We can accommodate most food restrictions and allergies. Please let us know in advance!
Our meal plan includes three freshly prepared meals each day — breakfast, lunch and dinner — along with morning coffee and tea service, fresh juice at breakfast, and filtered water with all meals.
Coffee and tea service begins with the sunrise, around 6am, and continues until 9am. Guests are welcome to refill throughout the morning. We offer individual French presses, a variety of teas and a non-dairy milk option.
Breakfast is served from 7am–9am, with several made-to-order choices including a Classic Belizean breakfast, breakfast burritos, omelets, Mayan breakfast, and fresh fruit with granola and yogurt. Our breads are freshly baked, and every breakfast includes fresh-squeezed juice.
Pressed ginger shots, iced coffee and tropical fruit smoothies are also available, and scrambled tofu may be substituted for eggs, for an additional charge.
Lunch is served from 12pm–1:30pm and dinner from 6pm–7pm. Each morning, we post the day’s lunch and dinner menus, which always include a vegetarian option.
Our meals are inspired by classic Belizean cuisine, and we try to feature fresh seafood several times during the week. Fish, as well as conch and lobster when in season, can also be ordered any day for an additional charge when they are not featured on the daily menu.
Lunch always includes fresh fruit, and dinner ends on a sweet note with dessert. Filtered water is served with every meal to help keep you hydrated in the tropical weather.
One of our favorite island traditions: many of our regular guests pre-order an appetizer to enjoy with an evening cocktail while watching the sunset. Ceviche, guacamole, chips and salsa, and other appetizers can be added to your dinner for an additional charge.
Snacks, appetizers, smoothies, ginger shots, seafood upgrades, and beverages other than morning coffee and tea, breakfast juice, and filtered water are additional. Any extras can simply be charged to your room and settled with your final bill.
Yes! Our full bar is open daily from 11am–9pm, serving cocktails, beer, wine, sodas, juice and snacks.
You’ll find hand-crafted classic cocktails alongside some Reef’s End originals, as well as a well-stocked selection of premium spirits, including top-shelf rums, tequilas and whiskeys.
We also offer plenty of non-alcoholic options, including house-made sodas and tropical fruit smoothies. Our drinks feature fresh-pressed juices, coconut milk and our own house-made squash — fresh fruit concentrates made in-house with quality ingredients and less sugar.
Our snack menu is available daily from 12:30pm–5:30pm.
Drinks and snacks are not included in the daily meal plan. We’re happy to keep an open tab during your stay, which can be settled with your final bill at checkout.
Our restaurant and bar refrigerator and freezer space is limited, and we are not permitted to store private food or drinks there. Our Cabanas and SeaView Suite each have a small mini refrigerator with enough room for a few bottles and small snacks.
The SeaView Rooms do not have mini refrigerators.
Ice is available for purchase. If you bring your own wine and would like us to serve it in the restaurant or bar, there is a $15US corkage fee per bottle.
Yes. Filtered drinking water is available free of charge in the restaurant and bar.
We encourage guests to bring a reusable water bottle or thermos if you would like water on trips. In keeping with our eco approach, we do not provide or sell single-use bottled water.
Please be advised that water straight from your tap is non potable.
Absolutely! Tobacco Caye is one of the few islands in Belize where you can reach the Barrier Reef without a boat. Reef’s End sits right where the snorkeling is, with the coral reef just outside our dock.
Weather is weather :) Conditions can change quickly in the tropics and we can’t promise what it will be like months in advance. Beautiful sunny and calm days can happen at any time of the season, as can periods of rain and wind.
Snorkeling from the island is normally possible when conditions allow, and we will always help you figure out the best options while you are here.
Yes. A full set – mask, snorkel and fins – is $10US per day. A partial set is $5US per day.
Yes, we do! Tobacco Caye is located in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve and is centrally located for some of the best diving, snorkeling and fishing Belize has to offer.
Reef’s End has its own dive shop and can arrange a variety of trips and activities, including PADI scuba certification. Our on-site PADI instructor can certify through Dive Master, with higher-level certification available upon request. Spin fishing, local-style hand-line fishing and fly fishing can also be arranged.
For current information and pricing, see our activities pages.
Yes, absolutely. We regularly combine guests interested in the same dive trips. Let us know what you would like to do and we will do our best to put trips together while you are here.
Often, yes. Depending on the destination and conditions, a non-diver may be able to join the boat and snorkel while the divers are underwater. Ask us about the particular trip you are interested in and we can let you know what works.
We arrange different types of fishing trips and, when appropriate, you can keep some of your catch and our kitchen can prepare it for you.
We encourage a catch and release approach for our fishing excursions. Protected, endangered and undersized fish are always released.
Yes – kayaks and paddleboards are available free of charge for staying guests.
There’s plenty to do at Reef’s End without ever putting on a mask and fins!
We offer hands-on cooking classes featuring traditional Belizean dishes and local ingredients. If there's something you've particularly enjoyed from one of our menus, we'd be happy to show you how to make it yourself at home - just let us know!
For a lazy island afternoon, our restaurant has a collection of board games, or you can try one of Tobacco Caye’s most popular pastimes: hammock surfing. Grab a hammock, catch the breeze and watch the Caribbean go by. We also have a small honor library where you’re welcome to pick up a book — just leave another one in its place.
And when the mood is right, we host karaoke nights! Warm up those vocal cords, choose your favorite song and take the mic — or just sing along from the sidelines. Everyone on the island is welcome, which can make for a pretty memorable night :)
We always suggest having travel insurance that includes medical treatment and emergency transportation. Also - if you plan to dive with us or at other destinations while travelling - it’s strongly recommended to have a specific insurance covering diving and dive related accidents including treatment in a hyperbaric chamber and medical evacuation. We partner with DiveAssure, you may find their various travel and dive insurances here.
Tobacco Caye is a very small and remote Caribbean island. Spanning approximately 5 acres, you may find several small lodges and guesthouses, local homes, a marine station and 2 bars to get drinks or something simple. There are no supermarkets, pharmacies, ATMs or regular shopping on the island, so please bring any personal items, medications or special supplies you may need with you from the mainland.
Part of the appeal is Tobacco Caye’s intimate and relaxed ambiance. It is unique and different from staying in a developed resort area.
Sargassum is generally not an issue at Reef’s End. We are in an unusual location directly behind the barrier reef, which protects our bay from most of the floating sargassum moving in from the open Caribbean. As a result, we are normally clear even at times when other parts of Belize are dealing with significant sargassum.
Occasionally, when the wind shifts to the northwest, floating seaweed and other material can be pushed into our bay and we may see some sargassum for a short period. These events depend on the combination of wind, currents and how much sargassum is offshore at the time, and they normally clear again when conditions change.
Yes – this is the tropics :) Sand flies and mosquitoes can be present, particularly during rainy periods and around dawn and dusk. Cockroaches are also part of tropical island life. We clean and rake our beaches and public spaces daily and have a regular schedule for spraying against pests. You rarely see them in guest areas, however they can appear occasionally.
All our accommodations are screened. If you are sensitive to sand flies or mosquitoes, bring repellent. Natural insect repellent is also available for purchase, and insect coils are available for accommodations upon request, free of charge.
Being on a small island means we have to be thoughtful about how we use water, power and other resources. Reef’s End runs primarily on solar power, we collect rainwater, and we make additional fresh water with our desalination system when needed. We try to keep generator use to a minimum, reduce waste where practical and generally operate with as light a footprint as we reasonably can while still keeping guests comfortable.
Fresh water and electricity are therefore resources we ask guests to use sensibly. This does not mean going without normal comforts – just being a little more aware of consumption than you might be at a mainland hotel.
Yes. Tobacco Caye is located within the South Water Caye Marine Reserve. Current fees are:
We collect the marine park fee at the end of your stay and pass it on to the park, where it supports research, preservation and park maintenance.
Marine park fees must be paid in cash.
Your 30% deposit secures your reservation. The remaining balance is paid at checkout, together with any extras from your stay such as bar and snacks, boat transfers, diving, excursions and other activities.
We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover. AMEX is also possible through our payment app, although not through our local credit-card machine. App-based credit-card payments incur an additional provider transaction fee.
We also accept cash in US or Belize dollars.
No. There are ATMs in Dangriga, including at Heritage Bank and Belize Bank.
We have limited cash on hand and smaller bills are always useful. When possible, we can provide a limited cash advance on a credit card with an 8% surcharge.
There is currently a 9% hotel tax on the room portion of your stay and 12.5% sales tax on the meal portion. Together these average approximately 10.5% in addition to the prices stated on our website.
A service charge is not included in your bill and gratuities are greatly appreciated by our staff. Gratuities given to management are pooled between our kitchen, rooms and grounds staff. If someone has gone out of their way to make your stay special, you are of course welcome to tip them directly.
Guides and captains are separate from the pooled gratuity and may be tipped directly.
As a general guideline, 10% is standard for stays and 15–20% for excursions, cooking classes and bar tabs. If you are unsure, simply ask us.
There are several options. A few examples are Chaleanor, Bonefish Hotel and Pal’s on the Beach in the mid-range, and Pelican Beach at the higher end.
Included with your stay:
Available for purchase:
Tobacco Caye is remote and supplies on the island are limited, so it is worth picking up personal essentials before you arrive. Most things are available in Dangriga.
Our suggested packing list:
There is no doctor, clinic or pharmacy on Tobacco Caye. For anything requiring medical attention, the nearest services are on the mainland in Dangriga, and transportation from the island is by boat. In an emergency we will of course help coordinate the fastest practical transport and assistance available.
If you take prescription medication, have a severe allergy or rely on particular medical supplies, please bring enough for your entire stay, plus a little extra in case travel is delayed. We also suggest having travel insurance that includes medical treatment and emergency transportation. We partner with DiveAssure, you may find their various travel and dive insurances here.
Belize uses 110/120V electricity with North American-style plugs. If your devices use a different plug type, please bring an appropriate adapter. Most modern phone, tablet and laptop chargers accept both 110V and 220–240V, but please check the label on your own device before plugging it in.
Write to us at reefsend@gmail.com or send a WhatsApp message to +501-613-6384. We are happy to help you plan.