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Has anyone ever kayaked out to the reef and then snorkeled on their own (without a guide)? If it is possible where would be a good spot to do this and is there a bouy to tie up the kayak? Is it safe to do? mobunny

Yes. Stay at a place that supplies kayaks and is near both the reef and some bouys (generally north - the reef is a quite far from shore in the southern resort areas)
Los Encantos, Caye Villas, El Pescador Lodge/Villas, Belizean Shores and/or Journey's End could all fit the bill. Maybe Captain Morgan's supplies kayaks too - check with them.

Serious Advice - don't even think about "surfing" the reef and pumping your adrenaline by going into the deep water "outside" - every season somebody tries it in a kayak - ending up loosing gear, kayak, blood and damaging precious coral. That is a GOOD day outside the reef in a Kayak - a bad one can be fatal.

Do not do this on a day when there is a "northerner" blowing - that is when the wind blows "from the back" and will take you out to sea ...... next stop Turneffe or Jamaica. Not good.

Places up by Mexico Rocks would be excellent locations too - I don't know who supplies kayaks in that area.

Be sure you are a good swimmer, have a snorkel-buddy along and are generally capable/comfortable in the water - I have rescued one too many individual who tipped over, lost paddles and freaked out - no need to have such an upsetting event mar your stay.

Enjoy!

Good advice from previous post. We have done it with modest success from South of town. More fun than fruitful--didn't see a lot of sea life--but we realy enjoyed it. Getting in and out of a kayak is harder than it looks--practice a few times near shore.

Also good\bad pun with "mar" your trip

Thanks for the informative and frank advice. I am leaning towards just snorkeling with a guide. I am very comfortable in the water and snorkeling, but think I would have a hard time getting in and out of the kayak. (My partner on the other hand would be fine) No worries about me trying to surf the reef! Too dangerous for me. I won't even snorkel close to the surf at Mexico Rocks/Tres Cocos. We'll see how how I feel about doing this once we get to San Pedro. 25 days and counting!! Thanks again. mobunny

We did quite a bit of snorkel/kayak in Xcalak. You do not need a bouy, a long teather is sufficient to keep the kayak near at hand. Also it works best with a wide sit-on-top style kayak. For two of you a Malibu II by Ocean Kayak would work well.(It is the widest of the tandems at 33") Any other S-I-T Kayak wider than 32" is good. Practice in and out near shore, you will find that flippers make it easier to get up into the kayak. And if your partner is more adapt at getting in, they can always help steady the kayak too.

But in all things if you are going out as a pair alone let someone know where and your anticipated time back.

Billiam, Thank you for that last bit of advice. Very wise. mobunny

Yes, my hubby and I did it two years in a row. It's fun, but tricky. You have to REALLY be sure you dont' smash up against the reef. Don't recommend it on a day with any kind of wind or surf happenin. It seemed to work best when one person stayed with the kayak (we rented a double from Fido's dock), and the other snorkeled, and then switched. We saw some eagle rays, a turtle, barracuda...it was pretty good. We stayed on the "inland" side of the reef. Too trikcy getting through the reef, and waters are lot choppier on other side of reef. Best part...we could go at our own pace, and werent' with hordes of people around us. When we snorkeled with group trips, we would often bump into people around us!! Crowds, crowds. :p

Thanks for advice Trina. How far did you kayak? Did you go up north? mobunny

We stayed in the south, within view of town. I guess, actually that we did kayak a bit up north, but not more than a couple of miles. There can be a lot of "current". Important to watch how close you're getting to reef, and watch out for other boats. Also, make sure speedboats can see you. Often they zip around, and don't watch for kayaks, which are not always so visible.