Tobacco Caye

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Tc island - Tobacco Caye

Tobacco Caye is a tiny island off the coast of Belize, popular with budget travellers. Hammocks, novels, group meals and a healthy dose of snorkelling are likely to fill your day, on one of the few islands that won't break the bank in a country that normally excels at doing so.

At only about 200 feet wide and 400 feet long (60 m x 120 m) and the atmosphere is intimate and social, but relaxing and friendly (you can circle the island in less than 5 minutes). About 20 Belizeans reside here permanently, but there's no school, so children spend the week on a nearby island, and come home only on the weekends to stay with their families.

Far from deserted and there's very little space on the island that isn't occupied by something. Hurricane Mitch leveled most of the island in 1998, pretty much everything you see now has been rebuilt since then.

Travel as a Muslim to Tobacco Caye

Map of Tobacco Caye - Map of Tobacco Caye

Boats make the journey from Dangriga in about 20-30 minutes and charge BZ$30/person. If you're staying at Tobacco Caye Lodge or Reef's End, you can arrange a time and come on their boats for the same price, or just turn up at 8:30-9:00am at the dock and ask around at the Riverside Café when a boat will be leaving (they depart from the dock directly in front of the restaurant).

From Tobacco Caye, at least one boat usually leaves around 9am each morning heading back to Dangriga. If you're interested in heading somewhere else like Glovers Reef or Thatch Caye you may be able to hire a boat to take you direct, or ride along with some snorkelers who are heading there, which saves a trip back to Dangriga.

How to get around in Tobacco Caye

Kick off your sandals when you arrive to the island, and plan on leaving them in your room. You'll be walking around the island for the duration of your stay, might as well feel the sand between your toes. If you're a great swimmer and have some energy to burn, consider trying to swim a loop around the island. - the hammock will still be there when you get back. There are no roads or vehicles of any sort on the island, and not even a single sidewalk.

What to see in Tobacco Caye

  • Sunrise – generally occurs off to the east.
  • Sunset – usually spotted out west.
  • Locals – observe their daily routines and skills.

What to Do

Tc dive - Paradise Dive Shop

  • Swim. The only exercise you could possibly hope for, short of bringing a yoga mat. While the island is almost entirely covered in sand and the water's edge is rocky, and no sandy beach exists. Several piers scattered around make for easier sea access.
  • Snorkel. About the only activity in the immediate vicinity of the island. There's a reef along the south edge, which you can swim out to and see a decent amount of things and a bit of coral, though plastic bags and trash may keep you a little distracted. Much better is to hire one of the men with a boat to take you a bit further south (1km) where the sea life is much richer. Day trips and 1/2 day trips that visit several snorkeling spots include mangroves to spot manatees and the reef near Thatch Caye, or Glover's Reef.
  • Scuba diving|Dive. Possible with the rustic Paradise Dive Shop, or with Reef's End. They both run trips to the beautiful Glover's Reef and the infamous Blue Hole, among others.
  • Watch 'em gut a fish. Around sunset, on the western pier in front of Tobacco Caye bar, local fisherman prepare their fish (or ones caught by fishing tourists) and wash them here at the dock, drawing a little crowd of onlookers. Fish guts may not be that interesting, but the animals that swarm in to eat them are... you'll likely spot a variety of birds, stingrays and even a moray eel all converging on the scene.
  • Bring a book. If none of the above appeal to you, or you've already done them once today, find out what happens after Sally catches Bob with Sue.

Halal Restaurants in Tobacco Caye

The only restaurants are those attached to the resort you're staying at. Most all of them have communal tables and everyone eats together at the same time. The meal bells usually ring around 7am, 12pm, and 6pm.

Gaviotas has a Snacks stand behind their rooms, with plenty of imported doritos, cokes, batteries and even and Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) iced coffees.

Tc bar - Tobacco Caye Bar

  • Tobacco Caye Bar at the north tip of the island Opening Hours: 4pm-sleepytime This little open air bar, part of the Tobacco Caye Lodge, is somewhat of a meeting point around sunset and after dinner. If you're staying at the lodge you can put it on your tab.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Tobacco Caye

Tobacco Caye - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Tobacco Caye, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Tobacco Caye. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Tobacco Caye and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Tobacco Caye. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Tobacco Caye. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inTobacco Caye: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Tobacco Caye.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Tobacco Caye: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Tobacco Caye, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Tobacco Caye.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Tobacco Caye, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Tobacco Caye, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Tobacco Caye and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Tobacco Caye, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Tobacco Caye, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Tobacco Caye without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Tobacco Caye is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Tobacco Caye.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Tobacco Caye is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Tobacco Caye, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Tobacco Caye Media: info@ehalal.io


Muslim Friendly Hotels

Tobacco Caye Lodge and Reef's End both have phones & emails so you can book ahead if you feel like it. For anything else, show up and see what's available. Checkout time is 10am.

  • Tobacco Caye Lodge | on the northeast side ☎ +501 520 5033 - Single BZ$90, double BZ$160 The best value and probably most popular place has several bungalows looking out towards the sea, under some hammock-strung palm trees. The food here is pretty tasty as well.
  • Reef's End Lodge | ☎ +501 522 2419 - Rooms US$65, Cabanas US$75 The most expensive place is nice, but questionably worth the $$.
  • Gaviotas - BZ$50 A decent affordable option, run by Belizeans.
  • Tobacco Caye Paradise on the north tip - BZ$50 A affordable place with good food and a few very rustic cabins built right over the water.
  • Lana's on the Reef on the west side - From BZ$80 Small rooms, good food.
  • Fairweather Place - A small two-storey place, with a room or two on the upper floor, above the owners house. It's not entirely appealing, but it's mentionable since they'll let you pitch a tent out front if you prefer to camp. Make them an offer.

Telecommunications in Tobacco Caye

Tc boat - 600px]]

Internet service is available at the Tobacco Caye Marine Station, located on the property of the Tobacco Caye Lodge. The cost is BZ$15 per hour to use a Station computer, and BZ$10 if you are travelling with your own computer.

Snorkel equipment is also available for rent from the Station at a cost of BZ$30 per day.

Medical Issues in Tobacco Caye

Mosquitos and sandflies are thankfully scarce here, making bug juice unnecessary. Sunscreen is wise though, if you're planning to be out in the water long or on a boat trip.

News & References Tobacco Caye


Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Tobacco Caye

  • Glover's Reef is about an hour east of here, and you can probably arrange a direct boat.
  • Thatch Caye is about 20 min south. Don't head there without a reservation at the expensive resort, who may be able to come fetch you. Alternatively, strike a deal with a boat man or ride along with some snorkellers.

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