The Split
4
About
Great place to spend the day! There is a great bar and grill called The Lazy Lizard that has excellent food and cold drinks. The split is a body of water separating North and South Caye Caulker. It is a great place to snorkel for free. There is a dock for sun bathing and easy access to the water. There is also a fishing area for those that want to try their luck. Kayaks and paddle boards are available for rent.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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- Kirsten KOntario, Canada46 contributionsSplit is fun but be CarefulTraveled with Family. Second day we biked down to the Split and hung out. Ordered the green Lazy Lizard drink which is fantastic. CAUTION! There are dogs wandering around. We love dogs. We petted one dog as it was very friendly and wanted belly rubs. It wasn't begging for food or anything like that it was just wandering around saying hello to people and getting pets. When we hopped on our bikes to leave this dog ran after my adult son and nipped him on the ankle. There were 3 small punctures but nothing serious. Over the week, my son cleaned it but it was bothering him and getting red. We came back home he went to emergency and ended up getting a rabies shot yesterday and needs three more. So just be cautious. That dog is probably fine but we didn't know.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten February 26, 2024
- Gina C51 contributionsSplit for SureThis is a must visit for Caye Caulker. Clear water, plenty to of tasty drink options. You can jump off the huge drop off, swim in between the split. We enjoyed the dj- cranking out some slamming beats. Fun to sit and people watch. Sad is soft. Ten out of ten.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten April 19, 2024
- Dmitriy PNew York City, New York94 contributionsHighly recommended for a few hours of funThis is an excellent place to spend a few hours at. We rented bikes and rode them to the split from our hotel. Spent a few hours, swimming, sunbathing and relaxing at the swim-up bar. You can have a cold beverage, some food or an ice-cream at a bar of shop nearby. Then we took our bikes on a ferry to the North island from the Split.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten June 26, 2024
- Danielle W2 contributionsRasta FerryGo with Rasta Ferry. If you will be going across a lot, buy a group deal. Mr. Clayto is a very nice and chill dude. You can call him if you need to in the morning. Just remember, you are on an island. Island time my friend.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten August 24, 2024
- urban1026Falls Church, Virginia11 contributionsA touristy hang outWe went only for drinks and to see the split. I had a mudslide and it was delicious. My husband had a rum punch and both drinks were strong. I was even a bit tipsy after the drink. They certainly didn't hold back on the alcohol. It was definitely a busy place where the tourist hang out.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten September 4, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
561 reviews
Excellent
249
Very good
176
Average
93
Poor
27
Terrible
16
disappointed
1 contribution
Jan 2020
This was our second time visiting Caye Caulker and the island has severely declined. They were charging to use the bathroom at the split so my friend was looking for another location to go to the bathroom and fell and broke her wrist. I think they are greedy and the food is lacking.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire
245 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Didn’t stay here for long but loved the location. You can eat, drink or swim in the ocean right next to the restaurant. You can just hangout and have fun here. We got the famous lazy lizard drink that turns your tongue blue! Really a great tourist spot and you can take lots of pictures here. If you are at caye calker you should come here! This place is especially fun for family’s with older kids or young adults.
Written May 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First Aboard
New York City, NY67 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
Such a relaxed and friendly vibe- you are bound to put your feet up and enjoy. Many great seaside bars and chairs near the beach. Great picture opportunity in front of “The Split” sign. Music is played from one of the cafe bars, so the vibe is really easygoing and fun-filled. A good mix of locals and tourists enjoying their time.
Written May 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scm
Seattle, WA110 contributions
Feb 2020
The split is the quintessential tourist trap. While the grounds themselves are pretty fun and open, overall it feels like it falls short due to the constant influx of booze boats showing up from San Pedro.
The drinks are approximately double to triple other places nearby.
The place gets overcrowded around the mid-afternoon by all the boats from San Pedro - and they HEAVILY cater to those folks vs. the people who walk in.
Worth stopping by, but I doubt you will spend more than an hour/two drinks.
The drinks are approximately double to triple other places nearby.
The place gets overcrowded around the mid-afternoon by all the boats from San Pedro - and they HEAVILY cater to those folks vs. the people who walk in.
Worth stopping by, but I doubt you will spend more than an hour/two drinks.
Written April 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan H
Cairns, Australia1,724 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
The Split is a channel that divides Caye Caulker into northern and southern components. It was believed to have formed in the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Hattie that hit Belize in 1961.
From a tourist perspective ‘The Split’ is used as ‘the’ daytime swimming and hangout place. Because it doesn’t collect seaweed like a lot of the beaches and is relatively free of rocks it is a good place to swim. It’s turquoise waters also add to the allure. A number of bars have also set up around the split including ‘The Lazy Lizard’ which screams “I’m on holiday”.
We found it a lovely place to enjoy sunset and have a swim and drink.
Once darkness occur the whole place shuts down and the party moves more towards the central dock area of the island.
From a tourist perspective ‘The Split’ is used as ‘the’ daytime swimming and hangout place. Because it doesn’t collect seaweed like a lot of the beaches and is relatively free of rocks it is a good place to swim. It’s turquoise waters also add to the allure. A number of bars have also set up around the split including ‘The Lazy Lizard’ which screams “I’m on holiday”.
We found it a lovely place to enjoy sunset and have a swim and drink.
Once darkness occur the whole place shuts down and the party moves more towards the central dock area of the island.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
connie p
Madison, WI136 contributions
Mar 2020
This highly-hyped area of Caye Caulker is the "social gathering spot", drawing scores of boats of tourists every day. If you want a party atmosphere, here's your spot. We were looking for quiet relaxation, but the amplified music, kareoke contests, diving contests, drinking contests, all destroyed the beauty of this place. We understand that this area was bought by an international corporation several years ago. They have ruined the spot. Trash and litter is left lying everywhere, even though there are trash cans available.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ottilia B
York, UK152 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
It's OK. The views of the water is just amezing but for actually getting in the water we found a nicer spot on Caye Caulker. It is generally very busy with drinking adults, so if you are there to meet people it could be a good place. The current is very strong by the split and people ofter underestimate it. My husband had to guide two very panicked people how to get out of the water after jumping in without actually looking at the water before. The protected swimming area is fairly small. Planty if sunbeds around although it can get busy when the tour-boats arrive.
Written December 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M. C.Canuck
32 contributions
Feb 2020
The split is a nice place to hang out for the day. It has a nice quasi- party-like atmosphere and there are sufficient places to swim and with shade. (The Caye strangely has a lack of beach and access to water as the beachside as is a continuous marina.) The Split does not allow peddlers as they have a constable assigned to that site. It’s a nice place to intermingle and converse with people from all over the world.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michelle h
8 contributions
Jul 2022
My family and I (kids 14, 13, 10) visited this spot in July 2022 a few times on our trip. We enjoyed the proximity to our hotel. It wasn't super crowded at least during the off season. The kids LOVED swimming and playing on the yellow ring floatation toy with the local kids and other tourists. They also had a blast jumping off a dive platform into the water. There is a current that looks strong between the islands, but they didn't venture off far enough for it to be a problem. It would also be a fun place to have drinks for partying with friends. There is loud music playing the whole time so this isn't the place to hangout out if you want peace and quiet. My oldest joined in on a volleyball game too.
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maserk
Colorado Springs, CO1,859 contributions
Feb 2021
It was really windy the day we visited, so we would have enjoyed the swimming and lounging in the sun a little more if it had been slightly warmer. We sat in the chairs overlooking The Split to enjoy the sun, birds, and water. We got smoothies from the little shake/smoothie shack nearby.
There is a place you can walk down some stairs and get into the sea water where it's sort of walled off and shallow, almost like a kids pool. You can take a drink and sit on stools in the water there, which would be great on a hot day.
On the east side of that area is a jumping/diving platform where you can jump into the water. The current in the split itself was fairly strong, which you could "ride" like a fast "lazy river" from the shallow area part way down The Split to a ladder where you could climb out. If you missed the ladder though, I'm not sure how you would get out, as it's pretty high up to where the chairs are overlooking the water.
The next day, after we had been out snorkeling on a nice catamaran, we went through The Split to get back to the southeast side of the island where we had embarked. It was a great view of the area from the water.
There is a place you can walk down some stairs and get into the sea water where it's sort of walled off and shallow, almost like a kids pool. You can take a drink and sit on stools in the water there, which would be great on a hot day.
On the east side of that area is a jumping/diving platform where you can jump into the water. The current in the split itself was fairly strong, which you could "ride" like a fast "lazy river" from the shallow area part way down The Split to a ladder where you could climb out. If you missed the ladder though, I'm not sure how you would get out, as it's pretty high up to where the chairs are overlooking the water.
The next day, after we had been out snorkeling on a nice catamaran, we went through The Split to get back to the southeast side of the island where we had embarked. It was a great view of the area from the water.
Written March 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How wide is the split? Can you swim across it?
Written August 25, 2019
I swam it. My Garmin said 180 yards. Current was ripping. Started the very East of South side to hit the dock on North side. Way back was harder due to current. There's a lot of boat traffic. I waited till clear then treated it as a sprint.
Written November 24, 2023
What is the ideal form of transport to Caye Caulker? We will be on a cruise ship and have time restrictions. We would prefer a water taxi.
Written July 14, 2019
Sorry, just saw this. Yes there is a 30 min water taxi ride in a very nice taxi.
Written September 8, 2019
How does one get from across the split to the other side of the island?
Written May 10, 2019
We have never been to Caye Caulker and wondering if it's okay to go for 9 days. And is it easy to get on a ferry to go other places and to go to Belize City. Do we just take the airport and Ferry with our car 2K Caulker
Written September 4, 2018
Hi there! I would say you could definitely spend 9 days if you're going to do excursions off the island like going to Mayan ruins, cave tubbing or snorkeling. The island is beautiful and you'll have an amazing time, but 9 days just on the island could get to be too much if you don't venture out.
The ferry is offered by two companies, but the San Pedro Express company is a little bit of a nicer boat, though slightly more $. You would take an airport taxi to the water taxi terminal (about $50BZD though more for many passengers). Then, you'll check your larger bags with the water taxi staff at the curb, walk to the office to purchase tickets, and wait for the next water taxi. It's kind of chaotic when waiting in line for the taxi, but you'll make it aboard! The ride is about 45 minutes and stops at Caye Caulker before going on to San Pedro (assuming you use the San Pedro Express company).
If you want to go on many excursions or very far into the country of Belize, I don't advise staying on Caye Caulker for the full 9 days. For example, if you want to go to the ATM Caves or Xunantunich ruins, you'd have about a 45 min water tax ride & 2 hour bus ride each way (at least). If you want a more jungle experience, stay at Pook's Hill Lodge or Bocawina Lodge. They're both very authentic and have amazing staff. I hope this help!
Written September 6, 2018
We are planning to visit in May. Does anyone know when renovations will be complete? thanks
Written April 10, 2017
Hi Lrcat,
The main swimming area and seawall will be completed by then. There will be renovations ongoing for the back of our property, but the bar/restaurant area and swimming/Beach area will be completed. It has taken longer than the estimate that the engineers gave us. It is going to be beautiful when done. Even with the construction, there is no better place on the island for the wonderful Caribbean breeze and beautiful view from our second floor dining area. Looking forward to having you as our guests :)
Written April 10, 2017
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