Ambergris Caye and San Pedro

At 25 mi (40 km) long and 4½ mi (7 km) wide, Ambergris (in Belize pronounced Am-BURR-griss) is the queen of the cayes. On early maps it was often referred to as Costa de Ambar, or the Amber Coast, a name supposedly derived from the blackish substance secreted by sperm whales—ambergris—that washes up on the beaches.

The waters surrounding Ambergris Caye abound with a great variety of saltwater fishing and the island boasts some of the best fishing in the country. Most types of fish, including bone fish and tarpon, can be caught year-round. Within 15 minutes of leaving the dock, you can be fishing in tidal flats or in blue water hundreds of feet deep.

East of the caye lies the Belize Barrier Reef which continues some 190 miles along the length of the country of Belize. On the far north tip of Ambergris Caye at a place called Mexico Rocks the reef almost touches land.

On the west lies the San Pedro Lagoon which is connected to the Caribean Sea by a small saltwater river running east to west about two miles from the center of San Pedro town.

Early this century, the fishing industry was the island's number one income earner. Beginning in the 1970's the fishing industry gradually slipped on the backburner when the islanders realized that their isla bonita (beautiful island) was attracting a steady flow of visitors who came to enjoy sandy beaches, breathtaking waters and the unique hospitality of its inhabitants. With a present day population of approximately 7,000 in the town of San Pedro plus the island's enchanting combination of mangrove forests, tropical savannahs, lagoons, and sparkling white beaches, it is no wonder that this island has become Belize's most popular tourist destination.