Reef Conservation on a Caribbean Island

We are located on a beautiful, idyllic remote private island that is part of the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve Park, located in southern Belize about an hour boat ride from the mainland. Our island, Tom Owens Caye, is a true ‘castaway’ coral caye island located directly on the Belize Barrier Reef.  The island is about 1½ acres and has a large living area, great views and lots of hammock space. All of our volunteers upon arrival tell us that the photos do not do the island justice! It really is a perfect Caribbean paradise. 

Accommodations are basic but clean and comfortable and can best be described as hostel-like.  If you are expecting or wishing a 5-star resort then our island is not for you.  The location of our island however is 5 stars as every room has incredible views of the Caribbean Sea!  Imagine waking up to the sound of lapping waves and a spectacular Belizean sunrise!  Our large main cabana building houses couples, families, groups, and singles. We also have individual single cabanas that surround the island.  Bathroom and shower facilities are shared by all.   We do not have air conditioning on the island as the strong trade winds provide a continuous cooling breeze on the island.  However, rooms can occasionally become stuffy so all rooms have fans if needed.  Our island manager allocates rooms upon arrival on Monday morning based on the number of singles, couples, and groups for the week.  Couples, groups, and families are always roomed together. 

A generator is kept in its own room to reduce noise pollution. It is run all night on the island allowing guests to charge their laptops, iPhones, iPods and cameras etc. and use a fan if the sea breeze is not enough. This generator is turned on in the evening so during the day electricity is limited. 

ReefCI is known for our great food!!  We provide 3 meals a day plus an early morning snack and a mid-afternoon or late evening snack everyday while on the island.

Sample Island Menu: 

• Early Morning:  Fresh fruit, tea, coffee and biscuits. 
• Breakfast:  Fried jacks, sausages, scrambled eggs and refried beans or banana pancakes with ham and eggs.
  
• Lunch:  Island chicken salad or chicken and veggie quesadilla’s or fresh fish burritos.
  
• Dinner:  Lionfish fingers with cilantro, homemade garlic tartar sauce served with fresh salad and coconut rice or chicken curry with okra and yellow ginger rice or bbq whole fish with garlic mash and mixed veggies, or garlic lobster with cilantro mash and garlic zucchini.
  
• Dessert:  Coconut tart or pineapple up-side-down cake or chocolate rum cake with a rum butter sauce.
  

Vegetarian, Vegan, Food Allergery?  All Dietary Needs Fully Catered For! 

All dietary requirements are catered for (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, no seafood, dairy, tree nuts etc).   No worries - we have vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, gluten free eaters, diabetics, and nut allergy volunteers that come to the island every year.  Our chef is quite accustomed to meeting the needs of our volunteers. Don't worry, we will make sure your dietary needs are met : )  However, it is always a good idea to bring special food and snacks that you like. 

All meals and drinking water/juices are provided for you while you are at the island. There is an honesty book system on the island, which has a small selection of sodas, beers, and rum drinks available at an additional cost.