Cave Kayaking in Belize

Caves Branch Belize — Better Than Cave Tubing

Slickrock Adventures has specialized in kayaking since its inception in 1977 as a kayak school based out of Moab, Utah. Today that tradition continues with our Belize cave kayaking trip down the Caves Branch River.

The caves of Belize were sacred to the Mayans, and the Caves Branch River corridor is no exception. Mayan artifacts are found inscribed into the cave formations along the river. We run the Caves Branch as part of our Belize Adventure Week eight day trip. This full-week adventure tour combines kayaking through caves with other activities such as whitewater kayaking, waterfall rappelling, ziplining, hiking to a Mayan ruin, and three days on our private island for sea kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayak surfing, Belize permit fishing, kayak fishing, paddleboarding, and board surfing.

Cave kayaking is not available without purchasing a Belize jungle package. We do not offer this adventure just for the day, unless you have a group. This Caves Branch kayaking in caves adventure is available as a one-day trip for groups of minimum 8, with a maximum of 14.

Of all of the one-day Belize tours available, this adventure package is a must do!

Cave Kayaking in Belize

Everyone knows about Belize cave tubing, but less is known about running this famous underground river by kayak, because so few companies have the equipment. Slickrock has been conducting this underground river tour of the Caves Branch River in Belize since 1991, using kayaks to explore this incredible underground river. The problem with cave tubing in Belize is that the runs have to be extremely short as this river is too shallow to allow an unimpeded float. Slickrock Adventures is the only company to use kayaks to run the whole section of caves.

If you are looking for more one-day Belize excursions, visit our Mopan River Kayaking page.

Belize One-Day Cave Kayaking Trip

One Day Tour for Groups

This one-day river tour is available only for groups of 4+ booking together, maximum 14. If you don’t have a group of four, an additional surcharge will be added to your trip cost.  You can also sign up for  either the full 8-night Belize Adventure Week package or the half week 4-night Belize Adventure Week package. We run the Caves Branch River on Day Four of this adventure itinerary.

Group size: Minimum 4, maximum 14.

When offered: Wednesday, Thursday or Friday only, Dec – April. Please inquire for availability.

Cost: $195 US pp, includes pick up and drop off in Belize City and lunch. No group discounts available.

Deposit: $75 deposit pp (4 minimum) is due to confirm your space. This deposit is non-refundable. You may make your reservation by telephone, fax, mail, or e-mail. Checks, money orders, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted for all payments. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure.

Minimum and maximum ages to participate: 10 and 70

For families: We use whitewater, sit-on-top kayaks for everyone. The youngest person who may paddle themselves in a kayak is a 10 year old.

If the water ends up being too high to run the Caves Branch on the day you reserved, we will have to substitute another river of our choice on the day of the trip, because at some levels the river is unsafe. This does not happen often, but it does happen.

Instruction is Provided

Using modern sit on top kayaks designed for whitewater, our groups begin the trip with a thorough instructional class in kayak technique. This covers basic strokes, familiarization with balance and recovery methods, reading the river currents, and getting comfortable in moving water. No experience is necessary, but you do need an adventurous spirit. This is a great way to get to know Belize!

The Belize Caves Branch River flows through four caves on its course from the Maya Mountains to its confluence with the Sibun River. Slickrock puts-in near Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch Jungle Lodge.

Belize’s Premier River Cave

After the put-in you paddle through several miles of jungle and orange groves before arriving at a rugged section of hills that have eroded into what is known as karst topography.

Huge white cliffs covered with vines rise dramatically from the thick jungle, and suddenly the river veers right into one, where we enter a river cave that soon envelopes us in complete darkness. Using headlamps for lighting the way, the current takes us though the caves, which occasionally pass by openings into the jungle.

The second cave begins with a sump, where the water dives completely underground and leaves no passage. Here we must portage for a few hundred yards through the jungle to one of the windows mentioned above, where we can get back on the river and continue on. Dramatic openings covered with stalagtites and vines pass us by as we move in and out of the caves, and we stop at a tributary which joins the river underground and hike a short distance along this new cave.

No visitor to Belize should miss this fabulous one-of-a-kind experience! This truly has to be seen to be believed.

What to Bring

• 1 headlamp for each person (important!)
• Dry clothes to leave in the van to change into after the trip is over
• 2 quarts capacity water bottles for each person
• Sunscreen
• Clothes on that can get wet
• Good river shoes with high traction soles and ankle support

Reservations and Cancellations

After a reservation is made: A Registration and Waiver of Liability Form is sent. The completely filled out form and the final balance is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellation policy: No exceptions are made to our cancellation policy for any reason. Your deposit of $75 pp x 4 persons is non-refundable. If we receive notice of cancellation 59-30 days prior to departure, 50% of total group trip cost will be retained. If we receive notice of cancellation 29-11 days, 75% of total group trip cost will be retained.; if notice is received within 10 days of departure, no refund will be given.

Unused services: No partial refunds or credits will be given for unused services such as meals or transport. Our trips are quoted as a package; credits are not given for services not used. No refunds will be given for any reason once the trip has begun.

Late arrival or departure: Any conditions out of our control that delay your arrival or departure may add to your cost; all extra charges caused by delays (catching up with a trip in progress) or any variations from the itinerary (early departure, evacuation) will be at the customer’s expense.

Slickrock reserves the right to sell additional seats up to the 14 maximum to others who might want to join this tour.

River Equipment

Whitewater Sit-on-Top Kayaks: Big Yak by Ocean Kayak, Torrent by Perception

Paddles by Werner

Lifejackets by Extrasport