So off we headed again, south toward Tom Owens Cays. Not enough wind to sail but a lovely day for our 3.5hr motor. We arrived to the anchorage between 2 little coral rock cays. Crystal clear aqua water greeted us and we both went wow. We initially anchored but moved onto one of the 2 moorings. These cost $US15 ($BZ30) and you can stay as long as you like unless they have bookings e.g. each Tuesday 2 catamarans belonging to Tradewind charters come in and moor. We were lucky as we arrived on a Tuesday but one of the cats was not coming. The 2 islands are owned by an American who has leased the larger island and its accommodation to a dive company in conjunction with the Reef Conservation International organisation and is building his home out of coral block on the smaller island on the east side of the lagoon. We went to the little restaurant for dinner, along with 7 people and 2 crew off a 59' Tradewinds FP catamaran moored next to us. The staff gave a talk about the reef conservation and research work that is going on in the area in particular the Lion Fish control project. We ate Lion Fish cerviche and then Lion Fish fingers with rice and grated carrot. We had a bottle of Chilean Chardonay and although the total bill ($BZ180) was not cheap it was a really enjoyable evening. We downloaded some emails and found out that Iguana Dance have headed back to Placencia. We will probably follow them back there so we can catch up with them and give them their wine, which we have brought from Guatemala (a lot cheaper than alcohol in Belize)

A beautiful day for a motor

The Belize Coastguard call into Tom Owens each day.

Enjoying the spectacular sunsets while we can.

We spent this morning (Wednesday 18/03/15) snorkelling off the main island. Lots of coral, hard and soft, and a myriad of small reef fish with all their colours on display. We had a large trigger fish keep an eye on us and saw eagle rays feeding in the shallows. It was so calm it was oily and the clarity of the water was very good. Really enjoyable morning.

Morning Clouds but no rain

The eastern island at sunrise. The Pelicans like the old tree stump as a roost.

As the sun rose the scene went silver

Tom Owens Cay (western island) with dive operation, restaurant and research facility.

This photo was taken from the dinghy. So clear and calm. There is a ray swimming in the top centre. No underwater shots as the last time i took the 'waterproof' Nikon underwater it fogged with moisture and took days to dry out.

 

Moored off Tom Owens Cays. A wonderful place and the weather certainly helped our enjoyment of this little Belizian paradise.