Caye Caulker

The history of Caye Caulker

The history of Caye Caulker is certainly an intriguing amalgamation of historical branches which has been known to captivate visitors for decades. The island was known for its plentiful supply of fresh water which lends itself to the story of the island’s original name: Cay Corker. With its reputation for fresh water the island was a favourite pit stop for sailors to refill and cork their water bottles – alas the name Cay Corker was born and can still be seen on many early British maps. Another interesting theory behind the current name of Caye Caulker is that boats were caulked in one of the protected bays and as we will soon find out the intricate craft of boat building was and still is somewhat like a religion to most of the islanders. While the name is one of the Caye’s interesting pieces of the facts meet fiction puzzle there are many other historical aspects of this stunning coral island. Caye Caulker also holds an impressive tradition in the world of boat and ship building – the island was home to, what many consider; the shipwrights of the century, namely the Young and Alamina families. This impressive history is displayed with pride in the Belize Marine Terminal and Museum with the island still being at the centre of boat racing and shipbuilding in Central America. Another important aspect of the Caye’s history is the development of co-operatives in the fishing and coconut export industry. There was a boom in lobster fisheries in the early 1920s which led to the development of the Northern Fishermen’s Co-Operative Society Ltd in the 1960s. These co-ops were led by Marcial Alamina and are still to this day used as a model for a variety of other co-operatives in Belize and its neighbouring regions. While the fishing and the lobster market showed considerable growth, the coconut industry was also growing with large quantities being exported off of the island. Not only were the locals of the “island of the cocoplum” farming and exporting huge yet sustainable quantities off of the island but they were also making a name for themselves by using the coconuts to produce exceptional local products like coconut oils, preserves and all natural remedies. With special attention being paid to sustainability it is important to note that this little island has made a name for itself as one of the most productive and noteworthy destinations of the island of Belize.

Where to stay on the Island of Caye Caulker?

This picturesque island has only been in the tourism buzz for a handful of decades since it was first discovered by a few free-loving explorers in the 1960s. While still being relatively young and undiscovered in the world of travel and tourism the Caye has been showcasing its culture of vibrant hospitality and has seen a number of authentic guest houses, hotels and beach villas opening their doors and welcoming visitors from across the globe. Beach style comfort and charm are all par for the course in Caye Caulker Village so be sure to pack your bathing suits and sarongs while you get ready for a vacation to remember on the Island. Visit the charming variety of 3-4 star dwellings and unwind in the beautiful Caye.