Calabash Cay

Belize, Belize

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Calabash Caye is a small island in the Turneffe Atoll, part of the Belize Barrier Reef system off the coast of Belize, situated roughly 30–50 km east of Belize City.

It is known for its dense coastal forest of coconut palms, mangroves, and littoral woodland, as well as its rich natural history, including traces of ancient Maya fishing camps made from conch‑shell and coral mounds. The island hosts the Calabash Caye Field Station, Belize’s first nationally owned and managed marine research facility, which supports marine‑science education and research for both local and international students and scientists.

Calabash Caye lies within the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve, a protected area prized for its healthy reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, and is popular for diving, snorkeling, fishing, and low‑impact eco‑tourism in a remote Caribbean setting.