A tropical gem set in the turquoise Caribbean, Ray Caye Island Resort, named for the Spotted Eagle Rays that call it home, will begin welcoming guests in January 2020. Located eighteen miles off the coast off Placencia Village, Belize, this relaxed, luxury 20-room retreat has been sustainably reimagined to now offer four newly built oceanfront villas with private plunge pools and six new guest rooms, as well as six freshly renovated waterfront cabanas.
Committed to championing responsible tourism, Ray Caye is the first resort in the world to install a TESLA Powerwall system, the only commercial and offshore application of this technology, which allows it to operate exclusively on solar energy.
At 7.4 acres, this private island oasis offers a full mile of pristine shoreline where guests have unlimited use of the resort’s water toys to explore the crystal-clear waters rich in marine life. Ray Caye’s proximity to Belize’s Barrier Reef makes it ideal for world class sport fishing, SCUBA diving and snorkeling. While the island’s intimate size makes it perfect for destination weddings and exclusive use events.
Previously known as Hatchet Caye, the island was purchased in 2018 and rebranded as Ray Caye Island Resort in January of 2019. It has undergone a yearlong transformation to become the Caribbean’s newest chic island getaway. In addition to the new villas and rooms, the island’s amenities have been enhanced to include a Welcome Center that plays host to a reception desk, boutique and lounge area; an expanded guest-only area with uninterrupted sea views including a pool, Catch831, a full-service restaurant, and a private beach. There is also a new Wellness Center that offers a fully equipped gym and fitness area, yoga studio, and spa treatment room.
As part of the island’s legacy, and a popular spot for passing mariners, The Pirate Reef dive shop, and the Lionfish Grill have both undergone an expansion as has the adjoining pool.
Island Living
Scattered along the island’s coast, surrounded by palm trees and tropical foliage, Ray Caye offers 20 accommodations: 8 newly-built oceanfront Villa Rooms & Suites; 6 newly-built Island guest rooms; and 6 freshly renovated waterfront cabanas.
Of the four new villas, two are one-bedroom Honeymoon Villa Suites, situated literally at the edge of Ray Caye’s fringe reef and feature private plunge pools. The other two Villas each offer three guest rooms, which includes a Master Villa Suite with its own plunge pool. The Villa Rooms & Suites can be booked individually, as they each have private outdoor space and separate exterior entrances. They can also be combined creating a spacious as 3-bedroom unit perfect for families or small groups. The Villas feature thoughtful details, such as oversized marble bathrooms and full kitchens with granite countertops, and decks made from locally sourced Belizean Cabbage Bark.
All accommodations offer private outdoor spaces, while interiors offer a refined yet luxurious simplicity, allowing the focal point to be island’s stunning natural beauty and 360º water views. Outfitted in Belizean hardwood, the elegant rooms feature handcrafted furnishings made from sustainable materials and inspired by nature and luxe appointments such as plush bedding and marble bathrooms.
Island Life
Arriving guests are met with a traditional island vibe in the new Welcome Center, an open-air building made of Belizean hardwood that features a live-edge Granadillio wood reception desk handcrafted by a local artisan. The center is also home to Kiki’s, the resort’s boutique offering a curated collection of beachwear, accessories, and regional jewelry, art and crafts. Across the courtyard, is La Bodega, a new provisions shop with a wide variety of dry goods and drinks available for resort guests as well as mooring boaters and day trippers.
Known for its lively bar scene and offering a fun slice of island life for passing boaters, Lionfish Grill’s newly refreshed food and cocktail menus make it even more inviting. The pool, which has also been enlarged, can now accommodate more guests who will want to linger on the new comfy loungers and exotic hardwood deck.
A typical relaxed evening on Ray Caye begins with a magnificent sun set, sipping cocktails, and telling tales of the day’s adventures while the team is busy cleaning and preparing the fish that guests have caught to be freshly grilled for dinner. Afterwards, guests can retreat to the bonfire for some late-night fun. Not too missed however, is the special experience of night snorkeling off the resort pier where the lights attract tropical fish, eagle rays, octopus, turtles and an abundance of other marine life.
Island Adventure
Belize is known for its world-class water sports and activities, such as diving, snorkeling, fly fishing, and more and for its Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world. Ray Caye is ideally situated to enjoy nearby excursions to some of the country’s best wildlife experiences and resort guests can explore as much they want with on-site equipment and guides. The resort offers a wide range of non-motorized water equipment available for complimentary use, including recreational kayaks and fishing kayaks, Hobie Cats, paddle boards and snorkel gear as well as motorized water sports for hire such as jet skis, underwater scooters and more.
Off-island excursions include snorkeling in the Gladden Spit and Silk Caye Marine Reserve where Loggerhead turtles (some as old as 150 years), rough-tail stingrays, southern stingrays, spotted eagle rays and nurse sharks congregate. For those who wish to SCUBA dive, the resort’s Pirate Reef Dive Shop can arrange diving trips on any timetable with custom experiences as well as certification courses. Nearby Moho Caye, an idyllic 12-acre, palm-fringed private island also owned by the resort, makes a fantastic day trip as its located near Laughing Bird Caye National Park and surrounded by crystal blue waters, and stunning natural coral reefs. Available for private charter is the resort’s luxurious 46-ft catamaran perfect island hopping and other adventures.
Island State of Mind: Conservation
As an island destination, conservation has been at the forefront of the changes to Ray Caye Island Resort. The new TESLA Powerwall system allows the island to run on clean, green energy with no deficit to guest service. Through Powerwall, the resort can measure exactly how much power is generated through the solar grid, monitor real-time usage, feel confident about the amount of backup energy stored.
To further enhance its self-sufficiency, the resort has also expanded its organic garden and now grows the majority of produce served on island.
Island Transport
Ray Caye is situated eighteen miles east of Placencia Village, Belize, which takes approximately one hour by boat providing a perfect transition to island life. After arriving at the Phillip Goldson International Airport in Belize City, guests take a 45-minute domestic flight to Placencia where a driver is waiting to transfer them to the boat launch. For those arriving to Placencia by car, vehicles can park at the boat launch for the duration of their stay. There is usually one boat a day between 1:00 and 3:00pm. If guests need to wait, they can stroll around the quaint town of Placencia, grab a tasty lunch or some gelato before departing to Ray Caye. The island is also accessible by helicopter which takes roughly one hour from the Belize City airport.
Nightly rates will start at $375 USD and all reservations include WiFi, unlimited use of non-motorized water equipment, snorkel gear, ground transfer from Placencia airport to boat launch, housekeeping daily, welcome drink. Food, Tour and Transportation packages are also available. For reservations and more information, please visit raycaye.com
