Long Caye, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Belize
Lighthouse Reef Atoll, just off of the coast of Belize, is a place more likely to be found in the South Pacific than the Caribbean - a natural wonder that is one of the few remaining truly hidden gems in the Western Hemisphere. Forty-five miles off the coast, four white sand tropical islands surrounded by warm, shallow and crystal clear waters support 25 square miles of pristine coral reef. Lighthouse Reef is home to an incredible population of tropical fish and the incomparable Great Blue Hole. The Atoll is part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef ReserveSystem and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The largest of the four islands that comprise the atoll, 650-acre LongCaye boasts extensive mangrove, fern groves, palm trees and sandy beaches with several internal lagoons. In addition to the surrounding dive sites (said to be the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the Western Hemisphere), its spectacular beaches and meandering lagoons support phenomenal bird watching,grouper and snapper spawning grounds, large populations of whale sharks, and fabulous sailing. Directly across the atoll to the west is Half Moon Caye, a Belizean National Park managed by Belize Audubon. It is home to one of the few nesting sites of the Red Footed Booby, as well as active nesting sites for protected Green Sea Turtles and Conch.
The development concept of Long Caye draws from the natural wonder that surrounds it, and has at its core a conservation ethic. In fact, it hinges on a critical balance between development and conservation. In this model, we utilize sustainable development as the means to provide adequate and ongoing protection to this unparalleled, pristine ecosystem; thereby ensuring it's health and well-being. The development is envisioned as a world-class eco-adventure resort community. A boutique resort oriented around the Atoll's unparalleled diving, kayaking, bird watching, fishing, sailing and intimate beaches, will anchor the development. An appropriately scaled residential program will be built in concert with the resort, further contributing to a critical ongoing revenue stream that will fund conservation efforts. Only low-impact development is planned, utilizing prefab and environmentally sensitive building techniques, while the vast majority of the island will be protected in conservation and for use in non-profit research and educational purposes. A fully outfitted research station is planned to facilitate long-term stewardship of the entire atoll in partnership with US and International educational institutions, as well as local non-profit organizations. By creating a small but significant presence on the Atoll, the development will provide limited access to this singular natural wonder and establish a conservation program that will preserve the island and protect the surrounding marine environment.
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 Download the Executive Summary Document (PDF) |
