Something you can’t help but notice on Ambergris Caye, Belize: There is no shortage of watercraft. We saw it all; kayaks to catamarans, the occasional luxury yacht, even a cruise ship. And… would you believe a houseboat called Sea’s d day? We climbed aboard for a day with SEAduced by Belize.
Seas d Day
Houseboats are not typically ocean-going vessels. But then, the waters around Belize are not your typical ocean. On the leeward side of Ambergris Caye, the water is as smooth as glass, and not very deep. There are hidden beaches to enjoy, and calm lagoons to explore. It’s the perfect setting for a houseboat. If only houseboats went to sea.
The crazy thing is, someone did it. They bought a houseboat and refurbished it, stem to stern. Then surrounded it with kayaks, paddleboards, and floaties, and set it afloat at Ambergris Caye. They named it Sea’s d Day. Brilliant is an understatement!
Meet the Crew
That someone is actually a pair: Rebecca and Elito, an American expat with some mean culinary skills, and her Belizean husband who grew up on the very waters he shows visitors today. Together, they run the tour company SEAduced by Belize; aptly named, as the country will seduce you just as it did Rebecca.
As a tour company, they offer a full range of water and land-based excursions: cave tubing and ziplining, full- and half-day sailing and snorkeling outings, and trips to explore Mayan ruins. SEAduced can fill your time in Belize with a different adventure every day from their base in San Pedro.
The crew of Sea’s d Day, with owners Rebecca and Elito on the right. Thankfully, nobody was hurt by the vicious Fruit Shark.
There is something different you can do, though: Enjoy the island’s only Wine & Tapas Sunset Cruise aboard Sea’s d Day. They also offer a standard sunset cruise on the houseboat, where you can end the day on the expansive upper deck while Elito guides the boat through the island’s leeward lagoons. Coming back to dock by starlight is just about the best night life in Belize!
That all sounds great, but we wanted more sun and fun! And boy did we find it.
A Full Day on Sea’s d Day
Let’s be honest: Belize is known for Mayan ruins and snorkeling on the world’s second largest barrier reef. That was our main motivation for visiting Belize, and we spent several days on, in, and under the water. We thought we might spend another day on the reef, but Rebecca suggested we try a day on the houseboat.
Your reaction might be similar to ours: A houseboat?
We cannot say enough about how great that day turned out to be! Here’s how everything went down:
Joining SEAduced by Belize for their Full Day excursion meant starting early, but what a reward for early risers!
See more from Belize and our day aboard Sea’s d Day on Instagram!
Up Early
This was not by choice; we were on vacation, after all. The full day adventure on Sea’s d Day begins at 9am, but to get there by water taxi meant being at our hotel pier before 7am. The only thing out that time of morning were the iguanas claiming their spots on the sea wall.
Getting into town early was good, since we really didn’t know our way around. It gave us time to explore a quiet San Pedro, and find some breakfast. San Pedro is not that big, though, and we still managed to get to the dock well before 9am.
Like every good house, Sea’s d Day welcomes visitors on the front deck.
Welcome Aboard!
Soon enough, we were welcomed aboard Sea’s d Day, and met our hosts and staff. Their warm welcome made us feel immediately at home, as though we were joining old friends for the day. As the crew made final preparations, Rebecca told us the story behind their newest adventure, how she came to be a tour operator in Belize, and how much Ambergris Caye has changed in the 20 years since starting SEAduced.
A quick tour of the downstairs shows how much they remodeled the ship. You’re welcomed aboard on the front deck, where there is room for several to sit and enjoy the sail. Inside is a large lounge where kids can play, and where meals are served. Towards the back is a quieter sitting area where once there were bedrooms, along with “the heads” (boat-speak for restrooms). A sliding door leads to the back deck and a spiral staircase going up.
Everybody loves a rooftop party patio, especially on a houseboat!
Top Side
After exploring the air-conditioned cabin, we ventured up top while the boat slipped effortlessly through the waters. As a houseboat, we set no new speed records, but kept a steady pace without any rocking. If you don’t like the motion of waves, this might be the water excursion for you.
From the top deck, you get a great, 360-degree view of the passing scenery. It’s easy to see why Madonna called San Pedro ”La Isla Bonita.” Captain Elito knows these waters like you know your own neighborhood. He filled us in on the surroundings, pointed out landmarks, and answered a barrage of questions from kids and adults. As a group, we sighed in secret jealousy as we passed the beautiful AcquaFino Island Resort and Spa, and the Cayo Espanto private island resort.
Among the sights we passed was the exclusive AcquaFina Island Resort & Spa, though the entire trip was beautiful.
While we sailed away from San Pedro, a selection of fresh fruits, muffins, and juices was served. The crew made sure nothing was left wanting, without being intrusive. It really had the feel of being a guest in their home, relaxing and chatting with fellow passengers.
Despite it being the middle of July, the weather was beautiful, and we gave in to the temptation of lounge chairs. A large section of the top deck is covered so there is escape from the Belizean sun or occasional shower. Since it was sunny and comfy, we chose to be like the iguanas we saw earlier, and soaked up the sunshine. “This,” we decided, “is the life.” Somewhere, time just disappeared. Maybe we were up there for an hour, maybe it was several. ¿Quién sabe? We were past knowing or, frankly, caring.
Dropping Anchor
Since we had lost all sense of time, we are going to guess that we had sailed for about 90 minutes before arriving at the most idyllic lagoon. A crescent of sand was capped by low forest growth, with mangrove thickets at either end. From the beach, all you could see was forest in one direction, and ocean in the other, making it seem a world away. A small shelter completed the Castaway-esque setting. If Gilligan’s Island was still in production, it could have been filmed right here.
Sea’s d Day and her water toys at anchor, waiting for guests.
But that water! Crystal clear and so inviting. Most of the cove was shallow enough for wading, but deep enough to swim, or enjoy the water toys we brought along. As soon as we were anchored, the crew emptied the toy box. Kayaks, paddleboards, and colorful floaties were strung like a lei across the lagoon. For the next few hours, this expanse of ocean was our swimming pool. And the whole time we were there, not another soul appeared.
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Water Sports!
The Captain had fishing on his mind, and invited anyone interested to accompany him. (We were assured there was a backup plan in case he didn’t catch our lunch!) Our hearts were set on paddling, though. In fact, that is the main reason we were excited for the full day excursion! Since the crew set out kayaks and paddleboards, we commandeered one of each and set off to explore the lagoon on our own. Other guests enjoyed swimming and snorkeling, or floating on the innertubes. It was a great opportunity to try a paddleboard or kayak if you never have. While the water was shallow and calm, it’s good to know the staff could leap into action if anyone got into trouble. Which may or may not have happened. To us.
A Full Day excursion with Sea’s d Day includes time to explore on a kayak or pattleboard.
Perhaps more importantly, snacks! We mentioned that Rebecca has some mean culinary skills, right? Picture this: You’re sitting in a kayak, paddling hard to work off a few days of Belikin beers and lobster ceviche. Suddenly, one of the staff walks up (we told you the water was shallow!) with a tray. Of lobster fritters. For you.
Never. Going. Home.
Back the Boat Up!
Back on the boat, our hosts had been working hard preparing lunch: delicious grilled chicken with peppers and onions, cilantro rice, black beans, jicama slaw, and handmade tortillas. An authentic Latin lunch, punctuated by a selection of homemade sauces and guacamole. Exotic mojitos and margaritas (and soft drinks for the kids) paired well with lunch.
While we enjoyed Rebecca’s amazing lunch, the crew repositioned the boat. There was nothing wrong with where we were except…shallow. This houseboat has a slide and, by golly, the kids aboard deserved a slide! (No matter that some of them were definitely retirement age.)
Having a houseboat is like having your own waterpark at sea, with a slide from the top deck!
Once the boat was anchored in deeper water, the slide was open for business. There’s something you’ll never see on a catamaran or America’s Cup vessel! And there is something about a slide that appeals to just about everyone. Especially a slide that ends with a refreshing plunge in clear, Caribbean waters. What was that we said earlier? “This is the life!”
A Farewell Snack
Again, we had no concept of time out there in the lagoon. Maybe it was an hour, maybe it was a day before most everyone was back aboard, and there were more snacks. Rebecca was at it again with delightful banana fritters and caramel sauce. These are the sort of vacation stories that make people back home think you’re making stuff up. We’re not. We have pictures!
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and it was time to leave our lovely lagoon. Slowly, Sea’s d Day made her way back home while her passengers napped or visited. All too soon, we were docked again in San Pedro Town, and bidding Rebecca, Elito and the staff farewell.
Looking Back
At first, the idea of a day on a houseboat seemed less appealing than all the options for snorkeling and sailing around Ambergris Caye. In the end, though, it’s the day we talk about most from our trip to Belize! Don’t get us wrong; we enjoyed everything we did in Belize. But nothing was as unique as our day aboard Sea’s d Day, or came as more of a surprise. Would we recommend it? You bet. Would we do it again? In a heartbeat.
We did a lot of water-based excursions in Belize, but not all of them were with SEAduced by Belize. Having seen their boats, and experienced their service, we would not think twice before booking any excursion with this family-owned business. They are that good.
Ready to Go?
Be sure to take:
- Sunscreen (Preferably an eco-friendly/Reef-Safe Sunscreen
)
- Swimsuit and towel
- Brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Flipflops / sandals are fine; there is no coral on the leeward side
- Camera – the scenery is fantastic! (Waterproof/resistant if you have one.)
- Appetite for fun and good food
)Where to Stay
Find Hotels on Ambergris Caye with Expedia.
We visited Belize in the off season, so we think our day on Sea’s d Day probably had fewer people than you should expect in the winter. In all, there were a little more than a dozen people, plus staff, on our cruise. Sea’s d Day is a 58-foot houseboat, so there is room for many more before it starts getting crowded.
Find out Why Summer Really is the Best Time to Escape to Belize
Although we went as a couple, the excursion is suitable for solo travelers (we had one on our trip) and families (had one of those, too!), and for all ages. It is a water-based activity, but you don’t have to be a swimmer. As noted, the water is shallow, and you’ll be surrounded by floating toys. Or you can stay on the boat and enjoy the pristine scenery and good company.
You can book your full day or Sunset Cruise on Sea’s d Day directly with SEAduced by Belize. Be sure to look at their other tours as well. Belize has a lot to offer, and the SEAduced crew will help you make the most of it.
Disclaimers: TravelLatte received a reduced rate courtesy of SEAduced by Belize. In no way did that influence our review. All opinions are entirely our own.
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Belize looks absolutely amazing! I’ve heard so much about it and seen stunning pictures (including yours!) now I just need to get there! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday, hope to see you again tomorrow! xo
This really does look like an epic activity! I long to see Belize and this post is definitely motivating! Hope to see you tomorrow on Fly Away Friday!
this looks like a great activity for getting on the water with kids who might not want to kayak or snorkel or swim all day. you can do a little and take breaks. really great!
Another great thing about having the room that a houseboat does is that, while the ship was underway, the kids had a lot of space to play indoors. They took full advantage of it, too! Having the space was also nice when you were ready for a break from the water, too. About the only time we saw the lounge area completely empty was when the slide was open – nobody could resist that! Thanks for your comment, Eileen!
You’re really selling me on Belize! This sounds like the perfect day out on the water. Who knew there would be a houseboat in Belize? Thanks for linking up this week, #wkendtravelinspiration!
Hi Jim – we were amazed and amused to find a tour on a houseboat. It seemed so out of place, but turned out to be such a great idea! You’re right – who knew? Well, now we all know! Thanks for commenting – we appreciate it!
The water in Belize is amazing. You found an amazing day cruise with lots to do on the water. I remember choosing to be “abandoned” on a sandy island (less than 50m diameter) there many years ago. It was empty until a local fisherman in a dugout canoe showed up at his camp.
How awesome is that? I imagine he was pretty surprised to find someone in “his spot”! We were really amazed with the water around Ambergris Caye – so clear and calm – and loved that we never found ourselves in a crowd of beach goers. (Really, the biggest crowds we encountered were at the airport.) We did love our day with SEAduced by Belize. Great people, and so much fun! Thanks for your comment, Rhonda!
This looks fabulous! I hope I get there one one. I have pinned it with that in mind.
Hi there, Turpins! We know you’ll get there one day…and we think you’ll love it when you do! From a day on a houseboat to lobsters grilling on the beach…what’s not to love? 🙂 Thanks for reading, guys!
Haha! A Houseboat! Yes! I’d believe it! in fact I’d Belize it! Sorry – your post left me feeling punny! Love that water – been too long, time to go back and this sounds like a super fun day out around the reefs! thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
We’ve been in Pun Central about Belize. 😉 It was such a fun day – we can’t wait to do it again! Thanks for reading, Erin!
Oh my goodness, this sounds so incredible. I’ve stayed on Ambergris Caye and love the idea of a day on a houseboat. That combination of great food and fabulous snorkelling sounds just up my street. Utter heaven. Thanks for making me dream of Belize on #FarawayFiles
Hi Clare – You can probably tell that we thought it was incredible, too! Lots of fun plus good snacks. What’s not to fall in love with??? Thanks for your comment!
What a gorgeous, relaxing day! I love that you had options at the lagoon to snorkel, swim, or kayak. We’d be all over those kayaks! Pinning this.
Hi there, Baguious! We were definitely all over the kayaks and the paddleboards. So many things to do, though! Even though we paddled a lot, it was so relaxing with no speed boats whizzing past every few minutes, and the sound of waves against the kayaks. Augh! We want to go back!! 😉 Thanks for your comment, guys!
This is a lovely cruise on the seas. Reminded me of a similar houseboat cruise that we had in Lake Kivu in Rwanda, East Africa, a couple of months ago.
Hi guys! It was a really fun day, and typically the kind of thing you would do on a lake. SEAduced really takes advantage of the calm shallows on the back of the island, and it makes for a great day! Thanks for reading!
I absolutely love this idea!! There are so many fabulous things about this experience; the slide (for Sy!), sunset tapas, the amazing crystal clear waters, I will do this trip when we go to Belize! Pinned, thanks for sharing #feetdotravel
For Sy…sure it is… 😉 Hi Angie! This really was a great experience, in part because it’s easily the sort of day you might enjoy as a local (if you had a houseboat!), and you’re with locals who obviously enjoy sharing their home with you. We were amazed that SEAduced is the only company doing this, and so glad they suggested it. You’d love it! Thanks for your comment!
What a great way to spend a day on the water. I’m particularly impressed by how clear the water is and had a giggle at being served kayak side with snacks. Rebecca sounds like a fabulous cook. Lobster fritters, mojitos & margaritas, yes please! It all sounds well prepared and well executed. Thanks for sharing. This is definitely going on my “must do” list.
Hi Shona – the water was SO clear! Even in areas that were deeper, it was crystal clear. And having snacks brought to your kayak? So perfect! (Granted, I did paddle up to meet him halfway. Least I could do!) You said it – Well prepared and well executed. That’s exactly it! And done with a happy, enthusiastic staff that made you feel at home. Hope you get to do it soon, and thanks for your comment.
Belize is a dream destination for me and I would love to cross it off my bucket list soon. Loved your pictures, Rob!
We hope you get to do that, too! We just can’t say enough about how great our getaway was. (More posts to come, in fact!) Lots to do, great activities, fantastic weather, and pretty budget friendly. What’s not to like? 🙂 Thanks for your comment, Agness!
I can’t get over how inviting that turquoise water looks, I wish I could hop on a plane to Belize right now for a swim day! The scary fruit shark is actually pretty adorable 🙂
Amazing, isn’t it? All around Belize, we couldn’t get over the crystalline waters. Thanks to the off-shore reef, a lot of the areas are pretty shallow, so that helps with those lighter blues and greens. The Fruit Shark was a big hit, probably second only to the slide! 🙂 Thanks for reading, Scarlett & family!
I‘d try kayaking in different places too but not yet Belize. The water is incredibly clean and transparent, and the slide is a great idea too! Love it and hopefully I can get the chance to travel there soon.
Kayaking is great around Ambergris Caye! The reef is away from shore, so between the two the water is normally very clear and calm. And around the “back” of the island, where this was, it was the same. We hope you get there soon, too! Thanks for the comment, Barry!
This looks like a lot of fun, starting with the awesome name! The water looks so clear, it looks unreal! Also I think I would be one of the adult-aged ‘kids’ taking advantage of that slide 🙂
Ha! We love a good pun, and would have booked it just because of the name! 🙂 Turns out, it was the best name ever because you really do seize the day on this tour! And yeah…all the adults were zipping down the slide. I wonder if the crew doesn’t go out sometimes just so they can play on the slide! 😉 Thanks for your comment, Bryna!
This looks like SO much fun – I did a very similar trip in Thailand and really enjoyed spending the day on a boat like this, swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing all day and enjoying some delicious food and drink! Looks like you guys had an amazing time and managed to squeeze in plenty of fun into the day! Love the slide into the water!
Hey Lexx – It’s funny how something as simple as a slide turns everyone into a kid! That’s half the fun of a day like that – no worries, no stress, and everyone encouraging you to just enjoy. We can do that! 😉 I can see how Thailand would be great for a day like that, too! Thanks for reading, Lexx.
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Wow, sounds like a great relaxed day out, and those waters look so clear!
It was one of those days that’s active but so relaxing. Having the kayaks and paddleboards out was great. We paddled all around the lagoon several times, and got some swimming in. It was a great recharge for our souls and bodies! Thanks for reading, guys!
Oh we would be all about this!! We did a catamaran day in the Dominican and remember it fondly!! That water is so gorgeous…giving me major wanderlust! #theweeklypostcard
Ha! Well, that’s kind of the idea – Inspiring wanderlust! The water was gorgeous. We did sail on a catamaran for one day in Belize, and SEAduced by Belize does have catamaran sailing on the reef side of Ambergris Caye. So the houseboat was a totally different experience, and so much fun! We hope you get to do it! Thanks for reading, Julie!
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Ok, that waterslide may be one of the coolest things I’ve seen. I think the kid inside me is dying to test it out. 😉 I loved visiting Costa Rica, and that got me thinking that I should do more traveling in Central America. Belize would be an obvious choice. It seems like a destination where you can truly relax, have fun, and maybe be “SEAduced” by the beautiful and clear water. Might be a great option for my family’s next vacation! #WeekendWanderlust
You really do need to test out that slide! The day aboard Sea’s d Day was a lot of fun, and we really enjoyed Belize in general. We need to explore more of Central America, too, but Belize is really calling us back for more. Definitely a great spot for a relaxing family getaway! Thanks for reading, Erin!
This looks like so much fun. What a great way to spend some time in San Pedro.
It really was a lot of fun! And something different – there are a lot of snorkeling and Mayan Ruins tours, but Sea’s d Day is one of a kind! Thanks for reading, Sarah!
It was certainly an advantage to do the Sea’s Day – tour during off-season. What a stunning experience!
A couple of nice things about the off season in Belize – It’s summer, but temperatures are still nice, and the seas are calmer – not that they’re really wild around most of Belize in the first place. Combined with fewer visitors, it makes for a very relaxing escape! Thanks for reading, Marcelle!
That water looks so amazing and inviting! I love that this was a family owned business with a lot of personal touches. I had never heard of getting snacks while kayaking. Wow! The menu sounds delicious too. If we we ever make it back to Belize, we are looking into this excursion. My kids would be all over that slide. What a great experience !
The slide was awesome! Then again, so was having Lobster Fritters delivered to your kayak. Everyone on the boat with us commented on how much the crew spoiled us. We will definitely be doing more with SEAduced by Belize! Thanks for reading, Mary. And I’m sure your family would love the experience if you get the chance.
What a way to spend the day in clear blue water and tasty food! Great tour company you found and one I must try on my visit to Belize. With lots of room one does not have to worry about being directly in the sun. Like the idea of going off season. I pinned this for later. Thanks for sharing! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Hi Stephanie! We did find a great tour company! Everyone was so fun and nice. It is nice having an air conditioned inside if it gets too warm, but we had fantastic weather…in the middle of July! Thanks for pinning – hope your next visit isn’t too much later! Thanks for your comment.
Oh I would be ALL over this!! Love the house boat and the clear waters! Pinned! #TheWeeklyPostcard – please check your twitter msgs
Hi Lolo – The water was so amazing, both to look at and to be in! It was really a fun day. Hope you get a chance to try it out! And thanks for the message – we’ll check on it!
I must confess I spent really long trying to figure out the name – thought it had something to do with D-Day, WWII! Am I the only idiot around here? =X Looks like an awesome day out in the some of the prettiest waters I’ve ever seen. And loved that you highlighted reef-safe sunscreen! 🙂
hehehe…we’re pig punsters, so loved the play on words. That water, though! It’s beautiful all around Ambergris Caye, but wow! When we got around the “backside” of the island, we were amazed by the colors in the water! We do think the reef-safe sunscreen is important, especially given the importance of the reef to the economy and ecology of Belize! Thanks for reading, Michelle!
Rob, I spent part of my honeymoon on Ambergris Caye, so, the place has a special place in my heart. Staying an entire day in the houseboat sounds fantastic. Really, for me any day in the water is a great day. And, it is a way better day when the water has such a beautiful turquoise color. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Hi Ruth – I knew you had been to Belize, but didn’t realize it was for your honeymoon! We did see a lot of resorts advertising wedding and honeymoon packages, and we found our share of romantic spots, too. 🙂 We agree about spending time on the water – we love it! That’s one thing we really liked about Ambergris Caye – life really involves around the water. Thanks for your comment!
Whaaa, that looks like an awesome experience. The sea is just SO blue, almost unbelievable!
#Yourweeklypostcard
Hi Esther – Awesome is a good word for it! We had so much fun – as did everyone on board. The water was really beautiful! It was interesting watching it change shades as we traveled over varying depths and different bottoms, from dark greens in the harbor, to brilliant shades of blue, turquoise, and emerald. We could watch that all day! Thanks for reading!
Such a great idea to use a houseboat and yes that water looks absolutely perfect! Do they do any overnight tours? #TheWeeklyPostcard
Hi Anisa – We’re double checking with SEAduced, but pretty sure that’s a no. Not a bad idea though, especially if we could have Rebecca’s Lobster Fritters for breakfast! 🙂 (Seriously, sooo good!) Thanks for reading!