Toledo District is the gateway to the southern hool of the Belize barrier Reef, a swoosh of tiny cayes and coral that are the least visited of any of Belize’s Caribbean islands. There are some 138 islands off the southern coast, although only a handful are actually made of sand and palm trees.

The Port of Honduras Marine Reserve (PHMR) is the largest protected area in the country, spanning 160 square miles of ocean in southern Belize.

The Snake Cayes and a few other gorgeous islands accessible to travelers with the time and means. There is a week-long raging party on Hunting Caye at Easter time, and you’ll find camping and simple accommodations on Lime Caye.

The Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve is one of the seven wonders of the Belize bBarrier Reef Reserve System, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1966. The reserve covers 80 square miles and is co-managed by the Fisheries Department and the Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism and Empowerment (TASTE, 53 Main St., Punta Gorda Town, tel. 501/672-0191), a nonprofit organization that focuses on using the reserve to educate local youths about their environment.

Contact the office in Punta Gorda to find out about volunteering or possible tourism-related projects centered around these stunning islands.