Belize Sea Shuttle Express will be making its maiden voyage from San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye to Corozal Town on Friday, December 18th. The ferry service will include runs from Caye Caulker, but due to the pandemic, the initial trips will be only from San Pedro. The passenger boat leaves from the International Boat Terminal at Sunset Boulevard at 7AM and returns at 3PM from Corozal’s main dock. The boat will also make stops in the cozy village of Sarteneja if passengers/tourists are heading to that destination. Tickets can be purchased at the Belize Sea Shuttle Express office below Anglers Restaurant and Bar on Angel Coral Street beginning at 10AM. For additional information on the schedule, visit their Facebook Page or call 629-0738.
One way tickets are BZ$50, and when booking in advance roundtrip tickets, the price is BZ$95. Travelers can expect to be in Corozal as early as 8:30AM, giving them ample time to carry out errands during the day and return to the island by 4:30PM. This early run perfectly fits those traveling to Mexico and even for tourists who may wish to explore the beautiful fishing village of Sarteneja. Captain of the vessel dubbed ‘Fast and Furious,’ Giovanni Marin gave us a tour of the beautiful boat, which he built himself.
The modern 55-foot long vessel by 15 feet wide is very comfortable with three rows of seats along with a spacious upper deck for those wanting to enjoy the views. The boat also offers Wi-Fi services, a full-service restroom complete, with a diaper changing station for families traveling with young babies. The boat counts with a freshwater tank, which serves the bathroom sink, and a septic tank to take care of the waste.
A fast boat
Marin said the usual two-hour boat ride would be cut to one hour and a half as Fast and Furious counts with five saltwater 200-horsepower outboard engines. The boat has space for 140 passengers, but due to COVID-19 safety regulations, they will only accommodate 113 persons for the time being. The boat is also equipped with a first-aid kit and radio for communication. Also, it is well prepared to transport most types of cargos, mainly frozen goods. Any fragile merchandise that needs refrigeration will be well taken care of and delivered in good condition. Marin ensures all passengers that the boat will be well sanitized, and travelers must wear a mask while onboard.
This new Belize Sea Shuttle Express run is expected to allow islanders to travel Belize’s most northern town in a safe and faster way. Instead of traveling via Belize City or waiting until later in the day to get to Corozal, this new option will offer both visitors and island residents alike another alternative to access Belize’s northern region.
