Superyacht itinerary
BELIZE BY SUPERYACHT
A seven-day charter aboard Sheergold through the Great Blue Hole and beyond
Stretching along the second-largest barrier reef system in the world, Belize offers a combination of untouched atolls, legendary dive sites and jungle-fringed coastline, all within a single week's sailing distance.
This seven-day charter aboard Sheergold traces a course through some of the country's most celebrated marine landscapes, from the postcard shores of South Water Caye and the ancient coral formations of Glover's Reef, to the otherworldly depths of the Great Blue Hole and the wild, bird-filled waters of Turneffe Atoll.
SHEERGOLD
42m | 1987/2025 | Amels
Top speed 13.5kn | 387GT
10 guests | 8 crew
Built by Amels and comprehensively refitted in 2025, 42-metre Sheergold is a proven expedition yacht with the soul of a classic and the systems of a modern explorer. Accommodating 10 guests across four cabins and run by an eight-strong crew, she pairs a steel hull and exceptional system redundancy with original Jon Bannenberg interiors, where herringboned pear wood, brass detailing and leather Chesterfields create a warm atmosphere ideal for tropical cruising. Outside, sun-warmed teak decks and shaded lounges provide the perfect spots for chilling out by the water’ edge, and a brand-new water toy collection keeps provide hours of fun at every anchorage.
SHEERGOLD
42m | 1987/2025 | Amels
Top speed 13.5kn | 387GT
10 guests | 8 crew
Built by Amels and comprehensively refitted in 2025, 42-metre Sheergold is a proven expedition yacht with the soul of a classic and the systems of a modern explorer. Accommodating 10 guests across four cabins and run by an eight-strong crew, she pairs a steel hull and exceptional system redundancy with original Jon Bannenberg interiors, where herringboned pear wood, brass detailing and leather Chesterfields create a warm atmosphere ideal for tropical cruising. Outside, sun-warmed teak decks and shaded lounges provide the perfect spots for chilling out by the water’ edge, and a brand-new water toy collection keeps provide hours of fun at every anchorage.
THE ITINERARY
Placencia and South Water Caye
The charter begins in Placencia, where Sheergold's crew welcomes guests aboard with a round of drinks and a brief introduction to the yacht and the week ahead. Captain Sam, born in Portugal with the Atlantic as his childhood backyard, has spent his career navigating some of the world's most remote and striking coastlines, and he brings that calm, seasoned leadership to every voyage aboard Sheergold.
The crew's dedication is matched by Chef Maarten, who traded a background in law for a career in the galley, training in Amsterdam before rising through restaurant kitchens in the Netherlands and Curaçao, where he served as head chef at Karakter Restaurant. His experience aboard Bagheera, Sherakhan and Legend precedes his move to Sheergold, and his cooking sets the tone for the week from the very first lunch, served on deck as the yacht gets underway for South Water Caye.
By afternoon, Sheergold arrives at South Water Caye, a cay perched directly on the Belize Barrier Reef and ringed by protected marine waters. Framed by palm trees, wooden cabanas and powder-white sand, it is often considered the quintessential image of Caribbean Belize.
The hours ashore and on the water are left open for guests to shape as they wish, whether that means snorkelling among dense shoals of reef fish, paddleboarding along the shoreline, taking out a Seabob or E-Foil, or simply settling into a hammock as the pace of the day slows. As the sun begins to set, cocktails are served on deck, followed by the first dinner of the charter, prepared by Chef Maarten and served on board.
Glovers Reef
Sheergold departs before dawn, allowing guests to wake to the sight of Glover's Reef emerging on the horizon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this privately held atoll spans nine acres of coral, sand and clear water, and carries a history that predates its 18th-century naming after a pair of pirate brothers, with Mayan pottery found along its shores testament to a far older story. More than 700 individual reef patches surround the island, alongside nearly 50 miles of sheer drop-offs, making it one of the most celebrated dive and snorkel destinations in Belize.
The morning is dedicated to the water, with the choice of a guided snorkelling excursion or a dive arranged through a professional local operator for certified guests, while those who prefer to stay closer to the surface can explore the reef by tender. After lunch, the focus shifts toward watersports or a fishing excursion with a local guide. As the afternoon fades, the crew moves ashore to set a private beach scene, complete with seating, lighting and music, where champagne and cocktails are served barefoot in the sand ahead of an elaborate barbecue dinner prepared fresh on the beach, before the tender returns everyone to Sheergold for the night.
Sheergold is a proven expedition yacht
Lighthouse Reef Atoll
Overnight, Sheergold makes the longer passage toward Lighthouse Reef, arriving by breakfast at one of the most remote stretches of the Belizean coast. Fifty miles from Belize City, this atoll encompasses six cays, a section of the eastern barrier reef and the Great Blue Hole - the sinkhole first brought to global attention by Jacques Cousteau's 1970 expedition. Beyond its most famous feature, the atoll is also known for its breeding colonies of red-footed boobies and the dramatic underwater topography of the Half Moon Caye Wall.
With the full day ashore, guests can head straight into the water for snorkelling or diving along the atoll's coral walls, before the tender sets off after lunch to explore further stretches of the reef, whether for swimming, a quiet beach stop or simply time spent on board.
The Great Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye
The morning is given over entirely to the Great Blue Hole itself, among the most recognised dive sites in the world. Certified divers can descend into its depths under the guidance of a professional local operator, while non-divers can take in the surrounding reef by tender and snorkel at the surface. For those seeking a different vantage point, a scenic flight over the Blue Hole can be arranged, weather and availability permitting, offering a striking view of its near-perfect circle of deep blue against the surrounding turquoise reef.
After lunch, Sheergold continues to Half Moon Caye, where guests can go ashore to explore the island's beach, birdlife and bird colony on foot, with an additional dive at Half Moon Wall available for certified guests. The evening is reserved for a Captain's Dinner, with Chef Maarten preparing an elaborate menu paired with wine and served against the backdrop of Lighthouse Reef.
Turneffe Atoll
An early departure brings Sheergold to Turneffe Atoll, the largest in Belize and a destination known equally for its fishing, birdwatching and diving. Fly fishers will find bonefish, tarpon, snapper, barracuda and jack among the local catch, while divers can explore sites close to the renowned Sayonara Wreck.
Where previous days have centred on open reef, today introduces a different landscape of mangroves, channels and shallow flats, explored by tender or kayak at a gentler pace, with opportunities to spot birdlife and marine species along the way. After lunch, a local fishing guide can lead an afternoon excursion to permitted fishing grounds, while those remaining aboard can swim, take out watersports equipment or relax on the sundeck. Sheergold departs overnight for the journey south.
Silk Cayes Islands
Sheergold completes its final approach to the Silk Cayes during breakfast, arriving at a cluster of small, reef-fringed islands that embody the classic image of Belize. The morning is left open for time in the water, whether snorkelling the reef, swimming from the beach, or using the paddleboards, Seabobs and E-Foils, while the afternoon is deliberately unstructured, allowing guests to read, swim or simply enjoy the sundeck as the crew sets up a floating beach club. As the light fades, the crew brings the evening ashore for a second beach dinner, beginning with sunset cocktails and champagne and followed by a barbecue, before the group returns to Sheergold as the yacht sets a course back toward Placencia.
Monkey and Placencia
The final morning offers a complete change of scenery from the week at sea. Guests board a local river boat to travel up the Monkey River with a local guide, passing through dense tropical jungle in search of monkeys and birdlife. The surrounding 16-mile peninsula also offers access to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, where rare jaguar sightings are occasionally possible and conditions permitting, a short rainforest walk can round out the excursion, a striking contrast to the reef and open water explored over the preceding days.
Following the excursion, Sheergold returns to Placencia, where a final brunch is served on board as the crew assists with luggage ahead of disembarkation.
Sheergold is available to charter through Hill Robinson from €135,000 per week
SPONSORED CONTENT CREATED FOR HILL ROBINSON
