Heading south from there is the Image Factory Art Foundation , showcasing work by Belizean artists, and before the tip of the peninsula is the Belize Audubon Society , a good source of info on national parks and wildlife reserves throughout the country. North Front St, on the north bank of Haulover Creek, has a good selection of budget accommodations. The luxury hotels are located at the end of the north shore peninsula. The two most popular with travelers are Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. Actually, Caulker is two islands now since Hurricane Hattie split it just north of the village in 1961.
Mangroves cover much of the shore and coconut palms provide shade.
The reef is just a short boat ride from the eastern shore and offers some of the world's most exciting diving, snorkeling and fishing. Don't swim out to the reef from the beach unless you want to gamble on a 50-50 chance of being decapitated by boat propellers. Like Caulker, it has an engaging laid-back atmosphere, though holiday condominiums are beginning to appear. There are a host of excursions offered to diving and snorkeling spots and to other cayes in the region, including to Blue Hole , Half Moon Caye and Turneffe Islands , the only three coral atolls in the western hemisphere. The 90-minute boat trip up the New River from Orange Walk to reach the site is an adventure in itself.