I’m trying to remember my first trip to Secret Beach on the West Side of Ambergris Caye.  I don’t know if it’s a lack of distinct seasons or just my advancing age but my memory?  It ain’t good.

I moved to San Pedro, full time, in May of 2007 living just south of town.   To me, and for many years, north of the bridge was FAR AWAY.  A serious trip…

In 2009 and 2010, the first road to the west side of Ambergris Caye was built by a developer.  And at that time, a few people started venturing out to “Secret Beach”.  To an area on the west side called “Ambergris Bay”.

I started blogging in June of 2011.  (Without it I’d have no sense of time)  And the first blog I published about Secret Beach was in 2013.

There was one empty blue house, 2 docks and…nothing else in the spot.

And the road north was a SITUATION.

Let’s fast forward to July 2018.  Yesterday in fact.

My friend and I drove over the Secret Beach.   The road out there is in GREAT shape.  And here’s what we saw.

First a few pictures of a plant that I am STILL trying to find information on.  It’s a flowering tree…one that grafts onto other trees…

Here you can see where it attaches – almost a bulb.

I’ve tried google image match – I’ve scoured the internet.  It’s almost a red honeysuckle flower – but with no smell.  So odd that it attaches and grows from other trees.  And it’s only on the west side of the island.  Please let me know if you have any details!

We walked a bit north…

And then we headed a bit south to Blue Bayou Bar.  The view from their dock is of Cayo Rosario – the planned site for a huge development right in the middle of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

This morning I’m off to explore a way more secret beach.  I’m heading to Belize City and then to Calabash Caye in Turneffe Atoll.

I’m pretty excited.  I rarely get out to these cayes and I’ve been DYING TO!