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16°53′54″N 88°3′43″W / 16.89833°N 88.06194°W / 16.89833; -88.06194

Tobacco Caye

Tobacco Caye is a tiny island in Belize, about 10 miles (16 kilometres) east of Dangriga.

It is approximately three acres (1.2 hectares) in area, shaped like a yam, with a north-south dimension of about 240 m (260 yd) and an east-west dimension of 125 metres (137 yards). It has a permanent population of about 20, and sees a regular stream of travelers thanks to the five small lodges on the island.^[1]

Tobacco Caye lies within the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, part of Belize's national system of protected waters, with a range of restrictions on fishing.

History

The island is believed to have been named for the early cultivation of tobacco there.^[2]

The earliest known European chart to indicate Tobacco Caye was by the British geographer J. Speer in 1771.^[3]

The island was ravaged by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 but has since been rebuilt.

The island also features Tobacco Caye Marine Station,^[4] a study-abroad education centre focusing on the marine environment around Tobacco Caye. The station also gives information to tourists and runs night snorkels and educational lectures.

References

^ About.com posting Archived 2012-03-21 at the Wayback Machine
^ Stoddart, D.R. (1982). Cays of the Belize Barrier Reef and Lagoons. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution.
^ Speer, J. (1771). The West-India Pilot. London. p. 15.
^ Tobacco Caye Marine Station