Gales Point seeks more tourists
It’s a village that sits on a thin ribbon of land in the middle of a shimmering lagoon. The serene waters are home to an abundance of game fish, not to mention the amazing manatee. But despite its beauty, few Belizeans know it. Hopefully, that situation will change.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Gales Point is described as the natural place to be. Life is quiet in this Creole village and there is hardly any traffic on the single road, which runs through the middle of the peninsula, which juts out like a narrow finger into the placid waters of southern lagoon. Located about twenty-five miles south of Belize City, Gales Point is surrounded by exotic wildlife, vegetation and other attractions. However, despite all the area has to offer, the village has grown little throughout the years. Many villagers have either migrated to the United States or taken jobs in the city or more popular tourist destinations. Those who have remained in the village either farm or fish to make a living.
Randolph Andrewin, Resident
“I could see where business can pick up here, but it’s just a matter to organize and get it started. Once it gets started, I think that will show as a way that things can pick up.”
The villagers agree that there is a lot of work to do before Gales Point will develop. They say they want to see tourism grow in the area and have been involved in a number of activities to try and attract people to the area. In 1999, Randolph Andrewin opened Sugar Shack.
Randolph Andrewin
“Actually the reason why we did it was because of the cruise ships that were coming in to Belize last year. We were trying to get some people to come here at least from off the cruise ships, but it didn’t work out.”
However, some tourists have been stopping by Methos Coconut Campgrounds. The site is owned by Andrewin and his family, who also operate a Maroon Creole Drum School, where classes are given to anyone interested in learning how to beat drums.
John Kaditis is a paramedic, who has spent much of his time travelling the world. Six weeks ago he landed in Belize and has been staying at Methos Camping Grounds.
John Kaditis, Tourist
“I needed sometime for me, some adventure, some beauty, some culture and all of those things. I kind of look at the maps and Belize sounded good, no itinerary, no pre-plans.”
The villagers do try to make visitors to Gales Point feel very welcome. The Talla Walla Band plays rhythms of the village including the Sambai. Emmeth Young, a drummer and singer, says he wants to see his village grow into a perfect tourist destination.
Emmeth Young, Resident
“Right here at Methos Camp Ground, you can do camping, we have a farming tour that you can go to the farm and learn to plant traditional food, you can take drum classes, you can do drum making workshops. If you want to go on a boat tour, they have people in the village that give you boat tours, you can go to the caves, you can go and see the manatees, you can do bird watching, you can go to the jungle and do jungle hikes, they have river rafting, canoe.”
Wayne Garnett paints to make money. Although Garnett says business has not been bad for him, generally things are slow in Gales Point. Garnett believes this is because the place has not been properly advertised.
Wayne Garnett, Resident
“I think publicity is one of the main factors and the people they have to work together a little bit more. For example this is one of the oldest village and it’s one of the most underdeveloped, so I think the people they should get together and start doing something.”
One person who is trying to bring income to Gales Point is Charles Usher. Although not a resident of the village, Usher spent a lot of his younger days there. Six months ago he purchased a forty-three foot vessel and recently started a weekly water taxi service to Gales Point.
Charles Usher, Captain, Big Dipper
“I?ve been looking at the tourism industry for a long time, now attending a lot of their meetings and I believe the tourism industry is growing.”
The boat ride is about an hour and takes you along the Caribbean coastline and then into the Bar River, which connects the sea to the lagoon. The river is famous for sport fishing and the world’s top anglers can be found casting for snook and tarpon. Usher agrees that Gales Point is an attractive location where both locals and foreign tourists can have fun.
Charles Usher
“I spotted a need to join Belize City to the south, an alternative route to the buses, and Gales Point being close to the point to take a chance on such a close run and it could be, in my opinion, a good destination and also a hub for the south.”
The Big Dipper departs from the Radisson Pier every Friday at 9:30 in the morning and returns from Gales Point at 3:30 in the evening. The vessel docks at the only one major hotel on the peninsula, the Manatee Lodge. However other small accommodations are available in Gales Point. Gentle’s Cool Spot is a family owned business that includes a restaurant and has sleeping quarters for only twenty dollars a night. We also came upon some villagers busy constructing a hotel, which is scheduled to open in January. In the meantime, the good people of Gales Point invite you to come by and spend sometime.
Gales Point is also accessible by skiff through a system of canals and lagoons, as well as by land via the coastal road.
