I visited the South Water Caye component in December of 2023. In line with most of the reviews below, I am not a diver, not an underwater photographer, and at best an indifferent snorkeler. Plus, traveling with family members who do not necessarily care for extra efforts to visit a WHS limited me to a single option - some sort of an intraday excursion with plenty of relaxation built in.

Thankfully, in Hopkins where we stayed, resorts offer "island-hopping" expeditions that bring you to several cayes within the reef WH boundaries, including Tobacco Caye and South Water Caye. You do a bit of exploration and then spend an hour or so taking in the sun, the sea, and the tranquility at each. There was a defined snorkeling segment on the reef off South Water Caye. Overall, the expedition lasted about 7 hours, giving my family plenty of what they wanted and me just enough to consider the site as visited to the extent of my interest.

The picture is of Carrie Bow Field Station, one of the scientific outposts on the reef.