Gales Point

Belize District, Belize

---

Gales Point, located in the Belize District, is a small coastal village situated on a narrow peninsula extending into the Southern Lagoon, a manatee reserve with brackish water connected to the Caribbean Sea.

The village has deep African roots and was historically formed by maroon communities escaped enslaved people who settled there in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The area is rich in biodiversity, known for its wildlife sanctuary protecting the endangered West Indian manatee and important nesting beaches for hawksbill, green, and loggerhead sea turtles.

The Gales Point Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses lagoons, mangroves, creeks, and mudflats, providing habitat for diverse species including river turtles, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species. Despite a declining population and economic challenges, the community retains strong cultural traditions tied to fishing, farming, and conservation efforts, making it a unique and ecologically significant area in Belize.