St. Herman's Cave Tubing: Underground River & Mayan Site, Hopkins

Drift past ancient artifacts and shimmering rock formations on a jungle-lit float

St. Herman's Cave tubing is a guided float through an ancient Mayan cave on an underground river within Blue Hole National Park, starting from Hopkins with a one-hour jungle drive each way. You travel by tube past rock formations and stalactites while your guide shares the cave's history and significance. The trip ends with a swim in the Blue Hole cenote. The experience takes four hours total and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

St. Herman's Cave tubing adventure

• Drive one hour along Hummingbird Highway
• Orientation and equipment selection
• Float through St. Herman's Cave tubing
• Learn about Mayan history and cave formations
• Drive one hour back to Hopkins Village

The experience

The day starts with a one-hour drive along the Hummingbird Highway through rainforest, arriving at St. Herman's Cave with time to get fitted for your tube, helmet and headlamp. Your guide walks you through the setup, then leads you into the cave where the underground river begins. The current is gentle (you're floating, not paddling), so the focus stays on what's around you: the guide points out stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years, and shares stories of Mayan ceremonies that once took place in these chambers, with ancient artifacts still visible in the cave walls.

The tubing itself is the core of the experience. Your headlamp cuts through the darkness to show the rock formations as you drift along the water. The guide stays with you throughout, adding context and keeping an eye on the group. Because the current is mild and the cave passage is navigable for almost all ages and fitness levels, you can focus on the moment rather than on effort. The whole float takes you deeper into the cave system, moving at the pace of the water.

After you exit the cave, there's a swim in the Blue Hole: a natural cenote surrounded by forest, where the water is clear and the setting feels removed from everything else. Then the one-hour drive back to Hopkins gives you time to process what you've seen. The full outing is four hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Hopkins.
• tube, helmet and headlamp for the cave.
• bottled water.
• parking fees.
• a live English-speaking guide throughout the tubing and cave experience.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (8 to 65 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Bucket List Tours & Transfers Belize

Is this one for you?This is a guided float, not a solo paddle, so you move at the guide's pace and hear the cave's history as you drift. Choose this if you want the cave experience without navigating the water yourself or planning the logistics. The guide handles both, and the gentle current means almost anyone can do it.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I see inside St. Herman's Cave?

St. Herman's Cave holds stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years, along with visible Mayan artifacts in the cave walls. Your headlamp lights the rock formations as you float, and your guide explains the cave's role in Mayan ceremonies and its geological history.

Is the tubing difficult, or can I do it if I'm not athletic?

The tubing is gentle and suitable for all fitness levels. You float on the current rather than paddle, so the physical demand is low. The guide is with you the entire time to ensure safety and comfort.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The experience includes private transportation from Hopkins, a tube, helmet, headlamp, bottled water, and parking fees. Bring a change of clothes and a towel. The guide handles all the cave equipment.

How far is St. Herman's Cave from Hopkins, and how much time is spent driving?

St. Herman's Cave is about one hour away by car along the Hummingbird Highway. You drive an hour each way, with the cave experience and Blue Hole swim filling the middle of the four-hour outing.

Do I swim in the cave, or only in the Blue Hole?

You float and tube through the cave on the underground river. The swim happens afterward in the Blue Hole cenote, a natural pool surrounded by forest where the water is clear and calm.