Ambergris Caye & Rising Sea Levels
Rising Sea Levels, Ambergris Caye
Regarding sea levels and the climate impact on property in Belize. Ambergris Caye is an island, so I understand the concern. That being said, our proximity to the equator and the reef just off our east coast has resulted in maybe a 1-foot tidal variance. It is important to note that the further you are from the equator, the more the moon’s gravitational pull affects the rising tide and rising sea levels.
Belize’s proximity to the equator results in a minimal change in the tidal variance. However, this is still an essential factor when purchasing a property and a concern for any waterside destination. Many factors make Ambergris Caye, a Caribbean island, less susceptible to sea-level changes.
Geology of the Island and Bedrock
The biggest concern with rising sea levels is how they will impact land erosion. Bedrock, which moves like hills below the surface, means different lots/properties have different elevations.
One important thing to note is how sturdy the earth is; most of the island (Secret Beach and Mahogany Bay) has bedrock near the surface. The strong foundation of hard ground makes land erosion more difficult.
The elevation ranges from 13 feet to 24 feet above sea level. The hard ground makes land erosion more difficult and takes centuries.
Unlike Miami and areas of Florida that have softer ground or islands made of Volcanic rock (which is also soft), Ambergris Caye has hard bedrock, which limits the level of land erosion. If you compare different regional destinations, and rising sea levels are a concern, you are well situated when looking at a destination like Ambergris Caye.
Mangroves on Ambergris Caye
It is also important to note the role the mangroves on the island play in land retention. The mangroves are the most natural protection from land erosion. They are also key in maintaining sea levels and preventing island erosion.
There is a reason why Belize’s environmental policy is so focused on protecting mangroves. The mangroves on the island are a natural land protection. Like any coastal destination, rising sea levels are a concern, though the rise of the tide is more drastic the further you are from the equator.
Mangrove forests have been proven to be effective in promoting surface wave attenuation. The wave reduction for areas with mangroves is about two times larger than for areas without mangroves.
Geographical Location
That being said, Ambergris Caye is ideally situated to minimize the severity and damage from large storms and rising sea levels. Ambergris Caye is not in the strike zone where large storms make landfall. In the past eight years, we have had only a single category one storm. There are also two types of damage with a hurricane: wind damage (which proper construction can minimize the severity of) and storm surge.
Storm surge is the cause of the high level of destruction you see when a hurricane runs through. To have a storm surge, a storm needs a long, shallow plane of water, bringing the storm from the deep sea to a shoreline. The storm can grow and become larger if the depth is gradual over a long span. Ambergris Caye is fortunate because 400 yards from our coast is the Belize Barrier Reef, which acts as a wall, and beyond that, some of the deepest water in the Caribbean.
Construction Amberrgis Caye
Ambergris Caye has a combination of wood and concrete structures. Wood homes can incorporate hurricane straps and are constructed to withstand winds of 110 to 130 miles per hour, equivalent to a Category 3 or 4 storm. Concrete homes are fortresses and likely can withstand much more.
It is also important to note that the homes in the area are built with concrete pilings drilled into bedrock, and all structures are at least 4 feet above the highest-ever tidal variance. These factors ensure a home’s durability and longevity.
Homes Built on Stilts
Many homes are built on stilts, and most assume this is in case of flooding or rising sea levels, when it has little to nothing to do with it. The reason homes are built on stilts is actually to reduce energy consumption (especially when you are off-grid). When building an off-grid home, they raise the property to get a natural breeze, which reduces how much solar power is needed to cool the house.
Homes on the ground heat up with the earth and lack breeze, which means more energy is required to cool the house. Building the house on stilts requires less solar power to power the AC. Less energy/solar power is needed for air conditioning when a home is on stilts.
Another reason people build on stilts is to maximize the area of the lot/property. Off-grid homes require solar batteries, generators, septic systems, cisterns, and water tanks. When you build the house on stilts, you can put all of these beneath the home, hiding it while giving the property owner more land. Storing everything, including septic, water tanks, and solar batteries below, so they have more surface area on the property.
Mangroves Play an Important Role
Mangroves are the most natural protection against land erosion. They are also a key element in maintaining sea levels and preventing land erosion in coastal areas in Belize (like Ambergris Caye). Like any coastal destination, rising sea levels are a concern, though the rise of tides is more drastic the further you are from the equator.
Future Confidence of Ambergris Caye
Belize is at a tipping point. As Wayne Gretzky famously said, “I skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.” Over the last few years, Hilton, Marriott, Margaritaville, Four Seasons, and Six Senses have started projects here on Ambergris Caye. There is a reason these brands choose the locations they do. Their due diligence team is much more thorough than you or I could ever be. They have done far more research into the short-term and long-term impacts on the island and are investing hundreds of millions into development and infrastructure.
For more information on Belize real estate and buying property on Ambergris Caye, contact us!
