Ambergris Caye Snorkeling Tour: Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley

Nurse sharks, stingrays, tarpon and hundreds of small fish across multiple reefs in one day

A private snorkeling trip from Ambergris Caye where you choose the stops—Conch Graveyard for smaller colorful species and turtles, Shark Ray Alley for guaranteed nurse sharks and large jacks, or a mix of those with manatee spotting, tarpon feeding, and beach time. The guide speaks English or Spanish, provides all snorkeling gear, and the boat is yours alone for the full day.

The Experience

You arrive at the dock and board a private boat for the morning. The first stop is Conch Graveyard, where hundreds of smaller, colorful fish school in one area and turtles and stingrays move through regularly. From there, Shark Ray Alley is a short run—this site guarantees sightings of large nurse sharks, big jacks and snappers, and it's one of the few spots where you can watch the marine life from the boat if you prefer not to enter the water.

The day is built around what you want to do. Some travelers book all five snorkeling stops for a full reef experience. Others mix it differently: snorkel two sites, then spend time feeding tarpon and spotting seahorses near Caye Caulker, or head to the southern tip of San Pedro where the water is clear and shallow for a quiet swim. A stop at the Split—the channel between Caye Caulker's north end and the main village—offers crystal-clear water and is known for good swimming and drinks. Lunch is on you, but the boat includes bottled water, snacks (seasonal fruit, chips and others depending on the season), and all the snorkeling equipment you need. The whole outing runs seven hours.

Because it's private, the guide adjusts the pace and the stops to match your group. If someone wants to stay longer at one reef or skip a site entirely, that's your call. The guide speaks English or Spanish and knows where the marine life congregates on any given day.

What’s included

• Private boat and guide for the full day.
• all snorkeling equipment.
• bottled water and snacks including seasonal fruit and chips.
• the choice to visit Conch Graveyard, Shark Ray Alley, and other stops like manatee-spotting areas, tarpon-feeding zones, seahorse habitats, or beach time at Caye Caulker or San Pedro.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Ridge and Reef Adventures

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so the boat and guide are yours alone and you set the pace and the stops—ideal if your group wants to linger at one reef, skip a site, or mix snorkeling with other activities like manatee spotting or beach time instead of hitting all five sites in one day.

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Top questions

What marine life will I actually see at Shark Ray Alley?

Shark Ray Alley is known for large schools of nurse sharks, big jacks, snappers and other species that visit regularly—the operator guarantees sightings here, and many visitors watch from the boat rather than entering the water.

Can I choose which snorkeling stops to visit, or is the itinerary fixed?

The stops are your choice on a private tour. You can do all five snorkeling sites for a full day of reefs, or mix snorkeling with manatee spotting, tarpon feeding, seahorse hunting, or beach time at Caye Caulker or San Pedro.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included, but you can stop at Caye Caulker to eat and explore the village, or bring your own. The boat provides bottled water and snacks like seasonal fruit and chips.

How long does the trip take?

The full outing is seven hours from Ambergris Caye, which covers travel time between stops, snorkeling, and any other activities you choose.

What snorkeling gear do I need to bring?

You don't need to bring anything—the tour includes all snorkeling equipment, so you just need to show up in swimwear and bring sunscreen and a towel.

Can I see manatees on this trip?

Yes, manatee spotting is one of the options you can add to your day instead of visiting all five snorkeling sites, along with tarpon feeding and other activities.