Ambergris Caye Snorkeling Tour: Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley

Swim with nurse sharks and rays at Shark Ray Alley, then feed tarpon and hunt for seahorses before lunch on an island.

A full-day snorkeling activity from San Pedro that takes you to three reef sites (Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley and Coral Garden), where you'll encounter nurse sharks, rays, manatees, dolphins and sea turtles in their natural habitat. The day includes snorkeling equipment, a live English or French-speaking guide, lunch on Caye Caulker, fresh fruit on the boat, and rum punch or soft drinks. Children from age 4 are welcome.

The experience

Six and a half hours in the water means you hit three separate reefs in a single day. The boat leaves San Pedro in the morning and heads first to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley, where nurse sharks and rays gather in shallow water. You'll be in the middle of them, not watching from a distance. The coral garden there sits close by, so you move between the two without long gaps on the boat. Fresh fruit and drinks wait for you between sites.

Caye Caulker is the lunch stop, and it's where the pace shifts. You eat on the island itself, then have time to feed the tarpon, fish that crowd the dock, and look for seahorses and stingrays in the shallows before heading back. The island has a "go slow" reputation, so even the lunch break feels like part of the trip, not just a refuel. Water and soda travel with you all day. Rum punch is on offer too.

The guide speaks English or French and knows the reef ecology and what you're looking at. Snorkeling gear is included, so you show up with nothing but a swimsuit. The water is clear enough that spotting manatees, dolphins and sea turtles is possible, though not guaranteed. They move through the same reefs you do.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• lunch on Caye Caulker.
• fresh fruit on the boat.
• water, soft drinks and rum punch.
• live guide in English or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Rise Up Expedition Belize

Is this one for you?Small groups work well here because the three reef sites stay manageable and the Caye Caulker lunch break gives everyone a breather. The six-and-a-half-hour commitment fits a day when you want to see multiple reefs without rushing, and the moderate fitness requirement means you need to be comfortable in the water and moving between the boat and the sites, but not training-level athletic.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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 marine life will I actually see at Shark Ray Alley?

Nurse sharks and rays are the regulars at Shark Ray Alley. They gather in the shallow water where you'll be snorkeling. Manatees, dolphins and sea turtles pass through the same reefs, though sightings depend on the day and the season.

Is snorkeling gear provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included in the activity. You'll use high-quality gear provided by the operator. Just bring a swimsuit and towel.

How long do we spend actually snorkeling versus traveling between sites?

The full day is six and a half hours. The itinerary covers three reef sites (Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley and Coral Garden) with time at each one, plus the lunch stop on Caye Caulker. Travel time between sites is built into the day, though the operator does not break down the exact hours at each location.