Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Snorkeling in Belize City

Hol Chan's coral formations and reef fish, then an hour watching nurse sharks and stingrays at Shark Ray Alley

Snorkel two protected marine sites near Belize City with a guide who helps you spot reef life and explains how to observe animals responsibly. You spend roughly 90 minutes at Hol Chan Marine Reserve exploring coral and fish, then 90 minutes at Shark Ray Alley watching nurse sharks and southern stingrays from a safe distance. Groups stay under 25 travelers. Bottled water and facility fees are included. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hol Chan Marine Reserve1h 30m · entry included
2. Shark Ray Alley1h 30m · entry included

Snorkel Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley

• Attend snorkeling safety briefing
• Check snorkeling equipment
• Explore Hol Chan Marine Reserve
• Snorkel at Shark Ray Alley

The experience

Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected area where the guide walks you through a safety briefing and equipment check before you enter the water. You'll spend about an hour and a half observing coral formations and reef fish while following reserve rules: maintaining safe distance from animals and avoiding contact with coral. The guide points out what to look for and explains the ecosystem as you move through the site. Sea conditions and visibility shape what you see and where the group goes on any given day.

Shark Ray Alley is the second half of the snorkel. You'll spend another 90 minutes in the water watching nurse sharks and southern stingrays move through the shallows. The guide instructs when to enter and exit the water and enforces the rule against touching or chasing animals. Both sites operate under marine reserve safety protocols, and the guide ensures the group follows them throughout. The full experience runs about 3 hours from start to finish.

This is a shared snorkel with up to 25 travelers per group. Bottled water, landing fees, and the fuel surcharge are included. You'll need to arrange your own lunch if the timing matters to your day. The guide is live and speaks English or Spanish. You should be comfortable in open water and prepared for weather changes: sea conditions can shift the route or the exact sites visited on any given departure.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• landing and facility fees.
• fuel surcharge.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Private Belize Adventure

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that fits your comfort level. Groups stay under 25 travelers, which keeps the pace manageable for mixed swimming abilities as long as you're comfortable in open water.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years). Children under 5 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's the difference between Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley?

Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected coral and reef-fish habitat where you observe the ecosystem and its formations over roughly 90 minutes. Shark Ray Alley is a separate site where nurse sharks and southern stingrays congregate in shallow water, and you watch them from a respectful distance for another 90 minutes. Both are guided snorkels under marine reserve rules.

What happens if sea conditions change on the day I book?

Sightings, visibility, and the exact route depend on sea conditions. The guide may adjust where the group snorkels or how long you spend at each site based on weather and water conditions on the day of your departure.

Is lunch provided?

Lunch is not included. Bottled water is provided, along with landing fees and the fuel surcharge, but you'll need to arrange or bring your own food if you want to eat during the outing.

What should I know about the sharks and stingrays at Shark Ray Alley?

You'll observe nurse sharks and southern stingrays from a safe distance in shallow water. The guide instructs you to enter and exit the water only when told, and touching or chasing animals is not permitted. These are wild animals in their natural habitat, and the rules exist to keep both you and them safe.