Snorkeling in Hol Chan Marine Reserve from San Pedro: four stops

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/23

Duration7h 30m

GroupUp to 30

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Four snorkel stops, one full day: Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley, Coral Gardens, and the North Channel

A full-day snorkeling activity departing San Pedro at 8:30am with four separate reef stops around Caye Caulker, a guide in English or Spanish, lunch, and all snorkeling gear provided. You spend roughly an hour at Hol Chan Marine Reserve seeing fish and coral, 25 to 35 minutes at Shark Ray Alley with nurse sharks and rays, an hour at Coral Gardens, and 45 minutes at the North Channel searching for manatees. The day includes a break on Caye Caulker island itself, where you can swim at the Split and explore the village before returning to San Pedro around 4pm.

7h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day snorkeling and island exploration

Depart at 8:30am by boat
Snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Boat ride to Shark Ray Alley
Snorkel at Shark Ray Alley
Boat ride to Coral Gardens
Snorkel at Coral Gardens
Boat ride to North Channel
Snorkel and look for manatees
Boat ride to Caye Caulker
Enjoy Belizean lunch or tarpon interaction
Explore Caye Caulker and shop souvenirs
Depart for San Pedro
Arrive at San Pedro around 4pm

The Experience

The boat leaves San Pedro at 8:30am and reaches Hol Chan Marine Reserve after a 15-minute ride. You spend the first hour in the water here, snorkeling among fish species, coral formations, turtles and moray eels. A 10-minute boat ride takes you to Shark Ray Alley, where nurse sharks and rays move through shallow water — you'll have 25 to 35 minutes to watch them and photograph. The third stop, Coral Gardens, is another 10 minutes away and gets a full hour of snorkeling time. Each of these three stops is a separate reef system with its own marine life, so the day builds as you move between them.

After Coral Gardens, a 10-minute ride brings you to the North Channel, the longest snorkel of the day at roughly 45 minutes. This is where the activity shifts: you're actively looking for manatees in addition to snorkeling the reef. Once you're back on the boat, a 15-minute ride takes you to Caye Caulker island itself. Around 1:30pm, you break for a warm Belizean lunch (included), and then you have time to swim at the Split — a narrow channel between two parts of the island — or walk through the fishing village to buy souvenirs. The operator consults with guests about whether to add a tarpon interaction during this island time, depending on what the group wants. You depart Caye Caulker at 3pm and arrive back in San Pedro by 4pm.

All snorkeling equipment is provided, along with fruits, sodas and bottled water throughout the day. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and children from age 6 are welcome. The activity is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular conditions that would be strained by water time and boat movement.

What’s included

All snorkeling equipment.
a guide in English or Spanish.
lunch (a warm Belizean meal).
fruits, sodas and bottled water throughout the day.
all marine reserve fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Ridge and Reef Adventures

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you choose the language that works for you — children from age 6 can join, making this a full-day activity the whole family can do together without splitting up or hiring separate guides.