Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye
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Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye
By Discovery Belize
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About
See everything from stingrays to nurse sharks while snorkeling through vibrant coral reefs on an excursion to two of the top snorkeling spots off of Ambergris Caye. Traveling by boat from one stop to the next maximizes your time and enables you to see more. Plus, visiting both sites increases the diversity of marine life you can spot on a single tour.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 8-99, max of 15 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English, Spanish
More
Highlights
- Snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley
- A guide and provided snorkeling equipment make the trip accessible to first-timers
- Swim with harmless nurse sharks and other sea creatures
- Hotel pickup and drop-off make the trip hassle-free
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
What's not included- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from all hotels located north of San Pedro town (you may purchase round-trip transportation upon arrival)
- Start:
- Ambergris Divers Belize, Black Coral Street, San Pedro, BelizeWe are located on the dock. GUESTS MUST BE AT THE DOCK 30 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE TIME.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 4110SPRHS- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Minimum age is 8 years
- Note: moderate level of difficulty; passengers should be in moderate physical condition to participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 4110SPRHS
From
$112.84
per adult
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
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- Lovecruising040 contributionsNot worth itThe tour was only 5 hours not 6. We were also told there would be someone waiting for us with our name on a sign but there wasn’t. It took us a while to find our guide who didn’t get the memo from some other person we were coming but luckily we got it worked out. After 20 minutes of waiting after that we were loaded into a van for a short ride to the boat. There are 4 stops on the boat tour. It was a 35-40 min ride to the first stop. First stop is a 10 min stop to order your lunch (not included in the price). There are bathrooms there. The second stop is snorkeling for 30 minutes. You can’t touch the bottom there. The third stop is the shark and ray stop in shallow water for 15 minutes. Then you go back to eat lunch. There is an outdoor shower there. The food was good there. Finally, you board the boat again to feed tarpon fish for 5 minutes. They weren’t eating much since it was mating season or something when we went. Then a 40 minute boat ride back to shore. For some reason there was no van waiting to take us back to the ship terminal. So all the groups of people on our boat (about 22 ppl) had to walk back. There were some people who struggled. It was hot and the walk was about 15 minutes so not super long but still annoying we weren’t told there wasn’t transport back. The most annoying part was how hot the boat was. You’re either in blazing sun or in an enclosed part with a 2” window and getting no air. I wouldn’t do this tour again based on how uncomfortable the boat itself was and hot. Plus we were on the boat longer than in the water.Written June 13, 2023
- K2961FNmichaelf0 contributionsTerrific experienceThis trip was beyond my expectations. Crew was professional,courteous and fun. Took care of our every needs. Made sure we were safe at all times. Worth every dollar spent and then some. Such a great relaxing day but the highlight was the snorkeling. Tuff E Nuff knows what they are doing. Would do it again Victor and crew were the best. You can’t ask for betterWritten April 2, 2023
- mingex20230 contributionsUS$40 service fee is ridiculous!The experience wasn’t as good as we expected, US$40 service fee is ridiculous, totally not justified because we did not get much service, I asked more coleslaw during lunch, the waiter said he would check with kitchen and no more response. No paddle boards and beach games provided. The island isn’t well maintained, restroom is smelly and all the Kayaks are leaking, In general, it’s an overcharged trip.Written April 2, 2023
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- N5346MKtammyw0 contributionsSwimming with rays and sharksNatalie, 2 tall, (Mr. Lyndel Pook) as well as the rest of the boat crew were very nice, polite, helpful and knowledgeable. My husband and I felt very safe and in good hand with Natalie as our guide. The excursion swimming with the rays and sharks and snorkeling on the reef was one of the very best experiences we have been on. Getting to feed and see the Tarpon was a bonus. Thank you all and we wish you all the best.Written November 6, 2022
- Kristy H0 contributionsGreat tubing experience; ziplining was icing on the cake!This was an amazing excursion. We are so glad that we did it. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and answered everyone's questions. Tubing in the caves was definitely a must experience. The excursion could have been complete with just the cave tubing; ziplining was a great bonus. make sure to bring bathing suit or clothes to get wet in. Swimming is optional but you will get wet.Written November 2, 2022
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- bradcT3984NX0 contributionsLove LamanaiTyrone and Junior were knowledgeable, personable and very professional. I highly recommend this trip and them as a tour guide.Written July 1, 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
109 reviews
Excellent
96
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Braer
Milwaukee, WI55 contributions
This snorkel tour was the perfect amount of time for a great snorkel experience. Note, for those of you who have taken snorkel tours before, this trip is on a speed boat (we had 11 passengers on ours) which enables you to see 2 great locations in a short period of time. We saw turtles, all sorts of fish, coral and the reef, and had the chance to swim with (and actually pet) sharks! Our guide Jordan (aka “Soup”) was very helpful, knowledgeable, and a lot of fun. The snorkel equipment was excellent as well. 1/2 day trip is plenty of time for this “no frills” trip (water was included). As a tip - I would leave your valuables, cameras, etc. at home (other than a go pro) - as things get wet on this boat. All you need is a towel!
Written January 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cosby2
West Yellowstone, MT43 contributions
We left Victoria House on an Ambergris Divers boat called “Shark Bait.” It was captained by “Candy Man” who was quite an entertaining comedian! There were 6 of us on this small boat but with plenty of room. Candy Man made sure our equipment fit, then guided us around this gorgeous reef. In barely 2 hours, we saw a turtle, rays, sharks and hundreds of colorful reef fish. Even saw a big fat grouper! In the rocks Candy Man pointed out an octopus, a huge lobster and a starfish. Fantastic afternoon!
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meredith M
4 contributions
We loved our tour of getting to see the reef and the many animals. Our guide was a good teacher and made us feel comfortable and safe for snorkeling for the first time. We did have to wait about a half hour before we left, so the time of arrival should be adjusted. It also seems like for an hour and half snorkeling compared to the many tours that do a full day, the price should be lowered just a bit.
Would still highly recommend! The experience was very unique and once in a lifetime adventure for us!
Would still highly recommend! The experience was very unique and once in a lifetime adventure for us!
Written July 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheri B
Mechanicsburg, PA13 contributions
Our guide was “Candyman” and he was amazing! He immediately made us feel safe with the sharks by handling them. He spent the whole time seeking the out sea life to show us and I even got to feed and pet a blue “Dory” fish. The fish in the reserve are so tame and the coral is so close to the surface it a snorkelers paradise. I would go back again and again!
Written October 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danyon S
6 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
I very much enjoyed our trip. The captain “Burger” and this crew were very kind and helpful. We stopped at a reef first to practice snorkeling before we saw the sharks. This was perfect for me as I am not experienced at snorkeling. They broke us up into smaller groups and we had our own guide as we went around. He pointed out many different types of fish and we saw a turtle. When we got on the boar they had fruit and water waiting for us to help us stay hydrated. The sharks were fantastic!! At that point I felt very comfortable in the water. I could not believe how many there were! A half day was the perfect amount of time. I felt like we saw a lot and just tired enough but not over tired to keep exploring San Pedro.
Written June 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for the review and its great to hear you had a great time.
Written June 3, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Noemie S
New York City, NY92 contributions
The tour itself was fantastic! The guides were really friendly and professional. We saw so many things: manta rays, puffer fish, sharks, rainbow fish, trumpet fish, etc. It does get a bit crowded not it's definitely worth it. Highly recommend bringing an underwater camera! I saw a few divers in the area and I wouldn't recommend it. It's so shallow here that you see all you need to when snorkeling.
The reason for 3 stars is the lack of communication and information once we bought the tickets. The meeting point on the website and ticket simply said "Ambergris Caye dock". When I clicked on it, it showed a dot in the middle of nowhere. It also said we can arrange for a pick up. No one reached out to me for this. I called multiple times and kept getting voicemail. The other numbers listed on the ticket don't work. I sent an email and as of now, still haven't heard back. If it wasn't for the persistent hotel staff I would've never gotten through to them and wouldn't have known where to meet. It was frustrating to hear that most people got picked up (they all booked through Ramon so consider doing that instead of booking through here). For anyone wondering, the correct meeting point is Amigos del mar dive shop. Please update your website with the correct information!
The reason for 3 stars is the lack of communication and information once we bought the tickets. The meeting point on the website and ticket simply said "Ambergris Caye dock". When I clicked on it, it showed a dot in the middle of nowhere. It also said we can arrange for a pick up. No one reached out to me for this. I called multiple times and kept getting voicemail. The other numbers listed on the ticket don't work. I sent an email and as of now, still haven't heard back. If it wasn't for the persistent hotel staff I would've never gotten through to them and wouldn't have known where to meet. It was frustrating to hear that most people got picked up (they all booked through Ramon so consider doing that instead of booking through here). For anyone wondering, the correct meeting point is Amigos del mar dive shop. Please update your website with the correct information!
Written February 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlleyB
Seattle, WA22 contributions
Apr 2023
Nowhere in all of our preparations for our trip to Belize did we hear about the rough snorkeling conditions of Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The reserve is not in a protected bay, but rather is out by the breakwater, with lots of currents and often rough, windy seas. There is no floating around and enjoying the scenery - it is an hour of very active swimming, following a guide the whole time, and was exhausting even with additional flotation. I wish we had known that ahead of time. That said, the guides were fantastic and there is lots of marine life (but no colorful coral - so again, make sure you have the right expectations).
Written April 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jport
Miami, FL40 contributions
Jul 2021
We had a great time snorkeling with Amigos de Mar.
Our guides were great. I have experience snorkeling but my wife does not. She was a bit nervous at first but the guides were able to help her get adjusted. I recommend using the life vest as the swimming gets tiresome.
The tour of the reef was great. The guides were explained everything and made sure that were were doing well. We got to see sharks, mantas, sting rays, barracudas and sea turtles.
We then went to the shark feeding. We stayed in the boat as the view was great from there.
Our guides were great. I have experience snorkeling but my wife does not. She was a bit nervous at first but the guides were able to help her get adjusted. I recommend using the life vest as the swimming gets tiresome.
The tour of the reef was great. The guides were explained everything and made sure that were were doing well. We got to see sharks, mantas, sting rays, barracudas and sea turtles.
We then went to the shark feeding. We stayed in the boat as the view was great from there.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for sharing this great snorkel experience!!
Written July 19, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Melissa S
Ann Arbor, MI77 contributions
Mar 2023
We visited on a snorkeling/scuba (we snorkeled but there was a gentleman scubing as well) trip lead by Choco and Top from the Portofino Resort Dive Shop. We were the first boat out in the AM and they handled all the paperwork necessary to visit. Top was the snorkeling guide and he was great. He pointed out all sorts of fish and coral and we saw a sea turtle. He was very kind and helpful when I kind of panicked b/c I forgot I could breathe through my mouth. The water is rougher than other other Caribbean snorkeling I have done; you need to be comfortable with swimming. We kind of balked at getting up so early (be at dock at 7:45) but we were so glad we did this. Make sure you bring your own towel from the hotel; they have none on board.
Written April 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole C
Brooklyn, NY45 contributions
This was truly the best snorkeling experience my friend and I have ever been on!! So much wildlife to see including nursing sharks, sea turtles, spotted rays, and all kinds of fish. Our guide was so knowledgeable and would often point to fish, bring us to the surface and explain what it is and everything about it. We have a wonderful time!
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad you enjoyed your tour, thanks for sharing.
Written November 1, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I know this has been asked before but not really answered. Is the water shallow meaning it is 4ft - 5ft?
Written March 25, 2024
Parts are shallow were you can stand and as you snorkel away from the boat, it gets deeper.
Written March 26, 2024
Hello , My family and I are trying to find a half day snorkel trip from San Pedro and are having trouble with it not starting from Caye Caulker. I noticed it says 8+ for the children age minimum. My youngest is 5 , followed by 11 and 18. Is the age a suggestion or strict requirement.
Thank you in advanced
Written August 7, 2022
Hello, I am staying at the Victoria house resort and spa, does the company pick up from this location?
Written February 1, 2021
How long is the total duration of this experience (I.e. time in the water and not including boat transportation time)?
Written January 4, 2020
About 45 minutes in the water. It was a great time! My kids loved the sharks. Our guide was the best ever! His name is Anthony, we highly recommend asking for him! He is so knowledgeable and super friendly!
Written January 4, 2020
Amberley M
Las Vegas, Nevada
Do you pick up from Cruise Ship ports on 10/16?
Written September 22, 2019
how shallow is the water? I am not a good swimmer but I would love to experience this with a life jacket on.
Written September 2, 2019
I used a life jacket and it was awesome
I saw everything with ease and the life jacket was a great safety for me so I could take my time and see everything. I swam over two sharks !! Amazing!! My kids made fun of me LOL but I truly enjoyed myself
It’s definitely over 15 feet
I would do this again in a heartbeat
Have fun!
Written September 3, 2019
My 10-year old grandson is afraid he’ll get stung by a jellyfish. How likely is this to happen?
Written July 2, 2019
We did this in October. No jellyfish. Highly recommend doing this! Tour guide Anthony is the best, ask for him!
Written January 4, 2020
You can customize the trip. Our trip was 4 hours long which I think is average.
Written July 4, 2019
O3470IYdavids
Floresville, Texas
Is it available from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
Written April 7, 2019
I'm not sure why it wouldn't be. You can check to see if its one of the shore excursions offered on RC or book direct thru this site. They have two departure times. One is 8:30am and the other is 1:30pm. The excursion is about 3.5 hours, so if that allows you to get back to your ship on time, I don't see why not.
Written June 9, 2019
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