Shark Ray Alley, Ambergris Caye: Address, Phone Number, Shark Ray Alley Reviews: 4.5/5
Shark Ray Alley
Shark Ray Alley
4.5
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The area
Best nearby
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,204 reviews
Excellent
915
Very good
203
Average
58
Poor
9
Terrible
19
LA S
South Lake Tahoe, CA128 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Amazing experience to swim with these gentle sharks. The swimming with the sharks itself is very short lived. The sharks have come to know the sound of the boats engines. When the boats arrive they know that they will be fed. Once the engine is turned off the sharks will head on to the next boat. However, the reef where the sharks and rays are hold a wonderful habit filled with other beautiful sea creatures. Make sure you have a great guide that will take you around and show you other points of interest at the alley.
Written May 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lance6270
Wylie, TX154 contributions
Nov 2021
So we were told the history of the Hol Chan and shark ray alley on our way out there for our tour with Scuba School and Family dive center. They also told us to expect the sharks to come to the boat as soon as we get near there due to the sound of the engines and sure enough as you can tell in the pictures they come to the boat. Had a great time and highly recommend this just for the experience.
Written November 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Matthew A
Hartford, NY311 contributions
Feb 2022
This was the snorkel adventure I was looking for. The sharks are somewhat big but not dangerous at all but man there are a ton of them in the water with you. It was exhilarating. Our guide Juliouz from Ambergris Divers was awesome. Along with the sharks was a beautiful turtle chomping on some sea grass. What an awesome experience.
Written March 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Allison P
7 contributions
Nov 2021
This tour is detrimental to wildlife. There are tons of tour boats all chumming the waters so that sharks come. I couldn't believe this was legal in a "protected" marine reserve. By chumming the waters humans are changing the sharks natural behavior and making them reliant on humans for food. Per my tour guide there is no limits on boats or amount of food you can feed them.
You jump in the water and snorkel around for 5-20 minutes depending on how many people in your boat . Snorkeling in the Hol Chan reserve was much much better. Many companies rope the two tours together but Shark Ray Alley really isn't worth it and we wish we didn't do it.
You jump in the water and snorkel around for 5-20 minutes depending on how many people in your boat . Snorkeling in the Hol Chan reserve was much much better. Many companies rope the two tours together but Shark Ray Alley really isn't worth it and we wish we didn't do it.
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Traci S
Badger, IA48 contributions
Dec 2021
We visited with our our family of 9, including 2 small children and a special needs teen. By the time I got in the water most of the sharks had dispersed. Was a thrill to see them, tho sadly it was by feeding them and I realized too late that we had contributed to a negative tourist trap. Once the group had dispersed we were able to snorkel in a relaxed manner with the few sharks that remained at the bottom. We only saw one ray sadly. Wouldn't go again, but our Grandkids will remember it always.
Written February 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Pernille K
Sindal, Denmark108 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
It is absolutely worth it. Whau a lot of wildlife at one feeding spot. We were surrounded by rays, sharks with the size of a welgrown man, lots of fish and to our surprise a sea turtle swam by👏
Jump in and enjoy😊
Jump in and enjoy😊
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Llamma2
Rockford, IL389 contributions
May 2021
This was the second stop after our tour of the Hol Chan Marine. My sister went in and said it was great. I decided not too but this was still fun to see from the boat. The sharks were falling all over themselves to get to the food. They were close enough to me I could see yellow pupils in their eyes. My sister said there were other fish she saw as well as the sharks, although there were the main attraction. We did the Tuff E Nuff tour and the guides, Pepper, Ernst and Buddha were funny and made sure everyone had plenty of water and pop, and we got in and out of the boat safely.
Written May 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Alexa H
35 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Such a cool experience! I’ve never swam with sharks before, well on purpose! Only seen a few here and there while diving. Never actually decided to take the plunge into the water with multiple sharks! But I’m glad I did, as it was amazing. Don’t be scared! It was such an awesome experience! The pictures don’t do it justice, there were at least 20 sharks around us.
Written October 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cody L
39 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
These animals are amazing and curious. The sharks and rays come right up to you. It's indescribable the feeling you get when you are so close to these beautiful creatures. Please be responsible and spread your love for these animals. Pick up a piece of trash or speak up to protect this place.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Todd F
119 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Little nervous but so cool to see. The little fish just follow you around. If you get a chance to go early, before 8 an, do it. Ask the tour company if they can head out before the rush. SUYA tours on the south side of island are so nice. And will go out when you want. We were the first tour out and were there a solid hour before the next boat got there. All the sharks and fish to our selves. Tons of Rays and barracuda too. Worth the time. Must see
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Francis Z
Dallas, TX1 contribution
We will be staying in San Pedro and are interested in doing a trip that includes Shark- Ray Ally, Hol Chan, and lunch/drinks on Caye Caulker. Is that a common trip type?
Any suggestions on a charter from Caye Caulker to Shark Alley?
TIA!
jill b
Lafayette, LA17 contributions
I traveled from Ambergris Caye and used Amigos del Mar out of San Pedro, so I'm not sure who runs out of Caye Caulker.
Where is Shark Ray Alley
jill b
Lafayette, LA17 contributions
It is off the coast of Ambergris Caye, not too far from the marina in town.
Marine B
Tours, France11 contributions
bonjour,
Avec quel agence avez vous fait le tour? car vous semblez etre l'un des seuls où les requins n'ont pas été nourris.
merci :)
JThomasRN1080
Battle Ground, WA34 contributions
How long of a boat ride is it from the cruise port to Shark Ray Alley? I ask because I am super prone to chumming the waters :-)
Deirdre
Phoenix, AZ105 contributions
It depends on the currents. The weather the day we went out was extremely windy with choppy waters. It took around 30 minutes.
diveray
Long Island, NY175 contributions
How did you connect with “Star kissed?”
Were you able to prearrange it prior to your arrival?
Larry R
Kansas City, MO76 contributions
We did it through wite sands. The allowed and accomodated dour two scuba divers and two weenie snorkelers in one boat trip. As it turned out, we snorklers saw much more at hol chan then we met up at shark alley.
This really is something you dont want to miss. Use any place that has small ratio passengers to employee. We had a group of 6 with one tour guide and Id say that should be max. If you get more (as we saw boats packed full) there will be many people left in the dark as he waves and changes happen so fast you want to be close to your guide or you will miss out.
White sands was really good.
Jaima N
96 contributions
Is the only way to visit Shark Ray Alley by going with a tour?
Britethorn
Chicago's North Shore, IL206 contributions
It's not very far out, so you could probably get out there with a rented boat (I don't actually know of anyone renting boats on the Caye). But since its a national park, you need to pay a fee to enter the area. There are park rangers watching over the area, so you're probably best off going with a local guide.
BekahH
Poplar Bluff, MO101 contributions
How deep is the water where you get in with the sharks? I’m short and 5 foot is over my head sometimes. I can swim, but tend to freak out a little when I can’t touch the bottom.
529millyw
Kings Park, NY42 contributions
You’re in deep water but the guide we had, had a life ring that you could hold onto. It allowed you to snorkel a little but have the security of the life ring near you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shark Ray Alley
- We recommend booking Shark Ray Alley tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 9 Shark Ray Alley tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Shark Ray Alley:
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye (From $107.34)
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley Snorkeling Tour (From $90.00)
- All inclusive Snorkeling at Hol Chan (From $105.50)
- Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour (From $92.00)
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel and Caye Caulker Tour 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat (From $130.00)
- Hotels near Shark Ray Alley:
- (3.18 mi) Pelican Reef Villas Resort
- (3.32 mi) Lighthouse Beach Villas
- (4.72 mi) Xanadu Island Resort
- (4.08 mi) Victoria House Resort & Spa
- (1.37 mi) Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection
- Restaurants near Shark Ray Alley:
- (3.99 mi) Taco Shack
- (4.27 mi) Hidden Treasure Restaurant
- (3.39 mi) Black Orchid Restaurant
- (5.61 mi) The French Touch
- (5.53 mi) The Mesa Bistro San Pedro