Belize snorkeling: Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley and Caye Caulker
How to snorkel Belize's barrier reef: Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, Mexico Rocks, Caye Caulker and the south, with tours compared and when to go.
Some links are affiliate links: if you book or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.
On this page
The Belize Barrier Reef runs nearly 200 miles along the coast. Inside it, shallow, protected water makes Belize one of the best snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean, especially for big animals: nurse sharks, stingrays, turtles, eagle rays and, in the south, seasonal whale sharks.
Map of Belize snorkel spots
Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
South of Ambergris Caye
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Boat only
- Depth
- 5–30 ft
- Visibility
- 50–80 ft
- Best months
- March to June
- Facilities
- On the boat
- Fees and permits
- Reserve fee, usually extra
- What you'll see
- Coral channel, groupers, turtles, eagle rays
How to get there
Half-day trips from San Pedro (about 15 minutes) and Caye Caulker (about 45 minutes). A guide is required in the reserve.
17.863° N, 87.972° WDirections
Shark Ray Alley
Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Zone D
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Boat only
- Depth
- 6–10 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- On the boat
- Fees and permits
- Included with Hol Chan fee
- What you'll see
- Nurse sharks, southern stingrays
How to get there
Second stop on most Hol Chan trips. Nurse sharks gather around boats; they are docile but do not touch or feed them.
17.844° N, 87.986° WDirections
Almost every snorkeler in northern Belize does this trip. Boats stop first at Hol Chan's coral channel, then at Shark Ray Alley, where nurse sharks and stingrays gather around boats in shallow, sandy water.
| Tour | Leaves from | Time | Group | From | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hol Chan and Shark Ray AlleyGetYourGuide: the classic half day | San Pedro | 3 h | Small boat | $79 | Check availability |
| All Hol Chan Marine Reserve toursGetYourGuide: full-day combos | San Pedro and Caye Caulker | Varies | Varies | — | See all tours |
| Shark Ray Alley toursViator: budget options | Ambergris Caye | Varies | Varies | $80 | See all tours |
More spots near San Pedro and Caye Caulker
Mexico Rocks
North Ambergris Caye
- Level
- 1 of 5
- Entry
- Boat or long swim
- Depth
- 5–15 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Calm days
- Facilities
- None
- Fees and permits
- Marine reserve
- What you'll see
- Coral patch reef, reef fish
How to get there
Short boat ride from north Ambergris Caye resorts. Shallow and good for beginners.
18.008° N, 87.912° WDirections
Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
East of Caye Caulker
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Boat only
- Depth
- 5–30 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- March to June
- Facilities
- On the boat
- Fees and permits
- Reserve fee
- What you'll see
- Coral garden, sea turtles, manatees nearby (Swallow Caye)
How to get there
Snorkel trips leave from the Caye Caulker docks. Many full-day trips combine the reserve with Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley.
17.766° N, 87.988° WDirections
Southern Belize
Silk Cayes and Laughing Bird Caye
Off Placencia, southern Belize
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Boat only
- Depth
- 3–30 ft
- Visibility
- Often 80 ft+
- Best months
- March to June
- Facilities
- Picnic tables on the cayes
- Fees and permits
- National park fee
- What you'll see
- Turtles, nurse sharks, whale sharks March to June at Gladden Spit (by permit)
How to get there
Full-day trips from Placencia, about an hour by boat.
16.420° N, 88.070° WDirections
South Water Caye
Off Dangriga
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Shore and boat
- Depth
- 3–30 ft
- Visibility
- Excellent
- Best months
- March to June
- Facilities
- Small resorts
- Fees and permits
- Marine reserve
- What you'll see
- Reef right off the beach, rays
How to get there
Boat from Dangriga. Stay overnight to snorkel from the beach.
16.813° N, 88.083° WDirections
Southern Belize is quieter and has some of the clearest water on the reef. Whale sharks visit Gladden Spit around the full moons from about March to June; trips there are regulated and need a licensed operator.
When to go
- March to June: dry season, calm seas, best visibility.
- July to November: hurricane season; trips still run on most days.
- December to February: cooler, with occasional cold fronts that stir up the water.
Tips
- Bring cash for reserve fees, which are sometimes collected separately.
- Use a floating camera strap at Shark Ray Alley; see underwater cameras for snorkeling.
- Weaker swimmers: Hol Chan's channel can have current. Ask for a vest; see best snorkel vests.
Comparing destinations? See the best snorkeling in the Caribbean and Cozumel snorkeling, just up the coast.
