My brother came home from Belize and exclaimed that his trip to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve was the best snorkelling he has ever done! So of course I was quite curious when it was my time to experience the world’s second-largest barrier reef system. Not only did we see a baby turtle but I got to see nurse sharks and sting rays up close which was such a surreal experience! So let me tell you why my snorkelling tour with Island Dream Tours from San Pedro to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Shark Ray Alley and Caye Caulker was one of my highlights from my Belize trip!
Hol Chan Marine Reserve: a snorkeling tour from San Pedro in Belize
After spending a week in Belize, exploring everything from the jungle to the coast. It is still the snorkelling tour from San Pedro to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve which was the main highlight of the trip! Spending time onboard a boat is something I enjoy anyways and having the opportunity to combine it with snorkelling, sightseeing and good food and drink certainly makes for a fantastic experience. The team from the Belize Island Dream Tours made the whole trip so safe and enjoyable for everyone as well.
If I could only recommend one experience for your trip to Belize, it would be this one!
What wildlife can you see at the reserve?
During my time at the reserve we saw a variety of fish, like parrot fish, barracuda, snappers and blue tang. In addition, we also saw turtles, nurse sharks, sting rays and moray eels. So many things to look at and discover – and quite a few are fairly camouflaged until you spot them.
How much is the entrance fee to the reserve?
The entrance fee for the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is $15 USD or $30 BZD. However if you book a snorkelling tour, the fee can be included in your rate. We got little wristbands as proof that we had paid entry to be in the reserve which we wore whilst snorkelling.
at Shark Ray Alley
Is snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve ethical?
Generally snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley is considered ethical as the funds from the entrance fees directly fund protection of the barrier reef from illegal fishing and poaching and the local communities in Belize can make money through sustainable tourism rather than overfishing. The tour guides are very good at enforcing a strict rule of leaving no trace where visitors can’t touch any corals or animals, bring anything home such as shells and not leave anything behind such as trash. If you go for a snorkelling tour by San Pedro, my recommendation is to book a company which does not allow visitors to touch any animals or corals. This disturbs the wildlife and can be harmful to them.
The Shark Ray Alley is where fishermen historically cleaned their fish. Which is why it became popular amongst the nurse sharks and stingrays for an easy meal. The animals started to associate boats with food which is still the case as tour boat tours do feed them now that the fishermen no longer come to clean their fish, much to the delight of visitors. However it is of course still human interference with their wild behaviour.
Personally I did not think the tour felt like exploitation of the animals as the crew were so professional and really made sure to make a strong point of guests not interfering with the reef or its inhabitants. I would much rather see this sort of organised responsible tourism which supports local businesses and keeps tourists within the boundaries and regulations of the reserve rather than people renting their own boats, doing their own thing and chasing sharks or turtles for photos which I think would be much more harmful to both the environment and the animals.
Snorkelling trip with Island Dream Tours
Our tour was booked with Island Dream Tours who depart and return to San Pedro on the Ambergris Caye of Belize. The tour starts at the dock in San Pedro with an introduction of the onboard team. As well as the facilities onboard before departing to the first stop which is snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Onboard the boat we did not wear any shoes. However at the stop by Caye Caulker, the crew put our shoes on the pier so we could easily put them on for exploring the island. On the way they serve fresh fruit and the bar is open (and included) throughout the whole experience. They also served delicious chicken wings which was a perfect contrast to the refreshing watermelon.
Before getting in the water, the crew takes you through the health and safety. As well as the rules for the reserve. They are very clear in that visitors are not allowed to touch anything, take anything home or leave anything in the reserve. Throughout the experience I really felt both safe but also happy to see the care that the guides have for the area and wildlife. We borrowed both dive masks and snorkels as well as life vests for those who needed it. We also had a guide to showed us around in the reserve so we never snorkled on our own and he pointed out things of interest. I never would’ve seen a moray eel or nurse shark if he hadn’t pointed them out. Almost as soon as we got in to the water we were really lucky and saw a baby turtle!
Swimming with nurse sharks
Once we were back on the boat we held on to our diving masks as we needed them at our next stop. Which was Shark Ray Alley, well known area in Belize for seeing nurse sharks and sting rays. This area of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is where the fisherman historically used to clean their fish. Which became very popular with the local wildlife as it was a very easy meal for them. Nowadays the fishermen aren’t allowed in the reserve anymore. However the animals still flock around the boats that visit as they know they will deliver food for them still.
The crew recommended getting in the water as soon as possible to see the sharks as they immidiately get up to the boat. For safety we stayed behind our guide on a safe distance. Which actually was a little difficult as the current kept sweeping us toward them. At one point two sharks swam right underneath me. Although I know they are not dangerous to humans unprovoked, it still felt a little scary. Definitely a little dose of adrenaline!
Back on the boat we enjoyed a lunch on board on our way to Caye Caulker. It was a delicious stew with rice and I definitely went up for seconds as it was so tasty. I’ve written more about Caye Caulker below as it deserved its own section.
Following our visit to Caye Caulker, we set course back home to San Pedro. On our way back we watched the sunset and had a little dance party as the crew played the best cliché millenial playlist. Before it was time to say goodbye to the Island Dream Tour team and head back to our hotel for the last night in Belize.
Caye Caulker
During the trip we stopped for some sightseeing by Caye Caulker, a popular island near San Pedro and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. I definitely would have needed several more hours to explore the island properly. But it was great to get even some time to explore. We spent our time seeing the sting rays that are right by the beach outside the Caye Caulker hotel Iguana Reef Inn. Another exciting experience was seeing the Giant Tarpon fish being fed at the nearby pier as they jump out of the water to get the fish. Quite scary as they are very big and the ones we saw were just babies. They can get over 8 feet long!
I did not have enough time to explore ‘The Split’ where the island has been divided. Or try the famous bright green Lizard Juice cocktail… Something for next time!
FAQ – Hol Chan Marine Reserve
It is possible to see a variety of fish like snappers, parrotfish, barracuda as well as sting rays, turtles, nurse sharks and moray eels.
Yes, it is part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef System. It is the second-largest coral reef system in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected marine park off the coast of Belize, near San Pedro, which is renowned for excellent snorkelling and diving tours.
There are a variety of shark species in Belize’s waters, but primarily nurse sharks and reef sharks. Shark attacks are very rare in Belize and snorkelling is considered safe as long as visitors do not provoke or touch any wildlife and listen to their tour guides.
The Shark Ray Alley is an excellent spot to snorkel near nurse sharks in Belize.
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Belize?
- Travel Guide to Belize: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
- Where to stay in Belize: From Jungle Lodges to Caribbean Villas
- 7 top things to see and do in Belize: from climbing Maya temples to snorkeling with nurse sharks
- The Lodge at Chaa Creek: Sleeping in the Belizean Jungle
- Victoria House in Belize: A Taste of Old-World Caribbean Luxury
- Seiri del Mar: Where the Caribbean Sea Meets the Maya Mountains
- Xunantunich Maya Site in Belize: An Ancient City in the Belizean Jungle
- Great Blue Hole Fly Over: Belize’s Most Extraordinary Natural Wonder
Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
