Snorkel Hol Chan and Stingray Alley

Snorkel Hol Chan and Stingray Alley

Snorkeling at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a sure-fire way to experience Belize’s diversity of marine life up-close. Animals at Hol Chan are used to getting fed by people on boats, so they’re relatively bold around snorkelers. This spot gets a lot of marine traffic, and every minute you spend underwater you’ll get to see something new.

Featured in:Boat Tours, Marine Wildlife, Snorkeling, Hol Chan
Duration:
4 hrs
Available Days:
Every day
Schedule:
9:00 AM
Hotel Transport Included
Mobile Ticket Included
Offered in English, Spanish

“Hol Chan” is a Mayan phrase meaning “Little Alley.” This little alley is an open channel in the Belize Barrier Reef. As you snorkel around these 3 square miles (7.7 km) of water, you’ll swim past large walls made entirely out of coral. Large populations of nurse sharks and stingrays live in this part of the reef, and you might also see octopi, eels, and sea turtles.

Located off the coast of Ambergris Caye, this marine reserve has clear, aquamarine water that makes for easy viewing. The tropical temperatures also make Hol Chan an especially attractive location for snorkeling.

Attraction Visited

Hol Chan

The quick ride out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve makes this the most popular half-day tour for visitors staying at Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Set aside in 1987, this reserve covers an area of 3 square miles (7.8 sq km) and is found off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. As a result, this area of the Belize Barrier Reef supports healthy populations of fish and colorful coral. Turtles, nurse sharks, grouper, jacks, reef fish, and barracuda are just a few of the species you might see here. The reef ranges from 10–30 feet (3–9 m) deep and most guides take snorkelers along the outer edge of the reef. While this site is great for beginner snorkelers, as well as divers, swimmers should pay attention to currents which can be strong throughout the reserve.

Read more:Hol Chan

What to Bring

Sunscreen, optional towel, and an optional underwater camera.

What's included

Equipment, entrance fee, tour guide, bottled water, and transportation. Shared Seat in Basis Minimum 4 persons

Transportation

Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.

Traveler Comments

Excellent trip. The kids got in and snorkeled even with the sharks and rays. We saw a large sea Turtle also.

- LARRY P, APR 2023

Outstanding staff, they took us out a little bit early and we were in the water looking around before all of the other boats got there. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

- GARRETT R, OCT 2019

Great guide, fantastic trip, loved this activity!

- KRISTINE M, SEP 2019
Snorkeling at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a sure-fire way to experience Belize’s diversity of marine life up-close.Snorkel Hol Chan and Stingray Alley38
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