Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley from San Pedro, Belize
5 min read
Short answer: the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, at the southern tip of Ambergris Caye, is Belize’s oldest marine sanctuary, and Shark Ray Alley is the shallow sandy stretch inside it where nurse sharks and southern stingrays gather. We run catamaran trips from San Pedro that snorkel both, plus a private trip with a chef and a sunset cruise. This guide explains what the reserve is, how the trips differ and what the marine park fee means for your day. We did not find the reserve’s visitor rules or its current fee published, so we do not quote them.
Quick answers
- Where from: San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye.
- Shared trip: about 8 hours, with guided snorkelling at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley, lunch on board and an open bar; minimum age 3.
- Private trip with chef: about 8 hours, with chef-prepared meals.
- Sunset catamaran with ceviche: about 4 hours, private boat for up to 15 guests.
- Not included: the marine park fee, which is paid separately, and gratuities.
What Hol Chan is
According to the reserve’s own website, Hol Chan was established in 1987 under Belize’s Fisheries Act and calls itself “Belize’s oldest marine sanctuary”. It covers the southernmost marine and coastal areas of Ambergris Caye, including the barrier reef, seagrass beds and the mangrove islands of Boca Chica and Cangrejo Shoals. The site describes three highlights:
- Hol Chan Cut, the “little channel” (the name is Mayan), a cut through the reef roughly 25 yards wide and 30 feet deep;
- Shark Ray Alley, a shallow sandy plateau with resident nurse sharks and southern stingrays;
- Mexico Rocks, a protected patch reef known for boulder coral and clear water.
The reserve is run by a management centre with rangers, with offices in San Pedro Town and on Caye Caulker. The site lists neither a visitor rulebook nor a price for the entry ticket, and the 2008 amendment regulations we found are scanned images that we could not read, so we do not quote rules or fees. Follow your guide’s instructions in the water.
The trips from San Pedro
| Trip | Format | Time | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hol Chan catamaran tour with snorkelling | Shared | About 8 hours | Sails from San Pedro to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley with guided snorkelling; the title also mentions Caye Caulker |
| Private catamaran with chef and Hol Chan snorkelling | Private (per boat) | About 8 hours | A private luxury catamaran with crew and chef-prepared meals |
| Sunset catamaran with ceviche | Private (per boat, up to 15) | About 4 hours | A sunset cruise from San Pedro with ceviche prepared on board and music |
What is included
- Shared tour: catamaran sailing, snorkelling equipment, guided snorkelling, lunch on board, unlimited rum punch, beer and soft drinks, fresh fruit and water, with a professional captain and crew. Starts at 10:00; minimum age 3; free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Private chef trip: a private luxury catamaran with a professional captain and crew, chef-prepared meals (breakfast, lunch and snacks), premium drinks, snorkelling equipment, guided snorkelling and fresh fruit.
- Sunset trip: the whole boat for up to 15 guests, unlimited rum punch, beer and soft drinks, ceviche prepared on board, music, captain and crew, fuel and operating costs. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
The marine park fee
The marine park fee is not included in any of the three listings: it is paid separately. We do not give an amount because the reserve’s website does not state one and we could not read the regulations. Check the figure in the listing at the time of booking, and ask your guide how it is collected.
How to choose
- First time in Belize, per-person booking: the shared Hol Chan tour.
- A special day for a group, with food prepared for you: the private catamaran with a chef.
- No snorkelling, just the evening: the sunset catamaran.
Practical notes
- Not wheelchair or stroller accessible, according to the listing of the shared tour; infant seats are unavailable.
- Wildlife: the listings mention tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays and nurse sharks. As with all wildlife, sightings are never guaranteed.
- Bring: swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a hat. Nothing special is listed.
For the island and how to get there, read the Belize guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to snorkel?
The shared tour includes guided snorkelling and equipment.
Is the reserve fee included?
No. It is paid separately, according to each listing.
Will I see sharks and rays?
The listings mention nurse sharks and stingrays; sightings are never guaranteed.
Can children come?
The shared tour sets a minimum age of 3.
What is Shark Ray Alley?
A shallow sandy plateau inside the reserve with resident nurse sharks and southern stingrays, according to the reserve’s website.
Can I cancel?
The shared tour and the sunset trip are free up to 24 hours before; check the private chef trip’s conditions.
Sources
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve · Official website: establishment in 1987, zones and management.
- Belize · Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 (FAOLEX; scanned copy, not readable).
- Our trip descriptions: Hol Chan catamaran tour, private catamaran with chef, sunset catamaran with ceviche.
Last checked: 27 October 2026.
