Shark Ray Alley Tours
25 Reviews
Part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley is home to a multitude of 6-foot (1.8-meter) nurse sharks and stingrays with 4-foot (1.2-meter) wingspans. Over the years, fishers went to the site to clean out their catch—eventually, nurse sharks and stingrays started gathering in search of the boats and their daily treats.
The Basics
While you might picture a scene from Jaws, swimming among the nurse sharks in this area of the reserve is safe as well as thrilling. For the most part, the sharks are harmless to humans, and are familiar with encountering boatloads of tourists. (But don’t touch, because they’ll bite if stepped on or bothered.) Tour guides are allowed to feed the sharks from aboard the boat.
Guided tours typically combine a visit to Shark Ray Alley with Hol Chan, the reserve’s most popular zone. There, you’ll be able to spot coral and marine life like angelfish, turtles, and snapper.
Things to Know Before You Go
- You can watch the activity from the boat, if you’re not interested in swimming.
- Besides stingrays and sharks, be on the lookout for huge elkhorn coral.
- The waters at Shark Ray Alley are ideal for beginners.
- Take a waterproof camera.
How to Get There
Accessible only through licensed tour operators, Shark Ray Alley is located just southeast of San Pedro, near the island of Ambergris Caye. Tours depart from San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Belize City, and normally include round-trip transportation from area hotels.
When to Get There
Shark Ray Alley is a top attraction, so be mindful of other boats and snorkelers, especially during Belize’s peak tourist season (late November to mid-April). Tour operators generally offer morning and afternoon departures. Some travelers prefer to head out in the morning, since afternoon weather can be unpredictable.
Coral Gardens
Part of the smaller Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, Coral Gardens features an array of colorful coral formations that are easily explored thanks to the relatively shallow water (up to 13 feet, or 4 meters, deep). You’ll also see schools of fish, including grunt and Bermuda chub. Because the area is sheltered from currents and waves, it’s good for beginners—plus the visibility is considered excellent.
Address: Ambergris Caye, Belize
3 Tours and Activities to Experience Shark Ray Alley
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Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel and Caye Caulker Tour 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat
18
Cast off from Ambergris Caye for a full-day sailing and snorkeling trip to Caye Caulker, Hol Chan Marine Park and shark ray alley. Slip off the boat to explore Hol Chan’s renowned reefs, where vibrant fishes, sea turtles and delicate corals thrive within the protected reserve. Swim alongside gentle nurse sharks and stingrays in the shallow water, and encounter Belize’s extraordinary wildlife up-close. Continue to Caye Caulker for a 2-hour sightseeing visit, then sip rum punch and enjoy the afternoon sunshine as you sail back to San Pedro Town.
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From
$128.21
From
$128.21
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye
50
Explore the underwater wonders of Belize’s most popular snorkeling sites on this trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Departing from Ambergris Caye, you'll swim with an amazing variety of fish, sea turtles, stingrays, and nurse sharks among the coral formations of the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.
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From
$107.34
From
$107.34
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Private charter
10
Discover the highlights in the area on your private catamaran! We start the tour with snorkeling at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley. Hol Chan has the largest variety of species to be seen in the area and is often compared to an aquarium, while at Shark Ray Alley you get to experience a close encounter with nurse-sharks and stingrays. Watch from the boat or swim with them!
On a full day, we serve our famous Belizean buffet lunch on-board. Traditional Belizean dishes like stewed chicken and rice and beans with our Captain’s secret recipe BBQ fish! We then stop at the neighbor island Caye Caulker for approx. 2 hours of free time to explore the island, followed by a relaxed sunset cruise back to San Pedro. You can also choose to return earlier to the boat for one more snorkel stop on our way back. During the sunset cruise a fresh ceviche is served. Open bar featuring local rum drinks like rum punch and "panty rippers" is included all day. Half day tours can be combined with sunset.
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From
$1,000.00
per group
From
$1,000.00
per group
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
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