Underwater

Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley

Off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye is Belize’s oldest marine reserve, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Hol Chan is Mayan for ‘little channel” The entire reserve focuses on a cut through the reef (called a quebrada) which is little more than 25 yards (23 m) wide and 30 feet (9 m) deep about 4 miles southeast of San Pedro. The reserve was formed primarily as a community-based initiative due to concern over the high level of uncontrolled, often destructive fishing and diving activities in the area. Reserve status was also called for by international organizations such as the New York Zoological Society (NYZS) and Peace Corps, due to the unique formation of the channel, the abundant fishery resources (including conch and lobster) and the feasibility of including an interlinked system of coral reef, sea grass and mangrove habitats in this area.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley are the most popular diving/snorkeling sites in all of Belize. This is due to the close proximity of San Pedro, the large amount of fish life found with the Hol Chan “cut” accessible by snorkelers and beginning divers, the diversity of marine life encountered throughout the 4 zones of the park and the excitement and novelty of swimming with large numbers of nurse sharks and sting rays.

Epic Swim with the Sharks

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the ocean growing up to lengths of 60 feet (18 meters) and are gentle filter feeders that eat minute plankton and spawn . Scuba Divers and snorkelers get a rare opportunity to swim along with these magnificent creatures when they book on a whale shark excursion with Splash Dive Center, and we follow special guidelines and procedures to ensure safety and to limit any harm that may be caused to the whale sharks. Snorkeling is done on the surface in open water following the bubbles of scuba divers which resemble spawn and draw the whale sharks in.

Gladden Spit is the only place in the world where timing for whale shark visits is reasonably predictable and Placencia is the best departure point in the whole of Belize to enjoy these trips. They will there during the time of the full moon during March to June but may arrive earlier or later during that predictable time frame.

Belize Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

We’ll whisk you away to Belize’s Barrier Reef (the second largest in the world) and the many beautiful cayes nearby, such as Laughing bird Caye National Park. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch at Robert’s Caye, our very own white sandy island where the only inhabitants- a family of osprey – will greet you. There may even be time for fishing on your Belize snorkeling trip.

Scuba Diving off Belize’s magnificent Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world. Our PADI 5 Star Dive Center will take you on a two-tank dive in one of our dive boats that you’ll never forget. A picnic lunch or barbeque on an island, will give you time to relax between dives.

Our licensed guides will show you the wonders of the reef and the many beautiful cayes that dot the Caribbean waters off our white, sandy beach.

Snorkeling at Mexico Rocks

Just a 20 minute ride from San Pedro Town and up the coast of North Ambergris Caye is Mexico Rocks, an opulent collection of Star, Elk Horn Coral , and Staghorn Coral, colonized by lobsters and eels and colorful juvenile fish scurrying about.

Snorkeling at Caye Caulker

There is a great variety of reef types and diving experiences in Belize. The Barrier Reef is 185 meandering miles (298 km) of unspoiled beauty. It varies from 8 to 16 miles (13-26 km) from the mainland to less than one mile offshore from Caye Caulker. Much of it is totally unexplored and all of it is easily accessible by boat. The reef is like a gigantic wall running parallel to the coast. Between the mainland and the reef are shallow, sandy waters with numerous mangrove-covered islands (cayes).