Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley are the two dives-without-tanks that everyone comes to Ambergris Caye for. Hol Chan is a cut through the Belize Barrier Reef, twenty minutes south of our dock, where coral heads, tarpon, turtles and eels sit in five to ten metres of clear water. Shark Ray Alley, a few minutes on, is a shallow sand flat where nurse sharks and southern stingrays come to the boats — calm, warm and genuinely safe for first-timers.
North of us, Mexico Rocks is the gentler option: a shallow patch reef inside the barrier, calm enough for small children and strong enough on marine life to keep experienced snorkellers happy. Both are booked through the concierge and both pick up from the White Sands Cove dock.
Tours we book
Half-day Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley
8:15 AM – 11:30 AMHalf dayThe classic island half-day: the reef cut, then the rays.
- Two snorkel sites
- Guide, mask, fins and snorkel vest
- Bottled water
Half-day Mexico Rocks
9:00 AM – 11:30 AMHalf dayShallow patch reef north of the resort — the gentlest snorkel on the island.
- Guide, mask, fins and vest
- Bottled water
Half-day private snorkel charter
9:00 AM – 11:30 AMHalf dayPrivate charterYour own boat, two sites, up to four guests.
- Up to 4 guests
- Two snorkel sites of your choosing
- Water, soft drinks, fruit and local beer
- Guide and snorkel gear
Half-day Mexico Rocks & Sting Ray City charter
9:00 AM – 11:30 AMHalf dayPrivate charterPrivate boat to the patch reef and the ray flats.
- Private boat
- Two stops
- Water, soft drinks and fruit
- Snorkel gear
Caye Caulker day sail
8:15 AM – 4:00 PMFull daySail south, snorkel twice, spend the afternoon on the sister island.
- Two snorkel stops
- Time ashore on Caye Caulker
- Drinks aboard
- Lunch
Full-day Caye Caulker charter
9:00 AM – 4:00 PMFull dayPrivate charterThe same day, on your own boat, on your own schedule.
- Private boat
- Two snorkel stops
- Beach time on the sister island
- Drinks and fruit
Full-day snorkel & beach BBQ charter
9:00 AM – 4:00 PMFull dayPrivate charterFour snorkel sites and lunch cooked on the sand.
- Four snorkel sites
- Beach BBQ lunch
- Beach time
- Water, soft drinks and local beer
Prices change with the season and the operator, so we quote them at the time of booking. Ask the concierge for current rates and availability.
Leaving from our dock
Boats collect guests from the White Sands Cove dock rather than the town pier, so a half-day trip starts a few steps from your suite instead of with a golf-cart ride into San Pedro.
What to bring
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a towel and cash for the marine reserve park fee, which is collected separately at Hol Chan. Masks, fins and vests come with the boat; bring your own if you prefer a familiar fit.
Good to know
- Is Shark Ray Alley safe?
- Yes. The nurse sharks and southern stingrays there are habituated to boats and are not aggressive. Guides brief every group before anyone gets in, and the water is shallow and calm.
- Which is better for young children — Hol Chan or Mexico Rocks?
- Mexico Rocks. It is shallower, closer, and the water is usually flatter, so it suits nervous or first-time snorkellers and small children better than the current at Hol Chan cut.
- Are park fees included?
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve charges a park fee per person that is collected on the day and is not part of the tour price. Our concierge will tell you the current amount when you book.