Hol Chan and Sharks Ray Alley Snorkeling

5.0 (4 reviews)3 hBelize CityWildlife & natureFits a typical call
Fits your day

Back at the ship by about 12:45 pm, 3 h 15 min before the last tender. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 2 h 15 min to spare.

Safety margin
Ship in portGetting ashore (45 min, tender)Safety margin (1 h 30 min)All aboard 4:30 pm
  1. 8:00 am
    Ship anchors in Belize City45 min to get a tender and reach the pier
  2. 8:45 am
    Leave the pierAbout 30 min to the start point
  3. 9:15 am
    Earliest tour startTour runs 3 h. Latest sensible start: 11:30 am.
  4. 12:15 pm
    Tour ends30 min back to the pier
  5. 12:45 pm
    Back at the tender pier3 h 15 min before the last tender
  6. 4:30 pm
    All aboardLast tender usually leaves about 4:00 pm

Estimates based on the tour's longest published duration, our researched travel times and typical pier queues. Confirm the departure time on the booking page and keep your watch on ship's time.

Our verdict

This tour fits a typical Belize City call (8:00 am–4:30 pm). It runs 3 h; ashore by 8:45 am, you can start by 9:15 am and be back at the gangway around 12:45 pm — 2 h 15 min to spare on top of a 1 h safety margin.

Rule of thumb: it keeps the safety margin as long as all aboard is 2:15 pm or later. Even a short 7:00 am–2:00 pm call works.

We don't have a verified start point for this tour yet, so we assume 30 min each way from the pier — the typical ride in Belize City. Check the meeting point on the booking page.

Among the 240 Belize City shore excursions we track, this is one of the shorter ones (the median runs 5 h); 57% of them fit a typical call. Belize City is a tender port: we add 45 minutes to get ashore and keep you back 30 minutes before all aboard for the last tender.

Computed from the tour's published duration, the distance from the cruise pier to its start point and the typical Belize City call. Adjust your ship's times above to recheck.

About this tour

This guide-led experience brings travelers together for a well-paced look at the places and activities in the itinerary. Snorkel in Belize’s marine environment with a guide who helps you spot reef life and explains how to observe animals responsibly; sightings, visibility, and the exact route depend on sea conditions.

Allow about 5 hours for the full experience. This is a shared experience with a listed maximum of 25 travelers. fuel surcharge and bottled water are included. lunch is not included. Travelers should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The experience is not wheelchair accessible. It is not recommended for pregnant travelers, travelers with back problems, and travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. Guests should be comfortable in open water and prepared for weather-related changes.

Max 25 per group English, Spanish

What's included

  • Bottled water
  • Landing and facility fees
  • Fuel surcharge

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Lunch

Itinerary

  1. 1
    Hol Chan Marine Reserve
    After the snorkeling safety briefing and equipment check, spend approximately 1 hour 30 minutes exploring Hol Chan Marine Reserve with the guide. Observe coral formations, reef fish, and other marine life while following reserve rules, maintaining safe distance, and avoiding contact with coral or animals.
    1 h 30 minAdmission included
  2. 2
    Shark Ray Alley
    Spend approximately 1 hour 30 minutes snorkeling at Shark Ray Alley with the guide. Observe nurse sharks, southern stingrays, and other marine life from a respectful distance. Enter and exit the water only when instructed, avoid touching or chasing animals, and follow all guide and marine-reserve safety rules.
    1 h 30 minAdmission included

Meeting point and getting there

Start point
See booking page
From the cruise pier
About 30 min by taxi
Allow 45 min to tender ashore first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Returns
Back to the start point

Good to know

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. If the operator cancels for bad weather, you can rebook or get a full refund.
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
  • Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship

Traveler reviews

5.0
4 traveler reviews
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Operated by Private Belize Adventure. Prices, availability and tour details come from the booking partner and can change; the booking page is authoritative.

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