About this experience
Discover the highlights of the area on the semi-private Exclusive "All-in-1" tour, with max. 8 guests onboard. We depart later to let you sleep in, avoid the crowds, and see the sunset. We start 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! We serve our famous *Premium* Belizean buffet on-board. Traditional dishes like stewed chicken, rice and beans, our Captain’s secret recipe BBQ fish and the premium additions corn on the cob and skewers. After lunch, we stop at the neighbor island Caye Caulker for approx. 1 hour of free time to explore the island, followed by a relaxed sunset cruise back to San Pedro, with ceviche served. Open bar with local rum, vodka, gin, soft drinks and juices is included. Try the specials, rum punch and "panty rippers"!
At a glance
- Duration: 7 hr 15 min
Plan your experience
Set aside 7 hr 15 min for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- *Premium* Belizean buffet with BBQ fish, stewed chicken, your choice of 2 skewers: shrimp, beef or mushroom, corn on the cob, rice & beans, tortillas, coleslaw, pico de gallo and fried sweet plantain.
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- We serve water from a water dispenser, to avoid single-use plastics.
- Hol Chan marine reserve entrance fee
- Coca Cola, Coca Cola Light, Sprite, Fanta (orange, fruit punch, ginger, grapefruit), tonic and soda water. Orange, pineapple, lime and fruit punch juices.
- Fresh ceviche: Fish, shrimp/conch (seasonal), onions, sweet peppers, tomatoes and coriander marinated in lime juice and a mix of spices. This is served with locally made tortilla chips.
- Restroom on board
- Local rum (white, dark and coconut), local vodka and local gin all from the popular Cuello's Distillery
Not included
- Gratuities
Itinerary and highlights
Pick up is not included. We depart from the Palapa Bar dock, and we meet there 15 minutes before departure. Then the ride to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve takes 45 minutes, while you lay down on comfortable cushions enjoying the ocean, the views and the sunshine, accompanied by drinks and music.
Hol Chan is Mayan for "little channel" and is a natural break in the reef, which has always been a very productive fishing area with abundant marine life. It is open to the sea beyond the reef, so allows marine creatures to travel from the outside of the reef to the inside and vice versa. It became the first marine reserve in the entire country of Belize back in 1987 and this have led to the species to re-generate and the corals of growing unharmed. This snorkeling area has the greatest variety of marine life and coral, compared to being an "underwater zoo" - you have the chance to see all kinds of corals, fishes and even sea turtles! Over 160 species of fish and forty types of coral have been recorded in the area. The snorkeling here is minimum 45 minutes.
The story behind Shark Ray Alley is that in all times, due to its position close to the channel to go outside the protecting barrier reef for fishing, it was the point where the local fishermen came in with their catch and started cleaning it - throwing the head, etc into the water. This converted it a natural habit for the marine life such as nurse sharks and sting-rays that associate the sound of an engine to food. The water is shallow and transparent and you will see the nurse-sharks and sting-rays on the surface, meaning that even if you don't get in to the water you can enjoy it from the boat as well! The nurse-sharks and sting-rays eventually swim away, but the stop is minimum 20 minutes.
Caye Caulker is just how you imagine an authentic Caribbean Island and a nice contrast to the more developed Ambergris Caye. Since the 1960's tourism has slowly grown on the island, but it has kept its quiet laid-back atmosphere, with the motto "Go Slow". We stop by the famous “the Split”, from where you can stroll off to explore the village.
Meeting and pickup information
- Pick up is not included. We depart from the Palapa Bar dock, and we meet there 15 minutes before departure.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Catamaran Belize - Coral Tours Sailing
Accessibility and practical details
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note that our schedule depends on the sunset, so through the year it changes in 15-min periods within the range of 10.45 am - 6 pm and 12 pm - 7.15 pm. The published times are the current ones.
- This tour is semi-private, created with small groups joint together. It is confirmed with min. 4 guests and we have max. 8 guests onboard.
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What is the cancellation policy?
Traveller reviews and photos
Traveller experiences load when you reach this section.
