Sharks Up-Close: Belize's Top Spots

Belize is a tropical paradise known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and diverse marine life. With its pristine marine ecosystem, this Central American gem offers a unique opportunity to get up close with majestic shark species in their natural habitat. For thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike, swimming with sharks in Belize promises an unforgettable adventure.

Belize is home to a variety of shark species, including the famous Whale Sharks that visit the southern waters during early to mid-spring. The country's first established marine reserve, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, is a popular spot for swimming with the docile Nurse Sharks and stingrays. Shark Ray Alley, located within this reserve, offers a half-day snorkelling experience where you can observe these creatures in their natural habitat.

For a more adventurous experience, the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve in Southern Belize provide a chance to dive with Whale Sharks and witness the spawning of huge schools of Caribbean fish. This unique phenomenon occurs during the full moon in March, April, May, and June. Belize truly is a shark lover's paradise, offering unforgettable encounters with these fascinating predators.

Nurse sharks at Shark Ray Alley

Shark Ray Alley is a popular spot for snorkelling in Belize. It is located just one mile south of the Hol Chan cut and is listed as “Zone D” of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The site was once used by fishermen to clean their catch, but it has since evolved into a protected region and a top snorkelling location.

Shark Ray Alley offers a rare opportunity to snorkel beside stingrays, nurse sharks and turtles. Nurse sharks are slow-moving bottom-dwellers that live in reefs, channels between mangrove islands and sand flats. They can grow up to 14 feet in length and have strong jaws filled with thousands of tiny, serrated teeth. They are grey-brown in colour and have distinctive tail fins that can be up to one-fourth of their total length. Unlike most other sharks, nurse sharks are smooth to the touch.

Nurse sharks are generally harmless to humans. They are ovoviviparous, meaning their eggs develop and hatch inside the female’s body, and the hatchlings continue to grow until live birth occurs. A typical litter size is 21 to 28 pups.

When boats arrive at Shark Ray Alley, they attract local nurse sharks and rays looking for food. The guides often feed the nurse sharks, and they will swarm around anyone who is feeding them, allowing snorkelers and divers to touch them. The feeding also attracts a lot of other fish, creating a great opportunity for close-up photos.

There are various tours available that include a stop at Shark Ray Alley, with some also combining a visit to Coral Gardens and/or Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the most popular snorkelling and scuba diving sites in Belize. Located just off the coast of Caye Caulker, the reserve covers about 3 square miles (7.7 square km) and is part of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to a diverse array of marine life, including over 160 species of fish, nearly 40 species of corals, and various sea turtles.

When snorkelling at Hol Chan, you'll be guided to the channel's edge, where vibrant coral forms crevices and overhangs that provide habitat for green eels and lobsters. Schools of jacks, groupers, and snappers are also common in the area. The reserve is divided into zones based on marine habitat, allowing you to explore different ecosystems within a small area.

One of the highlights of snorkelling at Hol Chan is the opportunity to swim with nurse sharks and southern stingrays. These docile creatures are usually harmless to humans and can often be seen feeding on sardines or hunting for prey in the sand. Remember to keep a respectful distance and refrain from touching or disturbing them.

In addition to its rich marine life, Hol Chan also offers a chance to explore a sunken shipwreck. The reserve is known for its impressive coral formations, providing a stunning backdrop for underwater photography.

Tours to Hol Chan Marine Reserve typically depart from Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker and often include additional stops at nearby snorkelling sites, such as Shark Ray Alley and Coral Gardens. These tours usually provide all the necessary snorkelling gear and refreshments, making it a convenient and enjoyable way to explore the underwater world of Belize.

So, if you're seeking an immersive snorkelling experience in Belize, Hol Chan Marine Reserve should definitely be on your list! With its abundance of marine life, vibrant corals, and opportunities to swim with sharks, it promises an unforgettable underwater adventure.

Whale shark diving at Gladden Spit Marine Reserve

Gladden Spit Marine Reserve is one of the best places to swim with whale sharks in Belize. This reserve is located about 30 miles east of Placencia and is a unique area on the reef where over 20 species of Caribbean fish release their eggs. Whale sharks are attracted to the eggs of Black or Cubera snappers, which they feed on.

The whale shark season in Belize usually starts about two days before the full moon and lasts until 10 days after, during the months of March, April, May, and June. April and May have traditionally been the best months to spot whale sharks.

To dive with whale sharks at Gladden Spit, you must be Open Water Certified and preferably have experience in 20 or more dives. Snorkelers must also be experienced and strong swimmers, and all participants must be above the age of 14.

The tours to Gladden Spit Marine Reserve are typically full-day excursions, beginning in the morning and returning in the late evening. Divers get two dives, and snorkelers get two snorkel sessions in the whale shark zone. The trip also includes lunch and snorkelling at patched reefs inside the barrier reef while waiting for the next session.

The cost of the whale shark diving tour is $265 US per person, and snorkelling is $195 US per person. The tours are conducted in the open ocean, where there is often no visible bottom, so they are recommended for more experienced divers and snorkelers.

In addition to whale sharks, Gladden Spit is also home to other shark species such as Caribbean Reef Sharks, Bull Sharks, and Hammerhead Sharks. Dolphins are also frequent visitors to the area.

Scuba diving with sharks

Belize is a tropical paradise with crystal-clear turquoise waters, offering a thrilling opportunity to dive with sharks in their natural habitat. With its diverse shark species and pristine marine environment, Belize is now recognised as one of the top diving areas in the world. Here are some things to know about scuba diving with sharks in Belize:

Where to Dive

One of the most popular locations for diving with sharks in Belize is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located off Ambergris Caye. It is the country's first established marine reserve and is known for its abundance of nurse sharks, rays, and other marine life. The reserve is relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of 30 feet, making it ideal for snorkelling and diving. Another popular spot is Shark Ray Alley within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where you can find nurse sharks and giant stingrays. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, the Southern Belize site of Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve offers the unique opportunity to dive with whale sharks and encounter huge schools of spawning fish.

When to Dive

The best time to dive with whale sharks in Belize is during the spring, specifically around the full moon in March, April, May, and June. Whale sharks are attracted to the area due to the spawning of over 20 species of Caribbean fish, including the Black or Cubera snappers.

What to Expect

When diving with sharks in Belize, you can expect to see majestic and passive creatures. Nurse sharks, the most common species in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, are slow-moving bottom-dwellers that can reach up to 14 feet in length. They have strong jaws filled with tiny, serrated teeth, but they are generally harmless to humans unless bothered by divers. In addition to sharks, you may also spot tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays, manatees, colourful coral, and even dolphins.

Tour Information

Full and half-day tours can be booked at recognised Gold Standard hotels, local dive shops, or tour operators. A typical tour includes a licensed captain and English-speaking tour guide. Remember to bring your own snorkelling gear, such as a snorkel, goggles, and flippers.

Swimming with sharks in Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker in Belize is a popular destination for swimming with sharks. The Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a short boat ride from Caye Caulker and is home to some of the best underwater life in the Americas.

Shark Ray Alley

One of the most famous snorkelling spots in Caye Caulker is Shark Ray Alley, in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Here, you can swim with nurse sharks and giant stingrays. These nurse sharks are docile and tolerant of humans, and you can get up-close encounters without any aggression.

Tour Companies

Blackhawk Sailing Tours offers a full-day snorkelling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which includes lunch, alcohol, beverages, park fees, and snorkelling gear. The trip costs around $55 per person.

Another company, Caveman Snorkeling Tours, also offers snorkelling tours to see nurse sharks, as well as other marine life such as manatees, rays, dolphins, turtles, and seahorses.

What to Expect

The water is extremely clear, and you will see a lot of fish, as well as sharks and rays. Keep in mind that the animals are fed, so it can be chaotic with sharks and rays swimming fast to get food. You are not allowed to come between the animals, for your own safety.

The nurse sharks can be up to six feet long, and the stingrays have dangerous-looking tails with poison, so it is important to be careful when entering the water.

When to Go

The best time to see whale sharks in Belize is during the springtime, specifically in the months of March, April, May, and June.

Frequently asked questions