Belize's Best Snorkeling Spots

Belize is a snorkelling paradise, offering crystal-clear waters, a healthy reef system, and an abundance of marine life. With the second-largest reef in the world, hundreds of small islands (cayes), and spectacular corals, it's a top choice for snorkelling enthusiasts. Here's a quick introduction to some of the best snorkelling spots in Belize:

- Hol Chan Marine Reserve: Located near Ambergris Caye, it offers the chance to snorkel with manatees, nurse sharks, and various fish species.

- Shark Ray Alley: Found on Caye Caulker, this shallow site attracts nurse sharks and stingrays, providing an exciting opportunity to observe these creatures up close.

- Mexico Rocks: Near Ambergris Caye, this shallow reef site is popular for its massive coral formations and the diverse marine life they attract, including sea turtles.

- Turneffe Atoll: One of the largest atolls off the coast of Belize, Turneffe offers the chance to spot a wide variety of marine life, including manatees, rays, and sea turtles.

- The Great Blue Hole: Made famous by Jacques Cousteau, this massive underwater sinkhole is a bucket-list destination for divers and snorkelers alike.

- Lighthouse Reef Atoll: The farthest atoll, featuring the iconic Blue Hole and offering excellent snorkelling opportunities.

- Glover's Reef Atoll: The southernmost atoll, known for its diverse marine life and rustic resorts.

- Ambergris Caye: A popular starting point for snorkelling trips, with easy access to the reef and great accommodation options.

Shark Ray Alley, Caye Caulker

Shark Ray Alley in Caye Caulker is a popular snorkelling spot in Belize, located just one mile south of the Hol Chan cut. It is listed as "Zone D" of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a protected region that spans 1,280 acres. Shark Ray Alley offers a unique opportunity to snorkel alongside nurse sharks, stingrays and turtles.

The site was originally a place where fishermen would clean their catch, and over time, it has become a top destination for snorkelers seeking an up-close encounter with marine life. The nurse sharks and stingrays, attracted by the promise of food, have become accustomed to the presence of humans. The area has a consistent depth of 4-8ft and features sandy, grassy beds.

There are various tour companies offering snorkelling experiences at Shark Ray Alley, with most tours departing from Caye Caulker pier and including stops at nearby locations such as South Channel and The Coral Garden. It is easily accessible from San Pedro and Belize City via water taxi.

When entering the water, snorkelers are advised to do so promptly as the noise of the boat engine attracts the sharks and stingrays. The main attraction of this site is the opportunity to get close to these creatures, but it is important to remember that they will swim away if you make any sudden movements. While nurse sharks and stingrays are the stars of the show, you may also spot horse-eye jack, Bermuda chub, smooth trunkfish and small barracudas.

With its clear, calm and shallow waters, Shark Ray Alley in Caye Caulker provides an unforgettable snorkelling experience, allowing you to observe and interact with an array of marine life in their natural habitat.

The Belize Barrier Reef

Belize is home to the second-largest reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which borders nearly the entire length of the country. The Belize Barrier Reef is the official name for the 200 or so miles of the longer Mesoamerican Reef that falls within Belize.

Some of the best snorkelling spots on Ambergris Caye include Shark Ray Alley, Hol Chan Cut, Tres Cocos, and Mexico Rocks. Shark Ray Alley is a popular spot, as it is a shallow water feeding area that attracts harmless nurse sharks, rays, and fish, and has some nice corals. Hol Chan Cut offers snorkellers the chance to experience shallow and deeper waters with bigger fish species and currents. Tres Cocos is a shallow area on the barrier reef edge with lots of fish and good current. Mexico Rocks is a patch reef area that is great for beginners and experienced snorkellers alike.

There are also three offshore atolls that have great snorkelling spots: Lighthouse Reef, Turneffe, and Glover's Reef. These take a fairly long boat ride to reach, but they offer the chance to see a wide variety of marine life. Lighthouse Reef is home to the famous Blue Hole, one of the most famous dive spots in the world. Turneffe Atoll is one of the largest atolls off the coast of Belize and is a popular spot for day-trippers, as it is only about 30 minutes from Belize City. Glover's Reef is the southernmost atoll and is considered the best for snorkelling, with a shallow interior dotted with myriad coral heads.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected marine area in Belize, established in 1987 under the Fisheries Act. Covering approximately 18 km², it includes coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests, with the Hol Chan Cut being a natural break in the reef that attracts a diverse array of marine life.

The reserve is divided into zones with different regulations to balance conservation and sustainable fishing practices. Zone A, which includes the Hol Chan Cut, prohibits fishing but allows snorkelling and diving with a fee. Zone B covers the seagrass beds inside the reef, where both commercial and sport fishing are permitted with a license. Zone C encompasses the mangrove swamps of southern Ambergris Caye, where sport fishing is allowed under license, while commercial fishing is prohibited. Zone D, added in 1999, is the Shark Ray Alley, a popular spot for snorkelers to observe sharks and rays.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is known for its rich marine life, including over 160 species of fish, forty types of coral, sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, eagle rays, and various shark species. The mangrove forests serve as nurseries for many fish species, while the seagrass beds are home to parrotfish, hogfish, and occasional turtles.

The reserve offers a range of snorkelling tours, with options for full-day or half-day excursions. Visitors can explore the diverse marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove islands, while learning about the area's ecology and conservation efforts.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is an excellent choice for snorkelling in Belize, offering a unique combination of natural beauty, diverse marine life, and educational opportunities. With its clear waters and close proximity to Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, it provides a memorable and rewarding snorkelling experience.

Ambergris Caye

• Shark Ray Alley: This exciting snorkelling site is located in shallow waters, attracting harmless nurse sharks, rays, and fish, with some nice corals to explore as well.
• Hol Chan Cut: This cut in the barrier reef offers a variety of experiences with shallow and deeper waters, bigger fish species, and currents to drift with.
• Tres Cocos: This shallow area sits right on the barrier reef edge, providing the opportunity to see a diverse array of fish and experience the current.
• Mexico Rocks: This patch reef area is great for both beginners and experienced snorkellers, offering a unique underwater landscape to discover.

In addition to these spots, Ambergris Caye also provides access to the famous Blue Hole, located about 1.5 hours away by boat. This iconic dive spot is one of the most famous in the world, but it is recommended more for snorkelling than diving.

When planning your trip to Ambergris Caye, consider visiting during the dry season from January to April for ideal weather. However, there is no wrong time to visit, as the island offers something unique throughout the year, including the San Pedro Lobster Festival in July and the slow season from September to October when you can find great hotel deals.

Turneffe Atoll

• Tropical reef fish
• Rays
• Sea turtles
• Lobsters
• Dolphins
• Manatees
• Bottlenose and spotted dolphins
• West Indian Manatees
• Over 60 species of birds, including the osprey, snowy egret, little blue heron, great blue heron, tricolored heron, yellow-crowned night heron, clapper rail, mangrove swallow, brown pelican, magnificent frigate bird, double-crested cormorant, osprey, mangrove warbler, great-tailed grackle, golden-fronted woodpecker, tropical mockingbird, cinnamon hummingbird, green-breasted mango, hooded oriole, white-crowned pigeon, and royal tern.

Frequently asked questions