Private Hol Chan Morning or Sunset Half Day Charter
Snorkel the famous Hol Chan Marine reserve, enjoy some fresh ceviche and drinks from our open bar. Choose either a morning cruise or a sunset cruise. Relax on comfortable cushions while enjoying the ocean, the views and the sunshine and being pampered by our crew. 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! On the afternoon schedule we stop to see the sunset over the open water, then we sail back watching Ambergris Caye turn into its nocturnal shape with all the lights coming on, and hopefully also the first stars. Open bar with local rum, vodka, gin, soft drinks and juices is included. Try the specials, rum punch and "panty rippers"!
What you'll see & do
- ✓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 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, so this stop lasts max. 30 minutes.
What's included
- ✓Use of snorkeling equipment
- ✓Bottled water
- ✓Hol Chan marine reserve entrance fee
- ✓Carbonated beverages
- ✓Snacks
- ✓On-board restrooms
- ✓Alcoholic beverages
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The Tour Duration from 4 hours includes: 45 min to reach Hol Chan. Then we snorkel for 1 hour = 1h 45 min. Takes 15 min to reach Shark Ray Alley = 2 hours Stay there 30 min = 2,5 hours Takes 1 hour back = 3,5 hours. The extra 30 min is to have additional time for guests to put their gear on, get on/off etc and to not be rushed at either of the locations – it might as well be 1 h 15 min at Hol Chan for example, but we promise min. 1 hour. On the sunset schedule we also stop for guests to get the perfect pictures.
Please note that our schedule depends on the sunset, so through the year it changes in 15-min periods within the range of starting times between 9 am/10 am and 2 pm/3.15 pm. The published times are the current ones.
Cancellation policy
This experience is non-refundable — once booked, it can’t be changed or refunded.
Private Hol Chan Morning or Sunset Half Day Charter
Snorkel the famous Hol Chan Marine reserve, enjoy some fresh ceviche and drinks from our open bar. Choose either a morning cruise or a sunset cruise. Relax on comfortable cushions while enjoying the ocean, the views and the sunshine and being pampered by our crew. 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! On the afternoon schedule we stop to see the sunset over the open water, then we sail back watching Ambergris Caye turn into its nocturnal shape with all the lights coming on, and hopefully also the first stars. Open bar with local rum, vodka, gin, soft drinks and juices is included. Try the specials, rum punch and "panty rippers"!
What you'll see & do
- ✓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 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, so this stop lasts max. 30 minutes.
What's included
- ✓Use of snorkeling equipment
- ✓Bottled water
- ✓Hol Chan marine reserve entrance fee
- ✓Carbonated beverages
- ✓Snacks
- ✓On-board restrooms
- ✓Alcoholic beverages
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The Tour Duration from 4 hours includes: 45 min to reach Hol Chan. Then we snorkel for 1 hour = 1h 45 min. Takes 15 min to reach Shark Ray Alley = 2 hours Stay there 30 min = 2,5 hours Takes 1 hour back = 3,5 hours. The extra 30 min is to have additional time for guests to put their gear on, get on/off etc and to not be rushed at either of the locations – it might as well be 1 h 15 min at Hol Chan for example, but we promise min. 1 hour. On the sunset schedule we also stop for guests to get the perfect pictures.
Please note that our schedule depends on the sunset, so through the year it changes in 15-min periods within the range of starting times between 9 am/10 am and 2 pm/3.15 pm. The published times are the current ones.
Cancellation policy
This experience is non-refundable — once booked, it can’t be changed or refunded.