Snorkel Belize Barrier Reef

Snorkel Belize Barrier Reef - Truly one of the great natural wonders of the world, the Belize Barrier Reef is home to one of the most abundant and diverse marine ecosystems found anywhere on the planet. Measuring more than 190 miles long, the reef is part of the bigger Meso-American Barrier Reef System that stretches from Mexico to Honduras, making it the second biggest coral reef system in the world, and the largest in the hemisphere. There are many popular islands, known locally as cayes (“keys”), situated in and around the Belize Barrier Reef. Three atolls also exist near the Belize Barrier Reef (1) Lighthouse Atoll (2) Turneffe Atoll (3) Glover's Reef Atoll.  Located within the Lighthouse Reef, is the famous Great Blue Hole.  One of the most beautifully unique dive sites anywhere on Earth.  The Belize Barrier Reef is easily accessible from the coastline of Belize, as it comes with 300 meters (980) feet of land in the north, and 40 kilometers (25 miles) in the south.

Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The most popular snorkeling tour on Ambergris Caye - Don't miss this tour!
Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve - The Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley is a marine reserve close to Ambergris Caye & Caye Caulker, off the coast of Belize.  It covers approximately 13,000 acres, with 4,448 acres of this being (zones A, B & C), the coral reefs, sea-grass beds, and mangrove forest. It is the most popular diving/snorkeling sites in all of Belize.  The reason for its popularity, is due to its close proximity to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.  It's located off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye, and is the oldest marine reserve in Belize.  The entire park focuses on a cut through the reef (called quebrada) which is a little more than 25 yards wide, 30 feet deep, and 3 miles southwest of San Pedro.  Because this is a protected marine reserve, you will be able to see a great abundance of fish and marine life.  Hol Chan is a Maya word, meaning "Little Channel".  Hol Chan offers a huge diversity of marine life encountered throughout the 4 zones of the park, not to mention the excitement and novelty of swimming with large numbers of nurse sharks and sting rays.

Snorkel Shark Ray Alley

Skin Diver Magazine rated "Shark Ray Alley", as one of the best animal dives in the Caribbean.
Snorkel Shark Ray Alley - It's about a 15 minute boat ride from Ambergris Caye and a 40 minute boat ride from Caye Caulker.  Shark Ray Alley sits in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and comprises a section of the reserve known as "Zone-D".  First established in 1987, today Hol Chan measures more than 13,000 acres.  For many, snorkeling at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley has been the highlight of their trip to Belize.  As the boats approach, the sharks hear the hum of the engines and they being to gather in anticipation of bait being thrown into the water.  When you arrive, you will see the surface often boiling with rolling sharks and sting ray wings as they search for the scrapes.  These creatures have a great tolerance for divers and snorkelers, and seem to effortlessly swim around humans.

Snorkel Manatee Watch

A wonderful family activity for small children, they can observe manatees from the saftey of a boat.
Snorkel Manatee Watch - This is a great family adventure, as it's low impact.  You spend your day traveling by sea along the coast of Belize (via catamaran or boat), to observe the West Indian Manatee in their protected environment.  Some tour operators will then take you to Goff Caye (a small island located nearby, with a great sandy beach).  There you can snorkel and swim, while your tour guides prepare a fabulous beach barbecue for you.  This activity is great for families with young children, who want the adventure of traveling on the sea, observing animals in their habitat, running along a beach and swimming in water waste deep.

Snorkel the Blue Hole

If you don't dive and you would like to experience the "Blue Hole", then this is the trip.
Blue Hole Snorkeling - You leave the dock at approximately 6:00-6:30 a.m.  The boat ride takes about 2-1/2 to 3 hours, to arrive at your destination.  There is something to be said, about traversing the rim of this gigantic sinkhole, looking down deep into the unknown, and floating peacefully atop one of the most sought-after locations in Belize.  For those of you who would like to experience the Blue Hole, but have not yet leaped into diving, snorkeling is a great alternative, and can be your next best option.  Though many have claimed that the snorkeling is better elsewhere, there are those who enjoy the trip for all that it has to offer.  This is a (3) stop snorkeling trip.

Snorkel Mexico Rocks

This is a great family snorkeling spot for beginners.  The water is very shallow & visibility is very good.
Mexico Rocks & Tres Cocos - Located about (6) miles north San Pedro Town off Ambergris Caye, you will find one of the most beautiful snorkel sites known as Mexico Rocks & Tres Cocos. These snorkeling sites are located on the second largest barrier reef in the world.  Mexico Rocks is a star coral patch, located in the shallow waters midway between the reef and the island.  Snorkelling at Mexico Rocks is very shallow, with a maximum depth of only about (12) feet.  Mexico Rocks is known for having many conch, banded shrimps, arrow crab, grunts, yellow tail snappers, and an assortment of Butterfly and Angelfish.   Mexico Rocks & Tres Cocos are located inside the reef, and protected from the bigger ocean swells, making it an excellent beginner’s snorkelling spot.  Depths range from (4 to 12 feet), so you can see everything up close. Water visibility in this area of the crystal clear, about 50 feet or more.   

Snorkel Coral Gardens

Coral Gardens is a small patch of very colorful coral located between Ambergris Caye & Caye Caulker.
Coral Gardens - Located a few miles south of San Pedro (offshore of Caye Caulker), you will find  a small patch of very beautiful, colourful coral (thus the name) Coral Gardens.  This area is known for its captivating, vibrant coral formations that are living along the reef here.  There is also a wide variety of marine life, such as manatees and fish in the area.  If you’ve ever wanted to see the rainbow colors of the Caribbean sea, then this is the snorkel spot!  The color variations, are simply amazing.  Here you will see beautiful brown pencil coral, purple sea fans, bright orange stag horn and Elk horn, finger coral, and yellow tube sponge and beautiful marine life that the corals attract.  The depth is (8 to 12 feet), and is located about five miles south of San Pedro town, right off shore of Caye Caulker.

Snorkel Bachalar Chico Marine Reserve

 If you're looking for a full-day Barrier Reef Marine Reserve experience, then this is the tour. 
Snorke Bachalar Chico Marine Reserve - Bacalar Chico is a marine reserve on the northern end Ambergris Caye, with a combined area including a 15,530 acre marine reserve and 12,000 acres of terrestrial reserve.  This UNESCO World Heritage site is only accessible by boat.  The park was established on August 23, 1996, as a result of community advocacy and lobbying, by the fisherman of the nearby village of Sareteneja.  This is the only point where the barrier reef touches mainland Belize.   Upon arriving to the site, we head out to snorkel Baracuda Reef and Rocky Point before going to Robles, where our guides will prepare lunch for you on the beach.  After lunch, explore the deserted beaches, relax in a hammock, and soak up some sun before heading back to San Pedro.   This is a very relaxing tour, which allows you to enjoy a boat ride, do a little snorkeling, experience a beach BBQ, and do a little beach relaxation.

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