Sightseeing at Shark Ray Alley: Part of Caravan’s Belize to Tikal Tour

Swimming with sharks is an unforgettable experience. An up-close experience with one of the most feared creatures of the sea has been described as an exhilarating embrace of life itself!

Yet, most sharks themselves aren’t as dangerous as people might think. In fact, in Belize, the slow-moving nurse shark is usually calm and peaceable.

That’s part of the appeal of Shark Ray Alley. On a sea shelf just off the Central American coast, visitors can experience the surprising, gentle side of nurse sharks, sea turtles, and rays with little more than a snorkel and some gear.

If you’re looking to get close and personal with Caribbean marine life, then Shark Ray Alley might just be a perfect fit for your trip.

What Is Shark Ray Alley?

Shark Ray Alley is a protected zone in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, just off the coast of Belize. It’s approximately 3 square miles across and 30 feet deep.

Historically, fishermen loading and docking would chum the water in the zone, drawing in sharks, rays, and other creatures looking for an easy meal. Since the zone’s waters are crystal clear, it grants incredible, rare visibility to sharks’ and rays’ feasts and socializing—parts of daily marine life that are usually hidden from view.

To share this wild vision with travelers worldwide, conservationists transformed Zone D of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve into a singular experience: Shark Ray Alley.

What Marine Life Will You See In Shark Ray Alley?

Since Shark Ray Alley is a (relatively) shallow area just inside the Belize Barrier Reef, it attracts reef-drawn marine life and creatures who feed on fish and plankton in the coral reef’s ecosystem.

While the assortment of creatures can change from day to day, visitors often see ocean fauna like:

  • Nurse sharks
  • Lemon sharks
  • Bull sharks
  • Green sea turtles
  • Hawksbill turtles
  • Groupers
  • Jackfish
  • Moray eels
  • Spotted eagle rays
  • Manta rays
  • Southern stingrays

Note that these wild animals can pose various degrees of risk to human swimmers. As a result, it’s vital to abide by all guide instructions and warnings when exploring the alley!

Exploring The Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Visitors to Shark Ray Alley often also enjoy exploring the other zones of Belize’s Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Zone A Is The Hol Chan Channel

This is a strict no-fishing, no-feeding zone filled with dramatic schools of fish. Snorkeling and swimming are allowed in Zone A, so long as swimmers abide by strict guidelines designed to protect vulnerable species.

Zone B Is The Seagrass Bed Management Zone

This zone allows traditional and sport fishing in support of sustainable fisheries. Only approved fishing methods (not destructive to seagrasses) are allowed in Zone B.

Zone C Includes Mangrove Islands, The Crangero Shoals, and Part of Ambergris Caye

This zone is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the mangrove forest and sustainable (catch & release) fishing. Visitors are encouraged to explore the mangrove forests by kayak, and swimming is allowed among the shoals and mangroves so long as no flora, fauna, shells, or rocks are removed. Most fishing is prohibited.

Experiencing Shark Ray Alley With Caravan’s Belize to Tikal Tour

A trip can be many things: an adventure, an experience, and even a time of relaxation. What it shouldn’t be is stressful.

Fortunately, Caravan helps travelers cut down on stress with our all-inclusive tours. On our Tour of Belize and Tikal, accommodations, meals, and a leisurely daily itinerary are curated and booked by experts. Our guests never have to sweat—unless they’re preparing to jump in with some sharks.

Swimming With Sharks? Enjoy The Adventure With Caravan

For over 70 years, Caravan’s travel experts have honed the art of curated, guided, all-inclusive tours. Today, trips like our 10-Day Tour of Belize and Tikal have never been more popular!

To experience the exhilaration and wonder of Shark Ray Alley, don’t hesitate. Call our agents toll-free at 1-800-227-2826 to book your spot today. Or, learn more by calling our information team at +1-312-321-9800.

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