Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Category
Attraction
Type of Attraction
Aquatic Wonder, Marine Reserve, Nature Reserve
District/Region
Near Ambergris Caye
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Description
Highlights
  • Snorkeling & Swimming
  • Corals, Sharks, & Other Marine Life
  • National Park

About Location
Off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye is Belize's oldest marine reserve,the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Hol Chan is Mayan for "little channel." The entire reserve focuses on a cut through the reef (called a quebrada) which is little more than 25 yards (23 m) wide and 30 feet (9 m) deep about 4 miles southeast of San Pedro.

The reserve was formed primarily as a community-based initiative due to concern over the high level of uncontrolled, often destructive fishing and diving activities in the area. Reserve status was also called for by international organizations such as the New York Zoological Society (NYZS) and Peace Corps, due to the unique formation of the channel, the abundant fishery resources (including conch and lobster) and the feasibility of including an interlinked system of coral reef, seagrass and mangrove habitats in this area.

The entire reserve covers approximately three square miles (7.8 sq km)
As translated in Maya as “Little Channel,” the Hol Chan Marine Reserve refers to the deep cut or “quebrada” in the barrier reef off Ambergris Caye. This protected zone encompasses a total of 13,632 acres of marine waters, which includes four (4) zones: 

– Zone A: Coral Reef (640 acres)

– Zone B: Sea Grass Beds (5,376)

– Zone C: Mangroves (6,336)

– Zone D: Shark Ray Alley (1,280)

Located approximately four (4) miles south of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, this top snorkeling zone is Belize’s first marine reserve legislated in July 1987.

Its popularity has been primarily centered on the schools of friendly docile nurse sharks, silver and colorful fishes. This snorkeler haven is also home to a few endangered species of marine life, such as: Loggerhead Turtle, Green Turtle, Nassau Grouper, Star Coral, Staghorn Coral and Elkhorn Coral.
 
Whats Nearby
Recommended Hotels
 (4)
Recommended
On San Pedro’s north edge, experience a private paradise at Blue Tang Inn, one of the town’s most charming beachfront inns. Fourteen exquisite suites each offer full kitchens and air ... moreconditioning. Relax by the private pool or rejoice on the third-floor sundeck with inspiring panoramas of the ocean and reef. Set your own schedule for amazing daily activities such as sailing & snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, and numerous inland tours to visit ancient Mayan Ruins and waterfalls.

Each suite has a fully equipped kitchen for your convenience. There's a grocery store 1/2 block away that will deliver! Complimentary Continental breakfast is included daily. 

Our staff is super friendly and will help you book your daily activities. Just ask!
Phone Number:
+501 226 2326
Gold Certified:
Yes
Area:
San Pedro
Region:
Northern Islands
Learn More
Most Popular Tours
$
70
/ Person
Departs From:
San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
 (42)
Provider:
Tuff E Nuff offers the best snorkeling experience at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley. Come and explore the beauty of Belize's healthy barrier reef ecosystem (no touching), which is also ... morethe world's second-largest living barrier reef! At Hol Chan Marine Reserve, there is an excellent coral formation with a variety of friendly sea creatures including, of course, nurse sharks and stingrays.
Tours & Shuttles
$
199
/ Adult
Departs From:
San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
The All-in-1 is a "best of tour" that includes the most requested by our guests - an Exclusive tour only with Catamaran Belize!... more
The semi-private option has the same itinerary as our regular All-in-1 (minimum 8 and maximum 16 guests), but with a minimum of only 4 guests and a guarantee of no more than 8 guests on board. This is something unique with us on the island, a great option to avoid crowds but yet share the fun with some other guests.
Our semi-private tours are also upgraded with our *Premium* Belizean buffet: Our captain's BBQ fish with veggies and secret sauce and our chef's home-made stewed chicken, rice and beans, flour tortillas, coleslaw, pico de gallo and fried sweet plantain.
*Premium* - the buffet on our semi-private tours also includes corn on the cob and your choice of 2 skewers: shrimp, beef, or mushroom

We depart later to let you sleep in, avoid the crowds, and see the sunset at the end of the tour. We start with snorkeling at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley. 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! We then serve our famous *Premium* Belizean buffet on-board. After lunch, we stop at the neighbor island Caye Caulker for approx. 1 hour of free time to explore the island, followed by a relaxed sunset cruise back to San Pedro, with ceviche served. Open bar with local rum, vodka, gin, soft drinks and juices is included. Try the specials, rum punch and "panty rippers"!
$
1,500
-
$
1,800
/ Group
Join us for a Caye Caulker Catamaran Sailing and Snorkeling tour on Miss Faith. On this tour, you will be sailing the beautiful Caribbean Sea and snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. ... moreIt includes fresh ceviche and an open local bar; or, you can also book with a private chef to prepare amazing local dishes for you.
$
840
/ Group
Departs From:
San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
 (1)
The Northern coast of Ambergris Caye has amazing blue waters and beautiful views along the way. The tour starts with breakfast being served while sailing to Mexico Rocks, which at ... morethe end of 2015 became a part of the marine reserve, to protect its rich marine life and precious corals. We do our first stop for snorkeling there and then continue to our favorite spot - a shallow area close to the reef, that is just like a natural pool (great for non-swimmers as well)! Here we make a break to relax in the shallow warm water, while the crew prepares our famous Belizean buffet on-board. Traditional Belizean dishes like stewed chicken and rice and beans with our Captain’s secret recipe BBQ fish! After lunch, we return South doing a second snorkel stop at Tres Cocos. You can also choose to extend the day with more hours, to include more snorkeling or fishing. 

An open bar featuring local rum drinks like rum punch and "panty rippers" is included all day. 
$
139
/ Adult
Departs From:
San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
 (12)
The All-in-1 is a "best of tour" that includes the most requested by our guests - an Exclusive tour only with Catamaran Belize!... more
We depart later to let you sleep in, avoid the crowds, and see the sunset at the end of the tour. We start with snorkeling at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley. 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! We then serve our famous Belizean buffet lunch on board. Traditional dishes like stewed chicken and rice and beans with our Captain’s secret recipe BBQ fish! After lunch, we stop at the neighboring island Caye Caulker for approx. 1 hour of free time to explore the island, followed by a relaxed sunset cruise back to San Pedro, with ceviche served. An open bar with local rum, vodka, gin, soft drinks, and juices is included. Try the specials, rum punch, and "panty rippers"!
$
1,230
/ Group
Departs From:
San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
 (1)
Discover the highlights in the area on your private catamaran! We start the tour with snorkeling at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley. Hol Chan has the largest variety of species to be ... moreseen 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!

We then stop at the neighboring island Caye Caulker for approx. 2 hours of free time to explore the island and lunch at a restaurant of your choice.

After this we make another snorkel stop at the Coral Gardens area.

You can also choose to add our famous Belizean buffet to be served onboard instead, before arriving at Caye Caulker.

Then we can do the stop shorter on Caye Caulker (1 hour approx) and do one more snorkel stop, or stop at a shallow sandbar area on our return.

For groups of 8 guests or less, it is possible to do fishing instead as the last activity.

We finish the day with a sunset cruise while we serve you fresh ceviche. Enjoy the sunset over the open water, then watch Ambergris Caye change into its nocturnal aspect and hopefully, also the first stars!

Our crew will serve you a fresh ceviche during the sunset cruise. 
An open bar featuring local rum drinks like rum punch and "panty rippers" is included all day.
$
140
/ Person
Departs From:
Caye Caulker
Provider:
Snorkeling sites: Hol Chan Channel  Shark Ray alley  Chato Turtle area  Manatee Area  Sunken Barge  Viewing Site: Tarpon Hole  Sea Horse
$
140
-
$
175
/ Person
Provider:
Blue Tang Inn Relax at Blue Tang Inn in one of our Garden View Suites. This package also includes a ½ day sail and snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley ... moreon the 40 foot Sirena Azul Sailboat.
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Overall
Scenic
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