The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the most impressive snorkelling sites in the world, and is known as the most exemplary protected area in the country and the region. Just about 4 miles south of San Pedro Town, a short 15-minute boat ride, Hol Chan, Mayan for "little channel" and "quebrado" in Spanish, is home to over 160 species of fish, along with nearly 40 species of corals, 5 sponges, 8 algae, 2 seagrasses, 3 marine mammals and 3 species of sea turtle. Schools of jacks, groupers & snappers come to greet you as guests, as you are guided off to the channel's edge where vibrant coral forms crevices and an overhang where green eels and lobsters dwell. And just a short 5-minute boat ride from it lies the second site visited, "Shark Ray Alley" which was later included into the protected area system, after Nurse Sharks and Southern Stingrays started frequenting the area. Upon your arrival, these inquisitive creatures will politely come to greet you, expectant of you joining them for a swim. This is where you get to live the lifetime experience of swimming with large numbers of nurse sharks and sting rays. Schools of fish such as horse eye jacks will also accompany you as you discover more juvenile marine life darting within this shallow reef's coral clusters. Expect a lot of activity and colour!
Hol Chan + Shark Ray Alley