Whilst on Ambergris Caye, we took a snorkel tour to the famous Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley, which are actually two different stops often done together.
Our bed-and-breakfast made all the arrangements for us and used a tour company called SEA-Rios. It was pretty convenient because they had plenty of prescription snorkels, which my husband needs.
The trip itself was $40 for both of us, with $5 extra for the special mask. This was only a half a day tour, but that was plenty, as it was so hot
Jeffery picked us up at 9 that morning from our hotel beach, and after a brief diversion to get other vacationers, we were off to Hol Chan (Little Channel). It is about a 20-minute boat ride to get there, and on arrival, Jeffery had to pay the few dollars entry fee, as this is a protected part of the famous reef.
We put on our snorkel masks and followed Jeffery as he swam up and around the reef, pointing out all the marine life and interesting creatures as he went. The coral had lovely colors.
We saw all kinds of fish that I will never remember, as well as the head of a Moray eel peeking from the rocks and a few nurse sharks eating from the bottom of the nearby boats.
After a good amount of swimming and marine lessons, it was back on the boat for drinks and homemade banana bread and on to my favorite - Shark Ray Alley. As soon as we approached, the boat was instantly surrounded by big nurse sharks and sting rays. It was quite daunting to say the least. Jeffery told us that they couldn’t feed the fish in the Hol Chan Preserve, but here it was still okay, something about because this had originally been a place where fishermen stopped to clean their fish, so the fish and sharks still gathered to eat leftovers. I’m not sure this sounded so ecologically correct, but you know, I loved seeing them all so close that I didn’t ask too many questions.
It took some guts to get in that water, and by then, the sharks that were much more nervous were swimming off. The sting rays, though, were so curious and would swim right up to me - kinda freaky.
Jeffery was quite the comedian, and his favorite trick was to throw little bits of dead fish at you where you weren’t prepared, which caused the sharks and bigger fish to swim up mouths open. No matter whatever anyone tells you, nurse sharks do have teeth - I saw them!!!! They are just little (and I’m sure sharp).
It was a wonderful time, though, and I really recommend going early, as we did, before the areas become full of tour boats. Also, do remember to bring a waterproof camera, as the photos from the boat just make it look like a giant aquarium and no one back home will believe you swam in it!!