Snorkeling is at its best off the coast of Ambergris Caye. If diving isn’t an option, snorkeling is definitely a welcome alternative. Snorkeling is best enjoyed after a short boat ride from shore. The reef is located just under 1 mile (1.6 km) from shore, a manageable swim for the athletic, but definitely not a voyage to be taken lightly.

Some hotels and resorts do work hard to entice fish to frequent their peers, offering guests the convenience snore access. Cocotal Inn, for instance, boasts a pleasant snorkeling experience just off its pier – certainly one of the many reasons we chose to stay there.

Ambergris Caye boasts three prime snorkeling sites accessible by boat: Shark-Ray Alley, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and Mexico Rocks. Shark-Ray Alley offers excellent nurse and stingray encounters at a depth perfect for photography, whether you’re above the surface or below. Mexico Rocks is to the north of San Pedro and usually must be visited by itself, but Hol Chan and Shark-Ray Alley, both south of San Pedro, can both be enjoyed in one snorkeling trip.

Established in 1987,Hol Chan Marine Reserve is an underwater national park, about 5 square miles in size. Free of fishermen’s nets and hooks, the fish are plentiful. Large groupers, nurse sharks, sting rays, moray and other eels, spadefish, schoolmasters and other fish can be seen during a single visit. It is characterized by a primarily sandy bottom, but some colorful coral can be seen. Visibility is outstanding at 50+ feet with water temperatures usually in the mid 70’s F.

Mexico Rocks offers a very different experience than the other two sites. Mexico Rocks has fewer fish, but offers a rich coral experience with 30 different coral species including the montastrea annularis. It is also nicely sheltered from greater tidal effects, making the snorkeling easier and more leisurely.

For those wishing for a greater adventure, tours do offer greater snorkeling excursions however, it may be best to choose diving if such commitment is in order. The longer trips will offer some remarkable snorkeling, but the true adventure lies in deeper waters with the aid of more versatile breathing apparatus. Other cayes and atols offer valuable snorkeling opportunities. If you choose to stay elsewhere, therefore, your options are still excellent.

Caye Caulker offers accessibility to Hol Chan and Shark-Ray Alley as well as two of its own sites, one very similar to Shark-Ray. Many snorkeling opportunities offer access to mangrove sea life.

We’re planning to enjoy snorkeling from the beach if we can find some attractions in the water off the pier as well as a catamaran tour. Liz’s post on the Unity Tours activity, discussed a potential outfitter that offers a pleasant boat cruise coupled with snorkeling and, most importantly, rum punch!*

*Recommended, don’t drink then snorkel.

Whale Sharks

Offering the one barrier reef in the western hemisphere and the Blue Hole, Belize is obviously a fabulous diver’s destination. But many would agree that neither of those would compare to the awesome, once in a lifetime experience of diving with a whale shark. These massive creatures, the largest fish in the world, are among the most gentle of the shark family. They can grow to 40 feet and weigh up to 15 tons. But they are filter feeders, sometimes consuming the frye of different fish species.

Most information sources I have reviewed suggest that the Whale sharks appear in Belizean waters in April and depart around July. I was so disappointed to discover that these creatures are found off the coast of Belize, but would be gone by the time Liz and I arrived. But, as I was researching this post, I discovered the following piece of information from ambergriscaye.com. Notice the last sentence!

They roam up and down the coast, the Gladden Spit area about 26 miles off the coast of Placencia is known to host large concentrations of whale sharks during April and May when Mutton and Dog Snappers are spawning (the whales ingest the spawn as food).

Based on observations, we believe the biggest sharks are in the area in September.

Is it possible? Could Liz and I snorkel or dive with whale sharks? This would undoubtedly be the single coolest underwater experience I’ve ever had. It would simply blow away the appeal of diving the Blue Hole, and yield amazing video! Whale shark encounters are mercifully shallow, allowing snorkelers and divers alike to view them. Snorkeling is often the recommended method as less impacting or stressful to the shark. This suits me just fine and would permit Liz to participate in the adventure.

Seahorse Dive Shop offers diving and snorkel trips to see whale sharks for $165.00 and $90.00 respectively. I sent an inquiry to ask about the likelihood of a September encounter. We’ll see if we get something back. I’m not holding my breath. Seahorse Dive Shop is in Placencia, a long ways away from San Pedro on Ambergris. We’d have to make some changes to our trip plans to get there and go on one of the trips. But if we could pull it off….