San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Shark Ray Alley

Shark Ray Alley is a shallow sandy area south of Hol Chan and part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve since 1999. Originally a spot where local fishermen cleaned their catch, the site became habituated by nurse sharks and southern stingrays that learned to gather around the discarded scraps. Today it is a non-feeding observation site managed by Hol Chan rangers. Depths range from 3 to 10 metres on a flat sandy bottom interrupted by small coral patches and scattered turtle grass. On any given day divers and snorkellers see dozens of nurse sharks resting on the sand and southern stingrays gliding past at close range. Schools of yellowtail snapper, horse-eye jacks, bar jacks, mutton snapper, schoolmasters and grunts circle in the water column, and green moray eels, spotted eagle rays and bonefish are common visitors. The shallow profile, calm conditions and reliable wildlife encounters make this a top training and family snorkel site. Visibility is 12 to 20 metres.