Snorkeling Excursion by Boat to Hol Chan?

[mas0764]

Hello all,

 

I've been reading up some on the snorkeling options in Belize and it looks to me like the "best" snorkeling in the area is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

 

However, I am taking a cruise on Carnival and no "ship-based" excursion is offered to Hol Chan (or even to Caye Caulker!).

 

Therefore I was thinking of trying to get a private tour to the Hol Chan Reserve and spend the day there, since the ship is in port in Belize for quite a long time that day (9 am to 6 pm).

 

I see that some people on the message board have pointed to an option to get a flight to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye; however, I am a little nervous about taking a flight in such a small plane.

 

I see that there are tour groups that offer boat tours to Caye Caulker (like Coral Breeze) -- and in fact even stop at "Shark Ray Alley" which is technically IN Hol Chan. But from what I hear, Zone A of Hol Chan is only like another 20 minutes north. Since I have all day, I figure there has to be some tour company able to take me another 20 minutes north in that amount of time.

 

Does anyone know of any tour companies who will go the extra few minutes north to the Hol Chan reef?

 

Or can I call Coral Breeze and get a "individualized" tour and ask them to take me all the way to see Hol Chan?

 

I'm not interested so much in seeing sharks and rays, I want to see coral and fish mostly. So I would rather skip Shark Ray Alley and instead go see Zone A of Hol Chan which has more reef and coral.

 

Any suggestions?

[blueasthesea]

Hello all,

 

I've been reading up some on the snorkeling options in Belize and it looks to me like the "best" snorkeling in the area is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

 

However, I am taking a cruise on Carnival and no "ship-based" excursion is offered to Hol Chan (or even to Caye Caulker!).

 

Therefore I was thinking of trying to get a private tour to the Hol Chan Reserve and spend the day there, since the ship is in port in Belize for quite a long time that day (9 am to 6 pm).

 

I see that some people on the message board have pointed to an option to get a flight to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye; however, I am a little nervous about taking a flight in such a small plane.

 

I see that there are tour groups that offer boat tours to Caye Caulker (like Coral Breeze) -- and in fact even stop at "Shark Ray Alley" which is technically IN Hol Chan. But from what I hear, Zone A of Hol Chan is only like another 20 minutes north. Since I have all day, I figure there has to be some tour company able to take me another 20 minutes north in that amount of time.

 

Does anyone know of any tour companies who will go the extra few minutes north to the Hol Chan reef?

 

Or can I call Coral Breeze and get a "individualized" tour and ask them to take me all the way to see Hol Chan?

 

I'm not interested so much in seeing sharks and rays, I want to see coral and fish mostly. So I would rather skip Shark Ray Alley and instead go see Zone A of Hol Chan which has more reef and coral.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Seems as though you are looking for someone to take you there privately, which would be best in your case. Most companies i know of during my frequent visits to Belize would take you as far as Caye Caulker, the places that they visit more often would be, Bannister, Sergeants, or Goff's Caye . Your excursion would need to start early if you plan on getting the most of your stay at Hol Chan. Last time I was there we hired a private boat and a guide to take us to Southern Long Caye which is a little further. Try- realwaytogo@yahoo.com he was the guy that took us maybe he can help you out, he was a life saver to us. We chose that Caye because it wasn't as crowded as the others, and my family and i wanted to some quiet time just to get away from all the stress.:rolleyes: I wish you the best in your visit to Belize.

[mas0764]

Does anyone have experience with these guys?

 

http://wetnwildbelize.com/tours/marine-reserve-snorkeling

 

They seem to indicate they can do a 5.5 hour boat trip to the Marine Reserve (judging from the map linked on the right, that is Hol Chan).

 

For $65 it seems pretty cheap compared to others. Too good to be true?

[waltonfarms]

4 of us are interested I was checking out taking water taxi to San Pedro the get local to take us out snorkeling to hol chan and shark alley

Hello all,

 

I've been reading up some on the snorkeling options in Belize and it looks to me like the "best" snorkeling in the area is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

 

However, I am taking a cruise on Carnival and no "ship-based" excursion is offered to Hol Chan (or even to Caye Caulker!).

 

Therefore I was thinking of trying to get a private tour to the Hol Chan Reserve and spend the day there, since the ship is in port in Belize for quite a long time that day (9 am to 6 pm).

 

I see that some people on the message board have pointed to an option to get a flight to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye; however, I am a little nervous about taking a flight in such a small plane.

 

I see that there are tour groups that offer boat tours to Caye Caulker (like Coral Breeze) -- and in fact even stop at "Shark Ray Alley" which is technically IN Hol Chan. But from what I hear, Zone A of Hol Chan is only like another 20 minutes north. Since I have all day, I figure there has to be some tour company able to take me another 20 minutes north in that amount of time.

 

Does anyone know of any tour companies who will go the extra few minutes north to the Hol Chan reef?

 

Or can I call Coral Breeze and get a "individualized" tour and ask them to take me all the way to see Hol Chan?

 

I'm not interested so much in seeing sharks and rays, I want to see coral and fish mostly. So I would rather skip Shark Ray Alley and instead go see Zone A of Hol Chan which has more reef and coral.

 

Any suggestions?

[teresastreed]

Hello all,

 

I've been reading up some on the snorkeling options in Belize and it looks to me like the "best" snorkeling in the area is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

 

However, I am taking a cruise on Carnival and no "ship-based" excursion is offered to Hol Chan (or even to Caye Caulker!).

 

Therefore I was thinking of trying to get a private tour to the Hol Chan Reserve and spend the day there, since the ship is in port in Belize for quite a long time that day (9 am to 6 pm).

 

I see that some people on the message board have pointed to an option to get a flight to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye; however, I am a little nervous about taking a flight in such a small plane.

 

I see that there are tour groups that offer boat tours to Caye Caulker (like Coral Breeze) -- and in fact even stop at "Shark Ray Alley" which is technically IN Hol Chan. But from what I hear, Zone A of Hol Chan is only like another 20 minutes north. Since I have all day, I figure there has to be some tour company able to take me another 20 minutes north in that amount of time.

 

Does anyone know of any tour companies who will go the extra few minutes north to the Hol Chan reef?

 

Or can I call Coral Breeze and get a "individualized" tour and ask them to take me all the way to see Hol Chan?

 

I'm not interested so much in seeing sharks and rays, I want to see coral and fish mostly. So I would rather skip Shark Ray Alley and instead go see Zone A of Hol Chan which has more reef and coral.

 

Any suggestions?

 

It is possible to do exactly what you have mentioned above. We did this last year. Simply book a flight from the Belize airport to San Pedro. It isn't that expensive. Then walk a couple of blocks and you will find all kinds of little dive/snorkel huts that will take you to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and then on to Shark Ray Alley. We did both! Excellent snorkeling at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. However, it is a little choppy at Hol Chan so make sure you are an experienced snorkeler.

 

I was also nervous about taking the small airplane. It was a wonderful flight with fantastic views. Don't worry there is nothing to be afraid of. Just make sure you book your flight back in plenty of time before the cruise ship leaves port.:)

[Motorcycle Gma]

It is possible to do exactly what you have mentioned above. We did this last year. Simply book a flight from the Belize airport to San Pedro. It isn't that expensive. Then walk a couple of blocks and you will find all kinds of little dive/snorkel huts that will take you to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and then on to Shark Ray Alley. We did both! Excellent snorkeling at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. However, it is a little choppy at Hol Chan so make sure you are an experienced snorkeler.

 

I was also nervous about taking the small airplane. It was a wonderful flight with fantastic views. Don't worry there is nothing to be afraid of. Just make sure you book your flight back in plenty of time before the cruise ship leaves port.:)

 

We'd love to do this. Did you book the flight(s) yourself and how did you get from Belize City to airport, etc. Or, did you go thru a tour operator? I've checked on doing this thru tour operator and it was about $200pp. A bit pricey for me for some snorkeling.

 

Where is the airport from Belize City? I've been outside the tour gates of Belize City and walked around, but I don't remember taxis or anything.

[Motorcycle Gma]

4 of us are interested I was checking out taking water taxi to San Pedro the get local to take us out snorkeling to hol chan and shark alley

 

What date is your Magic cruise? We're trying to figure this out too; we are on the Oct 20 cruise. I've done research and it seems the trip to Hol Chan & Shark Ray is an all day trip. The tour operator I talked to said we couldn't get back in time. Let me know if you find something that will work. Thanks

[teresastreed]

We'd love to do this. Did you book the flight(s) yourself and how did you get from Belize City to airport, etc. Or, did you go thru a tour operator? I've checked on doing this thru tour operator and it was about $200pp. A bit pricey for me for some snorkeling.

 

Where is the airport from Belize City? I've been outside the tour gates of Belize City and walked around, but I don't remember taxis or anything.

 

 

I did use a tour operator when I booked it last year. However, after having done it...........next time I would book on my own. We just took a taxi on our own right outside the gates to the local airport. Then when we arrived in San Pedro we walked to the beach and hired a local to take us out to Hol Chan. The boat ride isn't long.........however you will be on a very small boat with no restrooms and no shade. The water was choppy the day we went to Hol chan........it's not for beginners. The snorkeling was very good. We saw several kinds of turtles, nurse sharks, lots of fish and coral, green moray eel and a black eel, and several different kinds of stingrays.

 

I wouldn't go by boat because I don't think there is enough time. The only way to go is by plane. The plane ride is only about 15 - 20 minutes. I think we took the 9 am flight and returned on the 2 or 3 pm flight. We had plenty of time to catch the last tender back to the ship. You need to make sure you have enough time on the Magic in Belize. We were on the Carnival Liberty and were in port from 9am to 6pm ship time. Also make sure when booking your aware that ship time is different than Belize time. You will need to figure all that out.

 

It is very good snorkeling but it isn't cheap to get there! You will have your taxi to the airport both ways. Cost of Airline Tickets and then you have to hire a boat to take you to Hol Chan. It probably cost us somewhere between $150 -$200 a piece to do this trip! But it was worth it! The airplane ride was Amazing and worth the money alone!

 

If you don't decide to do this..........I can make another suggestion if your stopping in Roatan Honduras. Take the private tour with Upachaya (spelling?) You go out on a Pontoon boat to 2 different snorkeling stops and then back and they feed you lunch. The snorkeling was very good there too! Saw lionfish and tons of starfish! Plus lots of other fish and coral! Upachaya will pick you up right outside the gates. You don't have to hire a taxi!

 

We love to snorkel and have been all over the Caribbean and Hawaii! Were also very experienced Cruisers..........been on 20 Cruises! 15 of those Cruises were with Carnival!

 

Have a Great Trip!:)

[mas0764]

FWIW I used Sea Sports Belize when we were in Belize and they were very good. The tour guide was extremely helpful.

 

We had some bad weather but they can't be blamed for that, haha. We snorkeled at North and South Gallow's Point, the reef was great there.

[Motorcycle Gma]

I've considered Sea Sports Belize but for $95 for a boat snorkel, I might as well dive! (Also, there are mixed reviews about them getting back in time). I've found Eco Tours does a boat to Hol Chan for $65/pp and and air option for $139 or $169/pp. We are still considering our options.

 

There are very mixed reviews on TA for Eco Tours. I read good reviews here for Eco Tours, but it seems they are real hit & miss on Trip Advisor. I also saw where one CC person used them recently (via air) and everything went fine.

 

Just wanted to chime in on my further research if this helps anyone. Thanks Mas0765 for your input. Would love to hear from Teresastreed which operator you used!

[teresastreed]

I've considered Sea Sports Belize but for $95 for a boat snorkel, I might as well dive! (Also, there are mixed reviews about them getting back in time). I've found Eco Tours does a boat to Hol Chan for $65/pp and and air option for $139 or $169/pp. We are still considering our options.

 

There are very mixed reviews on TA for Eco Tours. I read good reviews here for Eco Tours, but it seems they are real hit & miss on Trip Advisor. I also saw where one CC person used them recently (via air) and everything went fine.

 

Just wanted to chime in on my further research if this helps anyone. Thanks Mas0765 for your input. Would love to hear from Teresastreed which operator you used!

 

 

I think the tour Operator I used was www.belizeexcursions.biz it was listed as the Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Tour. I checked out their website and it is still listed along with their reviews. I think the price is $129 pp and that includes your airfare and boat and guide to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. More time was spend at Hol Chan Marine Reserve then Shark Ray Alley. We were the only 2 people on the tour. The plane is small - holds only 8 to 10 people, but the views were incredible!

 

I know you said you weren't interested in the shark ray alley part of the tour.....but it was very interesting. We saw rays that we'd never seen before.

 

Again the snorkeling was excellent in Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Some of the best snorkeling we've done in the Caribbean. We really enjoyed this tour. We are thinking about going on the Carnival Liberty again this winter and taking this same tour again! It was definitely worth the money! Hope this information helps you!:)

[Will in sunny FL]

I think that yesterday when we booked the Goff's Cay snorkel trip with Island Marketing, that in looking around on their Belize info area, that I saw the snorkel trip that you are looking for where you snorkel off of Cay Caulker & then have lunch on Cay Caulker.

Check out the Island Marketing site & they are based in Grand Cayman & offer tours in many cruise ship ports.

Enjoy Belize.

Bill in FL

Edited October 10, 2013 by Will in sunny FL

[Motorcycle Gma]

I think the tour Operator I used was www.belizeexcursions.biz it was listed as the Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Tour. I checked out their website and it is still listed along with their reviews. I think the price is $129 pp and that includes your airfare and boat and guide to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. More time was spend at Hol Chan Marine Reserve then Shark Ray Alley. We were the only 2 people on the tour. The plane is small - holds only 8 to 10 people, but the views were incredible!

 

I know you said you weren't interested in the shark ray alley part of the tour.....but it was very interesting. We saw rays that we'd never seen before.

 

Again the snorkeling was excellent in Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Some of the best snorkeling we've done in the Caribbean. We really enjoyed this tour. We are thinking about going on the Carnival Liberty again this winter and taking this same tour again! It was definitely worth the money! Hope this information helps you!:)

 

Thanks Teresa for your update. We decided to do the fly snorkel with EcoTours. Your above tour provider's reviews on TA are for Hol Chan or Shark Ray Alley, not the actual company. I didn't have time to hunt for more reviews, so we are giving Eco a try. Its only $129 or $139. We go next week! Thanks again for everyone's input.

[wantocruisemore]

Thanks Teresa for your update. We decided to do the fly snorkel with EcoTours. Your above tour provider's reviews on TA are for Hol Chan or Shark Ray Alley, not the actual company. I didn't have time to hunt for more reviews, so we are giving Eco a try. Its only $129 or $139. We go next week! Thanks again for everyone's input.

 

Please come back and report your experience. We are considering them for next May. I had heard some not so good things about the registering in process, such as wasting 45 min., so please give details of your experience.

[Winterstale]

We booked a private excursion with grumpy and happy tours -- they are number 1 on tripadvisor. It is not cheap - but it includes airfare to Ambergis Cay, equipment, etc. I'll post a review when we return - leaving Saturday on the Carnival Dream.

[waltonfarms]

Thanks do they go to shark alley and chan ho what do they cost

[waltonfarms]

how was your snorkel trip to ambergris cay

[kcparrothead]

We're leaning towards using Shoretrips.com to fly to Ambergris, then finding someone to take us out snorkeling. Does anyone have a recommendation? Someplace close to the airport? Also, how long do you snorkel? I would love to hang out in San Pedro for a couple hours.

 

 

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[Winterstale]

We are just back and let me just say....our excursion ROCKED!! Loren and Jolene from grumpyandhappy tours took care of booking flights for us via Tropic Air - very easy to get out of the pier area, grab a cab, and get to the airport for the quick - and beautiful! - flight to Ambergris. We ended up being able to hop an earlier flight there since we get an early tender. Right across the street from the San Pedro Airport was the little Sunbreeze Hotel where we had breakfast and watched Loren and Jolene pull the boat up to the pier in front.

 

They took us on an AMAZING three stop snorkel tour - tons of nurse sharks, rays (one they actually know by name - "Stumpy") - a giant turtle who would swim right near us! It was just me and my husband. My husband is NOT a brave snorkeler and he did GREAT with this trip! I cannot recommend them enough. They have great reviews on TA and mine will be up soon! Tons of fish and just beautiful.

 

It was not inexpensive but WORTH EVERY PENNY! With flights included, it was about $225/pp - you will NOT regret it if you book with them!

 

 

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[mccbeh]

I think the tour Operator I used was www.belizeexcursions.biz it was listed as the Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Tour. I checked out their website and it is still listed along with their reviews. I think the price is $129 pp and that includes your airfare and boat and guide to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. More time was spend at Hol Chan Marine Reserve then Shark Ray Alley. We were the only 2 people on the tour. The plane is small - holds only 8 to 10 people, but the views were incredible!

 

I know you said you weren't interested in the shark ray alley part of the tour.....but it was very interesting. We saw rays that we'd never seen before.

 

Again the snorkeling was excellent in Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Some of the best snorkeling we've done in the Caribbean. We really enjoyed this tour. We are thinking about going on the Carnival Liberty again this winter and taking this same tour again! It was definitely worth the money! Hope this information helps you!:)

 

 

That seems to be a great option, we did the boat ride a couple of years ago and I would not recommend it at all, depending on the weather and waves it can be really nasty. Much better to take the 15min plane to San Pedro!

[waltonfarms]

did you snorkel at Shark alley did you fly we are interested in flying to san pedro island we have found tours for $130