belize.com · Local Guide
Crowding, current, visibility, and reserve-wide planning notes.
Dive Spot Guide•
Hol-Chan
Short-form name for Belize's reef-and-shark reserve.
5/5
3 dives by 3 diversScubaSnorkelBoat EntryBeginner
Reef
Guided boat trips from San Pedro or Caye Caulker make this an easy, high-traffic choice for snorkelers and beginner divers.
About Hol-Chan
Hol-Chan is Belize's shorter local name for the boat-access marine reserve south of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. It centers on a shallow reef cut and Shark Ray Alley snorkel zones, making it a guided, beginner-friendly outing with clear water, easy boat logistics, and regular shark, ray, turtle, and reef-fish encounters.
•
Research + Early Community Signal At Hol-Chan
Conservative research baseline blended with 3 logged dives by 3 divers.
VisibilityVisibility: 12m
AccessSimple entry
Coral HealthHealthy coral
Marine LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
CrowdedModerate
Current StrengthLight current
Surge StrengthFlat calm
Where Is Hol-Chan?
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.
Hol-Chan Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
1m - 12m
Depth Note
The signature channel is about 9 m deep, while some public dive directories place the site at roughly 12 m max depth; Shark Ray Alley and the surrounding reef and seagrass areas are shallower and used for guided snorkel and easy scuba outings.
Best Season
Dry season, especially November-April, with calmer mornings and better visibility.
Typical Conditions
Clear, shallow water with busy tour traffic and occasional tidal current through the cut; mornings are usually the calmest.
Safety & Access At Hol-Chan
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficSharp coralStrong current
Safety Notes
Keep clear of coral and use good buoyancy control; watch the tidal flow in the channel; give sharks, rays, and turtles space.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; register with reserve staff, use mooring buoys, and follow guided-group limits. Shark Ray Alley is snorkel-only inside the exclusive recreational area.
Legal Notes
No fishing, anchoring, spear fishing, gloves, or fish feeding inside the reserve; vessels must register and scuba visits are limited to certified divers or supervised training in the permitted zones.
Local Intel For Hol-Chan
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba
Guided scuba is centered on the main Hol Chan channel and reef edges; Shark Ray Alley itself is snorkel-only, so scuba trips stay in the broader reserve zones.
Freedive
Freediving is possible in the shallow water, but this reserve is better treated as a guided snorkel or easy scuba outing than a freedive-first site.
Snorkel
This is the classic Hol Chan experience: boat in, then guided snorkel stops in the channel and Shark Ray Alley with sharks, rays, turtles, and dense reef fish.
Hol-Chan Dive Conditions Planner
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Hol-Chan.
Current Snapshot
No data
🌥️Variable
Sunrise
No data
Time
No data
Sunset
No data
Surface / Entry
Wind No data · Tide No data
Sea State
Swell No data · Period unavailable
Visibility Outlook
Rain chance No data
Wind
No data
Swell
No data
Exposure Profile at Hol-Chan
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Exposure Note
Hourly forecast data is not available yet.
Wildlife at Hol-Chan
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Hol-Chan
3 community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
S
Silent Sea Turtle
6/1/2021 at 01:10 PM (America/Belize)
Scuba Diving
★★★★★
5/5 OverallMax Depth:10m
Visibility:8m
Conditions
CurrentLight current
SurgeLight surge
Detailed Ratings
AccessModerate entry effort
CoralHealthy coral
Marine LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
CrowdedFew visitors
Review
“The site was amazing and enjoyable! I like that the site is part of the Hol-Chan Marine Reserve. I think this is why there was so much sea life. There were sharks and turtles and many fish species. There were several sharks that we kept an eye on, but they did not bother us. I assumed they are used to seeing divers in the marine reserve. I also observed large sponge and coral species that I had not seen before, a few were several feet tall (3-4 ft, if I remember correctly).”
Loading buddies...
J
5/29/2021 at 05:00 AM (America/Belize)
Scuba DivingSnorkeling
★★★★★
5/5 OverallReview
“This was a great time. Took a boat out from San Pedro. There were a few groups out there but not too bad. Saw an eagle ray + three seahorses, tons of fish, and a good amount of nurse sharks.”
Loading buddies...
Dive Spot Log Averages At Hol-Chan
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility12m
Avg. Max Depth10m
Activity
Total Logs3
Unique Divers3
Loading nearby spots...
Hol-Chan Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Hol-Chan Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
www.belizeadventure.ca · Travel Guide
Access from San Pedro and Caye Caulker, channel depth, daily tours, and calmer morning conditions.
www.holchanmarinereserve.org · Official Site
Reserve history, location, conservation purpose, and 2016 expansion.
www.travelbelize.org · Tourism Board
Official tourism page for Shark Ray Alley wildlife highlights.
Know this site? Improve Spot Details.
