Shallow sandy bottom, clear water, San Pedro and Caye Caulker boat times, guide-led snorkeling, and no-feeding rule.
Shark-Ray Alley
Shallow snorkel stop with sharks and rays south of Hol Chan.
About Shark-Ray Alley
Shark-Ray Alley is a boat-access snorkeling stop just south of Hol Chan where the bottom stays shallow, sandy, and calm enough for close-up wildlife viewing. The appeal is not coral terrain but easy encounters with nurse sharks, southern stingrays, and turtles around the boat stop, usually on a half-day tour from San Pedro or Caye Caulker. It is a busy, guide-led stop, so timing, boat traffic, and respectful wildlife spacing matter more than depth.
Research Estimate At Shark-Ray Alley
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Where Is Shark-Ray Alley?
Shark-Ray Alley Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
1.5m - 3m
Depth Note
Public descriptions place the alley at a few feet to about 8 ft (2.5 m), with shallow sand and seagrass over a roughly 1.5-3 m range depending on the exact stop and tide.
Best Season
Year-round; mornings and early afternoons are usually the clearest windows.
Typical Conditions
Very shallow, calm water with a sandy bottom; tour boats and other snorkelers are the main variable.
Safety & Access At Shark-Ray Alley
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Keep fins clear of the bottom, avoid sudden movements, and give stingrays space; they can sting if threatened.
Access Restrictions
Boat-only in Hol Chan Marine Reserve; guided snorkel tours are the normal access pattern, and feeding is not allowed.
Legal Notes
No feeding or touching wildlife inside the reserve; follow guide instructions and stay within the tour area.
Local Intel For Shark-Ray Alley
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba
Very shallow depth makes it suitable for an easy dive.
Freedive
The shallow water is easy enough for confident freedivers, but Shark-Ray Alley is mainly a guided snorkel stop.
Snorkel
Described as suitable for snorkeling at a depth of about 2.4 m (8 ft).
Shark-Ray Alley Dive Conditions Planner
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Shark-Ray Alley.
Exposure Profile at Shark-Ray Alley
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Wildlife at Shark-Ray Alley
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Shark-Ray Alley
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
No Dive Logs Yet
Be the first to log a dive at this spot and share your experience!
Dive Spot Log Averages At Shark-Ray Alley
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Shark-Ray Alley Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Shark-Ray Alley Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
Boat-only access, shallow depth range, high visitor numbers, moderate-current warning, and morning visibility guidance.
Half-day snorkel logistics from San Pedro with gear, boat ride timing, and combined Hol Chan + Shark Ray Alley tours.
Reserve location, top snorkeling status, and stingray, nurse shark, and turtle highlights.
Know this site? Improve Spot Details.






