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Shark Ray Alley
“Live every week like it’s shark week!”
—Tracy Morgan, in Sharks! By Tracy Morgan
People can’t seem to get enough of sharks. And, there’s no up-close shark experience like the one offered by Shark Ray Alley.
But what does that really look like? Discover what it is, how it works, and why this Belize adventure has ranked in the top ten eco-tour destinations for over a decade.
What Is Shark Ray Alley In Belize?
Shark Ray Alley is a shallow, underwater zone within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. It’s part of the Belize Barrier Reef, a biodiverse reef that’s unusually filled with sharks, rays, and fish visitors can interact with while snorkeling.
What Types of Marine Animals Might You See There?
As featured in the episode “Sharks In Belize, Jaguars of the Sea“, in PBS’ Changing Seas, peaceable nurse sharks are numerous in Shark Ray Alley.
Other marine wildlife oft spotted in the zone include sea turtles, jack fish, manta rays, lemon sharks, eels, and stingrays
Experiences & Activities In Shark Ray Alley
The most popular activities among Shark Ray Alley’s visitors are snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving.
Notably, while eco tour leads may chum the water to attract marine animals, it’s important to note that feeding the sharks directly is not an activity offered to non-professionals.
Travelers get the most out of their visit when they choose activities aligned with their skill level and age. Fortunately, there are options for those whose skills cross the spectrum, from easy underwater photography and guided eco-tours, to SCUBA adventures reserved for Advanced Open Water Divers.
How Safe Is It To Swim With Sharks In Belize?
Swimming and snorkeling with sharks in Belize, particularly nurse sharks, is safe as long as three things are true:
- You’re with a reputable guide or your
- You follow all guide instructions
- You do not attempt to pet or hand-feed sharks
The majority of Shark Ray Alley adventures are for ages 8+, and participants are encouraged to swim gently.
Adventure Tips In Shark Ray Alley
Book a Morning Tour
Some seasons are stormier than others! In Belize, your best shot at calm waters and clear skies is in the morning and first afternoon hour.
Use Appropriate Gear
Instructors typically advise participants on appropriate safety gear when boating, snorkeling, or swimming with sharks. Often, the first phase of the experience is dedicated to gear selection and training.
How To Get To And From Shark Ray Alley Safely
Sign on with a guide or organized, professional Shark Ray Alley adventure group. It is inadvisable to venture out to the zone on your own.
Most Shark Ray Alley excursions depart from San Pedro or Caye Caulker in Belize. That said, visitors can join day trips by boat from the Belize Tourism Village on the East Side of Belize City. There are several trips offered in the village that include a stop at Shark Ray Alley.
Island Hopping: From Shark Ray Alley To Nearby Cayes and Reserves
Once you’re out to sea off the Belize coast, it’s fun to explore the neighborhood! While Shark Ray Alley might be the main attraction, nearby cayes and reefs shouldn’t be missed. Nearby worthwhile spots include:
- Ambergris Caye, known for its premier location along the second-largest reef in the world
- Caye Caulker, an isle that’s earned its reputation as a laid-back, restful, and easily walkable place
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve, internationally recognized for extraordinary conservation efforts, and the mangrove islands of Boca Chica.
Experience The Intrigue of Belize’s Shark Ray Alley With Caravan
Since 1952, Caravan has invited travelers on journeys of relaxation, discovery, and wonder—not stress. How? Our tour experts curate guided, all-inclusive packages from start to end, so our guests never need to worry. We hand-pick and book optimal transportation, overnight accommodations, meals, and activities for our guests, all at one affordable rate.
On a Caravan tour, the only work you’ll need to do is book your spot. Then, you’re free to rest and enjoy.
If you want to experience the excitement of Shark Ray Alley on our 10-Day Belize and Tikal Tour, don’t wait! Call our agents toll-free at 1-800-227-2826 to book your spot. Or, learn more by calling our information team at +1-312-321-9800.
2025 Hotels
2025 Hotels
Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are usually rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds.
Days 1, 2 • Guatemala City
Barcelo Guatemala City
The Barcelo Guatemala City hotel is located in the heart of Guatemala City. This full service hotel features shops, a sports center, sauna, jacuzzi, large outdoor swimming pool, beauty shop and other facilities. Free WiFi.
Days 3, 4, 5 • Lake Petén Itzá
Hotel Camino Real Tikal
Hotel Camino Real Tikal is located in the Petén jungle and on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá. All rooms have air conditioning and feature a private balcony with lake views. The hotel has a pool, jacuzzi and a traditional Mayan sauna Bath, known as “Temazcal.” Free WiFi.
Days 6, 7, 8 • San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Sunbreeze Hotel
The Sunbreeze Hotel is located in the heart of downtown, just steps from the shopping, dining and entertainment offered in San Pedro. The Spanish architectural designed building is set amongst lush tropical gardens and offers breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and the Belize Barrier Reef which is just a half-mile away. The Sun Breeze has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and its own private beach. Free Wifi.
Day 9 • Belize City, Belize
Biltmore Plaza Best Western Plus
The Biltmore Plaza is the premier awardee of hotel accommodations in Belize City. The Biltmore Plaza features a main restaurant, bar/lounge, full-service spa, an outdoor pool with a poolside bar and a fitness center. Free Wifi.
Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers
Arrival Transfers
Transfer on your own from La Aurora International Airport (GUA) to your hotel, the Barcelo Guatemala City (7a Avenida 15 45 zona 9) in Guatemala City. Once you have exited customs and collected your baggage at the airport, proceed to the sidewalk outside of the main entrance. There, you will see white cars with the words "AirporTaxi Guatemala" on the rear passenger side door. This is the signage for the official taxi service of La Aurora International Airport. You can request your taxi here. The driving time from the airport to the hotel is approximately 10-20 minutes, depending on traffic. The cost will range from $10-$15 US Dollars plus tip. Payment is accepted in US dollars or Guatemala Quetzales, credit cards are not accepted. A currency exchange and ATMs are located inside the airport. When you arrive at your hotel, please identify yourself as a Caravan tour member to the front desk personnel.
Departure Transfers
Caravan includes departure transfers with shuttle vans from the hotel on the day the tour ends from your hotel to Philip Goldson International Airport, (BZE) in Belize City, Belize. If you wish to extend your stay in Belize, you will need to transfer on your own at your own expense.
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
Passports & Visas
Passports & Visas
To enter Guatemala & Belize, U.S. citizens need a current U.S. passport valid for six months after your date of entry. Non U.S. citizens, please check passport and visa requirements. It is recommended that children under 18 years old traveling internationally without both parents or legal guardians, carry a notarized letter of authorization signed by the missing parent(s) or guardian(s). A notarized birth certificate showing only one parent, a parent’s death certificate, or a court order of child custody may also be permissible. Failure to have proper documentation could result in denial of boarding by the airline, due to international child protection laws.
Weather & Clothing
Weather & Clothing
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Guatemala City | Belize City | San Pedro | Tikal | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | Temp | Rain | |
| Jan | 74/56 | 0.1 | 81/71 | 2.5 | 80/72 | 2.0 | 78/63 | 0.8 |
| Feb | 76/57 | 0.1 | 82/72 | 1.4 | 81/73 | 1.2 | 80/64 | 0.5 |
| Mar | 78/59 | 0.2 | 84/74 | 1.0 | 82/75 | 0.9 | 85/65 | 0.6 |
| Apr | 80/61 | 0.9 | 86/76 | 1.0 | 83/77 | 1.0 | 89/67 | 0.4 |
| May | 79/63 | 3.4 | 87/78 | 2.8 | 85/79 | 2.9 | 90/71 | 1.8 |
| Jun | 76/63 | 6.3 | 88/79 | 5.5 | 87/80 | 5.6 | 88/72 | 3.4 |
| Jul | 76/62 | 5.0 | 88/79 | 4.4 | 87/80 | 4.2 | 87/71 | 3.7 |
| Aug | 76/62 | 5.5 | 88/79 | 4.1 | 88/80 | 3.9 | 87/71 | 2.6 |
| Sep | 75/62 | 6.4 | 88/78 | 5.8 | 87/79 | 5.8 | 86/71 | 2.7 |
| Oct | 74/61 | 4.2 | 86/76 | 6.3 | 86/77 | 6.3 | 83/69 | 2.4 |
| Nov | 73/59 | 1.3 | 84/73 | 4.4 | 83/74 | 4.0 | 81/66 | 1.4 |
| Dec | 73/57 | 0.3 | 82/72 | 3.2 | 81/73 | 2.6 | 78/65 | 0.7 |
Temperature °F (high/low) Rainfall (inches)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala City | ||||||||||||
| temp | 74/56 | 76/57 | 78/59 | 80/61 | 79/63 | 76/63 | 76/62 | 76/62 | 75/62 | 74/61 | 73/59 | 73/57 |
| rainfall | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 6.3 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 6.4 | 4.2 | 1.3 | 0.3 |
| Belize City | ||||||||||||
| temp | 81/71 | 82/72 | 84/74 | 86/76 | 87/78 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/79 | 88/78 | 86/76 | 84/73 | 82/72 |
| rainfall | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 5.5 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 4.4 | 3.2 |
| San Pedro | ||||||||||||
| temp | 80/72 | 81/73 | 82/75 | 83/77 | 85/79 | 87/80 | 87/80 | 88/80 | 87/79 | 86/77 | 83/74 | 81/73 |
| rainfall | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 5.6 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 4.0 | 2.6 |
| Tikal | ||||||||||||
| temp | 78/63 | 80/64 | 85/65 | 89/67 | 90/71 | 88/72 | 87/71 | 87/71 | 86/71 | 83/69 | 81/66 | 78/65 |
| rainfall | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 0.7 |
Clothing Tips
This is a casual tour. Casual wear is suggested for sightseeing and daytime travelling. Dress code for most evenings is smart casual.
Travel Tips & FAQs
Travel Tips & FAQs
These are only the first 10 Travel Tips. Read all 48 Travel Tips Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Free bottled water is provided on the motorcoach. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified. Virtually everything! Hotels, most meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary, airport departure transfers, gratuities to hotel porters and restaurant staff. Caravan’s professional Tour Directors and local guides will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a worry free vacation. They are fluent in English, experienced and fun, ensuring a worry-free vacation. Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Caravan Tour Director, driver, and local guides. A well-paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation. Caravan has been offering fully guided tours worldwide under the same family ownership and management since 1952. Caravan understands and truly cares about your great expectations. The farther in advance that you book, the more likely it is that your preferred tour will be open. Late bookings are welcome if the space is still available. Families are always welcome on any of our tours, but we do not have any programs specifically for or limited to families. Families can make specific requests for connecting, adjacent, triple or quad rooms, when available. Children must be at least 5 years old. Caravan Travel Protection offers peace of mind if you cancel for any reason whatsoever prior to the departure of the tour. The travel protection plan also includes air, baggage, evacuation, medical, and quarantine coverage. The cost is $129. Children age five (5) and older are welcome on tour when accompanied by an adult. Usually, children travel during the school vacation months of June, July and August, and also during spring and winter school breaks. If you are travelling with children under 18 years old without both parents or legal guardians, carry a notarized letter of authorization signed by the missing parent(s) or guardian(s). A notarized birth certificate showing only one parent, a parent’s death certificate, or a court order of child custody may also be permissible. Failure to have proper documentation could result in denial of boarding by the airline, due to international child protection laws.Are meals included?
My Tour Price Includes
My Tour Price Does Not Include
A Well-Paced Itinerary
Fully Guided Tours Since 1952
Many Tours Sell Out Each Year
Family Trips
Caravan’s $129 Travel Protection
Children on Tour
International Travel with Minors
Why Travel with Caravan?
Why Travel with Caravan?
Excellence Since 1952
You can trust our years of experience with tours of superb quality and excellent value. Caravan has enjoyed the same family management and ownership since 1952.
Caravan Care
For your safety, Caravan cancelled most 2020 and all 2021 tour departures and refunded 100% of all payments received. See Caravan’s Covid-19 Terms of Travel.
Caravan's Proud History
In 1965, Roger Mudd hosted a two-hour CBS TV special on Caravan Tours. This TV production took about one month to make and was so successful it inspired the 1968 romantic comedy movie “If it’s Tuesday this must be Belgium.” In the early 50’s the Mayor of Dublin presented Caravan with the Key to Dublin for bringing the first American tour to the city after WWII. Since then, Caravan has been recognized as a pioneer in travel. You can trust in our stability, experience and dedication to quality.
Great Hotels
Stay at park lodges, scenic resorts, and excellent hotels in great locations. See hotel descriptions on each tour page.
Meals
Most meals included within Latin America. For USA and Canada tours, included meals are listed on each itinerary page. Bottled water is provided on motorcoaches in Latin America.
Complete Sightseeing
Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides.
Fully Guided by Tour Directors
All tours conducted from start to finish by professional tour directors, who are fluent in English, experienced, and fun.
All-inclusive
Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary page. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.
Shopping Freedom
Caravan will not bring you to overpriced shops in exchange for payments. Caravan gives you ample opportunity and time for great shopping, and the freedom to choose where and when to shop.
Great Value, Book Early
Caravan’s strong buying power gives you great vacations at prices much lower than you can find anywhere. In a typical year, most of our tours sell out quickly. Book early for the date you prefer and the best air fare.
How does Caravan Tours sell these tours for such a low cost?
Caravan delivers volume to our suppliers, who in turn reward us with their very best prices. We in turn pass these savings on to you, and you reward us by buying our tours. As volume continues to rise, we then receive even better prices from our suppliers, and we pass even greater savings on to you. This year our tours are better than ever.
Trade Association Memberships
Caravan is a member of NTA (National Tour Association), ABA (American Bus Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and ACMA (American Commerce Marketing Association).
