Ambergris Belize Snorkeling Trip Report January 2020
by Ellen
(Hinesburg, VT)
My adult son and I just got back from snorkeling in Belize in January 2020. Incredible trip! The reef is very healthy and most is part of a nature preserve, so lots of large fish and many species to see. The water is unbelievably clear - you can see the ocean bottom from the plane as you fly to Ambergris Caye. The major disadvantage is that all of the reef is a boat ride away. Snorkeling from the beach around the docks and over the sea grass is available, but no coral to be seen snorkeling off the beach.
We snorkeled Hol Chan day and night, Mexico Rocks, and Shark Ray Alley, all part of the preserve. Many very large fish and schools of over 100 fish. We hired a fisherman to take us to Coral Gardens - not quite enough tourists at the time for a regular trip, but it was well worth the cost. We saw beautiful coral and no other people. Fishing is allowed at that spot, so not as many big fish or large schools.
We went on our first night snorkel in Belize! We used Chuck and Robbie’s diving adventures for a for a guided tour in the Hol Chan preserve. Great way to do it for the first time. Big sharks very rarely enter the inner reef and you have a guide so it is extremely safe. And the reef is completely different at night. Big groupers followed us so they could use our lights to hunt. We saw tons of lobsters and eels. Spotted eagle rays were swimming by most of the time we were in the water. There were a lot of nurse sharks to be seen, too. Absolutely one of the best things I’ve ever done.
English is the official language. San Pedro town is very busy. We stayed in an airbnb south of town, which is a great, quiet area. All around great trip.