Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour
5
Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour
By Salt Life Eco Tours
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 5-70, max of 16 per group
Duration: 6h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More
- Belizean Lunch, Water and fruit
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- GoPro Camera
- All Fees and Taxes
- Entry/Admission - Shark Ray Alley
- Entry/Admission - Hol Chan Marine Reserve
- Start:
- Salt Life Eco Tours, Playa Asuncion, Caye Caulker, BelizeWe meet up at our tour shop on Caye Caulker, Salt Life Eco Tours. We are on maps and it's very accurate and easy to find. Feel free to call us for more info. ****This tour is not for cruise ship passengers, we do not meet in Belize City****
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 129306P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 129306P1
From
ÂŁ88.06
per adult
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Itinerary
- Playa Asuncion, Caye Caulker, BelizeWe meet up at our tour shop on Caye Caulker, Salt Life Eco Tours. We are on maps and it's very accurate and easy to find. Feel free to call us for more info. ****This tour is not for cruise ship passengers, we do not meet in Belize City****
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- F2568BXsarahv0 contributionsBest part of our trip!This was the trip of a lifetime! Our guide Brian drove us to all 3 spots and was so knowledgeable about the sites and facts about the area and history of Belize.Written 25 January 2025
- Elias T0 contributionsJosh the rock skipping champ dethroned, only 1 loss, will you be the next to beat him?We had Josh and Dean as our guide and driver. They absolutely made the trip for us. First, the experience itself was a blast, visiting the Mayan ruins was perfectly timed, well before anyone else was there. Right after, as the heat was really picking up, they gave us cold water and cold AC. Zip lining was a blast, everyone working there was fun, and happy to be there. Always taking the opportunities to make our trip better. We had a great meal and cold soda after. Lastly the cave tubing. Josh and dean really shined there, joining us, and making it a really fun time. Josh had a rock skipping record, the undefeated champion. His winning streak came to an end at the hand of my girlfriend! He took the loss honorably and the rest of the experience was just as fun! We were invited to swim, cliff jump along with the cave tubing experience. A fantastic experience, perfect water, beautiful nature, and the best guides you could ask for! Sorry Josh to dethrone you, but you were fantastic! Anyone wanting the most fun they can have on the tour. Make sure it’s with Josh and doctor D.Written 21 January 2025
- nicktH4307BB0 contributionsGreat excursionJosh was a great guide, lots of fun, you will get exercise, scenery was all beautiful, zip lines were fun, caves were beautiful, and the river water was very refreshingWritten 19 January 2025
- Sherpa355498701540 contributionsGreat tourJosh and Dean were amazing tour guides. The tour was fun and full of information about the island. Floating the cave was amazing. Relaxing and able to get in the water if you wanted. Again Josh and Dean were great tour guides.Written 19 January 2025
- Nicole S0 contributionsGreat time. I highly recommend it.Our guide Dean was very knowledgeable and very funny. We were a small group so he interacted with all of us. He even stopped and bought us all bananas as a snack. The food on the trip was so good. I am looking forward to ordering that meal later in my trip.Written 19 January 2025
- Daydream799710 contributionsWonderful day with NuriNuri was an amazing guide! He was full of knowledge and he did a wonderful job getting us everywhere! We especially loved the cave tubing and zip lining.Written 17 January 2025
- X3048AKandreap0 contributionsHad a blastThis was such a great fun tour. Everyone was knowledgeable, professional and kind. I would recommend this tour and company. They had great communication before and during the tour. Had a blast.Written 15 January 2025
- erinlF4670QM0 contributionsAmazing Day in BelizeWe had a great day with Brian! Everything went smoothly, we were taken care of, they gave us everything we needed. It was an amazing experience, and our guide was very knowledgeable about everything we did. Lots to learn on the short drive to the ruins, the jungle and the river. We will be backWritten 15 January 2025
- timothykD4246VX0 contributionsWill come backOur guide Brian was very good. He kept us informed about our meeting location and any issues which unfortunately for us was the fact that flooding had closed the caves. He was great and offered us another day but we had to do the trip without the caves. He was very informative at the sites and provided us with some great details of the Mayan temple.Written 8 January 2025
- U8272PHsaras0 contributionsFun, busy, perfect day in BelizeOur day was absolutely perfect - every step was spot on. Our guide Dean was so warm and easy going. He planned the day to avoid crowds. He was respectful of the culture and taught us so much. This was the best day of our trip.Written 8 January 2025
- 119bethannem0 contributionsThe best day in Belize!Tarik was the perfect host for our day in Belize. We can’t say enough about this company and this guide. We felt like he was part of the family by the end of the day. 10/10 recommend.Written 4 January 2025
- A332SEcarries0 contributionsGreat day in BelizeGreat guide, Mayan ruins Amazing, zip lining fun and over a river, very professional staff and toppped off with cave tubing experience extravaganza. Guide very informative.Written 4 January 2025
- Tourist792810 contributions3 hour snorkelling tourAmazing! Charles was so great! We were able to do a private tour for our family of 4. We swam with manatees , green turtles , loggerhead turtle and sharks ! We also saw seahorses /manta rays and fed some tarpon and frigates . Highly highly recommend!Written 2 January 2025
- Lovetotraveljrc0 contributionsCave tubing is a must - would skip the restI’d give this 3.5/5. You do 3 attractions in one day. It’s a long day as we went from San Pedro. You have to take a 6am ferry which costs an additional $50 per person round trip. The first stop is Mayan Ruins but the site is not that impressive and probably not worth the 1 hour drive from Belize. Zip Line was fun but had done it before in Costa Rica. The cave tubing was the best part and was absolutely amazing. If you can find a tour that just does cave tubing, I would definitely recommend it. We stopped for lunch after zip line but would recommend bringing snacks as it’s probably not enough for such a long day. Jeff was our guide. I would give him 3/5 - not terrible but not great. We didn’t appreciate his off color cultural jokes and I didn’t feel like we got a great history lesson listening to him. His work in the cave was awesome and the best part.Written 1 January 2025
- damieand20240 contributionsZip-line, Altun Ha Temples and Cave Tubing!Brian, with Salt Life Eco Tours, was amazing! He was friendly, punctual and informative the entire trip. I’d recommend him to guide anyone looking to see a lot of things in a single trip. I would come back with friends and family! Thank you, Brian for taking care of me and the other participants so well!Written 31 December 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
632 reviews
Excellent
575
Very good
28
Average
10
Poor
8
Terrible
11
Yujing H
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • Couples
I’m incredibly grateful to Charlie (captain) and Josh for making my first snorkeling experience so memorable. Despite dealing with severe seasickness, their encouragement, patience, and support made a world of difference. Josh went above and beyond by providing me with a life vest and guiding me to the best spots to see sharks, turtles, and even manatees up close. We felt so lucky to spot manatees later in the day, especially after missing them in the morning. It’s clear that both Charlie and Josh genuinely love what they do, and their passion shines through. Thank you for an unforgettable experience!
Written 30 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John W
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
From the minute we stepped on the boat we knew Charles and Jamal were both our co-captains but also going to look out for us the whole day. As we learned a bit about the island and how important the diverse sea life is for a healthy ecosystem we drove over to see tarpon (and got to have them strike our hands). From there we attempted to see a manatee (no dice) but we did stop off and meet some sea turtles! From there we went out and got to explore a submerged barge, a conch graveyard, and several other sites in addition to Hol Chan proper. Each stop was more breathtaking than the last but the preserve itself was absolutely stunning and teeming with wildlife you could never get so close to anywhere else. After Hol Chan we also got to stop and see a swarm of sharks and rays, all being followed closely by a bunch of tuna relatives. Lunch, fruit, and rum punch was provided but sadly I was seasick for most of the ride and unable to partake in that fun. Which should not be taken as a criticism of either Charles or Jamal. Nobody else on the boat got sick but I'm unusually sucepetable. They made sure I had a better spot on the boat along with water so I could still enjoy my day. They told us about the islands and life on Belize, and really made us feel welcome all day. Also, they made a second pass for the turtles for those that missed them the first time and really made sure the people who'd missed out the first time got to dive first to ensure they got to see them. My one friend even got pulled along by Charles as he chased after one and she was so pleased since she wasn't able to keep pace with the turtles otherwise. Outside of our captains the people were all friendly and great company for the day. Absolutely a must do if you enjoy snorkeling and seeing the beauty the island has to offer.
Written 25 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilee O
Stevensville, MD6 contributions
This was a winner! Our captain and guide, Renny and Adiva were terrific and very knowledgeable. They really wanted to be sure we had a great time and saw every possible creature. We saw manatee, sharks, turtles, rays, tarpon, a sunken barge, and a lovely coral garden. They even made a bonus stop (non-snorkeling) so we could catch a glimpse of a saltwater crocodile.
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is remarkable. It was our first snorkeling stop, and I was concerned because there were so many snorkelers in the water and our guides kept us bunched up together—I was internally groaning at the idea of a full day of being kicked in the mask. However, the animals are so used to people that the turtles and eagle rays we saw were completely unconcerned and we were able to see them very close up. After the first stop, things were much less crowded and we were more able to do our own thing.
If the weather is windy, this could be pretty strenuous, but of course you don’t need to snorkel at every stop. Things I wanted to know before we went: the boats have shade covers and (limited) storage for dry bags. Each boat takes 12 guests out. Entry is over a moderate gunwale, with reentry to the boat via a narrow folding ladder at the back. The snorkeling gear provided (mask, fins, and snorkel) was relatively new and good quality. For less confident swimmers, they provided a life vest to wrap around their waists while snorkeling. Lunch was Belizean chicken with beans and rice, very tasty.
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is remarkable. It was our first snorkeling stop, and I was concerned because there were so many snorkelers in the water and our guides kept us bunched up together—I was internally groaning at the idea of a full day of being kicked in the mask. However, the animals are so used to people that the turtles and eagle rays we saw were completely unconcerned and we were able to see them very close up. After the first stop, things were much less crowded and we were more able to do our own thing.
If the weather is windy, this could be pretty strenuous, but of course you don’t need to snorkel at every stop. Things I wanted to know before we went: the boats have shade covers and (limited) storage for dry bags. Each boat takes 12 guests out. Entry is over a moderate gunwale, with reentry to the boat via a narrow folding ladder at the back. The snorkeling gear provided (mask, fins, and snorkel) was relatively new and good quality. For less confident swimmers, they provided a life vest to wrap around their waists while snorkeling. Lunch was Belizean chicken with beans and rice, very tasty.
Written 22 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iowa Seattle Guy
Seattle, WA14 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The snorkeling itself was great, however the company providing the tours was extremely disorganized. We had a 9:00am reservation and we didn't get on the boat until 9:45am because the check-in process was disorganized. The staff were unprofessional, they were either complaining about being there, not giving us thorough instructions, or had extremely red-eyes and a marijuana cigarette in their ear. The boat that we took out didn't have any shade, either. I recommend finding a different tour company to snorkel near Caye Caulker.
Written 25 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikala K
5 contributions
To be honest, at first I thought our guide Tony was a bit aggressive, barking orders. But I’m also in customer service, and when you tell people they can get in the water and no one moves, something must be done!! 🤣 I would advise that if you are sitting in the spot where everyone has to get off the boat from, either get in or get out of the way!!! Tony went out of his way to show us everything the sea had to offer. He got in the water with us, when other guides just sat on the boat, and dove down to bring up various different animals from the sea floor and teach us about them. He also stopped at the north island to show us the crocodiles, which we wouldn’t have seen otherwise, and when the other guide spotted dolphins and turned and went out to sea so that we could see them. I’ve been snorkeling in 5 countries, and this trip was the best in my life! Thank you so much Tony, for such a special day.
Written 30 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim M
Alexandria, VA133 contributions
Highly recommend! I've been on at least 15 dive or snorkel tours around the world and this was by far the best. John and Lahi were both funny and knowledgeable. They did their best to make sure that everyone on board had a great time. When they realized that we wouldn't find manatees, they took the group to see crocodiles to make up for it. My only criticism would be that we were running a little behind and I was worried that we'd miss our ferry. Luckily, the ferry was running on island time, and we were dropped off close to our ferry so that we could catch it on time as planned
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jef R
Oslo, Norway3 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Together with my girlfriend and a couple of friends we were part of the boat trip guided by captain Philip and Raheem. We were in a group of 11 people from all ages. The vibe was insane and we enjoyed a lot of wildlife during our snorkeling sessions.
A couple of people got a bit sick on the boat but the guides handled this very well and made them feel great again. As it can happen to everyone. It’s just the motion of the ocean.
We were looking for the right organization for the right price and we made an excellent choice. A MUST when you’re in Caye Caulker!!
A couple of people got a bit sick on the boat but the guides handled this very well and made them feel great again. As it can happen to everyone. It’s just the motion of the ocean.
We were looking for the right organization for the right price and we made an excellent choice. A MUST when you’re in Caye Caulker!!
Written 8 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cori H
2 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
Cpt. Jamal and Cpt. Phillip were more than amazing, they truly made the excursion a day to remember! The food was seasoned to perfection we couldn’t stop eating. I came with my friends to celebrate my 30th birthday and Cpt. Phillip ensured I checked off my bucket list swimming with a sea turtle. Best day EVER!
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelbughr
Washington DC, DC45 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Not my favorite tour. The team, especially the guy, was negative. Kept making comments that if he doesn’t do certain things on the tour, folks will write negative reviews. I was not impressed with the lack of professionalism. We saw a manatee, sting rays (from afar), and swam over to a boat that was feeding sharks with the tour guide’s cousin…. Smh
Written 30 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandyhandz2016
Hanover, MD205 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Seeing the barrier reef was awesome. Trip was a bit long for my preference and I could have gone without the manatee race and the shipwreck. Water was a little rough and all the snorkelers with moving boats made me very nervous. Unless you want a very long day of in the water, out of the water, you might want to consider a shorter trip that goes direct to the reef. That’s where most of the good stuff was: sharks, large barracudas, schools of various fish and all the amazing coral. Kudos to the tour guides who gave us all they had to make it a good day. Food was also quite good. The company also did a great job pairing up compatible people on the boats. Thanks Salt Life!
Written 16 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello I will be in a cruise and wanted to go in this tour because I heard so much about it. Is there a reason it’s not for people on cruises?
Written 20 March 2023
I don’t know why sorry
Possibly because it starts too early ???
Maybe ask them directly
Written 21 March 2023
We are staying in San Pedro... How long is the boat ride from San Pedro to Caye Caulker? Thanks!
Written 21 November 2022
if i remember correctly, the ferry takes 30-45 minutes to get from San Pedro to Caye Caulker!
Written 21 November 2022
Hi I'm staying at the Alaia hotel how do I get to the tour? Do you offer pick up and drop off at my hotel?
Written 24 June 2022
We took a ferry from San Pedro to Caye Caulker. i had arranged for a pick up by the tour company from the ferry port but there was a communication breakdown. It’s an easy .3 mile walk to the office from the ferry port ( Ocean Ferry).
Written 25 June 2022
Nos alojamos en el Hotel sunbreeze en San pedro [Ambergris], sus tours recogen pasajeros también en Cayo Ambergris?.Tiene algún coste adicional recogernos en el hotel?.gracias
Written 23 June 2022
I am a solo traveller but it looks like it’s minimum 2 people per booking. Can I book a single ticket
Written 10 June 2022
We're staying in Belize City. If we take the 8AM ferry / water taxi that is supposed to take 45 minutes, can we make it for this tour's 9AM departure?
Written 5 June 2022
Yes. It’s very close to the water taxi terminal. They’re not sticklers for time either. I’d recommend communicating with them directly once you book. Enjoy!
Written 6 June 2022
If I never snorkeled before and I am not a good swimmer, can I sill participate in this experience? does it require prior training.
Written 4 April 2022
Hi, i would love to come in Belize and discover the beautiful place with you! Is it possible to have your email address in order to ask you more info? thanks :)
Written 23 March 2022
I suggest joining Facebooks “Solo Female Travelers” by Solo Female Travelers Club; they are a great group who offer advice on anywhere you want to go and have a separate group that allows for linkups and host opportunities
Written 26 March 2022
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