snorkeling with sharks

[penguinlady]

We are sailing Jan. 30th on Liberty. I have read on the boards that ecotours has a trip to shark/ray alley that involves taking a plane to Hol Chan. Wondering if anyone has done this and how much time is spent in the water. We are most interested in seeing the sharks. Have seen the rays in the Cayman Islands. Are you taken to any other locations? Can this be booked on shore or better to make reservations?

[Will in sunny FL]

We'd suggest that you also consider Coral Breeze Tours who does a shark & sting ray alley tour as well as a stop at coral gardens, both of which are located about 1 mile off of Caye Caulker, which you get to via a 35 minute boat ride from the Tourist Village, that you tender to from your ship.

Look up their web site for all the details on this trip.

We go with them twice each year & always have had a super time, specialy the local lunch on Caye Caulker.

Enjoy Belize.

Bill in FL

 

PS; the sharks are Nurse sharks & they are not agressive nor dangerous.

[2112]

Last I heard, there aren't any sharks at Shark-Ray Alley anymore. Even when there were, they didn't stick around very long once snorkelers entered the water. Bill is correct that they were/are nurse sharks which aren't aggressive or particularly dangerous. However, they still are wild animals and there are some instances where they may bite, most commonly when someone grabs for one or trys to feed one.

[wadethegringo]

Still plenty of sharks....They are just getting smart.......As they hear a boat they will go to that boat to be fed by the crew. Then they hear another boat and move on. then .........The rays just move around at will and are not as tame as Grand Caymam. Not dangerous, they just wont let you touch them.

[penguinlady]

Thanks for the information. I was aware that these are nurse sharks at shark/ray alley. I was looking at the tour that takes you to San Pedro not Caye Caulker. Anyone have any information on this tour?

[LivingLifetotheFullest]

We did this excursion to shark ray alley and San Pedro through the cruise line. It neat to swim with the manta rays and we saw one shark. However, for the cost, not sure it was worth it. We snorkeled around coral and some fish for about 45 min. and we were with the rays for about 20min. The problem wasn't even the 45min. boat ride; it was the type of boat and the fact that they packed it with over 50 people. Trying to have any type of quality snorkel was challenging. However, lunch at San Pedro and the hour or so we had to roam there was good. Do consider a tour not with Cruise ship and check the type of boat and number of people.

[2112]

We did this excursion to shark ray alley and San Pedro through the cruise line. It neat to swim with the manta rays and we saw one shark. However, for the cost, not sure it was worth it. We snorkeled around coral and some fish for about 45 min. and we were with the rays for about 20min. The problem wasn't even the 45min. boat ride; it was the type of boat and the fact that they packed it with over 50 people. Trying to have any type of quality snorkel was challenging. However, lunch at San Pedro and the hour or so we had to roam there was good. Do consider a tour not with Cruise ship and check the type of boat and number of people.

 

They are STING RAYS, NOT manta rays. There is a huge difference between the two (literally).

[excalwop]

Wife did the reef tour snorkeling with sharks and ray thru Star tours DEC. 2010, was suppose to have gone also but had Knee surgery 12 days before. She feed two good size sharks and though that she was going to have bring a ray home with her would not leave her. Seen a lot of fish and coral. Had no trouble with the water taxi which was inc. She got back just in time to catch the last tender to the ship. She is ready to go back.

Paul