Shark Ray Alley Tour

[JennCandi]

I'm really interested in doing the shark ray alley tour when we are in Belize in April. I'm going to have to convince my husband and kids (6 & 4) that it's safe though! Which tour companies do you recommend for this? I've only found a couple that do this one.

[jimmyvinny]

We did Coral Breeze. They did a great job.

[mitsugirly]

While I can't recommend a tour company to use (we used the cruise ship to do this excursion because of several factors involved), I do have a complete review with TONS of pictures (they all go to the same place for the sharks/rays) listed in my signature. Maybe that will help ease the hubbys mind to actually see some pics. :)

[rob&tam]

While I can't recommend a tour company to use (we used the cruise ship to do this excursion because of several factors involved), I do have a complete review with TONS of pictures (they all go to the same place for the sharks/rays) listed in my signature. Maybe that will help ease the hubbys mind to actually see some pics. :)

 

 

Another one I would love a link to your review so I can find it easily

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[mitsugirly]

Another one I would love a link to your review so I can find it easily

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

See my signature line below my post? Go to Belize, then the last review is Shark/Ray alley. Click on it and there you have it. :D (It goes on for pages, so you can scroll to find what might interest you. Around post #410 is when we arrived at the sharks, but getting there was an adventure too since we were also able to see dolphins swimming around us out in the water too). :)

[cruisetoscrap]

Yes the Stingrays and Sharks are basically safe. They could still sting you but they don't. They are curious and like to get the food. They might sting if you were trying to hurt them but they don't mind you checking them out and bringing food. Stingrays were the highlight of my 8 year old's trip my 3 year old was freaked out by the entire thing. She was excited about flippers and goggles before getting in the water and then as soon as she was dropped of the boat she couldn't stand it. She was able to stay on the boat while we snorkeled though. Maybe see if you can try the stuff out in a pool at home before you go to see if its worth taking the littlest ones. She was able to be carried when we stopped to look at the stingrays and was ok until they brought the sting ray up to the water surface then she went to my shoulders and was really scared. Not normally her reaction to anything so you never know what kids will do.

 

We just got home late last night. We used Coral Breeze Belize Tours, they were actually our second choice to Ecological Tours & Services' Shark Ray & Caye Caulker tour that was full. With Coral Breeze we took the tour called Shark/Ray Alley Snorkeling & Caye Caulker Exploration. They accommodated us last minuet and they were responsive by e-mail and phone.

 

We got on a tender pretty easy it was actually a long tender ride in from where the Emerald Princess was anchored to where the port is. During the tender ride they do try to get you to sign up with tours and such but quickly and happily left us alone when we said we had book a tour locally. We followed the directions that they gave to get to the representative and got through the pushy venders in the port. The representatives were not in Coral Breeze gear until they got on their boat and it would have been nice if they would have had them on when we meet them. It's is enough of a walk to the transportation and their pier that you want more then thin swim shoes on. Before the tour started we were asked for the rest of the payment at the dock. The tour cost $75 for each of our 2 adults and $63 for our 8 year old. We had made a small credit card deposit and cash was required for the balance. The tour had about 30 people on it and the boat they used was the right size. I was told the size of the boat depends on how many are signed up an it had a max of 50 people. Equipment was antiquate and they took the time to make sure everyone's stuff fit.

 

They were an environmentally responsible group and took the time to stop and explain the importance of the Mangrove Trees and also made sure no one touched the coral. They also made sure no trash got in the water and such.

 

It was quite a ride to get to Caye Caulker where they drop some people off and encourage a bathroom break. Then a shorter ride to the coral reef for the snorkeling portion. They use about three different guides that take the small groups around. and point stuff out. We saw great fish, white sand, a huge round coral and a barracuda even nibbled on the guides flipper. The guide took the time to make sure we were with him and to point stuff out as well as follow him so we wouldn't hit the coral. After getting back on board we had pineapple that hit the spot and Belize salsa and chips that were eaten up in a flash. The whole time they provided plenty of water in pouches.

 

Then another short ride over to the Ray Alley and they get you off the boat fast with your mask so that you get the prime view of the sting rays and nurse sharks. It's shallow enough that a tall adult can easily stand in the water. They feed them and held up the stingrays so that you can touch them. It's not as good as the experience that we had in Grand Cayman but good.

 

Then the not so good part, Cay Caulker. The place they take you is a fine place with showers, bath rooms and food. We had paid for the included lunches that included a couple of chicken options and grilled cheese. The Fanta was disappointing to my kid and about 5 others who thought it should be orange not strawberry but that is a minor detail. There were a few other food offerings that were about the same price near by and chicken is a common meat. Another family on the tour got take out chicken strips that were similar in cost and looked really good too. The town its self is a basic beach town with pack sand roads and just the basics. If you want to shop this really wasn't the place a lot of the goods were old and shop worn and priced high. It's a nice cultural experience to check out the two general stores to see what they pay and what they have that is the same and different. We had a bad experience with one "local" who told my son he was fat in the street and it really ruined our day. But the other people on the street came to make sure our son was ok and where ready to jump the guy. This site also was said to have a beach in the description but it was more of a retaining wall filled with packed down sand and lounge chairs. But the island in general is not crowded and very laid back.

 

The ride back is pretty long and the engines had a problem. They made my son's day by letting him "drive" the boat with assistance on the way back and he felt 10 feet tall. The problem was handled calmly and efficiently and the crew really worked well together. It could have been so bad but was really handled well. Stuff happens so I don't blame them for the problem at all I just bring it up because it's good to know it was handled well. We got back to their dock and then the pier with plenty of time left.

 

Overall, I think the tour was good and the time allotted for each activity was right. They delivered on the tour as explained in the description. They handled kids VERY well and took the time to make it educational as well. I don't know if it was quite worth the expense but compared to other options it wasn't out of line cost wise. And a reminder to wear sun screen and more importantly to re-apply it there is no shade on the boat and the ride back got us.

[Prisc777]

Cannot wait to be back to Belize!

[JennCandi]

While I can't recommend a tour company to use (we used the cruise ship to do this excursion because of several factors involved), I do have a complete review with TONS of pictures (they all go to the same place for the sharks/rays) listed in my signature. Maybe that will help ease the hubbys mind to actually see some pics. :)

 

Mitsugirly - Your review is what sealed the deal for me in the first place. I just had my husband read it and he said if I wanted to do it, we would go. yay! Thanks for the extension review.

 

We are looking at purchasing an underwater camera for this trip. Which ones do you have and which one do you prefer? Your pictures are great.

[mitsugirly]

Mitsugirly - Your review is what sealed the deal for me in the first place. I just had my husband read it and he said if I wanted to do it, we would go. yay! Thanks for the extension review.

 

We are looking at purchasing an underwater camera for this trip. Which ones do you have and which one do you prefer? Your pictures are great.

 

I hope you have a wonderful time. It really is a great experience and so unique. I just wish we would have went with a private vendor (so many good ones were recommended but someone we were cruising with would only go with the ship excursion, so that's what we did). If you decide to do it on your own, do some research and find a recommended vendor. I think caveman was one of them and I know he was there when we were and they were all getting one on one experiences when I was watching. He's well known.

 

I have 2 Olympus Tough cameras and I love them both. I have a 620 and 830, but there are a lot of different "models" out there to choose from. They work great above and below water. :)

[JennCandi]

I was just about to buy the 830. It had excellent reviews on Amazon. I've been reading a bunch of your reviews. We are actually signed up for Passion Island (loved it last year) and Little French Key. Really looking forward to that one.

[mitsugirly]

I was just about to buy the 830. It had excellent reviews on Amazon. I've been reading a bunch of your reviews. We are actually signed up for Passion Island (loved it last year) and Little French Key. Really looking forward to that one.

 

 

I think the 830 is a good choice. It has a few added features to it than my 620. I think it added around 3 or 4 other underwater features as well. I have been happy with mine so far but I admit I need to play around with it a little more. I have become accustomed to the 620 and find myself using it the most.

 

I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise. :)

[florida lover]

The two of us can't snorkel but think it still may be fun to go to shark alley to view the sharks from a boat. Is this a bad idea? How long of a boat ride is it to get to shark alley?

 

Thank you.

[mitsugirly]

The two of us can't snorkel but think it still may be fun to go to shark alley to view the sharks from a boat. Is this a bad idea? How long of a boat ride is it to get to shark alley?

 

Thank you.

 

You don't really have to be able to snorkel. You can just use the mask to put your head in the water to see them. You also have to wear life jackets, so no worries about swimming either. I know our boat had ropes and rings out in the water so you could even hold on to them and just float and watch if you wanted to. Most companies will split you up into categories depending on your "level" and there are places you can stand up in.

 

The boat ride is about an hour but it's filled with knowledge and they go through this area that you can see dolphins and manatees playing in the water if they're around. Truly an amazing experience. I have a complete review listed in my signature line if you are interested in reading all about it and it has TONS of pictures. :)