Star Tours Review

[Chalker Guy]

Just back from NCL Dream, sail date 1/28. After a series of email correspondences, I had booked a tour of Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley with Star Tours. With a bit of skepticism, I had paid in full in advance through Paypal. Due to great tendering, we were able to make the 8:00 water taxi to Caye Caulker instead of the 9:00 as we had planned. When we arrived, we were met at the dock. Had to wait for the next water taxi, as there was another couple joining us for the tour from the NCL Sun and they didn't make it on the 8:00 water taxi. We were told that we didn't have enough time for the Hol Chan tour, so they would take us to the local reef. They refunded to us the difference in price for the shorter tour. We snorkeled 2 locations, then a stop at the Caye Caulker Shark Ray alley. The guide was a local, and he was outstanding. We saw lots of beautiful coral, fish, a jelly fish, barracuda, and swam with lots of large sting rays and the nurse sharks. It was a great trip, with a very professional, capable, and friendly guide. He pointed out many things we would not have noticed, and tailored the trip through the corals according to the currents so we would not be swept into the corals.

 

I would recommend this company for their honesty and for a great customized snorkeling or diving experience, but keep in mind a couple of things:

 

1. They use the Belize water taxi to get you to Caye Caulker, located a very short distance from the tourist village, with scheduled trips on the hour.

2. The water taxi is an open boat, with no shade, and 2 trips in the sun at 45 minutes each can result in sunburn if you are not protected.

3. Be as clear as you can be on your email communication with Ramon, to avoid misunderstanding.

[Mrs Booboo]

So what was your cost for this tour? Their website doesn't list a cost for the "cruise ship passenger tour" and it shows $45 for the Hol-Chan tour. Couldn't quite figure out if this price included the cost of the water taxi, or if you had to pay the $17.50 on top of their price.

 

Were you scheduled to do the "variation of the Hol-Chan tour for cruise passengers"? The regular tour shows 10:30 - 4:30, which would be tight for us since we are in port from 8-5 (and have to tender).