If you’ve ever wanted to swim with sharks and rays, Shark Ray Alley off the coast of Ambergris Caye in Belize is the place to do it. Belize is world famous for scuba diving, and going out to the Blue Hole is an experience that is out of this world, but swimming with the nurse sharks and rays is one of the most thrilling experiences you’ll ever have in your entire life. Guaranteed!
The nurse sharks seem to love human interaction and the rays seemingly welcome snorkelers as they swim towards them to touch their incredible wingspan. Attracted for years by fisherman cleaning their catch, Shark Ray Alley has plenty of sharks and rays still rushing towards boats in hopes of catching a few fresh catch scraps. The nurse sharks and stingrays are definitely the main attractions of the spot. Shark feeding was common for many years and has made the sharks familiar with a human presence.
As soon as the boat arrives, the stingrays and sharks are attracted by the noise of the engine and they begin to swim toward the boat. We suggest hopping into the water as quickly as possible to make the most of the experience. You only need to put your head under the water to see the sharks and stingrays coming and going between the boats. You can easily get close to them, but they will swim away if you make any sudden gestures. Some stingrays are quite “tactile”, but don’t forget that they do have a stinger that can inflict serious injuries.
The reef is filled with not only sharks and rays, but colorful fish from Barracuda to clown fish and even an occasional sea turtle – all living in balance and harmony beneath the sea. Here and there, you will also see horse-eye jack, Bermuda chub, smooth trunkfish and small barracudas moving above the seagrass.
This is a very popular spot at certain times of day, so watch out for the boats and the other snorkelers. The water is shallow and generally calm and clear, which makes it an ideal spot for children and beginners who are looking for an experience of a lifetime.
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