Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Conditions & tides
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Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is Belize's oldest marine reserve, located off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye approximately 4 miles southeast of San Pedro Town. Officially established in 1987, the reserve centres on a natural cut through the barrier reef — a quebrada — whose name, Hol Chan, is Mayan for "little channel." The channel is roughly 23 m (85 ft) wide and 9 m (29 ft) deep, with depths across the reserve ranging from about 1.5 m (5 ft) to that maximum of 9 m (29 ft), making the terrain accessible and varied along the reef structure.
The reserve supports exceptional biodiversity built up under decades of protection: over 160 species of fish have been recorded here, along with nearly 40 species of coral, 5 sponges, 8 algae, 2 seagrasses, 3 marine mammals, and 3 species of sea turtle. Within the channel and surrounding reef, divers and snorkellers regularly encounter sea turtles, eels, nurse sharks, stingrays, groupers, and abundant colourful fish.
Access is by boat from San Pedro Town, a short ride to the reserve. Conditions are generally protected, with great visibility and water temperatures of 26–29 °C. Tidal currents through the channel can be strong, and slack tide is recommended for weaker swimmers; stronger divers should still account for the flow when planning their time in the cut.
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The site suits beginners and is the single most popular day-trip destination from San Pedro, available as both day and night dives. Its combination of shallow depths, protected exposure, and high marine-life density makes it appropriate for a wide range of experience levels, though those with limited swimming ability should time their visit to slack tide.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Eagle rayEagle rayConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
SnapperSnapperConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
StingrayStingrayConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Sea turtleSea turtleReported here · unconfirmed
LobsterLobsterReported here · unconfirmed
Nurse SharkGinglymostoma cirratumReported here · unconfirmed
Southern StingrayHypanus americanusReported here · unconfirmed
Horse-eye JackCaranx latusReported here · unconfirmed
Atlantic Blue TangAcanthurus coeruleusReported here · unconfirmed
Bluestriped GruntHaemulon sciurusReported here · unconfirmed
Mustard Hill CoralPorites astreoidesReported here · unconfirmed
Caribbean Bluehead WrasseThalassoma bifasciatumReported here · unconfirmed
Symmetrical Brain CoralPseudodiploria strigosaReported here · unconfirmed
Dog SnapperLutjanus jocuReported here · unconfirmed
BarracudaBarracudaConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
Garden eelGarden eelReported here · unconfirmed
ParrotfishParrotfishReported here · unconfirmed
Nurse sharkNurse sharkConfirmed present · 11 independent sources
GrouperGrouperConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
OctopusOctopusConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
SquidSquidReported here · unconfirmed
NudibranchNudibranchReported here · unconfirmed
DugongDugongReported here · unconfirmed
SeahorseSeahorseReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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