Hol Chan Cut

The 'little channel' of Hol Chan Zone A: a cut through the reef roughly 25 yards wide and 30 feet (about 9 m) deep, protected as a no-take area since 1987, with big schools of grunts, snappers and jacks, groupers, eels and, with luck, spotted eagle rays along the edges. Mostly calm, shallow water; dive and snorkel visits are made from boats tied to the mooring buoys.

Facts

• Region: Ambergris Caye & Hol Chan Marine Reserve - Belize
• Area: Hol Chan Marine Reserve
• Depth: 3–12 m
• Level: beginner
• Current: moderate
• Type: channel, reef
• Coordinates: 17.856, -87.986 (approximate)
• Highlights: spotted eagle rays, groupers, snappers, grunts, jacks, moray eels, nurse sharks, spider crabs, lobster
• Permit: Every visitor in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve needs a valid reserve pass; the reserve sells a day pass online (https://holchanmarinereserve.org/product/holchan-marine-reserve-day-pass/), shown at US$0-30 depending on ticket type (Belizean/non-Belizean, 12 and under/13 and over). A San Pedro Sun report says the visitor fee rose to US$15 from 1 August 2024 (the article is inconsistent about a US$20 figure), so confirm the current amount with the reserve or your operator. Vessels must be registered with the ranger, tours are limited to 8 divers or snorkellers per guide, and divers must be certified or in an instructed course.
• Issuer / contact: Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) management office
  • Phone: +501 226-2247
  • Email: info@holchanmarinereserve.org
  • Website: https://holchanmarinereserve.org/contact/
  • Main office Caribena Street, San Pedro; Caye Caulker branch Estrella Street; Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00.
• Unverified: Position is estimated (no published coordinates for the cut).
• Tips: Gloves and fish feeding are prohibited; stay with your guide and use the mooring buoys. Often combined with Shark Ray Alley. Position estimated between the published Shark Ray Alley photo position and the reserve centre (no published cut coordinates).

Sources

• https://holchanmarinereserve.org/about-us/
• https://holchanmarinereserve.org/services/
• https://holchanmarinereserve.org/product/holchan-marine-reserve-day-pass/
• https://www.sanpedrosun.com/environment/2024/08/01/new-park-fee-go-into-effect-at-hol-chan-marine-reserve/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hol_Chan_Marine_Reserve