Nurse Sharks and Romance? What can be so romantic about these two? Well, a trip out to one of Belize’s most famous snorkeling and scuba diving site, The Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, is equivalent to that first kiss. Diving or snorkeling with Nurse Sharks is an unforgettable experience that will leave you wanting to go back once again. So much so as that first kiss, a little bit awkward and scary, but as you go in for the second you start loving and reliving the moment.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve was first established in 1987 as Belize’s first Marine Park. The name is translated from Maya to mean “little channel” and this is exactly what it is! The channel is located approximately thirty minutes north of Caye Caulker. The Reserve is divided into 4 Zones the most visited Zone A: Hol Chan Cut and Zone D: Shark Ray Alley. What I enjoyed most about visiting the Hol Chan Marine Reserve has got to be stopping by at Shark Ray Alley. Yes, the name says it all – literally – it is filled with Sharks, Nurse Sharks that is. The Caribbean Skin Diver Magazine selected this area as one of the seven best “animal dives”. We all love the tiny creatures but diving with large animals can be intense.

As, I said it can be scary at first jumping into an area out in the deep blue sea that is filled with large Nurse Sharks, but if you know a little about Nurse Sharks, they are docile sea creatures. It is said that the name Nurse Sharks is gotten from the suckling sound it makes as it preys. Although, the Nurse Sharks are harmless to humans this does not make them 100% safe. These sharks have thousands of tiny, serrated teeth, and can bite if bothered by divers. Don’t be alarmed just yet. Nurse Shark’s favorite meal is fish, shrimp, and squid, but not humans.

Snorkeling or diving amongst Nurse Sharks can be scary at first, but after being in the water with them for a bit, it can become relaxing. Once in the water with them there is defiantly a sense of peace that comes along with it. If you are visiting Belize make sure you book your trip out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve. This snorkel or dive can be done as a half-day tour or a full-day tour.

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