Diving
Shark-Ray
Alley

Up close and personal with a Southern Sting Ray

The world's largest diving magazine, Skin Diver, has given Belize's Shark-Ray Alley feature billing in two issues this year (1996). This recently discovered dive site has been selected as one of the seven best "animal dives" in the Caribbean.

For several years, local fishermen often cleaned their catch in this area, located just inside the reef, to the south of Ambergris Caye. When fishermen noticed that their activity had attracted Nurse Sharks and several Southern Sting Rays, they reported this information to the dive operations in San Pedro, who then dispatched some divers to investigate. What they found was a bonanza, and "Shark-Ray Alley" quickly became a very popular dive site.

We had the opportunity to dive here during our San Pedro visit in January. As soon as our boat arrived in the area, the Dive Master pointed out all of the dark shadows in the shallow (eight foot deep) waters. These were the sharks and rays that heard the boat approach and came in search of a few scraps of fish.

These creatures have a great tolerance for divers and seem to enjoy the human interaction. The rays, which have a 'wing-span' of two to four feet, swim directly towards the divers, inviting them to reach out and stroke their wings (although it's best not to touch them). Some would also swim in circles around us, like a cat rubbing against our legs. The gentle Nurse Sharks average four to six feet in length, and the dive masters often feed them small fish.

This was a truly unforgettable adventure. Snorkellers can also enjoy this encounter with nature, but divers will experience more interaction with the creatures by hovering below the surface. Be sure to visit Shark-Ray Alley during your stay at Ambergris Caye.

Photo tip: Even amateur photographers can take great underwater photos here with Fuji's disposable marine camera. It works in depths of up to nine feet, which is perfect for the shallow waters inside the reef at Shark-Ray Alley.