San Pedro is a small beach town on Ambergris Caye, and most things to do in San Pedro Belize start at the water’s edge. Our shop sits right on that beach, overlooking what our homepage calls “the largest barrier reef in this hemisphere.”
This guide is for divers, snorkelers, anglers and families planning a few days on the island. First we cover what White Sands Dive Shop runs, with a link to our full guide for each. Then we share a short look at the rest of the island, as a long-running island guide describes it.
What are the best things to do in San Pedro Belize?
Quick answer: The reef comes first: scuba diving, snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley and Mexico Rocks, and full-day dive trips to the Great Blue Hole and Turneffe Atoll. Add reef, fly or deep sea fishing, a Lamanai river trip or cave tubing on the mainland, birdwatching, and a golf cart day to Secret Beach.
Ambergris Caye activities at a glance
The table sums up the trips we run, who each one suits and how long it takes, where our site states it. Our local diving and snorkeling trips leave at 9:00, and we pick you up at the dock of your hotel.
| Activity | Who it suits | Time of day or length | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrier reef dives (1, 2 or 3 tanks) | Certified divers | Leaves at 9:00 | Diving guide |
| Night dive | Certified divers | After dark | Night dive guide |
| Hol Chan dive or snorkel with Shark Ray Alley | Divers and snorkelers | Leaves at 9:00 | Snorkel guide |
| Mexico Rocks snorkel | Snorkelers, including families | Leaves at 9:00 | Mexico Rocks guide |
| Blue Hole or Turneffe day trip | Certified divers | Full day, three dives | Blue Hole page |
| Reef fishing | Anglers | Half day (about 4 hours) or full day (7 to 8 hours) | Reef fishing guide |
| Fly fishing | Fly anglers | Half or full day | Flats guide |
| Deep sea fishing | Groups chasing big game fish | Half or full day | Deep sea guide |
| Lamanai river trip | History and nature lovers | Full day | Lamanai guide |
| Cave tubing and zip line | Active travelers | Full day | Cave tubing guide |
| Birdwatching | Birders and curious walkers | Early morning tour | Birding guide |
Prices change, so we keep them in one place: see our Water Sports page with current dive and course prices.
Diving and snorkeling the barrier reef
Diving is what most visitors come for. We run 1, 2 and 3 tank dives on the barrier reef every day, with tanks and weights included, and a night dive for those who want to see the reef after dark (bring or rent a light). Our guide to scuba diving on Ambergris Caye explains how the local trips work.
Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley and Mexico Rocks
Our Hol Chan trip pairs a dive in the marine reserve with a snorkel at Shark Ray Alley, and snorkelers can do the same pair of stops. Park tickets are not included. Our Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley snorkeling guide explains what to expect.
Mexico Rocks is our other snorkel trip, and it leaves at 9:00 like the rest of our local trips. Read our Mexico Rocks snorkeling guide before you go.
Blue Hole and Turneffe day trips
For certified divers, the big days out go to the offshore atolls: the Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef, and Turneffe at “The Elbow” and Turneffe North. Each is a full day of three dives with continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks. See our Great Blue Hole day trip page, the Blue Hole dive requirements and our Turneffe Atoll dive trip guide.
Fishing from San Pedro
Fishing here comes in three styles, and each is its own day. Our reef, fly and deep sea fishing page has the details, and you will need a Belize sport fishing license before you cast.
- Reef fishing: most of the action is inside the reef and at the channels, with snapper, barracuda, jacks and groupers among the common catches. Your guide provides tackle, gear and bait. See our reef fishing charter guide.
- Fly fishing: the flats around the island are known for bonefish, permit and tarpon, all catch-and-release. Guide fees include fuel, tackle, flies, ice and refreshments. Read our bonefish, permit and tarpon fishing guide.
- Deep sea fishing: 30, 32 and 37 foot boats with restrooms head to blue water for billfish, wahoo, dolphin-fish, tuna, king mackerel and black grouper. Our deep sea fishing guide covers the day.
San Pedro Belize tours to the mainland
Two of our tours leave the island for a full day in the rainforest. They make a good break between dive days, and a good plan for anyone in your group who doesn’t dive.
- Lamanai: a jungle river trip to the Mayan ruins in the rainforest. Our Lamanai river trip guide explains the day.
- Cave tubing and zip line: a full day through the rainforest, in the water and above the trees. See our cave tubing and zip line guide, and the overview on our Maya tours page.
Birdwatching with Elbert (and Bubba)
Ambergris Caye hosts 260 or so bird species during the year, a large number for a barrier reef island. Elbert has written about them for years in his “Birds of Ambergris Caye” column for The San Pedro Sun, often with help from Bubba, his Labrador, who has firm opinions on birds and on island life.
Guided birdwatching tours by boat around the island, through its channels and lagoons, or out to the neighboring mangrove islands can be arranged with Elbert. Start with our birdwatching guide to Ambergris Caye, then browse the Birds of Ambergris Caye column.
More things to do on Ambergris Caye
We don’t run the activities in this section. We list them as AmbergrisCaye.com’s guide to things to do on the island describes them, so you can plan your free days.
- Golf carts and bicycles: many businesses rent golf carts by the hour or the day, and bicycles are available through hotels and rental centers.
- Secret Beach: about 6.5 miles north of town on the lagoon side, with clear, calm, shallow water. The guide suggests making a day of it by golf cart.
- Sailing: sailing trips usually last the entire day and visit nearby cayes such as Caye Caulker, often with a beach barbecue lunch.
- Parasailing and other water sports: a parasail ride lasts about 15 minutes in the air. Kayaking, jet skis, windsurfing and kitesurfing are also on offer.
- Yoga and town life: yoga classes run around the island, and the town has restaurants, frequent village fiestas and Independence celebrations in September.
Whatever you plan, the sun and heat are part of island life. Our Belize travel health tips for visitors and divers cover what to sort out before you fly.
Who will take you out
White Sands Dive Shop is owned and operated by Elbert Greer, PADI IDC Staff Instructor. We are a PADI International Resort Association member and licensed by the Belize Tourism Board.
After her certification dives, a student named Susan wrote to Elbert: “You truly put me at ease and made the whole experience fun.” Read more in our letters from students Elbert has taught.
Things to do in San Pedro Belize: your questions answered
Can you visit the Great Blue Hole from San Pedro?
Yes. We run full-day trips from San Pedro to the Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef for certified divers, with three dives and meals included.
What can non-divers do in San Pedro?
Snorkel at Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley or Mexico Rocks, go reef, fly or deep sea fishing, take a Lamanai or cave tubing day on the mainland, or book a birding trip with Elbert.
What time do local dive and snorkel trips leave?
Our local diving and snorkeling trips leave at 9:00, and we pick you up at the dock of your hotel.
Are park fees included on the Hol Chan trip?
No. Park tickets are not included in our Hol Chan dive or snorkel trips.
Plan your days with us
Tell us your dates, who is coming and what you would like to do, and we will help you plan your days on the island. Email Elbert at elbertgreer@fastmail.fm or phone 011 (501) 226 2405.