GENERAL RULES

No persons shall within the boundaries of the reserve:

• Remove or disturb any flora or fauna, including rocks, dead corals, shells or sand, unless authorized by the fisheries administrator.
• Have in his possession any flora or fauna unless authorized by the fisheries administrator
• Discharge or deposit any material including waste, toxic material or garbage, or litter into the waters or land areas of the reserve.
• Erect any structure whether temporary or permanent unless authorized by the fisheries administrator.
• Mark or tamper with any buoys, signs or notice installed at the reserve.
• Use long lines, fish traps, seine nets, gill nets or engage in spear fishing.
• Engage in commercial fishing, sport fishing or recreational fishing within the reserve without a valid license issued in accordance with these regulations.
• Engage in water skiing, or jet skiing.
• Cast or drag any anchor in any manner which may damage coral or any other sensitive habitat.
• Engage in any activity with potential negative environmental impacts on species, habitats or ecosystems without approval from the Fisheries Administrator.

General rules for recreational commercial vessels

• All vessels must be registered in order to operate within the reserve and sticker should be visibly displayed.
• A vessel will not be registered if it exceeds 45 feet in length and shall not carry more than 30 persons on board.
• All vessels must first register with the ranger on duty before operating within the reserve, (all visitors must have a valid pass).
• Divers down flag should be displayed at all times.
• All motor boats shall observe the low wake boat way when approaching divers & snorkelers.
• A scuba dive tour & snorkel tour shall consist of a maximum of 8 divers or snorkelers to a dive master or tour guide.
• All vessels are only allowed to stay in the exclusive recreational area if there are mooring buoys available & shall not stay more than 1 hour at any one time.
• Vessels must use the mooring buoys provided and are only allowed to stay for more than an hour at any one given time.
• A boat that does not comply with these regulations will be allowed to enter, operate or remain within the reserve.

GENERAL RULES FOR SNORKELERS

A person may only:

• Dive and snorkel in the recreational zones upon registering.
• Dive and snorkel in the reserve after he has been informed of the rules of the reserve.
• SCUBA dive or use SCUBA diving equipment in the reserve if he is a certified SCUBA diver or undergoing SCUBA diving training course that is being conducted by a certified instructor.

 Zone A (Hol Chan Channel)
This is a no-take area and consists of the back reef, reef crest, and fore reef. Within this zone is the recreational area known as the Hol Chan Channel.

The biggest attraction of this site is the abundance and diversity of fish. Due to the no fishing policy, diving and snorkeling visitors are captivated by the large schools of grunts, snappers and jacks, some are lucky enough to see Spotted Eagle Rays swimming gracefully along the edges of the Hol Chan Cut.

• Fishing of any kind is prohibited.
• Feeding of fish is prohibited
• The use of gloves is prohibited.
• No fishing gears are allowed except fins and mask.

Zone B:
Immediately west of Zone A is Zone B. This zone provides special management for a large area of seagrass beds. Sports and traditional commercial fishing are allowed in order to promote sustainable use of our fisheries resources. Destructive fishing methods, such as spear fishing and netting, are prohibited.

Zone C:
This area includes the southern tip of Ambergris Caye, 8 mangrove islands and the Crangrejo Shoals. The main objectives of this area is to protect the mangrove forest. Sports fishing (catch & release) is encouraged but spear fishing and netting are prohibited.

Zone D (Shark Ray Alley)
In September of 1999, Hol Chan Marine Reserve was extended to include an area called Shark Ray Alley. This zone is located immediately south of zone A and represents 2 sq miles of coral reef and seagrass bed habitat. The main attraction in this site is the opportunity to snorkel with Nurse Sharks and Southern Sting Rays. Additionally, the site possesses spectacular coral formations in the back reef for snorkelers and on the reef for Scuba divers.

• Scuba diving within the exclusive recreational area of Shark Ray Alley is prohibited.
• Feeding of sharks within Shark Ray Alley is allowed by tour guides from within the boat.
• No harassing of flora and fauna.
• No fishing gears are allowed except fins and mask.
• The use of gloves is prohibited.

Zone E (Bajos)
The Bajos area is located west of Ambergris Caye and encompasses 135 square miles of sensitive sports fishing habitat. This area includes Zone I through Zone VI, With Zone I being general use area and Zone II:Cayo Pajaro, Zone III: Bajos, Zone 1V: Cayo Rosario, Zone V: Blackador and Zone VI: Las Salones all being conservation zones open for catch & release only.

• Zone I is a general use area.
• Catch & release is allowed in zone II through zone VI.
• All vessels using the area must be registered, including sports fishing vessels.
• There is a user fee for sports fishing of $20 Bze per person, per day.

 Zone F (Cayo Frances)
Cayo Frances Conservation Zone covers 12 square miles of wetlands and lagoon habitats including mangrove islets. It is located on Central Ambergris Caye immediately north of San Pedro Town. Fishing is prohibited in this zone; only catch and release is allowed.

Zone G (General Use Mexico Rocks)
General no use area.

Zone H (Mexico Rocks, No-Take-Zone)

• Fishing is prohibited throughout this zone.
• Use of gloves is prohibited.
• Feeding of fish is prohibited.
• No fishing gears are allowed except fins and mask.