Half Day Snorkeling at Hol Chan

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Rebecca Mindick 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I can’t say enough about our experiences with Joel and Junior. We went on a sunset cruise to caye caulker complete with tarpon feeding, sting rays, pelicans and we even saw dolphins. We also did a full day fishing, snorkeling, bbq and swam with sharks and rays. The two worked seamlessly together to make us (adults and children) feel at ease doing things we had never done before. The food was phenomenal and the experience was unlike any other. Ten/ten!!!!! Oh and Joel even spent time teaching the kids about coconuts and how to open them. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!!!!!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 heather patterson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!

Captain Joel and Jr. are THE BEST! These guys know all the hot spots and had us hammering the reds within the first 30 minutes! They went above and beyond to help me check spearing a lobster off my bucket list, and it was truly one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life! 🦞

After an amazing day of fishing and lobster hunting, we enjoyed the freshest grilled lunch (chef’s kiss!). We even finished the day trolling right into a school of tuna!

Beyond their knowledge and expertise, Captain Joel made us feel incredibly safe and comfortable on the water, which meant so much to me personally. Their hospitality, professionalism, and genuine care are unmatched.

DO NOT BOOK WITH ANYONE ELSE! THIS IS YOUR GUY! We cannot recommend Candace Fish and Reef Tours enough. An absolute highlight of our Belize trip! 🎣🌴
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Karen Wagner Tomari 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We had such an amazing time with Junior and Joel on our fishing expedition! They took us to prime spots. We caught red snapper and a huge barracuda. It was amazing and junior, took us out snorkeling and showed us all kinds of beautiful fish. They were very informative and lovely gentlemen by highly recommend Candace fish and reef tour!!!!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Sherri 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Captain Joel and his First Mate Junior were amazing! We booked the Full Day snorkeling + BBQ + fishing + lobster hunting package. And when we boarded the boat and told him we would rather just focus on fishing/spear fishing and skip snorkeling (because we snorkeled a lot the day before with a different tour) Capt Joel said no problem and easily altered things to fit our request.
First things first, Capt Joel encouraged me to take a second dose of motion sickness medicine and MAN THAT WAS THE RIGHT CALL because out there on the Big Blue it’s choppier than you think, even on a clear day.
We caught a good-sized Mackerel while trolling, and it was perfect in the ceviche Junior made.
Next we caught fish from 300ft deep out beyond the reef. AND MY HUSBAND REELED UP A SHARK! (but Capt Joel cut it loose for our safety, because that sucker was 6-7 feet long). We caught several other good-sized fish whose names I cannot remember but tasted delicious in our lunch that afternoon (see pics).
After pole-fishing, we learned how to spearfish. We caught a total of 1 lobster (with much help from Capt Joel) and 1 small fish. Doesn’t sound like much but it’s not as easy as it looks, folks. The juicy lobster tail tasted so delicious.
Overall, the day was amazing and we made so many memories. Communication before the day arrived was excellent, and you definitely get your money’s worth. Junior handed out our fins/masks, baited all of our hooks, cleaned the fish, made the ceviche, and taught us how to use the spears. He was very patient with us as we fumbled through getting our sea legs and getting comfortable in the water trying not to maim ourselves with sharp spikes and spear guns. Capt Joel knew all the good spots on the ocean both inside and outside the reef. Both he and Junior worked with some locals on the beach to prepare a delicious lunch with our catch. And the extra fish went to the local men as a thank you, so nothing was wasted.
Just remember to take all the motion sickness medicine you can before getting on the boat and you’re sure to have a great time!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Bobby Gallagher 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
All the reviews saying these guys are great are spot on!  We were a group of 4 and each are still talking about what a great time we had with Joel and Jr.  We caught a wide variety of fish and had enough for three meals.  100% recommend!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Tarhy Alford 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Joel and JR are true fishermen. We booked a full day of fishing and that’s exactly what we received. They picked us up on a dock just down from our hotel. We were trolling almost immediately. We then moved to bottom fishing in 300’ where we caught plenty of red snappper. Next they took us closer to the reef where we spearfished / snorkeled for lobster and fish. We bagged lobster to add to our catch. By then it was lunch time and we hit a beach where Joel & JR prepared our caught fish and lobster. The lunch was delicious! To finish off the day we trolled in the deep water and caught black fin tuna, spanish mackerel, and bonito. Let’s say we were exhausted and slept so good that night. Do not hesitate to book your fishing excursion with Joel. It was a trip of a lifetime.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Noelle Grace 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
My friend Faith and I booked with Captain Joel and Junior during our trip to San Pedro. We had a fantastic experience. They catered to our fishing preferences and were supper easy to communicate with. We did the full day fishing and couldn’t commend it more! After our day of fishing they cleaned our fish and gave us restaurant recommendations. We had a full meal of our catch at The Gypsy Restaurant on the water. We would love to do it again!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 B Rohr 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We had a great day on the water with Joel and Junior. They were professional, knowledgable, and their number one priority was making sure we had a good time. We did everything we hoped for and more. It was impressive how many cool activities we packed into one day, without ever feeling rushed. Highly recommend
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Andrew Spark 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
**UPDATE – Aug. 2026:** The owner has FINALLY responded 2½ years later, but largely sidesteps what I actually wrote. This was never a complaint about rough seas or not catching enough fish. It was about safety, boat handling, professionalism and the other issues detailed above.

Regarding life jackets, I stand by my account: none were made available or identified to us that day. Saying they are required by the port authority does not establish what was actually aboard or accessible during our charter.

Likewise, suggesting we simply needed to “communicate” misses the point. Customers shouldn't need to instruct a commercial captain on basic safety or proper operation.

The response doesn't address the boat handling, spearfishing concerns, Joel's conduct, or the other substantive issues in my review. If things have improved since then, great. But I stand by my firsthand account and rating.
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I regret to inform future patrons that my experience with this company was utterly disappointing, necessitating a stern warning through this one-star review. Entrusted with the expectation of a splendid reef fishing day, we were swayed by the allure of complimentary deep-sea fishing—an offer that concealed grave negligence. The shocking absence of life jackets onboard was a dire oversight, especially egregious given the challenging conditions of open water with swells reaching 10-12 feet. This reckless disregard for basic safety measures cast a shadow of unease over us, particularly for my wife, who is not adept at swimming.

The day's descent into discomfort was exacerbated by an unexpected bout of seasickness—a rarity for us as seasoned mariners from the West coast. This ailment can be directly attributed to the erratic navigation of the boat, deliberately countering the waves instead of harmonizing with the currents, a fundamental error by the captain, Joel.
Our futile attempt at fishing under Joel's guidance yielded scant reward, further soured by a questionable spearfishing endeavor that not only lacked proper instruction but also insinuated a disregard for legal and ethical standards. Amidst these disheartening experiences, the fact that we were charged $500 USD for such a subpar service is frankly insulting. The expectation of professionalism and value in exchange for such a substantial fee was met with nothing short of disdain and negligence.

Joel's demeanor throughout the day, far from the expected cordiality and enthusiasm of a tour operator commanding a premium fee, was unbecomingly sullen and detached. The culmination of our ordeal was marked by a meal that, while momentarily satisfying, led to severe gastrointestinal distress, casting doubt on the safety and hygiene of the food preparation process.

It is worth noting that amidst this series of disappointments, Joel's assistant, Big Lou, emerged as a solitary beacon of decency, whose congeniality provided slight reprieve from an otherwise regrettable experience. The desire to request a refund was strong, given the myriad of shortcomings. However, understanding the challenges often associated with such requests in locations like Belize, I refrained, opting instead to share my experience here as a cautionary tale.

I pen this review not out of spite but as a cautionary tale for others. While I harbored hopes of an exceptional day at sea, the reality was a stark deviation, marred by negligence, discomfort, and a pervasive sense of being undervalued. It is with a heavy heart that I advise against engaging with this company, in hopes that my experience remains an isolated incident rather than a reflective norm.

Thank you for taking the time to read this review, and may your future maritime adventures be safe and fulfilling.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Alexandra Rozen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We had an amazing day with Joel and Junior! They tailored the day to exactly what we wanted to do. We fished, snorkeled, swam with sharks, and then they cooked the fish and lobsters that we caught on a beautiful beach! It was absolutely delicious. Such a wonderful day of memories for my family ❤️ thank you Joel and Junior!!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
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