Great Blue Hole Travel Guide

Belize Blue Hole is a feature attraction of diving in Belize, especially for divers with an appreciation of geographical phenomena - this is your opportunity to explore the famous Blue Hole. Part of the Lighthouse Reef System, at approximately 62 miles (100 km) from Belize City, the almost perfectly circular Blue Hole has a radius of more than 1,000 feet (305 m). It is one of the most astounding dive sites to be found anywhere on earth. Located in the center of the Lighthouse Reef the Blue Hole is a large hole of water 480 feet (145 m) deep, which gives the deep blue color that causes such structures throughout the world to be known as "blue holes."

Attractions and Activities

Discovering the Great Blue Hole

A stalactite marks an entrance to the Blue Hole’s underwater cave system. This famous sinkhole at Lighthouse Reef, became an icon of Belize after renowned researcher Jacques Cousteau, explored it in 1970. At the crest of the thousand-foot circular reef, snorkelers in its clear waters delight in seeing exquisite corals, energetic fish, colorful sponges, and graceful sea fans. The rim descends to 90 feet at 60 degrees, then drops vertically to 120 feet. Mammoth caverns perforate the walls. The entrance to the cavern cannot be reached without descending more than 110 feet (34 meters) down a sheer rock wall - some 10 feet (3 meters) deeper than the recommended maximum depth for recreational divers. At these depths, a diver has only a matter of minutes before breathing compressed air becomes dangerous, due to high levels of nitrogen that accumulate in the blood.

Attractions

Route from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is the biggest island of Belize and the perfect place to start a tour to the Blue Hole, there you can choose one of the many diving stores in the only town on the island, San Pedro. Snorkeling is also possible if you are not a diver.

Route from Caye Caulker
Located near Ambergris Caye, this island is another great place to start your diving or snorkeling tour. It is a smaller island and is quieter which makes it perfect if you prefer a more laid-back vacation.

Route from Belize City
It is possible to do a one-day tour to dive or snorkel in the Blue Hole from Belize City, we suggest this option if you cannot travel to one of the islands or if you prefer to stay in just one place and take day tours. If you are not a diver but still want to see the Blue Hole, the best option is to take a flying tour. If you fly by airplane or helicopter, over the Blue Hole, you can enjoy the view of a beautiful creation of nature. If you are not a diver and take a boat tour you won’t be able to appreciate the Blue Hole.

Please consider that you must be a certified diver in order to go Scuba Diving in the Blue Hole.