BELIZE

GREAT BLUE HOLE

LIGHTHOUSE REEF, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE

The Great Blue Hole is a large submarine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70 km (43 mi) from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, over 300m (9984 ft) across and 124 m (407 ft) deep. It was formed during the several episodes of quaternary glaciation when sea levels were much lower. Analysis of stalactites found in Great Blue Hole shows that formation took place 153,000; 66,000; 60,000; and 15,000 years ago. As the ocean began to rise again, the caves was flooded. The Great Blue Hole is a part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Blue Hole is located 45 miles due east of Ambergris Cave and is located of Lighthouse Reef Atoll. The Blue Hole is accessible from Ambergris Cave by several operators whom offers full day trips departing several times weekly. It is also accessible from Long Cave Island at Lighthouse Reef with Huracan Divers. The Blue Hole of Belize is unique and is the only Blue Hole that can be actually be seen from the space with the naked eye. It was originally an above ground cave and as the water levels rose the weight of the water caused the roof to collapse and from an almost perfect circular hole.

The Blue Hole is 460 ft and 1000 ft in diameter.

ACTIVITIES AT GREAT BLUE HOLE

Blue Hole days trips depart from Ambergris Cave at 5.30 am and takes approx 2 hours 30 minutes depending on the weather. Trips sometimes pick up at Cave Caulker and the time is about the same to get to the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole trip from Long Cave at Lighthouse Reef with Huracan Divers takes approximately 15 minutes, and you need to be staying at Huracan or one of the other two options on the island.

The Blue Hole is more of a dive destination but is also offers excellent snorkeling around the rim of the hole. The trip is not cheap and costs $250.00 for a day trip and includes 3 dives, light breakfast, lunch, soft drinks and snacks, if you are a snorkeler, you are looking at about $165.00 you can decrease those rates if you use Belize Dive Discounts, as the offer a 20% discount and you can choose which operator you want to use.

Some of the dive shops that offer a full day trip to the Blue Hole are Amigos Del Mar, Aqua Dives and from May 1st 2010 Belize Dive Connection. It is a long day but a great day and visitor will enjoy a great day of adventure.

It can also be dived with Huracan Divers as part of 3, 4, or 7 night package staying at their lodge on Long Cave Island, Lighthouse Reef from where it is only a 15 minute boat ride and you can be the 1st boat on site, returning to the lodge after the dive for breakfast before your 2nd dive.