Great Blue Hole
Circular marine sinkhole about 300 m across and 124 m deep at the centre of Lighthouse Reef, a collapsed cave flooded after the Ice Age; Cousteau's Calypso surveyed it in 1971. Recreational dives descend over the rim coral to about 40 m (130 ft), where large stalactites hang from the overhangs of the vertical wall, with a short bottom time. The dive is mostly about the geology and the atmosphere rather than coral and fish; reef sharks cruise the depths and snorkellers can see the rim reef.
Facts
- Region: Lighthouse Reef & Great Blue Hole - Belize
- Area: Great Blue Hole
- Depth: 0–40 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: low
- Type: cave, wall
- Coordinates: 17.31528, -87.53444
- Highlights: stalactites, Caribbean reef sharks, great hammerhead (occasional), lemon shark, bull shark, sea turtles
- Permit: The Great Blue Hole is the Blue Hole Natural Monument, co-managed by the Belize Audubon Society; Half Moon Caye Natural Monument is a separate protected area with its own fee. Operators collect the park fees, usually in cash (Ambergris Divers lists about US$40 per person for a trip covering both) – the official fee table could not be checked. Boats must contact the Half Moon Caye rangers (VHF 16) before using the moorings. Qualification: Advanced Open Water or equivalent experience; operators such as Splash require 30+ dives.
- Issuer / contact: Belize Audubon Society (BAS) - co-manager of Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye Natural Monuments
- Website: https://belizeaudubon.org/contact/
- Head-office numbers and e-mail from the BAS protected-areas FAQ and contact page; the park fee is collected for the monuments (Half Moon Caye rangers, VHF channel 16).
- Tips: Deep dive to the limit of the recreational tables (about 40 m / 130 ft): Advanced Open Water or Deep Diver level and recent experience recommended (Splash takes only divers with 30+ dives). Beyond 40 m is technical territory; the hole itself is a cavern/sinkhole - never go beyond your training and the guide's plan. The nearest medical help is hours away by boat. Stay with the group: guides keep a strict depth and time limit.