Scuba Diving the Blue Hole in Belize

The Blue Hole is undoubtedly the most famous dive site in Belize and possibly even the most well-known in all of Central America. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Blue Hole is a destination that tops many divers’ bucket lists. Measuring over 1,000 feet wide and 400 feet deep, this sizable underwater sinkhole offers a plethora of caverns, rock formations, and marine life to explore. If you’re planning your own dive trip to Belize, then read on to learn all there is to know about this incredible dive site!

 

When To Go

 

While Belize offers pleasant weather and comfortable diving conditions year-round, April to June is generally considered to be the best time to visit. Not only is visibility ideal, but it’s also when whale sharks are known to frequent the area. In addition to this, tourists are few and far between, meaning you’ll have uninterrupted access to many of the country’s dive sites, including the Blue Hole.

 

The least desirable time to travel would be the rainy season, which falls from June to November. That being said, rain showers tend to be short and many of the offshore dive sites, including the Blue Hole, remain largely unaffected, so even if you visit Belize during this time, you should still be able to dive. The months from October to November also happen to be grouper mating season, so it is an excellent time for spotting marine life, as thousands of fish gather around the islands of Belize to mate and give birth. The rest of the year, from November to May, is considered the dry season, with the least amount of rain, but also the highest number of tourists. 

 

What To Expect

 

The Blue Hole is located quite a distance away from the mainland of Belize; therefore, one of the best ways to experience it is by liveaboard. Not only will this allow you the opportunity to spend the most amount of time at the dive site, but it will also provide you with the chance to explore many of the other reefs in the nearby area. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay on land, the dive resorts located on the nearby islands and atolls are another excellent option to consider. They not only offer easy access to the Blue Hole but also cater specifically to divers. In addition to this, there are also dive resorts located on Belize’s mainland, but it will take substantially longer to reach the Blue Hole from these locations. This means you’ll end up spending more time on the boat than in the water. But at the same time, these resorts do provide you with more opportunities to explore Belize by land.

 

It’s also important to note that many dive operators require that divers possess an Advanced Open Water certification and at least 25 logged dives before diving the Blue Hole. While the Blue Hole may seem to be a relatively easy dive, its immense size and depth make it difficult and sometimes dangerous for inexperienced divers. Spanning 300 meters across and over 120 meters deep, it can be easy to get disoriented and to end up diving deeper than you safely should. As a result of this, many operators are strict about their requirements and won’t accommodate those who are new to diving.

 

What You’ll See

 

What makes the Blue Hole so unique is the rock formations that can be found hidden within the depths of the sinkhole. Once you’ve descended about 30 meters, you’ll begin to spot several caverns and caves that line the perimeter of the area. Scattered throughout those caves, you’ll find large stalactites and stalagmites that were formed thousands of years ago when the cave system was still located above water. These eerie yet fascinating formations measure more than three feet in diameter and have grown to be up to twenty feet long. They jut out from the roofs and floors of the caves, creating narrow passageways that you can navigate through and explore.  

 

While you’re down there, you’ll probably spot some of the marine life that calls the Blue Hole home. There’s actually a wide variety of reef sharks in the sinkhole, including blacktip sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and nurse sharks. There’s also a healthy population of reef fish, including butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and giant groupers. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a turtle or two on your way to and from the caves.

 

Nearby Dives

 

In the waters surrounding the Blue Hole, there are several dive sites that are also worth checking out. We’ve highlighted a few of our favorites below for you to consider when planning your own dive trip to Belize!

 

Half Moon Caye Wall

 

Located just south of the Blue Hole, off of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Half Moon Caye Wall is one of the most popular dive sites in Belize. Offering coral fields, sandy ocean floors, and an impressive drop-off, there’s a lot to see and explore at this dive site. It also happens to be home to an abundance of marine life, including eagle rays, garden eels, groupers, snappers, hogfish, stingrays, and Caribbean reef sharks. The reef is also quite a spectacle to behold, with a variety of sea fans, sponges, and coral creating a colorful blanket across the ocean floor. 

 

Long Caye Wall (The Aquarium)

 

Situated just west of the Half Moon Caye Wall dive site, Long Caye Wall, also known as The Aquarium, is a colorful reef that drops off suddenly into the deep ocean. Home to a variety of fish, it’s common to see large schools of Bermuda chubs, creole wrasse, and sergeant majors. Rays of all kinds, including eagle rays, stingrays, and manta rays, can also be found here, along with several types of reef sharks. Its impressive array of marine life is what has earned it the nickname, The Aquarium. 

 

Long Caye Ridge

 

Known for its night diving, Long Caye Ridge is another excellent dive spot location just south of Half Moon Caye Wall. Home to various active nocturnal marine creatures, it’s possible to spot everything from octopi, ghostfish, banded shrimp, and jackfish. What the area is most famous for, however, is the large population of Caribbean reef squid that live in the reef. These iridescent invertebrates almost seem to glow in the darkness of night, attracting not just prey but also the divers who seek them out on a nightly basis.



References:

 

Scuba Diving: https://www.scubadiving.com/five-great-dive-sites-in-belize-that-arent-blue-hole

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