Great Blue Hole, Belize
The Great Blue Hole of Belize is one of the most widely regarded dive destinations on Earth. It also boasts one of the most richly endowed coral reefs in the western Caribbean. Eager to find out what lies at the bottom of the Great Blue Hole? Read on to find out what makes this dive site stand out from other top dive destinations.Geography of the Great Blue Hole, Belize
The Great Blue Hole is over 980 feet at its rim and 406 feet (124 meters) deep. Before you can explore the area, you’ll need to go through two narrow channels. You can start your dive on its north or south side, depending on the current weather.
Geography of the Great Blue Hole, Belize
South Side
Diving on the hole’s south side lets you reach the shallowest cave systems at around 100 feet (30 meters). These areas have an overhang with some huge stalactites (at over three feet) measuring up to 20 feet long. The cave here also has stalactites scattered within its lower ledge at roughly 50 feet (15 meters) below, where stalagmites grow upwards. You’ll find the entrance to a cavern system under the ledge.
North Side
Just like its south side, the Great Blue Hole’s north side has stalactites at 100 to 140 feet (30 to 42 meters), though it doesn’t have a lower ledge filled with stalagmites. The bottom of this area drops to 260 feet (80 meters) and consists of a big mound of sand and other debris built up over the years.
While there isn’t a lot of marine life inside the Belize blue hole, you can spot sea plants, feather-duster worms, and algae along its walls. What’s more, Caribbean reef sharks and bull sharks might greet you while you’re ascending from the rock formations below.
Coral Gardens
The Great Blue Hole has a coral reef at its rim, and it’s best to offload some nitrogen here after your ascent. Its shallow coral gardens are home to angelfish, butterflyfish, and colorful groupers. The area also has dozens of Pederson’s cleaner shrimp and neon gobies luring you (and the other fish in the reef) into using their services from every coral head.
Lighthouse Reef
Spanning about 50 miles (80 kilometers), Lighthouse Reef is a fairly small island with the best diving in Belize, according to a lot of divers. The Great Blue Hole may be at its center, but this atoll offers much more than the hole itself. It features reefs with very diverse topography that includes sandy reef-flat areas; walls, grooves, and channels; as well as caves and caverns.
The reef gardens here have a stunning, vibrant plumage. Plenty of fish species, as well as lobsters and octopuses, can be spotted as well.
Half Moon Caye
Half Moon Caye is situated on Lighthouse Reef’s southern part and Long Caye’s eastern side. It’s also a national park known as the Half Moon Caye Natural Monument. A stunning fringing reef lies within this island, as well as different underwater landscapes. You can spot all kinds of aquatic wildlife here since it has very clear waters.
Tarpon Caves
A popular destination for divers in Half Moon Caye, the Tarpon Caves boast a vertical tunnel that runs from its entrance down a passage. It then drops you into a deep opening, which lies at nearly 100 feet (30 meters). The site has another channel running up to its right side, too.
The wall inside Tarpon Caves features lots of cuts, swim-throughs, and holes, which are great for exploring. It also has walls with fewer soft corals and more hard corals than Long Caye. A barracuda might even follow you around, but don’t panic. These creatures are often curious about divers passing by the site and may accompany you throughout your dive.
Long Caye
Long Caye is located south of Lighthouse Reef and west of Half Moon Caye. This island’s west coast offers an amazing diving experience—some say one of the best in Belize.
Long Caye’s west coast has spectacular coral gardens that are reminiscent of the tropical jungles seen on land. Huge purple, pink, and beige sea plumes stand tall like palm fronds swaying on a summer breeze. Giant sea rods, brain corals, and boulder star corals are also present in this dive site. It even has branching vase, giant barrel, and yellow tube sponges for a vibrant view. Trumpetfish mostly reside on the island’s west coast.
Silver Caves
This popular dive site takes its name from the dense schools of silverfish living in its channels. You’ll see plenty of fish species swarming around Silver Caves. Horse-eyed jacks make their way here to look for food, while creole wrasse zip past the area. You can also spot honeycomb cowfish, Spanish hogfish, midnight parrotfish, and filefish slowly passing by.
Silver Caves is filled with channels and gullies, where small groups of yellowtail snappers, Nassau groupers, and schoolmasters gather. These areas also serve as hiding places for pairs of banded butterflyfish. Look out for other fish species and critters as well, including blue chromis, soapfish, and arrow crabs (which can be spotted in the coral recesses).
West Point
Situated north of Lighthouse Reef, West Point’s visibility is a bit more limited but still acceptable. It’s one dive site you shouldn’t miss, especially if you want to capture schools of fish with your underwater camera. Different fish species gather at West Point, including trunkfish, all four angelfish species, and parrotfish. The corals here are just as diverse as the fish, too.
Marine Life
- Caribbean reef sharks - The Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) has a streamlined, robust structure. It can grow up to 10 meters (over three feet) long and can weigh up to 70 kilograms (154 lbs). This shark eats bony fishes, large crustaceans, and cephalopods. It consumes yellow stingrays and eagle rays as well.
- Bull sharks - Bull sharks have a stout appearance due to their body’s high width-to-length ratio. This characteristic makes them distinct from other species. This species preys on fish, other sharks, marine mammals, birds, and turtles. It also occasionally consumes other bull sharks.
- Butterflyfish - Part of the Chaetodontidae family, butterflyfish swim in shallow waters near coral reefs. They come in varying lengths ranging from 12 to 22 centimeters long. Butterflyfish consume different kinds of food, including small invertebrates or algae, coral polyps, and zooplankton.
- Pederson’s cleaner shrimp - Pederson’s shrimp is a cleaner shrimp that’s small and transparent. Its body features bluish and violet-colored markings. The species also has long, white antennae. It usually lives in reef crevices with sea anemones and removes parasites from fish.
Other Attractions
- Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley - For divers who are also avid snorkelers, these two spots will give you the best snorkeling experience. You’ll get to see pristine coral gardens and swim with numerous sea creatures here. Both attractions also see frequent sightings of sea turtles, nurse sharks, stingrays, and all kinds of colorful fish.
- House of Culture - Located in Ambergris Caye, the House of Culture lets you explore San Pedro’s interesting culture. It often changes its displays to celebrate local traditions and events.
- Caye Caulker Forest Reserve - This nature reserve makes up 100 acres of Caye Caulker’s northernmost section. Its rich birdlife includes wading birds. Other animals—such as crocodiles, turtles, and lizards—live in inland lagoons. The forest here mostly boasts red, white, and black mangroves in shallow water.
How To Get There
Most major airlines will let you fly to Belize City. From there, you can board a hopper plane going to the Great Blue Hole. Taking a direct flight to the Ambergris Caye airport is also possible. You can even rent a small, three-seater plane from the mainland or Caye Caulker.
By Sea
If you’re coming from Caye Caulker, a boat ride to the Great Blue Hole takes about 2.5 hours. Belize Diving Services (BDS) and Frenchies Dive Shop offer trips to the area. But their tours can fill up in an instant, so make sure to book one before you travel.
For tours coming out of Ambergris Caye, San Pedro gives you more options for dive operators. Dive shops, such as Belize Pro Dive Center and Ecologic Divers, make trips to the Great Blue Hole. But be warned: your journey will take a bit longer than usual.
Best Time to Visit
The wet season in Belize runs from August to October, which is the low season for tourism and diving. Rain also has a little impact on diving during this period so it may arguably be the best time to visit the Great Blue Hole. However, March to December can bring in optimal conditions and marine life.
Water temperatures in the Great Blue Hole (and around Belize) reach up to 30°C in summer and drop to 26°C during winter. The air temperature can fall between 24°C to 29°C during the summer season, while it gets cooler at around 21°C to 27°C in winter.
Required Trainings & Certifications
Experts highly recommend getting an Advanced Open Water certification from PADI to dive the Great Blue Hole. You’ll also need more than 24 logged dives before you push through with your dive.
Miscellaneous Information
The Belize dollar (BZD) is Belize’s official currency. All major tourist towns and urban centers have ATM machines that dispense Belize dollars. But you won’t find any money exchange centers in the country. It’s also best to exchange other currencies before your arrival since the rates aren’t that suitable.
Bars, restaurants, and shops here will give you Belize dollars whenever you pay in US dollars.
Language
Belize’s official language is English, but natives also speak the Kriol dialect. Other residents are fluent in Spanish, Garifuna, Maya-Kekchi, Maya Mopan, Mandarin, and German.
Time Zone
Belize follows Central Standard Time (CST) or the UTC/GMT -6 time zone.
Driving Side
Like the United States, people in Belize drive on the right side of the road. The country usually has paved, undamaged highways. But there are also smaller roads that are unpaved, partially paved, or neglected.
Calling Code
+501 is Belize’s calling code. To make a call from the United States or Canada, dial 011 followed by calling code and number you’re calling.
ISO 3166 code
BZ-BZ is the ISO 3166 code for Belize District, where Belize City is located. The Great Blue Hole and its surrounding dive sites are far from the mainland.
Internet TLD
.bz is Belize’s top-level Internet domain.