Sailing to the Blue Hole

     Sailing to the Great Blue Hole, is one of Belize's signature dive sites. This excursion, should be on everyone's bucket list.
     Approximately 60 miles off the mainland coast of Belize, right in the center of Lighthouse Reef is a large, almost perfectly circular limestone sinkhole more than 300 meters across and 135 meters deep, made famous by Jacques Cousteau. Scuba divers worldwide come to Belize for this main attraction and the opportunity to dive in crystal-clear waters.
     If diving the Blue Hole, at approximately 100 feet below the surface, you will begin to see the array of bizarre stalactites and limestone formations under the overhangs. Weaving your way between them you will notice the diversity of the marine life ranges from the small to the large.
     This is a spectacular site to see from the surface, it boasts a healthy reef around the outer rim of the hole and is home to an abundance of sea life providing an ideal habitat for corals to attach and flourish. The coral actually breaks the surface in many sections at low tide. Except for two narrow channels, the reef surrounds the hole. The dark blue water is motionless, and the visibility often approaches 200 feet as you break a noticeable thermocline.
     Getting to the Blue Hole, is half the adventure. It is approximately a 2-1/2 to 3 hour boat ride to the site, if you are doing this in one day. If sailing to the Blue Hole, this is typically done on a 2-3 day sailing charter.

SAILING TO THE BLUE HOLE

PHOTO GALLERY - Sailing to the Blue Hole