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The Great Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 62 mi from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, over 984 ft across and 410 ft deep. It was formed as a limestone cave system during the last glacial period when sea levels were much lower. As the ocean began to rise again, the caves flooded, and the roof collapsed. Believed to be the world’s largest feature of its kind, the Great Blue Hole is part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The famous French diver and scientist, Jacques Couseau, placed the Blue Hole among his ten favorite dive sites in the world. Today the Blue Hole has become a popular dive site. As one descends into the hole, very few fish other than Blacktip Reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead are seen. This is due to a lack of water circulation that causes lower levels of oxygen in the water. This also creates excellent visibility. Despite the lack of sea life, there are massive stalactites to be seen.
The Blue Hole Belize diving experience is best left for advanced divers, at least for those who plan to dive to 130ft. Less experienced divers can dive around the rim of the Blue Hole at shallower depths. Snorkelers can also check out the waters around the rim where there is typically a lot of sea life.
It is approximately a 2.5 hour trip to the Blue Hole from San Pedro and can be done as a day trip through one of the local tour companies. The closest lodging to the Great Blue Hole is on Long Caye, an island situated on the Lighthouse Reef.
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Natural Point of Interest / Water Sports |
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