Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole, a giant submarine sinkhole located right off the coast of Belize, is a true diver's paradise. Here you'll find a top-notch world-class destination for recreational scuba divers and snorkelers who desire an adventurous exploration of the abundant local coral formations and tropical fish.
Considered to be the largest discovered underwater sinkhole, the Great Blue Hole is located in the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll just about 70 kilometers from the mainland. This massive circular geological wonder sits at an astounding 300 meters across and 124 meters deep, originally a limestone cave formed over 150,000 years ago. Once the glacial period ended, the caves around Belize flooded, causing the roof to collapse and the unique hole to be formed. French explorer Jacques Cousteau claimed, upon discovery, that this site was no doubt "one of the top ten diving sites in the entire world," something not many people will argue with today!
This entire site is a part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. While here you are your group can tour from the air with a flyover, tour by boat with a day of sailing, or just head out hear and explore the dark depths and clear outskirts of the landmark. See a variety of diverse flora and fauna, some of the most observed animals include nurse sharks, trunkfish, reef sharks, and bull sharks, as well as several varieties of smaller tropical fish. Discover species of brain and tube coral around the reef, if you decide to snorkel, and when you’ve had quite enough of the Great Blue Hole, head to any of the nearby islands or cayes to take advantage of their beaches and food options. Ambergris to the north is always a great option, but Turneffe Island will be the closest to the hole once you're here.
