If you are a scuba diver in search of the next big dive to tackle on your resume, then you should consider the Great Blue Hole in Belize a serious candidate. The great blue hole is one of the world’s most fantastic and breathtaking mysteries. Aside from the fact that the location is stunning, the hole, itself is nothing short of mesmerizing.
This is the sight of some of the most famous underwater explorations by some of the world’s most renowned explorers, including Jacques Cousteau. This location is now considered one of the best scuba diving locales for adventure seekers.
What is the hole all about?
The Great Blue Hole of Belize can be found approximately 60 miles off the mainland coast of Belize and is approximately ¼ mile across. The Blue Hole itself is part of the Lighthouse Reef system and has become extremely popular with divers from virtually every country in the world.
The Blue Hole is believed to be a limestone encrusted sinkhole that at one time was a portion in the ocean that was above water. The ceiling of this location is said to have collapsed and the ocean rushed in to form the liquid hole divers have come to appreciate. As a diver descends the depths of the hole, within the first 100 or so feet, the walls are smooth and encrusted. As the diver moves deeper into the hole, the walls take on an entirely different and rugged appearance.
Experience a must
The Great Blue Hole in Belize is one of those dive sites that you will need significant dive experience for. The Blue Hole is considered an underwater cave and, as a result, you will need to know your own limits as well possess some advanced diving techniques. The bottom of the “cave” or the floor of the hole is more than 400 feet below the surface. This is not something a new or inexperienced diver should attempt.
Below the surface you will find a world that is far different from that above. There are several key features to this hole that bring divers in from around the world. Some of the most notable facets of the depths of the hole include a sharp steep rock wall and Stalactites. Knowing how to navigate the sharp and abrasive seascape is something that should never be attempted unless you are secure in your abilities.
Gear required
It is important for scuba divers to understand, that diving the Great Blue Hole in Belize is not a standard dive. This would be considered a cave dive and should be prepared for accordingly. As you are most likely aware of already, a dive such as this should never be attempted alone. A buddy system should always be in place and this will usually entail someone on the surface while you are down as well. A line that can be tied off to the boat is a vital piece of gear, just as much as lights and oxygen tanks and regulators.
It does not hurt to have a multi tool handy while you dive the Great Blue Hole in Belize, as it will allow for aid or adjustments as required. An open water dive is nothing like the Great Blue Hole, so you will need to gear up appropriately.
What’s waiting for you?
Diving the Great Blue Hole in Belize, is an experience that will offer something different for everyone. One of the biggest draws about this location is the diverse aquatic life below the surface. This is a site that does have a rather harsh survival rate for sea creatures that are not familiar. The life that you do find below the surface at this dive location is what would be considered hardened. They understand and can actually thrive in the hole. This will allow you a unique and vivid site as you traverse the depths and follow the walls towards the ocean floor of this hole.
Some of the more prominent inhabitants of the Great Blue Hole in Belize include large groupers, stingrays, and several species of shark. Some of the most common of the sharks are the nurse shark, the black tip shark, and the Caribbean reef shark. There have been sightings of Bull and Hammerhead sharks within the hole, however this is a rarity.
Simply stunning
If there is one phrase to describe the Great Blue Hole in Belize, it would easily have to be simply stunning! The sheer scope and magnitude of the underwater pit is something that will challenge the senses and leave you absolutely captivated.
Once you arrive on the surface of the water, you will understand just what makes this location so desirable. As you breach the surface of the water for your dive, you will see that what you witnessed from above pales in comparison to what lies below. The sub surface scenery will leave you feeling quite humble, in that the hole, itself is something that immediately envelops and swallows you.
The brilliance of what nature has offered in this dive site, is something that will never be forgotten. Between the rough cut walls that bring you down the throws of this massive sink hole, to the life that calls it home, you will want to return several times to cover what you missed.
Dive tours
If you are new to the area of Belize or to the Great Blue Hole for that matter, you may want to check out some of the fantastic dive tours that the locals offer. This, while being a minimal package and usually a more restrictive shallow dive for liability purposes, is still something to greatly appreciate. Some of the wonderful packages will include meals and tour assistance from a regular site diver. You will also notice that several of the packages offer overnight trips. This is a great chance to see several different areas of the great blue hole. You will most likely be introduced to 3 dive times throughout the overnight package. Whether you elect to go with a tour trip or dive the hole on your own, you will never forget this amazing dive location.