Great Blue Hole
Good to Know
Hours
Day trips typically depart early morning and return by late afternoon. Check with your dive operator for current schedules.
Cost
Varies by operator. Day trips generally include the Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye, and a reef stop. See operator websites for current pricing.
Location
The Great Blue Hole is located at the centre of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, approximately 70 kilometres east of Belize City. Access is by boat or small plane from Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, or Belize City.
Picture Your Stay
A few moments from life on the water.
About the Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole is a circular marine sinkhole 318 metres across and 124 metres deep, sitting at the centre of Lighthouse Reef Atoll. It formed during the last ice age when sea levels were far lower and a limestone cave system collapsed. As the ocean rose over thousands of years, the cavern flooded, leaving the near-perfect circle that is visible from the air.
Jacques Cousteau brought his research vessel Calypso here in 1971 and declared it one of the top five scuba diving sites in the world. The walls descend through three distinct ledge systems, lined with stalactites that confirm the hole's origin above sea level. Divers encounter Caribbean reef sharks, midnight parrotfish, groupers, and large schools of fish along the rim.
Most visitors experience the Blue Hole as part of a full-day trip that also includes snorkeling at Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, home to a colony of red-footed boobies, and a stop on the outer reef wall. The trip is long but the combination of sites makes it one of the most complete days on the water in Belize.
Casago Belize guests staying on Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker are well positioned for an early departure. Ask our team for operator recommendations before you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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