The world famous "Blue Hole"
Jacques Cousteau television special has made The Blue Hole one of the most famous dive sites in the world. It's located some 80 km east of Belize at Lighthouse reef atoll.
The Blue Hole, now a natural Monument is a sinkhole some 300 meters in diameter and 135 meters deep. There are differing opinions on when and how it was actually formed but some scientists strongly beleive it was formed over a million years ago when lighthouse reef was perhaps part of the mainland. The entire Lighthouse reef with it's incredible drop offs and walls is a major magnet for divers from all over the world.
The area of the hole that is of greater interest to divers are the walls which extend vertical or past vertical in some cases. At around 90 ft, the walls actually become a hanging curtain of stalactites, some up to 45ft long. Further down, the hole opens up and there are entrances to many smaller passages.
Divers should exercise caution when diving the blue hole as it is highly frequented by bull sharks. Local dive masters engage in the dangerous practice of feeding these sharks, to the delight of diving visitors. Fortunately there have never been a case of any reported fatalities. We don't agree with this practice, and urge divers to instead retreat when groups of these sharks start congregating.
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