5 Stunningly Cool Blue Holes You Should Dive Before You Die
Blue holes are underwater sinkholes or caves found throughout the world and can often be found in low-lying coastal areas. Are you an avid diver, who’s always looking for the next great dive site that will provide you with an unforgettable experience?
If so I am sure you will love the five blue holes you can dive described in this article.
1. The Great Blue Hole in Belize
The Blue Hole is found off the coast of Belize, near the middle of Lighthouse Atoll. This circular dive site (sinkhole) is more than 300 meters in diameter and 124 meters deep. The Great Blue Hole is an integral part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth and was added to the Unesco World Heritage list in 1995.
How to get to the Great Blue Hole in Belize?
Many international flights arrive in Belize every day, and that will be your first step in getting to the country’s famous dive site.
If you want to book a day trip to the Blue Hole, it would be best to do so from Ambergris Caye.
Keep in mind that trips to the Blue Hole leaving from the mainland or Ambergris Caye can only be confirmed 12 to 24 hrs before departure. The boat trip takes you across open water, and embarkation is dependent on the weather conditions. Expect a somewhat rough but beautiful 3hr boat ride before you get to one of the best dive sites in Belize.
If you have more time to spend then one day, you might want to book your stay at a resort closer to or even within the Lighthouse Atoll like with one of the resorts mentioned below.
This is a deep dive, and you will decent to about 130 feet where you will find the “cave.” Divers with no previous experience with deep dives should not be tempted to visit the Blue Hole. Therefore, divers with and advanced certification will do best at this site. Even if you are a certified advanced diver but do not have any prior (positive) experience with deeper dives, you should not do this dive.
Why should you dive The Blue Hole in Belize?
The Blue hole is not the most beautiful dive site in Belize, and it never will be. Nevertheless, it is a magical place where you drop down into the blue to decent along an ancient wall. When you reach 36 meters, you will find the “cave” decorated with fossilized stalactites. (Keep an eye on your buddy because at these depths nitrogen narcosis will kick in) Swim through the cave and start your ascent. When you get lucky, you might even encounter one of the resident black tip reef sharks. Do not forget your safety stop at 15ft of 5 meters.
Also read our trip report: Diving the Blue Hole in Belize
2. The infamous Blue Hole in Dahab, Egypt.
The Blue Hole in Dahab is Dahab’s signature dive and, therefore, one of the most popular dive sites too. It’s located a few kilometers north of Dahab in the Red Sea, and it’s about 130 meters, or nearly 463 feet deep. There is also a tunnel inside the Blue Hole called “The Arch” which is roughly 26 meters in length and starts at a depth of 56 meters or 184 feet. Editorial Note: You should never try to dive the arch when not properly trained!
Accessing the blue hole is easy because it’s a shore dive, so all you have to do is make your way to Dahab and sign up for a refresher dive with one of Dahab’s many dive centers before you head out to the Blue Hole.
Who should dive the Blue Hole in Dahab and who not?
Too many divers have lost their lives at this dive site already, so you should be an advanced and comfortable diver, using his common sense before you enter the water. The water is clear, warm and calm as well with a relatively easy entry which makes it’s inviting to a lot of divers from around the world. But divers get a false sense of security, often going beyond their limits, losing focus, and ending up dead. So remember always dive within your limits and stay within your comfort zone
Also read: Why divers die when they dive the blue hole in Dahab?
3. Dean’s Blue Hole Bahamas
Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas is the world’s deepest Blue Hole. Its entrance is below sea level, and it goes down to an incredible 202 meters, or 663 feet. Because Dean’s Blue Hole is a shore dive, it’s very easy to access it off the beach roughly 3 miles north of Clarence Town on the southern portion of Long Island.
Who should dive Dean’s Blue Hole and who should not?
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This article is published by The Scuba Page, the online magazine for Scuba Dive lovers around the world. The Scuba Page is part of RUSHKULT : the online booking platform for adventure sports. Visit the RUSHKULT platform to book your next Scuba Dive training, guided trip and accommodation.
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