Have you ever heard of the Great Blue Hole in Belize? The Great Blue Hole is the largest sea hole in the world and is recognized as a world-class destination for scuba divers. From crystal-clear waters to spectacular coral formations to fascinating marine life, there’s a myriad of reasons why you should visit the Great Blue Hole when you’re in Belize—even if you’re not a scuba diver!
Do you want to discover more fun-filled things to do during your stay in Belize? Take advantage of our Free Vacation Guide. It will become your go-to guide for the area’s best restaurants, attractions, excursions, events, and more!
All About the Great Blue Hole in Belize
In 1971, the legendary French documentarian and marine biologist, Jacques Cousteau, visited the Great Blue Hole. He named it one of his “favorite diving sites in the world.” Since then, people have traveled near and far to visit this magical wonder.
Location
The Great Blue Hole is located about 100 kilometers (62) miles off the coast of Belize City and lies within the center of Lighthouse Reef Atoll. If you’re leaving from San Pedro, the Belize Blue Hole is about 50 miles away, and you can get there by boat in approximately 2 ½ hours.
Size
Circular in shape, the hole is over 300 meters (984 feet) across and 125 meters (410 feet) deep. It’s the world’s largest natural formation of its kind and is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. The Great Blue Hole is part of the Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Features
As divers explore this massive underwater sinkhole, they’ll find thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. These formations date back to when the Blue Hole was an aboveground cave system. An abundance of marine life resides here as well—including nurse sharks, giant groupers, butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, turtles, Caribbean reef sharks, Blacktip sharks, and more.
Visiting the Great Blue Hole in Belize
When you stay with us at Mahogany Bay Resort and Beach Club, you’ll have access to an abundance of exciting adventures throughout Belize, including the Great Blue Hole!
Note: Daily trips to the Great Blue Hole from San Pedro are offered daily, so it’s always easy to visit this phenomenon!
Blue Hole 3-Tank Dive or Snorkel
Hop aboard a full-day boat trip and visit the Lighthouse Reef Atoll and Great Blue Hole. You’ll travel as far down as 130 feet and be dazzled by the historic rock formations and marine life. Then you’ll visit Half Moon Caye, stroll through the red-footed booby bird sanctuary, and climb to the top of a treetop observation tower.
Just as your appetite begins to kick in, you’ll enjoy a delicious picnic lunch on the scenic beach. After lunch, two more dives follow—Half Moon Wall and “the Aquarium.” Although it’s geared toward divers, this trip is open to snorkelers, too. The boat ride itself is half of the fun, and you’ll get to see all of Belize’s shades of blue and dozens of tiny postcard-perfect islands along the way.
Scenic Flight Over the Great Blue Hole
Our Scenic Flight over the Great Blue Hole is a true bucket-list worthy adventure! Soar through the air and enjoy aerial views of the Belize Great Barrier Reef and the famous Great Blue Hole. This excursion is perfect for those that aren’t interested in scuba diving or don’t want to spend a whole day traveling to the hole by boat.
We offer weekly scheduled flights with our local airline for our Scenic Flight Over the Great Blue Hole. This will be a day filled with memories that will last a lifetime. After all, the best views of the Blue Hole are most definitely from the air!
Stay at the Best Accommodations in Belize
Start looking forward to unforgettable Belizean adventures and book your stay at Mahogany Bay Resort and Beach Club! Our resort offers an extensive collection of stunning accommodations, including cottages, villas, and townhomes. When you stay with us, you’ll realize what sets us apart from other nearby hotels. From authentic interior styling to convenient kitchens and kitchenettes, we have everything you need for the ultimate getaway.
Browse our luxurious lodging options and get ready to experience the vacation of a lifetime!