Diving Belize – The Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef

Belize scuba diving features

MARINE LIFE:
Gentle reef slopes Eagle rays
Giant tarpon

BELIZE'S TOP DIVE SITE:
The Blue Hole

DESTINATION OVERVIEW
Divers are attracted to Belize as it is paralleled by the Great Western Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world and the only barrier reef in the Caribbean. Both the shallow, coastal fringing reefs and the more distant off-shore atolls are surrounded by dive sites with a mix of gentle, open mounds and steeper drop-offs. These are characterised by sharp channels that cut through the reef rim. The reefs aren't as colourful as the Pacific or Asia but there are over 430 species of fish, many of which you won't see anywhere else

The most famous dive is, of course, the Blue Hole on Lighthouse Reef. It gained some notoriety through a Jacques Cousteau documentary and is now heavily hyped. The hole is over 300 metres across and drops to around 150 metres deep. It was believed to have been a cave whose roof fell in at the end of the Ice Age. At around 40 metres there is a shelf with ancient stalagmites which back up this theory. Apart from this geological feature, the dive is surprisingly lifeless but as the area is visited by grey reef sharks, dive operators now use bait to ensure their presence. As you ascend for a safety stop they circle divers hoping for further handouts.

Lighthouse Reef and Turneffe Atolls are much prettier and with plenty of life. Pastel-hued flat-bladed sea whips, rods and plumes decorate the surfaces, sponges can be enormous and often reveal brighter shades if you shine a torch on them. Pelagic fish like tarpon and barracuda are common while smaller fish add splashes of colour. Turtles, reef sharks and several species of large ray make occasional appearances.

Seasons
Year round but typhoons hit around September.
Visibility:
10 – 35
Water temperature:
25 – 29º C
Deco chambers: Ambergris Caye

Flights to Belize City
Liveaboard operator peterhughes.com
Accommodation
many options on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and Turneffe Atoll

SCUBA DIVING CONDITIONS
Generally easy. Apart from the Blue Hole, dives are not particularly deep, currents mostly light and boats can access both sides of each atoll to avoid any winds or rough seas.

OPINION
Although the Blue Hole is a 'must do' at least once in your life, we have been disappointed both times we have done it. The depth makes it quite an adrenaline rush but divemasters limit time more than is necessary and shepherd divers around in bunches which spoils the ambience somewhat. We have dived both from resorts and a liveaboard (Sun Dancer) and would always recommend a liveaboard for this area.