The Great Blue Hole is a collapsed limestone cave system 300 metres across, sitting in the middle of Lighthouse Reef about two and a half hours offshore. The dive drops past the rim to around 40 metres, where ancient stalactites hang from an overhang and reef sharks patrol the blue below you.
It is a deep, short, dramatic dive rather than a marine-life dive — and it is followed by two of the best reef dives in the country at Half Moon Caye Wall and the Aquarium, plus a stop at the Half Moon Caye bird sanctuary. Non-diving partners can snorkel the same stops.
The day starts before dawn and gets back at dusk. Guests usually plan their week around it and take the following day slowly.
How the day runs
- 5:15 AMPickup — breakfast aboard on the crossing
- 8:00 AMDive one: the Great Blue Hole
- 10:30 AMDive two: Half Moon Caye Wall
- 12:30 PMLunch and the Half Moon Caye bird sanctuary
- 2:30 PMDive three: the Aquarium
- 5:30 PMBack on Ambergris Caye
What’s included
- Three dive or snorkel sites
- Breakfast and lunch aboard
- Tanks, weights and divemaster
Not included
- Rental gear
- Lighthouse Reef and Blue Hole park fees
- Gratuities
Before you book
- Open Water certification, with a recent dive to 80 ft / 24 m
- Minimum age 15
- No flying for 24 hours afterwards — do not book this the day before you leave
Rates change with the season and the operator, so we quote them when you book. Our concierge can have this scheduled before you land.
Ask the conciergeGood to know
- Can non-divers come along?
- Yes. Snorkellers travel on the same boat and snorkel the rim of the Blue Hole and the two reef stops, at a reduced rate.
- How rough is the crossing?
- It is open water for roughly two and a half hours each way and can be bumpy. If you are prone to seasickness, take something the night before as well as that morning.