The Great Blue Hole

Island Divers Belize can take you to the world famous Great Blue Hole just off the coast of Belize. One of the natural wonders of the world, a National Monument of Belize and an UNESCO World Heritage site. The Great Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 45 miles from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, over 1,000 feet across and 400 feet deep. It was formed as a limestone cave system during the last ice age when sea levels were much lower. As the ocean began to rise again the caves flooded, and the roof collapsed. You will swim through the stalactites, experience the drop-off and most likely see some reef sharks.

After the Great Blue Hole dive we will head to Half Moon Caye Wall for the second dive. These amazing walls are home to giant barrel sponges, eagle rays, barracuda, sea fans and moray eels. The visibility is typically crystal clear and this site never disappoints. From there we stop on Half Moon Caye for lunch and take a stroll on the island to the bird sanctuary to see the Red-Footed Booby birds or float in the crystal clear waters before moving on to the third dive of the day at Long Caye Aquarium. Another picture perfect dive. There is abundant life on the Lighthouse Atoll and the last two dives of the day tend to be the favorites of everyone that visits them.

Turneffe Atoll

Turneffe Atoll stretches 30 miles long and 10 miles wide and is a marine protected area. Very different from its neighbor Lighthouse Reef, this atoll has few steep walls that seem endless. The depth of the water and distance from the mainland of Belize result in excellent underwater visibility, normally in excess of 100 feet and often ranging up to 150 feet on most days. And one of the best sites is located on the very southern end of the atoll. The Elbow.

Its swift current make the Elbow home to all sorts of predators. The diver can see everything. Huge schools of eagle rays, snapper, horse-eye-jacks and other mackerels, gigantic barracudas, huge groupers, Jewfish and sharks patrolling the reef. This site is truly the spot to see large fish.