Lighthouse Reef, Belize
    Blue Hole

    Great Blue Hole

    Best months: Oct–Jan

    Protected Area

    Blue Hole

    Why dive here

    With 213+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, eagle rays, nurse sharks and sea turtles - Great Blue Hole offers some of Lighthouse Reef's richest cave diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

    Best timeOct–Jan
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Dolphins, Eagle Rays, Nurse Sharks and Sea Turtles · 213+ species recorded
    Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October
    CharacterCave dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    The Great Blue Hole, smack in the middle of Lighthouse Reef, is one of those places you just have to tick off. We're talking serious bragging rights here, but honestly, it’s more than just a bucket list item. Dropping in, the sheer scale hits you – a perfect circle of deep blue in a sea of turquoise. The real show starts around 40 metres. That’s where you’ll find the giant stalactites, remnants from when this was a dry cave during the last ice age. We love the feeling of swimming amongst these massive ancient formations, they just dwarf you. It’s dark down there, the light fading fast, and it feels genuinely prehistoric. Keep an eye out for the reef sharks that cruise through the deeper sections; they’re often curious, though not overly interested in divers. Visibility is usually good, but the light changes dramatically as you descend, shifting from vibrant blue to a deep, inky indigo. It’s a dive for those who appreciate geology as much as marine life, and it definitely suits divers comfortable with depth and a bit of overhead environment. Our insider tip? Go early in the morning to beat the crowds, and try to time your descent to catch the best light filtering through the opening.

    Safety Notes

    Overhead environment - never enter without proper cave/cavern training, redundant equipment, and a guideline.

    Today05:4317:3311h 50m daylightGolden hour 17:04

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Great Blue Hole

    Great Blue Hole Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Great Blue Hole, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (17.22, -87.61) (6km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    86°F · Range: 29.1–31.7°C

    Current Speed

    11.66 cm/s

    Direction: NW (301°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.074 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    35.96 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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