Great Blue Hole - Lighthouse Reef

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.

Location: Lighthouse Reef, Belize, Central America
Coordinates: 17.316100, -87.534700
Type: cave

Marine Protected Area: Blue Hole

Best Time to Dive in Lighthouse Reef

The warmest water temperatures in Lighthouse Reef occur in September, averaging 30.0°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.2°C
February: 27.1°C
March: 27.2°C
April: 27.8°C
May: 28.6°C
June: 29.2°C
July: 29.3°C
August: 29.7°C
September: 30.0°C
October: 29.9°C
November: 28.9°C
December: 28.0°C

Nearest Dive Centres to Great Blue Hole

Itza Resort - PADI

Marine Life in Lighthouse Reef

Home to 216 recorded species including 175 reef fish, 20 hard corals, 9 other, 6 sharks & rays, 2 jellyfish, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Redear Herring (Harengula humeralis) - Reef Fish
Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Thin leaf lettuce coral (Agaricia tenuifolia) - Hard Corals
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
Fray (Jenkinsia lamprotaenia) - Reef Fish
Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
Kwab (Sparisoma radians) - Reef Fish
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Great Blue Hole

Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C, currents 22 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories