Diving the Belize Blue Hole is a dream for many divers. Learn the right way to discover the Belize Blue Hole depth, and go home bringing with you a very unforgettable experience.
The best way to do Belize Blue Hole diving
Thousands of scuba divers visit Belize yearly, and many of them only have the Belize Blue Hole in mind. This might be because it’s the most popular dive site in the country, and is one of the most advertised by local tourism investors. However, the Blue Hole is now just known as a bucket list dive, something that you won’t care to visit again. But there’s hope for this, as false expectations and assumptions are the main causes of disappointment. This dive site is different, though; it’s the kind of novelty that, with the right conditions, can be enjoyed when approached with the right expectations and mindset.
The dive starts with a descent to a sandy limestone shelf surrounding the Blue Hole
The shelf starts as a wall covered with coral, and then becomes a gentle sandy incline that leads up to a dark abyss. If you dive from local dive boats, you’ll be given about a minute or two to descent and equalize if you’re led to the drop off where will freely go down into the darkness. As you go down, the depths drain the colors to a gloomy shade pretty much the same from the natural light seen after dusk. Further down, you’ll see silhouettes of one of the most fascinating predators of the ocean.
You continue past gigantic stalactites hanging from the ceiling like chandeliers from the Stone Age
This is a reminder of the jungle caving expedition of Actun Tunichil Muknal, which you might have visited early on your trip. These cave formations have existed for many millennia even before the famous voyage of Christopher Columbus. In the distance, you’ll see the silhouettes of sharks circling their territory, bolting toward the shallower depths above. On uncommon occasions, keep an eye open for a hammer head sightings. They live in the area and might appear out of the darkness.
Then you will start your slow ascent from the maximum depth
You’ll come up past the sharks again, with an occasional curious one coming within an arm’s reach inspecting the visitors in its territory. You’ll arrive on the sandy shelf, and be treated to small bubbles dancing out of tiny holes in the sandy floor. Then the shape of your dive boat will appear above, with your dive leader signaling you to do a safety stop. In total, you’ll finish the dive in 30 minutes, which is something you should prepare for if you’re a diver who loves 60-minute dives.
With a dash of luck, this Belize Blue Hole cruise can be a worthwhile experience. However, it’s important that you’re aware of the dangers of this kind of dive, including the personal duties you have as the diver, even when you’re under the supervision of a dive master. If you have a dive computer, adjust the depth according to your No Decompression Limit. If you’re using a rental computer, ensure that you’re briefed on how to use it and always ascend at a reasonable rate. Make sure that you take the necessary steps to remove as much potential stressors for a better dive down the Belize Blue Hole depth.
Ascend until you get the signal from the dive master and ascend if they tell you
It’s also helpful to have a dive buddy who will not be a stress to you and to the other divers.There are many divers who came up unmoved with what Belize blue hole diving has to offer. But perhaps if your expectations weren’t too high, and the conditions were excellent, the dive just might be something unforgettable. If you find yourself vacationing in beautiful Belize, looking for an underwater adventure, contact dive tour companies in Belize for their Belize Blue Hole tours packages and rates.