Liveaboard Diving in Blue Hole
What to expect on a Great Blue Hole Liveaboard
Liveaboard diving to The Great Blue Hole, Belize's signature dive site, should be on every divers bucket list. Approximately 60 miles off the mainland out of Belize City, right in the center of Lighthouse Reef is a large, almost perfectly circular limestone sinkhole more than 300 meters across and 135 meters deep, made famous by Jacques Cousteau. Scuba divers worldwide come to Belize for this main attraction and the opportunity to dive in crystal-clear waters. A Great Blue Hole liveboard offers divers unique underwater topography and encounters with several species of fish, including Midnight Parrotfish, Caribbean reef shark, and other juvenile fish species.
What You Can See
Liveaboards to the Great Blue Hole cater for all levels of certified diver, but the deeper dives are reserved for the more experienced diver. At approximately 30 meters/100 feet below the surface, you will begin to see the array of bizarre stalactites and limestone formations under the overhangs. Weaving your way between them you will notice the diversity of the marine life ranges from the small to the large.
Cleaning shrimps inhabit the many anemones, gobies, blennies pop out of their hiding places from the various coral heads. Angelfish and butterflyfish dance around you and the giant groupers watch them motionlessly. As you ascend and look up purple seafans sweep above you while you keep an eye out for nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks and blacktip sharks. Bull sharks and hammerheads have been seen there but are a rare sight.
A Great Blue Hole liveaboard is not only for the recreational diver but also for the avid snorkeller. A spectacular site to see from the surface, it boasts a healthy reef around the outer rim of the hole and is home to an abundance of sea life providing an ideal habitat for corals to attach and flourish. The coral actually breaks the surface in many sections at low tide. Except for two narrow channels, the reef surrounds the hole. The dark blue water is motionless, and the visibility often approaches 200 feet as you break a noticeable thermocline.
Getting To The Great Blue Hole
To get to the Blue Hole, Belize liveaboards depart from the Radisson Ft. George dock, located in the heart of downtown Belize City. International flights to Belize depart regularly from around the world, often with a transfer in Miami, Florida. If you are landing at Belize City International Airport (BZE), transfer is provided to and from the yachts. Dependent on the Liveaboard itinerary and sea conditions, the first part of your journey may start at Lighthouse Reef or Turneffe Atoll Reef.
Blue Hole Diving Reviews
- 8.9 Fabulous
- 34 Verified Reviews
- 8.0 Very good
- Carla N
![United States]()
United States
Everyone needs to do the blue hole at least once
Diving Blue Hole in April on the Belize Aggressor III
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Nancy Q
![United States]()
United States
It was an experience to go that deep & the pre-dive briefing by Simon was excellent. I'd heard there are often hammerhead sharks there; was a bit disappointed there were none, but you guys aren't in charge of Mother Nature! Was also disappointed that our one 20 minute dive there used up both a.m. dives
Diving Blue Hole in October on the Belize Aggressor IV
- 8.4 Very good
- Steve H
![United States]()
United States
What can you say? It's the Blue Hole! It felt a little bit like a tourist ride with the quick decent and return to the boat. Was more of a geographic experience than one that focused on flora and fauna. Thus said, I will never forget the memories of the underwater stalactites and the excited feeling of anticipation as we approached the site.
Diving Blue Hole in October on the Belize Aggressor III
- 9.2 Superb
- Barbara F
![United States]()
United States
Good. Nice to say we have seen it. But not as much to see.
Diving Blue Hole in November on the Belize Aggressor IV
- 8.4 Very good
- Richard P
![United States]()
United States
Neat, very barren but still worth doing.
Diving Blue Hole in November on the Belize Aggressor IV
- 9.2 Superb
- David D
![United States]()
United States
Not a lot to see, but if you are going to dive Belize you have to do the hole.
Diving Blue Hole in September on the Belize Aggressor IV
- 9.2 Superb
- Kristin B
![United States]()
United States
Sort of murky, but a "must do" experience
Diving Blue Hole in September on the Belize Aggressor III
- 7.6 Good
- Matthew Z
![United States]()
United States
Good - deepest dive I have ever done
Diving Blue Hole in December on the Belize Aggressor III
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Ruth L
![United States]()
United States
Amazing!!!!!! So many great fish among the coral
Diving Blue Hole in December on the Belize Aggressor III
- 6.4 Review score
- Jeffrey C
![United States]()
United States
Very little visibility under the water but top side it was BEAUTIFUL.
Diving Blue Hole in April on the Belize Aggressor III
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Gary G
![United States]()
United States
Disappointed in the visibility of the water - very cloudy
Diving Blue Hole in September on the Belize Aggressor IV
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Michael H
![United States]()
United States
It was an interesting experience diving down to see the stalactites.
Diving Blue Hole in September on the Belize Aggressor III
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Doug V
![United States]()
United States
It was something I am glad I did. Beautiful structures but no fish life
Diving Blue Hole in September on the Belize Aggressor III
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Ezra H
![United States]()
United States
Something interesting to do once but honestly a little overrated.
Diving Blue Hole in November on the Belize Aggressor III
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Russell C
![United States]()
United States
Blue Hole is something to say you did, the sea slugs by the boat were more memorable than the dive itself
Diving Blue Hole in January on the Belize Aggressor III
- 8.8 Fabulous
- David D
![United States]()
United States
Not a lot to see but the blue hole is a great dive.
Diving Blue Hole in May on the Belize Aggressor III
- 7.6 Good
- Joseph F
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
The anticipation was fun and the dive was interesting without being excellent. You get about 4 mins with the stalactites and then have to slowly ascend (its 40m). Visibility wasn't great but that added to the experience!
Diving Blue Hole in July on the Belize Aggressor III
- 8.4 Very good
- Ana S
![Spain]()
Spain
Something one has to do when in Belice, but would not repeat the dive.
Diving Blue Hole in August on the Belize Aggressor IV
- 10.0 Exceptional
- John D
![Canada]()
Canada
Very exciting. My deepest dive yet and the visibility at 147 feet was unbelievable. A great experience.
Diving Blue Hole in February on the Belize Aggressor III
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Nora S
![Hungary]()
Hungary
Interesting and very different, liked the stalactites. One or two dives is enough here. The dive masters leaded the group very professionally.
Diving Blue Hole in March on the Belize Aggressor III
- 7.2 Good
- Satu J
![Finland]()
Finland
Marvellous! But one dive is not enough! No point to try to make 4 dives in Blue Hole day. I would rather have 2 in BH and skip the rest.
Diving Blue Hole in July on the Belize Aggressor III
- 9.2 Superb
- Erick F
![Mexico]()
Mexico
It's a must for divers. Up to 44meters deep dive. Totally unexpected two find actually two species of coral after being told there was nothing inside.
Diving Blue Hole in September on the Belize Aggressor III
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Sandra H
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Very scenic and atmospheric and dive guides very safety conscious. Not much life but great to see stalactites.
Diving Blue Hole in February on the Belize Aggressor III
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Stefan W
![Canada]()
Canada
Blue! What an amazing experience seeing the stalactites.
Diving Blue Hole in December on the Belize Aggressor III
- 7.2 Good
- Mark B
![Canada]()
Canada
To be expected, not much to see!
Diving Blue Hole in January on the Belize Aggressor IV
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Gavin D
![Australia]()
Australia
This was a great experience and the dive guides prepared us very well for this dive.
Diving Blue Hole in October on the Belize Aggressor III
- 9.2 Superb
- Patricia N
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Glad I did it as iconic but apart from the deep dive pretty boring !
Diving Blue Hole in April on the Belize Aggressor III
- 7.6 Good
- Flavia C
![Brazil]()
Brazil
Not so great, because was dark and no fishes.
Diving Blue Hole in May on the Belize Aggressor III
- 9.2 Superb
- Parker V
![Canada]()
Canada
A cool experience. Glad that I did it as part of a live aboard as it fit well in our overall travels. I honestly think I would have been disappointed had I spent an entire day coming from the shore just to dive once at this site.
Diving Blue Hole in January on the Belize Aggressor III
