Offbeat Traveler: Belize's great Blue Hole

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The great Blue Hole in Belize

The "great" Blue Hole on Lighthouse Reef Atoll is a popular diving spot off the coast of Belize. Visible in a flyover, the hole is about 1,000 feet in diameter and 412 feet deep. The late Jacques Cousteau and a filming crew explored the underwater cave whose roof collapsed about 10,000 years ago.

The Blue Hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which covers more than 200,000 acres.


Close-up

Vertical view

From a distance


Photos: A look inside the Blue Hole
Diving in the great Blue Hole requires advanced skills. Divers descend to about 135 feet to explore the exotic wildlife and underwater features. For information on diving inside the Blue Hole, consult the Belize Tourism board.

READ ABOUT BELIZE:

In Belize, a celebration of liberation
Belize: Moments of jungle awe and 'ah-ha!


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