Maybe you are familiar with the Great Blue Hole of Belize you may have come across it in an advertising catalog or documentary. As the name suggests, the Great Blue Hole looks like a huge dark blue hole and is a naturally formed sinkhole off the coast of the Central American state of Belize. A fantastic sight from the air and a breathtaking paradise for divers from all over the world. In today's article, you'll find out how the Great Blue Hole came to be, why it is considered one of the most famous diving paradises and how you can visit it. extraordinary destination in person.
The natural formation of the Great Blue Hole
We know from photos that this large, blue hole is round. The natural wonder has a diameter of 300 meters and reaches a depth of up to 125 meters. But how did the Great Blue Hole actually form? Quite naturally. Over the years, many individual caves have formed as a result of limestone deposits. At that time, the caves were not yet under water. The caves were only flooded when the sea level rose. Around 15,000 years ago, the Great Blue Hole was formed due to a collapse of one of these caves. The natural shifting of the earth's plates caused the cave to lose its stability. At a depth of around 90 meters, divers can now see a fissure layer containing hydrogen sulphide. At a depth of around 40 meters, you can still see stalactites from the former caves. Below is a short video to take a dive from your desk into the underwater world of the reef:
The Great Blue Hole is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1996, this unusual hole became a monument to the country of Belize and at the same time a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, due to our careless treatment of nature, the Great Blue Hole ended up on the list of endangered natural world heritage sites again in 2009. Lighthouse Reef is the second largest coral reef on our planet and stretches over an area of around 200 square kilometers. Lighthouse Reef is actually referred to as an atoll (ring-shaped reef), but the term is less commonly used here. The reef has a breathtaking biological diversity. In addition to around 500 species of fish and 80 different types of coral, Lighthouse Reef is home to many endangered species of turtle and crocodile. The diversity of iguanas and other reptiles is particularly high on the small islands. The underground cave system of Lighthouse Reef with the Great Blue Hole is one of the most popular diving spots in the world.
Experience the fantastic Lighthouse Reef for yourself
It is quite easy to get to this wonderful place, as Belize City has an airport and is located directly on the east coast. Travelers recommend traveling for about a week, going on scheduled dives with Belize Liveaboards and Turneffe Resorts, and renting a car locally. I saw a video of a group of people doing a parachute jump over the reef. This is obviously not for everyone, but should show that you can have many other experiences in Belize. Of course, the hotel should also be close to the reef to make the most of your time in Belize.
AirBnb as a friendly alternative
As an alternative to a hotel, I would like to recommend AirBnb. Here you can get an apartment or a room with people who live at the destination of your trip. I always stay with AirBnb hosts myself because they know the area inside out and have experienced a lot themselves. For me, this is a fantastic and, above all, inexpensive added value. Here you come to AirBnb and you can just have a look for a great accommodation in Belize. More important facts and information about Belize and the Lighthouse Reef with the wonderful Great Blue Hole:
- Location: Belize is located on the east coast of Central America and borders Mexico and Guatemala. The Lighthouse Reef itself is about 70 kilometers from Belize City (directly on the east coast). The Great Blue Hole is located in the center of the Lighthouse Reef between the islands of Long Caye in the south and Northern Two Cayes. In addition to the Great Blue Hole, there are around 24 other popular diving spots in Lighthouse Reef.
- Language & Currency: English and Spanish are spoken in Belize. The currency in Belize is the Belize dollar.
- Information: If you would like to find out more about the country or the Lighthouse Reef, please contact the German office of the Honorary Consulate General of Belize in Stuttgart. The following address and telephone number: Breitscheidstraße 10, 70174 Stuttgart, Tel.: 0711 / 90710920
The Great Blue Hole is worth the trip!
I hope this article about the Great Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef and the country of Belize helps you! The Lighthouse Reef should be on everyone's list of travel destinations.
Best regards,
PS: Also take a look at my personal Travel tips on the blog and get to know really cool travel destinations! Have fun!
