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Have you ever swam out in the sea and not been able to see the bottom? All you can feel is the freezing cold water beneath your feet; all you see is dark blue water extending to infinity.
Imagine for one second descending into the blue, deeper and deeper with every kick and breath. The adrenaline kicks in and as the pressure builds, water compresses your chest. You’re scared, but there is something strangely inviting about the descent that makes it feel like you’re travelling to the center of the Earth. Looking ahead and all around you can see only a wall that drops for meters into the blackness below, and it is inviting, alluring. Welcome to the world of blue holes.
Effectively limestone sinkholes, or submarine caves, blue holes are given their name because of the contrasting deep blue of the hole and the lighter blue of the shallows around them. There are a number of blue holes across the globe but only a few are frequented by divers, each with its own unique biodiversity. Here we present five of the best in the world:
1. Great Blue Hole, Belize
First discovered by Jacques Cousteau, one of the world’s most famous divers and marine conservationists, the Great Blue Hole in Belize is the best of the bunch, and every diver’s dream. Measuring 305m (1,000 ft) across and 123 m (400 ft) deep, the Blue Hole is almost perfectly circular and can be found in Lighthouse Reef Atoll, about 60 miles from Belize City.
The Great Blue Hole in Belize is a Mecca for those wanting to dive among its giant stalactites and stalagmites, which were formed during the last Ice Age.
Starting at around 30-33 meters, the limestone formations become more intricate with depth, but few get to see what they look like as most divers are only qualified to go to a depth of around 30 meters – although, when it comes to diving in blue holes, many flout the rules.
2. The Blue Hole, Dahab
Until only about 25 years ago, Dahab was a tiny Bedouin fishing village on the Sinai coast, about 50 miles from Sharm el-Sheikh to the south. Now it’s known worldwide for having great windsurfing conditions and some of the best shore diving anywhere.
Only a short drive north of the main centre of Dahab is the notorious Blue Hole, known among diving circles as the ‘World’s Most Dangerous Dive Site’. It can be accessed from the shore and is around 130m deep, but with a tunnel at 52 m many divers are tempted to go beyond the recreational diving limit of 40 m to experience everything the Egyptian blue hole has to offer, including nitrogen narcosis for the unfortunate few. Because the entrance is hidden and difficult to spot, divers looking for a way in often go too low, increasing the risk of ‘the bends’. Some are never seen again.
3. Dean’s Blue Hole, Bahamas
One of the deepest blue holes at 663 ft deep, Dean’s is quite different from the previous two in that it widens to a 100 m cavern at about 20 m down. It is named after the family who own the land nearby and is another popular dive spot.
The Vertical Blue 2008 free-diving competition was held here in April, when 25 national records and 5 world records were broken, and just the year before free-diver William Trubridge from New Zealand shattered the free-diving world record reaching lung-squishing depth of 84m, without the use of fins.
4. The Blue Hole, Gozo
Not clearly as visible from the surface, the mouth to Malta’s Blue Hole starts at 7 m deep, and is the most popular dive site on the islands.
Located within the blue hole is a cave at 15 m below where shoals of tuna, groupers and barracuda are often found hovering by the large boulders and rocks. Divers can swim through a short tunnel, or chimney, to get to a different area within the hole which has great coral gardens and reefs teeming with marine life – quite amazing considering how fished out many parts of the Mediterranean are.
5. The Blue Cave, Korcula
Just off the coast of Korcula, one of Croatia’s biggest islands you’ll find Modra Spilja (the Blue Cave). Accessible only by boat, the blue hole is entered at 9 m below the surface of the waves and reaches a depth of 35 m, a baby compared to some other blue holes. But this means it is more easily lit up buy the sun's rays, making visibility easier and the dive all the more pleasant. Marine life, sponges and corals line the walls, along with giant red and yellow gorgonias, or sea fans, making it one of Croatia’s top dive spots.
Where's your favourite blue hole?
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34 comments
~nm (not verified) says:
Dec 23rd, 2008 at 6am
The Korcula one is breathtaking.
And the Bahamas and Belize are quite interesting.
Ray (not verified) says:
Dec 23rd, 2008 at 7am
Check out this blue (green) hole in the Florida Keys:
http://www.skypic.com/flkeys/5-9083.jpg
pokemon green leaf (not verified) says:
Dec 23rd, 2008 at 8am
So pretty. I want to go there on vacation!
Tony Arnold (not verified) says:
Dec 23rd, 2008 at 12pm
I've been to the blue hole in Korcula - the colour of the water is just incredible! If you ever get the chance to visit, be sure to see what the blue light does to anything you hold in the water.
Dana Cline (not verified) says:
Dec 23rd, 2008 at 3pm
I remember diving at a blue hole on the north coast of Jamaica back in the 70's. It was only about 150 feet deep but very pretty.
Scuba Diving Guy (not verified) says:
Dec 23rd, 2008 at 4pm
Absolutely fantastic point, I've been to The Great Blue Hole in Belize (http://www.thescubasite.com/Scuba-Diving-in-South-America/scuba-diving-in-the-great-blue-hole) - but you've really added some stuff to my wishlist there :)
Kaila (not verified) says:
Dec 23rd, 2008 at 5pm
My favourite blue hole is on the Snake River in Idaho. The water is freezing and super clear and the most striking shade of blue. Nothing compared to the ones on your list but still gorgeous!
jchull (not verified) says:
Dec 23rd, 2008 at 5pm
Cold water? Tell me how cold, because the coldest on the list is Malta I believe. Water pressure crushing your chest? How does that happen when the air you are breathing is denser the deeper you go? I have never felt crushed by water within recreational limits.
rzlatic (not verified) says:
Dec 23rd, 2008 at 7pm
"The Blue Cave, Korcula" actually isn't located on Kor?ula, but on small island BIŠEVO near more known island VIS. Korcula certainly is one more beautiful Croatian island, but The Blue Cave isn't there :)
Alizee (not verified) says:
Dec 24th, 2008 at 8am
I remember diving at a blue hole on the north coast of Jamaica back in the 70’s. It was only about 150 feet deep but very pretty..
Alex (not verified) says:
Dec 24th, 2008 at 11am
They look cool but I can imagine they are quite eerie when beneath the waves. I read that there was a sea serpent living in the Belize one
Thrush (not verified) says:
Dec 24th, 2008 at 5pm
jchull Says:
Water pressure crushing your chest? How does that happen when the air you are breathing is denser the deeper you go? I have never felt crushed by water within recreational limits.
I assume you're referring to: "free-diver William Trubridge from New Zealand shattered the free-diving world record reaching lung-squishing depth of 84m, without the use of fins."
Free divers dive without the use of tanks. 84m on a breath of air (and no fins!) is pretty amazing in itself. At 84m (over 8 atmospheres down), that full breath you took at the surface is extremely small (1/8th the size).
jb (not verified) says:
Dec 24th, 2008 at 6pm
# hole Said:
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:44 am
You forgot this one: Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone. Incredible! Here’s a picture:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Grand_prismatic_spring.jpg
I could be wrong, but I don't think The Grand Prismatic Spring is a sinkhole, and I don't think you can dive in it either. It's an entirely different thing from what the article is about.
Frog (not verified) says:
Dec 24th, 2008 at 7pm
Wow Linda great article. Anybody heard of a natural hole in the ground that people free-fall into (like base jumping, parachuting), I saw it on a programe once but I can't remember what it is called or where it is?
Frog
DavidB (not verified) says:
Dec 26th, 2008 at 6pm
there's another blue hole just outside of Port Antonio, Jamaica. although not as dramatic as some of these, it's extremely picturesque and very accessible by foot travelers as well as skin or scuba divers. you can approach while snorkeling at about 10' deep, and it just suddenly drops off into the infinite blue. i was about 10 yrs old when i passed the drop-off and my heart just sank!
Enduring Wanderlust (not verified) says:
Dec 29th, 2008 at 1am
Belize is a fabulous place to scuba dive or snorkel. I also recommend the Bay Islands, Honduras with lots of beautiful spots at very affordable prices. They have the lowest prices in the Western Hemisphere for scuba licenses often with free accomadations.
http://www.enduringwanderlust.com/scuba-diving-certification-in-affordable-paradise/
Charlie (not verified) says:
Jan 3rd, 2009 at 4am
What about the blue grotto on the island of Capri off the coast of southern Italy? Isn't that where the first photo in the post is taken??
art poirier (not verified) says:
Jan 6th, 2009 at 2pm
In the Pacific...
1. Check out the Grotto on Saipan for one of the easiest access "blue hole" dives.
2. "Blue Hole" Cenote on Cagayan de Sulu in Tawi Tawi Province,(Philippines).
3. Tang Island (Vietnam/Cambodia) has a better one...
but in the Atlantic you'll just have to Belize it, the Blue Hole is just the most fantastic experience.
Do any of the Florida sinkholes count?
Albann (not verified) says:
Jan 6th, 2009 at 10pm
YOu also forgot one which is located in Albania.It's called the "Blue Eye" and it's not that wide tho it's 50m deep.
Here are a few pics:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0c/Albania_blue_eye.jpg
http://fc97.deviantart.com/fs27/f/2008/135/b/8/BLUE_EYE__BUTRINT__SARANDA__AL_by_flog3rt.jpg
Jomark Osabel (not verified) says:
Jan 7th, 2009 at 4pm
the are some undiscovered blue hole in my country Cebu though I will try to research more on that.
Lindsay Kennedy (not verified) says:
Feb 24th, 2009 at 5pm
Thanks for this list. I highly recommend diving the Great Blue Hole in Belize! It's incredible - plus, the topside adventures and a blast!
nita (not verified) says:
Jul 3rd, 2009 at 12pm
wow great awesom it is really beautifull...great pics.//
Charlie Yeager (not verified) says:
Jul 6th, 2009 at 9pm
You forgot a really nice one in the U.S.A! Castalia Blue Hole in Castalia, Ohio. It has been there for years and years. They use the clear, cold water to run thru their trout hatchery. Millions of ducks and geese use it as a stop-off rest area on their migration south and north. The researchers found out the water is coming from Senaca Caverns about 60 miles to the south.
Richard (not verified) says:
Feb 1st, 2010 at 6pm
There's a unique "blue hole" in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.
I certified Open Water there, more years ago than I care to think about.
(Search "blue hole, santa rosa")
hole (not verified) says:
You forgot this one: Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone. Incredible! Here's a picture:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Grand_prismatic_spring.jpg