Looking for something unique and thrilling to do on your trip to Belize? Consider taking a scenic flight over the Great Blue Hole in the waters off Belize. The oceanic sinkhole can only be truly appreciated from overhead in an airplane.
What Is The Great Blue Hole of Belize?
Appearing as a big blue hole in the middle of the surrounding waters, this phenomenon is actually a sinkhole in the middle of the Lighthouse Reef. It's located about 60 miles from Belize City off the coast. This sinkhole is over 900 feet across and over 400 feet deep, which makes it the largest sinkhole on planet Earth. It became famous in 1972 when Jacques Cousteau brought his ship in to explore the depths of the Great Blue Hole. Later, in 2018, Cousteau's grandson Fabien returned to the hole with a submarine. He and Richard Branson took the submarine to the depths of the hole. The thrilling adventure was then broadcast on the Discovery Channel. The Blue Hole is so big that it can even be seen from space. It's also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the reasons the hole is so spectacular is due to the different colors of water around it. The dark blue of the hole makes it stand out from the water around it.
Getting To The Great Blue Hole
Belize City, San Pedro and Caye Caulker are all departure points to get to the Great Blue Hole. San Pedro has the easiest point of departure as the airport is right downtown. The most affordable way to get out to the hole is to take a boat. However, as previously mentioned, it won't offer you the same amazing view as flying over it would. Booking a flight over the hole also allows you to see some interesting points along the way. Various shipwrecks, the Booby Bird Sanctuary, Glovers Reef and the Turneffe Atoll are all around the hole. The water is so clear here that it's easy to see even shipwrecks from the air.
What To Know
Taking a flight out to see the hole is dependent on the weather, but fortunately, Belize typically has nice, sunny weather for such a trip. Make sure to arrive early for your flight, and get ready to charge your electronics, if necessary. The interior of the plane will allow you to take great photos, despite the windows. However, if you want the best picture quality, make sure to bring your DSLR. The plane is usually a comfortable temperature, but the ride can be noisy, so you will be provided with headphones. Seating depends largely on weight distribution.
Book a tour package to include a scenic flight over the Great Blue Hole with Untame Belize. We offer a wide variety of tours and adventures, including on land and by sea. Book a full-day tour with a range of activities like horseback riding, ziplining in the jungle, a visit to the Belize Zoo or scuba diving on the offshore reefs.
