Blue Hole Diving: 5 Iconic Dives You Cannot Miss

Marla-Tomorug

Diving into a blue hole can be an exciting experience for any scuba diver or freediver. These underwater sinkholes, formed over thousands of years, offer unique and often dramatic landscapes filled with vertical walls, intricate cave systems, and deep, mysterious waters. Blue holes are often teeming with marine life and present conditions that challenge divers with their depth, limited light, and sometimes unpredictable currents. Whether you are an experienced technical diver looking for an extreme adventure or a recreational diver seeking awe-inspiring beauty, blue holes provide some of the most memorable underwater experiences in the world. Let us look at the top five blue holes around the world.

Explore The Thrill Of Blue Hole Diving With These Epic Dives

1. Great Blue Hole, Belize

One of the most famous blue holes in the world, the Great Blue Hole is a famous highlight of diving in Belize. This enormous sinkhole is located off the coast of Belize in the Lighthouse Reef. The nearly perfectly circular hole, measuring over 300 meters (984 feet) across and 125 meters (410 feet) deep, offers breathtaking views both from the air and underwater.

The Great Blue Hole is renowned for its stunning stalactites and limestone formations, remnants of a cave system that collapsed thousands of years ago. The dive typically begins with a descent into crystal-clear waters, passing through different layers where the color shifts from vibrant blue to near darkness.

Encounters with reef sharks, midnight parrotfish, and groupers are common, making the dive both thrilling and awe-inspiring. Due to the depth and potential nitrogen narcosis risks, this blue hole diving site is best suited for advanced divers.

• Depth: 125 meters
• When to Visit: November to May for the best visibility and calmest waters
• Recommended Dive Experience Level: Advanced Open Water Diver or higher  

LEARN MORE: Belize Blue Hole: The Ultimate Diving Guide 

2. Dahab Blue Hole, Egypt

The Dahab Blue Hole, located on the coast of the Red Sea in Egypt, is both famous and infamous. This stunning natural wonder, often referred to as "The Diver’s Cemetery," has claimed many lives due to its deceptive beauty and technical challenges.

This blue hole diving site features a 100-meter (328-foot)-deep sinkhole with an arch at approximately 56 meters (184 feet), leading out into the open sea. While technical divers attempt to pass through the arch, recreational divers and freedivers can explore the breathtaking reef walls surrounding the hole.

The marine life includes vibrant coral formations, lionfish, and even the occasional turtle. Despite its dangerous reputation, the Dahab Blue Hole offers an unparalleled diving experience for those who stay within their limits and dive responsibly.

• Depth: 100 meters
• When to Visit: March to May or September to November for optimal conditions
• Recommended Dive Experience Level: Suitable for all levels, but deep diving and arch penetration require technical certifications

3. Dean’s Blue Hole, Bahamas

Dean’s Blue Hole, located on Long Island in the Bahamas, holds the title of the second deepest blue hole in the world, plunging to an incredible depth of 202 meters. This blue hole is a favorite among freedivers due to its sheltered conditions, calm waters, and vertical walls, making it the perfect training ground for deep freediving.

Scuba divers also enjoy the opportunity to explore its beautiful limestone formations, caverns, and occasional sightings of nurse sharks and tarpon. The site offers a stunning contrast between the shallow turquoise waters of the surrounding bay and the deep blue abyss of the sinkhole itself. Dean’s Blue Hole is an extraordinary place to experience the extremes of blue hole diving in a serene and controlled environment.

• Depth: 202 meters
• When to Visit: November to April for calm seas and ideal diving conditions
• Recommended Dive Experience Level: All levels for general exploration; deep diving for advanced and technical divers

Feeling the chill? Read this: Winter Blues? 10 Great Scuba Diving Destinations To Explore

4. Cenote Azul, Mexico

Diving in Mexico boasts some of the most mesmerizing cenotes in the world, and Cenote Azul is one of the most accessible and beautiful. Located in the Yucatán Peninsula, this cenote is a large, open-air sinkhole with incredibly clear freshwater.

While it is not as deep as other blue hole diving sites, it offers excellent opportunities for divers to experience the magic of cenote diving without the overhead restrictions of cave systems. Sunlight beams penetrate the water, creating an ethereal glow that enhances the experience.

Small fish, turtles, and lush vegetation surround the cenote, making it a great spot for both diving and snorkeling. The unique mix of fresh and saltwater layers (halocline) adds a fascinating visual effect as well.

• Depth: 30 meters 
• When to Visit: Year-round, but best from November to May  
• Recommended Dive Experience Level: Open Water and above  

GET INSPIRED: We Dived The World’s Deepest Blue Hole In Chetumal, Mexico! 

5. Gozo’s Blue Hole, Gozo

Diving in Gozo is renowned for its Blue Hole; one of the most visually striking and accessible blue hole diving spots in the world. Located on the Maltese island of Gozo, this natural rock formation is shaped like a giant vertical chimney, with an underwater tunnel that leads divers into the open sea.

At around 15 meters (49 feet) deep, the Blue Hole is shallower than others on this list, but its dramatic archways, breathtaking visibility, and rich marine biodiversity make it a fantastic dive for all skill levels.

Schools of barracuda, octopuses, and colorful sponges populate the area, making it an excellent spot for underwater photography. The collapsed Azure Window nearby adds an extra dimension to the dive, providing stunning geological features to explore.

• Depth: 15 meters
• When to Visit: April to October for warm waters and excellent visibility
• Recommended Dive Experience Level: Open Water Diver and above  

Diving in blue holes provides an unforgettable experience, offering both natural beauty and challenging conditions for those seeking adventure. Whether you are drawn to the deep mysteries of Belize’s Great Blue Hole, the serene training grounds of Dean’s Blue Hole, or the vibrant biodiversity of Gozo’s Blue Hole, each destination holds something special for divers.

When planning your dive, consider the depth, conditions, and your level of experience to ensure a safe and awe-inspiring journey into these natural underwater wonders. No matter where you go, blue hole diving is sure to leave a lasting impression, combining exploration, history, and the sheer thrill of diving into the unknown.

Ready to dive in? Find an SSI-certified dive center and start planning your blue hole diving adventure today.