Exploring the marvelous Great Blue Hole on a breathtaking trip is a journey of a life time. While the Great Blue Hole is popular in the diving area, it is much more amazing to see from the skies. Soaring over a tremendous, deep blue void attracting attention versus the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea appears unbelievable.
Discovery Channel called the Great Blue Hole in Belize among one of the most impressive position on planet, and as soon as you see it, you will certainly comprehend why. We took a one-hour personal charter beautiful trip over the Great Blue Hole with Tropic Air, In this short article, we will certainly share every little thing you require to learn about checking out the Great Blue Hole.
The Allure of the Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole is a large aquatic sinkhole, regarding 300 meters (984 feet) throughout and 124 meters (407 feet) deep. Located off the coastline of this attractive Central American nation The Blue Hole is renowned for its virtually excellent round form and deep blue shade, noticeable from above. It is acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was promoted by Jacques Cousteau, that proclaimed it among the leading diving websites on the planet. Since after that, tourist has actually broadened to consist of beautiful trips, snorkeling journeys, and watercraft trips.
Originally, The Great Blue Hole became part of a sedimentary rock cavern system throughout the last glacial period. As the ice caps started thawing and water level increased, the caverns were swamped, and their roof coverings broke down, causing the development of this round, deep blue space. The Great Blue Hole is a must-visit when taking a trip to Belize.
Location and How to Get to the Blue Hole
Located in the facility of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll some 70 kilometres (43 miles) from the landmass of Belize, the Great Blue Hole comes by watercraft and air.
When we initially checked out Belize two decades back, the only method to see the Great Blue Hole got on a diving journey, yet points have actually transformed and also non-divers can currently experience this environment marvel.
We reserved a trip from San Pedro on Ambergris Caye for our beautiful trip to the Blue Hole which lasted for one hour. This trip to the Great Blue Hole lacked an uncertainty, the very best beautiful trip we’ve ever before taken. And we have actually done a whole lot!
Most individuals go to the Great Blue Hole in Belize by watercraft or when diving. Trips to the Blue Hole can be reserved from Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Belize City. While watercraft journeys use a sea-level sight, and scuba diving divers can dive deep right into the midsts of the dark cave for boasting legal rights, airborne trips use one of the most spectacular viewpoint of this all-natural marvel.
The Experience of Flying Over the Great Blue Hole
Flying over the Great Blue Hole is absolutely nothing except amazing. We left Ambergris Caye in our personal four-seater airplane and invested an hour airborne forgeting the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize is one more gem in Belize’s crown of natural marvels. This aquatic shelter was developed in 1987 and covers roughly 18 square kilometers (7 square miles). It is a sanctuary for an amazing range of aquatic life, specifically, elegant sea turtles, manta rays, and mild registered nurse sharks.
The name ‘Hol Chan’ originates from the Mayan language, definition ‘Little Channel’, which appropriately explains the get’s all-natural break in the Belize Barrier Reef. This break produces a suitable setting for snorkeling and diving.
Our Great Blue Hole Flight
The journey started from San Pedro airport terminal and took us over Ambergris Caye to see the city, its coastline, and some treasures like Secret Beach.
We after that remained to fly over nearby Caye Caulker, where we had a bird’s eye sight of the popular Caye Caulker Split. Caye Caulker was divided right into 2 components by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. The tough tornado sculpted a slim network referred to as The Split, developing a distinctive north and southern department of the island. If you go to Belize, we very suggest investing a couple of days on Caye Caulker.
We after that flew out over the Belize Barrier Reef to see a few of its 400+ cayes and atolls. We saw a personal island that is being changed right into a deluxe first-class resort that will certainly be a personal retreat for the abundant and popular and we saw various other personal islands spread in between the Belize landmass and the Blue Hole throughout our 70 kilometres trip.
The Belize Barrier Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef is a magnificent all-natural marvel. It is the biggest obstacle coral reef in the Northern Hemisphere and the 2nd biggest on the planet after the Great Barrier Reef. We have actually taken a breathtaking trip over the Great Barrier Reef in Australia also and discovered the Belize Barrier Reef to be equally as attractive (otherwise even more) than its even more popular cousin. ,
Spanning over 300 kilometers (190 miles), this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 500 varieties of fish, many sorts of reefs, and a selection of aquatic creatures. We also saw large rays from the airplane throughout our beautiful trip.
This splendid coral reef system, that includes numerous overseas atolls, numerous sand cays, mangrove woodlands, seaside shallows, and tidewaters, plays an important eco-friendly function. It functions as an all-natural obstacle versus solid waves, securing Belize’s coast and sustaining the nation’s angling market.
It was remarkable to see the unique divide in between the obstacle coral reef and the Belize coastline open to broad open blue waters.
Approaching the Blue Hole
As our airplane circled around the website, we were woozy with exhilaration. Our captain made 4 circulates the Blue Hole – 2 on either side of the airplane, so Dave and I both had enough sights of the all-natural marvel.
The plain comparison in between the dark blue of the opening and the lighter blue and lively blue-green of the bordering superficial waters was splendid. We were fortunate as there were no watercrafts inside the opening when we got here, so we had immaculate sights of the opening all to ourselves.
Planning Your Trip
Plan your journey throughout Belize’s completely dry period to experience the very best of the Great Blue Hole from above.
Light clothes, sunglasses, and cams are must-haves for this experience. It was warm inside our airplane and we mored than happy to be in shorts and a light Tees.
Most, significantly, guarantee your electronic camera has sufficient memory and an additional battery, as you’ll intend to record every minute of this unbelievable experience. We didn’t reach the Blue Hole up until regarding half an hour right into our trip and we currently took a lots of photos as the coastline and waters of Belize are attractive in their very own right!
Flights usually last around one hour, supplying enough time to admire this marvel. The ideal times for trips are throughout the completely dry period, from late November to mid-April, when skies are clear and the exposure is unrivaled.
Cost and Booking Tips
The expense of flying over the Great Blue Hole differs, usually varying from $200 to USD 500 each, depending upon the scenic tour driver and the airplane made use of. Private charters can run usually around USD 1200. The expense is totally worth it. We’ve taken numerous beautiful trips all over the world that last only 10 to twenty mins. An hour over these attractive waters resembles absolutely nothing you’ve ever before seen.
You can inspect the Tropic Air Website for prices and accessibility. Make certain to show up half an hour prior to your trip to sign in and have an image ID with your Passports.
We suggest reserving your trip beforehand, specifically throughout optimal visitor period, to safeguard your area. Some scenic tour drivers use package that consist of various other tourist attractions in Belize, so watch for those to maximize your journey.
Other Ways to See the Great Blue Hole
Scuba Diving
The Great Blue Hole is a world-renowned diving website. Diving below enables you to discover the crystal-clear waters, see the huge undersea stalactites and stalagmites, and perhaps run into aquatic life like sharks and various other fish varieties. Note that diving in the Great Blue Hole is advised for seasoned scuba divers because of its deepness and distinct problems. Dive stores will certainly call for evidence of deep and innovative open-water diving experience.
Snorkeling
If you’re not a scuba diver, snorkeling around the sides of the Great Blue Hole is an amazing option. You won’t see the deep, darker midsts, yet the bordering coral reef locations are including lively aquatic life. There are several snorkeling trips offered that offer tools and assistance, making it a risk-free and useful experience.
Day Trips
Several firms use watercraft trips to the Great Blue Hole, frequently incorporated with quits at neighboring tourist attractions like the Half Moon Caye or the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. These trips typically accommodate scuba divers and snorkelers, making them an excellent selection for teams with blended rate of interests.
Liveaboard Trips
Belize is just one of the leading diving locations in the world and there are several firms that over overnight journeys. For a much more immersive experience, take into consideration a liveaboard journey that includes several dives in the Great Blue Hole and bordering locations over numerous days. These journeys frequently consist of various other leading dive websites in Belize,
Combination Tours
Some trips incorporate a check out to the Great Blue Hole with various other tasks in Belize, such as river tubes, forest trips, or brows through to Mayan damages. If you have a brief time in Belize and intend to see the very best of the coastlines and forest, this is an excellent selection offering a versatile experience of the nation’s varied tourist attractions.
Located off the coastline of this Central American heaven, the Great Blue Hole supplies a unique airborne phenomenon unlike any kind of various other on the planet. A trip over the Great Blue Hole is greater than simply an airborne scenic tour; it’s an experience with among the globe’s most magnificent natural marvels. This trip guarantees breathtaking sights and remarkable memories. Belize waits for with its open skies and the charming Great Blue Hole at its heart. Embrace the experience!
