Enable Location

We need your location to show you interesting places around you

Discover nearby places

Find interesting locations and hidden gems around you

Precise directions

Get accurate directions and distances to places

Your location is never shared with other users. It's only used when you tap the location button.

Great Blue Hole

Log in to your account

Start exploring — it's free

Trusted by 61,688 travelers worldwide

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
or

We will send you a code to connect

By continuing, you accept our Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy

Check your inbox

We've sent a pincode in your inbox. Please enter the code below.

Great Blue Hole, Marine sinkhole at Lighthouse Reef, Belize

Description

The Grand Trou Bleu is a marine sinkhole at Lighthouse Reef off the coast of Belize. The formation creates a nearly perfect circle in the ocean with a diameter of 300 meters (984 feet) and reaches depths of 123 meters (404 feet) below the water surface.

History

The geological structure formed during the last ice age when lower sea levels allowed limestone caves to develop. These cave systems became flooded around twelve thousand years ago as glaciers melted and sea levels rose, causing the cave roof to collapse and creating the opening visible today.

Culture

Divers from around the globe visit this site for its importance in marine research and for the many documentaries filmed about the reef. Local captains and dive instructors often share stories about past expeditions and pass on their knowledge of the geological features to visitors.

Practical

Diving expeditions typically include one descent into the formation combined with two additional dives at nearby reef areas within Lighthouse Reef, departing from mainland Belize. The boat journey takes several hours and visitors require advanced diving certifications as currents and depth demand technical skills.

Did you know?

Reef sharks, large groupers, and Caribbean reef sharks inhabit the upper water layers while the underwater cave walls are lined with ancient stalagmites. These mineral formations grow at various angles and document several geological periods when the cave remained dry and dripstone accumulated.

Location
Part of
Belize Barrier Reef
Address
Belize
Opening Hours
24/7
GPS coordinates
17.31556,-87.53444
Latest update
December 24, 2025 11:36

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Belize District).

Unusual natural wonders and geological formations worldwide

This collection presents extraordinary natural phenomena and geological formations across all continents, from salt flats and volcanic crater fields to underground cave systems and landscapes shaped by mineral deposits. The featured sites display rare geological processes: moving stones leave...

Colorful landmarks around the world

Earth displays its color range at numerous sites, from geological formations to human-built environments. The selection includes locations on six continents, where natural processes or cultural traditions have resulted in prominent visual displays. The Danxia mountains in China's Gansu province show...

Unusual places around the world: abandoned sites, mysterious locations, natural phenomena

This collection brings together locations that challenge the norms of conventional tourism. It offers the chance to discover places where nature, history, and human activities have created astonishing sites: a complex of 732 unfinished villas in Turkey, a Mexican island where hundreds of dolls are...

Discover hidden treasures of the world

This collection leads to places that remain outside standard tourist circuits. The selection includes natural landscapes and cultural sites that receive limited attention from international visitors. From the salt flats of Bolivia to ancient ruins in Turkish mountain terrain and the ice formations...

Satellite images showing incredible locations seen from the sky

Satellite imagery has transformed how we view remote locations on Earth, offering perspectives on places that are often invisible or difficult to reach from ground level. This collection presents natural formations, artificial structures and historical sites from an aerial vantage point. From...

Remarkable Sites of Belize

Belize protects over 300 miles of the second largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and a substantial number of pre-Columbian Maya sites, many located deep within rainforests. The country combines marine protected areas, archaeological remains, and extensive nature reserves within a...

« Great Blue Hole - Marine sinkhole at Lighthouse Reef, Belize » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!

From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.

Around Us App Screenshot

A unique approach to discovering new places

Le Figaro

All the places worth exploring

France Info

A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks

20 Minutes

Around Us
Travel Guide & Maps
Download

Send to your phone

QR Code
1

Open the camera app on your mobile.

2

Point at the QR code with your camera. A notification will appear.

3

Tap the notification to open the link.