Belize: Visiting the Great Blue Hole
Stunning images of the Great Blue Hole are all over Belize Tourism’s adverts and social media. So part of me was wondering if it was worth visiting — maybe seeing pretty pictures was enough? That’s why when my scheduled tour didn’t take off because of low ceiling at the site, I wasn’t bothered. I figured I could probably just save some money and cancel the trip altogether. I can’t put my finger on why, but in the end I decided to reschedule for the following day despite my ambivalence.
And of course, I’m so thrilled that I did because this was a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
We took off from the Placencia Airport in the smallest airplane I’ve ever been in. The pilot hooked me up with a headset so we could talk, but it was also interesting to listen to the air traffic controller and other pilots on the air waves. We followed the reef for about half an hour - spotting some dolphins along the way - before arriving at the Great Blue Hole.
The Great Blue Hole itself is a giant sink hole and part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. It’s known to be one of the world’s best scuba diving sites - don’t take my word - Jacques Cousteau made that claim. Circling the crystal clear waters re-affirmed my interest in learning to scuba as I hope to dive this site some day. (I finished the PADI Open Water Diving theory course tonight … closed and open water dives start tomorrow!)
Following several circles of the Great Blue Hole we darted over to see the wreck of the Transfer — a cargo ship crashed that on to the reef in 2005 and has been slowly rotting away ever since.
Back past the Great Blue Hole once more - this time at 200 feet! - and then we cruised by Half Moon Caye. It was designated a bird sanctuary in 1924 to protect red-footed booby birds and their habitat.
The shades of vibrant blue water, the variety green cayes and sandy atolls made the whole experience a visual delight.
xx Rachel
The shadow of the Cessna in the clouds with a rainbow halo.
The smallest plane I’ve ever flown in — Cessna 182 (three seater).
The wreck of a British Cargo Ship named Transfer that crashed into the coral reef in 2005.
The Great Blue Hole from 200 feet (the plane’s warning system didn’t like this considerable drop in altitude).
Half Moon Caye is Belize’s oldest designated site of wildlife protection.
Wishing I would have brought some aviators to complete the headset look.
Tell me this water doesn’t make you want to go for a swim!
I’m sure the pilot didn’t get tired of me asking ‘what does that one do?’ at all.