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(Stop 16 of 21)
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BLUE HOLE NATIONAL PARK (Stop 16 of 21) |
| The Blue Hole's designation as a protected area is justified on the basis of its unique geologic history, the existing formation, and its importance to the tourism industry. It is often considered the landmark of Belize and is the most heavily marketed natural attraction of the country. | |||
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Very little published information exists on the Blue Hole in terms of biology or ecology. No habitat maps have been constructed other then sailing directions to navigate and manuever a boat into the site. After all, the Blue Hole is heavily visited by divers. To the left is the only photo mosaic created of the area around the Blue Hole. | ||
| The Blue Hole was made famous by the 1970 expedition of the famous Jacque Cousteau. It is a deep, circular and incredibly blue sinkhole in the center of Lighthouse Reef. Its diameter at the coral rim surrounding the site measures approximately 1000 feet. The depth has been estimated at over 400 feet. Except for the two breaks on the eastern and northern edges of the Hole, the site is completely enclosed by living coral. | |||
| The origin of this strange geologic formation dates back to approximately 15,000 years ago, when the world was in the midst of an ice age. The water trapped in the polar ice caps lowered the sea level by almost 350 feet which exposed all the limestone upon which Lighthouse reef sits. Huge caves formed when freshwater flowed through the limestone. Stalactites are still visible from some of the caves within the Blue Hole. Subsequent to the sea level rising from the melting of the polar icecaps, the top of the dome which once covered the Blue Hole collapsed, leaving what we see today. |
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| Marine life in the Blue Hole is mainly sponges and algae and other sessile organisms which have attached themselves to the wall of the formation. The sediment on the walls of the Blue Hole can quickly reduce visibility when divers visit. The bubbles and current from fin kicks dislodge the loose sediment filling the water with bits and pieces knocked from the walls. | |||
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The rim wall itself consists of scattered growths of stony coral interspersed with dead coral skeletons. Most of these coral skeletons are heavily encrusted with algae, hydroids and gorgonians.. The slope leading to the edge of the Blue Hole consists of muddy sand, as if everything that has tried to grow on the edge has slowly seeped into the seemingly bottomless pit. | ||
| The most lush and abundant marine life is found on the outside of the rim wall and the many coral heads which surround the Hole. Since the water is very shallow here, on the order of only a few feet, these are excellent waters for snorkeling. Water visibility outside of the Blue Hole often reaches in excess of 200 feet. | |||
| Stands of elkhorn, staghorn and finger coral dot the waters around Blue Hole. Schools of blue striped grunts hide among the branches of huge gorgonians, lobster hide underneath coral heads, and barracuda cruise the waters looking for an easy meal. Occasionally, dolphins visit the area. It is fairly common to see sharks on this dive. |
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| While the Blue Hole itself is relatively sparsely populated with sea creatures, the formation itself is well worth a visit if you SCUBA dive. The large stalactites hanging from underwater caves is a site you will not soon forget. The color of the water and the knowledge that you are diving in a "bottomless' hole adds to the excitement. This protected area is unique not only in all of Belize, but in the rest of the Caribbean also. | |||
 
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