Everyone's heard of the famous Blue Hole, a naturally occurring phenomenon found near the center of the Lighthouse Reef. The Blue Hole has gained worldwide recognition for the curiosity it attracts, and it's also on the list of the 10 most dangerous spots in Belize. Despite this, so little is known about the place. In this article, you will discover ten fascinating facts you probably didn't know about this "sea-bottomless hole." This means that you will have something to check out for if you plan on spending your vacation in one of Belize's 10 best all-inclusive resorts.

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1 The Blue Hole Is Not Actually Blue

The water in the blue hole is so clear and transparent that it is easy to be tricked by appearances. The body of water looks like it's blue, hence the name, but this is far from true. In fact, the clarity of this natural wonder has drawn more than a few divers down to test their mettle and peer into its dark abyss; and all of them confirmed that this place is as black as ink.

2 Named After The Deep Water Inside The Hole, Not A Magic Spell

Aerial Drone view of South Water Caye tropical island in Belize barrier reef
Aerial Drone view of South Water Caye tropical island in Belize barrier reef

The "blue hole" was named as such to describe what it is. The name itself doesn't have any meaning in connection with this place's Mayan legends, which are fascinating and worth knowing. According to these legends, the blue hole was where Mayan Gods and human beings alike would come to communicate with each other through an altar situated at its bottom.

3 The Blue Hole Was Once A Dry Cave

Ancient Maya Mask Temple located in the jungle of Belize
Ancient Maya Mask Temple located in the jungle of Belize

If you were to look at the bottom of the hole, you would not see a hole at all but a dry cave. This can be confirmed by the fact that those exploring it have discovered stalagmites and stalactites within its walls. How could this be in a watery area? The answer is that when Maya still called Belize home hundreds of years ago, there was no water in the blue hole. The cave was a dry cave used by priests and other members of high society as a place to conduct sacrifices. The sacrifices were performed by dropping the victims into the cave's bottom and letting them die of thirst or be eaten alive by wild animals.

4 The Blue Hole Is Part Of A More Extensive Reef System

Colorful Coral Reef
Colorful Coral Reef

Just like Blue HoleSpring, which one of the top 10 unforgettable adventures and natural wonders in Florida, Belize's Blue Hole is a sight to behold. The blue hole is not the only sea cave since it is part of a reef system extending over several miles. This system consists of a network of underwater caves and canyons that has been known to lie beneath the surface of Belize's blue hole, and some of them are waiting to be explored.

5 There Is More Than One Hole Inside The Blue Hole

Aerial view of the great blue hole of the coast of Belize
Aerial view of the great blue hole of the coast of Belize 

Though the water in the cave may look still, it is far from being so. Its surface is constantly affected by waves and activities originating from above it and due to its strong currents. This means that though the blue hole appears to have only one opening at its surface, it actually has at least 10.

Related:10 Exciting Things To Do In Caye Caulker, Belize

6 The Hole Is Not That Big, Only Stretching Over One Square Mile

 Aerial view of a blue hole
 Aerial view of a blue hole

The blue hole is said to reach all the way down to the seafloor and extend for about one square mile. There are no real hard facts about it, though, as the distance from one brink of the cave to the other is difficult to measure or quantify. The area is guarded by Belize's national park service, which makes it difficult for anyone without a permit to gain access.

7 The Underwater Caves Contain More Life Than The Abyss Itself

A shark swimming along the edge of the Blue Hole off the coast of Belize
A shark swimming along the edge of the Blue Hole off the coast of Belize

Because the caves extend to such long distances, they have become home for many creatures that call this place their home. The caves are inhabited by a surprising array of tropical fish and marine life since the water inside them is so clear and pure. Fish that would never normally be found in the same area are forced to share their habitat by the very fact they live inside caves connected to the same water system.

8 The Blue Hole Has A Distinctive Temperature Gradient

Beach resort in Belize, Central America
Beach resort in Belize, Central America 

You would expect all the water in the blue hole to be warm, but this is simply not the case. A sudden temperature change plummets from the surface to its depths, so those who have explored it say the temperature at its deepest reaches is freezing cold. Such information has led many to believe the hole reaches all the way through to the other side of the planet.

9 The Blue Hole Is Not A Typical Circular Sinkhole

A beautiful coral reef off the coast of Belize
A beautiful coral reef off the coast of Belize

While the Blue Hole appears to be a perfect circle from above, it is actually more of a "U" shape or a horseshoe with an open end at the surface, which slopes downwards before it meets the seafloor with a flat bottom. The sides of the sinkhole slope at an angle of more than 80 degrees, and they form a massive conic structure covered by sediments, limestone, and gypsum ledges. The slopes also create a unique and challenging dive experience.

Related: You Can Still Climb To The Top Of The Maya Pyramids At This Forgotten City In Belize

10 Humans Cannot Dive This Deep Without Complications

Scuba diving at the Blue Hole in Belize
Scuba diving at the Blue Hole in Belize

 

While it may seem like one of the best things to do in San Ignacio, Belize, diving into the waters can be dangerous. The human body can only go so far into the water before it begins to feel extremely uncomfortable or even painful. At the depths of the blue hole, which is over 300 feet deep in some areas, there is no light, and it is impossible to see anything below you. This makes it very easy to get lost and die a painful death. Realistically, you cannot dive this far into a hole without suffering great trauma. The pressure on your body will be so heavy that your joints will pop, and bones will break, causing so much pain that your body is unable to function properly. If you find Belize's Blue Hole to be fascinating, you should also visit Belize's other blue hole.