Lighthouse Reef Atoll & Blue Hole

Lighthouse Reef Atoll is known worldwide in scuba diving circles for its spectacular diving, but it is most famous for a site called the Great Blue Hole. Originally a cave whose roof collapsed thousands of years ago and filled with water, the Blue Hole forms a perfect 1,000 foot/300m diameter circle on the surface then plunges vertically to a depth of 412 feet/126m. At 130 feet/40m depth inside the hole are the world's largest underwater dripstones, or stalactites, ever found. Also at Lighthouse Reef, you will find Half Moon Caye, a National Park managed by the Belize Audubon Society. Half Moon Caye is home to a bird colony of rare Red Footed Boobies that can be observed up close by visitors. This Atoll is the furthest out of the Belize Atolls, approximately 66 miles from Hamanasi.
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We start this trip bright and early and head to the Great Blue Hole, which takes approximately 2.5 hours.  We have two Blue Hole dive profiles.  Only experienced, comfortable dives, who have previously conducted a Barrier Reef dive WITH Hamanasi, will be permitted to dive to 130'/40m.  Other divers will enjoy a comfortable 60'/18m Blue Hole dive. After the Blue Hole, we head a short distance to Half Moon Caye Bird Sanctuary.  Located at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Caye has some of Belize's clearest waters and finest beaches.  This 45-acre island managed by the Belize Audubon Society was declared a natural monument in 1981, largely because of its Hawk's Bill and Loggerhead Turtle nesting sites, as well as its 4,000 red footed boobies.  These rare birds are a glistening white color with bright red webbed feet.  The birds nest in the heavily wooded west end of the island where there is a viewing platform allowing visitors an unbelievable view of both the reefs and the trees covered with booby and frigate birds. Our second dive explores the Half Moon Caye wall, a unique topography of swim-through channels.  Immense coral buttresses are decorated with black corals, gorgonian, sea whips and a variety of brightly colored sponges, as well as a profusion of reef fish and cruising pelagics. Divers then return to Half Moon Caye for a picnic lunch and a relaxing surface interval before heading out to Long Caye for our third and final dive. Perched on the edge of the cobalt blue abyss The Aquarium starts in only 15-20 feet/4-6m of water before plummeting downward. This site offers what is arguably some of Belize's most prolific and high energy diving. We then depart for our 2-hour journey home with the wind at our back and the sun setting over the Maya Mountains before us.

More Information

  • Price Price: US $390
    per person
  • Intensity Intensity:
  • people Minimum: 8
  • Depart Depart: 6:00 am
  • Return Return: 4:00 pm

Includes:

  • Entrance Fee

  • Towel

  • Lunch

  • Fresh Fruits

  • Cookies

  • Juice

  • Water

  • Divemaster

What to Bring:

  • Sunscreen

  • Hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Underwater camera

  • Towel

  • Bathing suit

  • Insect Repellent

  • Dive Equipment

  • Field guide


Other Information:

  • This tour is not included in our packages – package but may be booked at the listed cost.
  • Depths depend on diver certification. Open water certification: 60FT/18M  Deep Specialty certification: 130FT/40M
  • Additionally, divers must conduct a checkout dive with Hamanasi prior to this adventure.
  • Snorkelers interested in Lighthouse reef may accompany the trip if there is room. Snorkeling price is $225

Intensity Key:

  • Easy
  • Moderate
  • Challenging
  • Very Challenging
[More general information about our tours]

Everyday, Hamanasi offers a barrier reef excursion and an inland excursion based on a preset schedule. These scheduled tours are included in package rates. Tours beyond the daily scheduled tours are not included in package rates but can be booked at the listed cost. All tours are accompanied by a licensed Belizean tour guide and include any permits needed. A PADI professional accompanies all dive trips. More information about our tours is available on our rates and policies pages.

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This is my 6th Belize dive adventure in the past 18 years and my best ALL around experience.

Best dive experience we have ever had. Everyone top Notch. Best vacation ever!

Everything surpassed our expectations. We came here as new diver because we wanted an operation we could trust and we found that here.

I’ve been to quite a few dive resorts. Hamanasi is hands down, the best so far. Thank you for a wonderful time.

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Explore these images taken on our Lighthouse Reef & Great Blue Hole Diving Adventures - click any image to expand.

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