Located off the coast of Belize on the eastern shore of Central America and lying near the center of Lighthouse Reef, the Great Blue Hole is a giant circular underwater sinkhole and a world-class destination for diving. The about 1,043 feet across and 407 feet deep submarine hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, while it is considered to be a World Heritage Site, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The impressive formation of one of the seven wonders of Belize’s World Heritage site became worldwide known through “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau” nonfiction documentary TV series, which was realized under the guidance of American director, producer, and television writer Alan Landsburg. For the aforementioned documentary, French explorer Jacques Cousteau used his ship, the Calypso, and began to chart the impressive hole’s depths leaving millions of viewers speechless.
The name “The Great Blue Hole,” which was given to Belize’s amazing attraction, is attributed to British diver and author Ned Middleton and was first mentioned in his book “Ten Years Underwater” which was published in 1988. The area is a rich habitat for a variety of marine life, such as Midnight Parrotfish, Caribbean reef sharks, as well as bull sharks and hammerheads.
