The Blue Hole National Park and its incredible natural spaces offer excellent opportunities for recreation and outdoor adventures. Blue Hole Across from the Sheep Farm/Coconut Tree Farm: As you leave the entrance to Casuarina Point, turn right on the Great Abaco Highway. The great blue hole is a tremendous underwater sinkhole that is located off the coast of Belize and lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef. Blue holes are steep, roughly circular underwater caves or sinkholes which are also referred to as vertical caves, and can descend down to depths of 100 meters (330 feet) to 392 meters (1,286 feet). On three sides, Andros is hugged by warm, shallow crystal clear seas that are teeming with an abundance of colorful sea life, some found nowhere else on the planet. It's mesmerizingly beautiful and in Hi Def. Witnesses report that the Lusca will suddenly rise up under an unsuspecting swimmer and simply suck them beneath the waves with shocking speed, leaving nothing but bubbling water behind. Dean's Blue Hole, off Long Island, is the second deepest salt water sinkhole on Earth, plunging 202 metres. We're planning a late June early July trip. There are other entrances to the reserve as well. Another somewhat frightening encounter occurred when a crew of divers actively trying to catch the creature got more than they bargained for. This is an excellent place to find green sea turtles and search for marine life that only live in the seagrass (jawfish, gobies, blennies, seahorses, nudibranch, etc.). - 2. The region's settlements trail the eastern coast. Another man was swimming near a blue hole around sundown when he was violently yanked underwater. Although popular places to dive, it is believed that less than 1% of the blue hole cave systems of the Bahamas have been explored, and it has only been within the last several decades that we have really uncovered any good information on what the holes even are. per adult (price varies by group size) Fishing charters, and wildlife tours and merchandise. - 1. On our Bahamas itineraries, we visit King Kongs Blue Hole, better known as the Great Blue Hole in Andros. For extra unpleasantness to wildlife, they are also often anoxic (lacking oxygen). Well also keep you informed about the latest happenings from around the world and make sure you get plenty of dive travel inspiration. from. The Blue Hole is a submarine sinkhole, with a maximum depth within the hole of just over 100 m (328 feet). Research by Florida Museum ornithologistDavid Steadman (Wes C Skiles/National Geographic Stock) _____________________________________________________________________________________ **[Purchase this image as a print at Cafepress.com](http://national-geographic.cafepress.com/art.677022768)**. There are blue holes all over the Bahamas. A deck hangs over the water's edge so, go ahead, jump right in. Basil Minns Blue Hole, or how to get owner's permission? Most of them boast beautiful geological formations, with some even leading to cave systems just for added excitement. Dean's Blue Hole is a blue hole located in The Bahamas in a bay west of Clarence Town on Long Island and is the world's second deepest, after the Dragon Hole in the South China Sea, with a depth of 202 metres (663 ft). Blue Holes are typically circle-shaped, always with dramatically steep walls. A thin lens of fresh watersupplied by rainfalllies atop a denser layer of salt water. Its a nearly perfectly round blue hole with a wide diameter and a depth of 100+ feet. In one case, the remains of a huge octopus were found on a beach on Grand Bahamas Island in 2011. (Locals call the Coconut Tree Farm, The Sheep Farm, but I have never seen sheep there that I remember. There is never any swell or waves inside the hole, and visibility is usually between 50-100 feet (15 - 30m). From May to early August, a large school of up to a 100 blacknose sharks also congregate in this hole. Note: It is our responsibility to protect your privacy and we guarantee that your data will be completely confidential. Their perimeters make for some interesting snorkeling. Bahamas National Trust. 24. Capt. This most famous blue hole is 663 deep and can be found in a bay west of Clarence Town, Long Island. The situation was frightening enough to convince the crew to turn off the lights on their boat in the fear that they would attract whatever was down there. It is said that Lusca will snatch people off of the decks of boats, and some accounts even speak of whole boats being pulled under, leaving only swirling debris bobbing at the surface. King Kongs Blue Hole is the second deepest ocean blue hole in the Bahamas. The water temperature is colder in the hole and the visibility drops to less than 5m (take a torch). With such a small fraction of them explored, there are likely new species and other wonders waiting to be discovered within the mysterious blue holes of the Bahamas. We encourage everyone to exercise caution when entering Capt. You then will reach this huge hole. National Geographic published an extensive article about them in their August 2010 issue. Blue Holes National Park was established in 2002 in an effort to preserve some of these impressive natural wonders. blue hole section of the beach. Summary. Nancy's Blue Hole, located in the shallow, clear waters of a mangrove swamp near Cooper's Town, has the largest speleothem columns found in the Bahamas. At first, the crew of the boat came to the chilling realization that something large and heavy was pulling on the traps and breaking the lines. Deep Dark Secrets. If only they werent so dangerous to explore., Here is a recent article from Brian Kakuk where he describes his, and others, efforts to prove that two well know blue holes in Abaco are connected underwater. It's about 2100' from here to the point. The gazebo has a ledge that extends over 15 feet over the surface of the Blue Hole. The Bahamas Family of Islands represent the less populated, yet equally intriguing, island gems of The Bahamas island chain. Join the ever growing Master Liveaboards family and be the first to hear about our special offers. the crevasse is a little more tricky. On the eastern side of the island, only a mile offshore, a deep channel known as The Tongue of the Ocean cuts its way past the island, where the seafloor makes a sudden, dizzying drop from shallow coral reefs to abyssal depths of 6,000 feet into the clear blue depths. Both Bahamas Air and Southern Air offer flights to Long Island, but a word of warning: many flights also stop at Stella Maris Airport, in the island's north, so . Go 1.2 miles and you will see a rocky path to the left - follow the path to the Blue Hole. 1). Up a little farther is a white sign Out Island Experiences just as the road bears left take the dirt road to the right. The Bahamas may be best known for high adrenalin shark diving, but there is much more to see in this Caribbean paradise! Youre all set to go on vacation and the only thing left to do is buy insurance. On the map below, the Gwoupa Hole is the one at the bottom of the map. Just before the airport turn left on a dirt road (that runs about 300 yards from the end of the runway). You arrive at the rim and see the seafloor dropping to unknown (or certainly invisible) depths. The Blue Holes of Abaco The Bahama Platform is composed primarily of limestones of shallow water marine origin. Here are directions to them main Blue Holes of Abaco. Only a couple years ago in Abaco, there occurred two fatalities on just such a dive. Pass the intersection with 2 small Bars on two corners. It is hard to see them from the top of the hole but as you drop down in you can look up and see them circling above you! Exposed to the elements over thousands of years, the islands limestone bedrock eroded creating this vast expanse of underwater cave systems. Inland blue holes, however, are unlike any other environment on Earth, thanks largely to their geology and water chemistry. Sapphire Blue Hole: Jump is great - See 24 traveler reviews, 18 candid photos, and great deals for Eleuthera, at Tripadvisor. From a diver's perspective, they're on par with Everest or K2, requiring highly specialized training, equipment, and experience. Competitors, film crews, and spectators travel from all around the world just to witness the male or female free diver that can dive the deepest into the blue hole. Biology, nature, and cryptozoology still remain Brent Swancers first intellectual loves. This is an experience not to be missed! The Lost Blue Hole's vast dimensions - a 100-foot diameter and depth of over 200 feet - attract scuba enthusiasts from all over the planet, and it is on many divers' bucket lists. Just what a sink hole should look like. Rare Double Volcano Eruption in Hawaii - Is Goddess Pele Mad about Stolen Pebbles Again? Blue Holes were formed during the last ice age when ocean levels were 300-400' lower than current . Jonathan explores the depths of this Blue Hole, first explored by legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, and finds some fascinating biological processes going on way down deep. The most spectacular thing about this blue hole is the beach that surrounds it. Alessia Zecchini - Day 1 World Record - Vertical Blue 2021 (Photo by Daan Verhoeven) Among the national men's records set on Day One were Alejandro Lemus of Mexico with a 95-meter/312-foot CWT dive, Yun-Chieh Ku from Taiwan with a 101-meter/331-foot FIM dive, and Kehan Pan from China with a 70-meter/230-foot CWT dive. They are not particularly kind to sea life as most of them have poor circulation. NOTE: Poison wood has five leaves on a branch and is shiny (somewhat). Inland Blue Holes - Directions: Sawmill Sink Blue Hole South of Casuarina Point - the Archaeological Site: As you leave the entrance to Casuarina Point - turn left on the Great Abaco Highway. You don't have to travel halfway across the world to see them though. As you descend, the sheltered walls provide a protected home fora large variety of marine species. Infrastructure developed in the park has led to the creation of many education and outdoor programs that get people exploring this park. In these labyrinths, separation from the guideline can be fatal. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for CHICOS Shirt Womens Size 1 Medium Button Up Blouse Top L/S Blue * Small Hole at the best online prices at eBay! per adult. The actual name of "The Great Blue Hole" was created by British diver and author Ned Middleton after having lived in Belize for 6 months. (Wes C Skiles/National Geographic Stock) _____________________________________________________________________________________ **[Purchase this image as a print at Cafepress.com](http://national-geographic.cafepress.com/art.677022764)**, Located in a protected cove on Long Island, Dean's Blue Hole -- Earth's deepest known underwater cave -- plunges 183m into darkness. Just follow the winding trail until you reach a clearing, and you can't miss Captain Bill's. The Exumas are a chain of 365 islands that belong to the Bahamas. Blue holes are underwater caves, so called because of their coloration when viewed from above; the dark blue deep water in the 'holes' contrasts with the light blue shallow water surrounding them. The last time I stopped to look at the Coconut Tree Farm Blue Hole there was a school of small fish in it. Various unusual remains of animals have been found here as well, including the bones of a species of crocodile that is not known to live in the Bahamas, the remains of an unknown type of bird, and even human bones, all perfectly preserved due to the low oxygen environment. Subscribe Today! Attractive island for sale in the Bahamas This island's highest elevation is approximately 10 meters. We can safely say there are still a lot of blue holes to be discovered and that they are among the last places on earth to be explored! There is an ideal site for and also the possibility of constructing your own airstrip on this island . The famous, deep Blue Hole. While beautiful to look at, I highly recommend you heed the . However, reports are that the blue hole part is nice for the latter. They are more common in shallow waters on the banks as marine or ocean blue holes. A world heritage site of the UNESCO, the Great Blue Hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. - Andrew Todhunter, National Geographic, August 2010 Wild hogs, land crabs, white crown pidgeons and a plethora of endemic and other wildlife can be seen, studied and experienced here. A blue hole is a large underwater cavern, or sinkhole, found either inland or in the ocean. At the surface, the Blue Hole is 80 x 120 feet (25 x 35m) but opens out after 60 feet (20m) into a cavern with a diameter of at least 330 feet (100m). This site is incredible and absolutely unique. Although popular places to dive, it is believed that less than 1% of the blue hole cave systems of the Bahamas have been explored, and it has only been within the last several decades that we have really uncovered any good information on what the holes even are. View from the point south along the 1100'. As living laboratories, inland blue holes are the scientific equivalent of Tut's tomb. Bahamas Underground - Technical Diving & Training. The entire reserve is spread across 12 acres of land area. Blue holes are so named for the dramatic contrast between the dark, azure blue of their depths, and the lighter colored shallows surrounding them, although inland blue holes tend to look more like circular black lakes due mostly to rotting vegetation. Inland blue holes are unlike any other environment on Earth. Turn right on it. Required fields are marked *, The blue holes of the Bahamas yield a scientific trove that may even shed light on life beyond Earth. It is a tidal marine cave that opens up into numerous caverns and grottos. Go 8.1 miles and look for road/open parking area on right. Sitting right on the crystal waters of Cable Beach, the massive Grand Hyatt Baha Mar overwhelms with features and has a luxury Vegas meets the Caribbean feel. They can be formed in different karst processes, for example, by rainwater soaking through fractures of limestone bedrock onto the watertable. This finding mirrors the widely held belief that if there is such a creature as a Lusca, it is likely some sort of giant octopus or other cephalopod. It is a 15 meters deep and 10 meters wide hole in the bedrock of the cliff. The Blue Hole is located on the west coast of the island of Gozo, in Maltese archipelago, in the Mediterranean Sea. Locals insist that the Lusca will target not only swimmers and divers, but boats as well. The terrified diver shoved his camera out in in front of him in a desperate bid to protect himself, and the monstrous octopus actually snatched the camera away before disappearing into a cave. Free shipping for many products! Please correct the marked field(s) below. Day 2: Go Padding & Golf Scenic Courses. This is the deepest blue hole in the world. Mystery Cave extends beneath Stocking Island and the surrounding area. Seahorse and nudibranchs can be found when combing through the grass beds, a magnifying glass can . An island so vast and green, locals call it the Big Yard. Turn right on it. This is also where the Vertical Blue Free Diving Competition is held every year. The underwater realm that inspired James Cameron's 3D film. The current theory is that these . Prinz Eugen The Wrecks of the Nuclear Fleet. GPS cords would be nice or specific details. Want to know more, Google "Abaco blue holes similarity planets" and stay tuned. You descend to the seafloor (10 12m) and swim over a sandy bottom covered in seagrass. Abaco Friends of the Environment. DEAN'S BLUE HOLEBahamas. In the background of the photo, a diver sets up equipment to measure the whirlpool's flow rate. Hence the name, blue hole! This was considered odd enough, but things got scarier when one trap was pulled so hard that the boat actually was dragged along by whatever it was on the other end at a reported speed of one knot. Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan Republic, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and . Because there is both sea and freshwater, the water colours inside are a much darker blue than many holes. Andros - the largest island in The Bahamas. These include the Parks Pal program, which takes school groups from New Providence on day trips to the park and Eco Camp, which is an intensive week-long summer camp aimed at getting teenagers to appreciate the outdoors.