Tour of Belize’s Great Blue Hole:Travel Guide

Among all travel images, The Great Blue Hole in Belize is arguably the most well-known. It is also the largest underwater sinkhole in the world, and seeing it in person makes it seem much more incredible!

One of the top Central American ‘bucket list’ activities is a tour of the Blue Hole. You can board a boat and go scuba diving inside the sinkhole, or you can take a scenic ride over the reef in a small plane or helicopter and capture images of it from above.

Recently, I had the opportunity to fly over the Great Blue Hole in a tiny prop plane, and it was an incredible experience! After flying over a few other locations in the Caribbean Sea, we repeatedly circled the Blue Hole at low altitude to observe it up close.

This travel blog will cover all you need to know before you go, including my experience with the Blue Hole Belize trip, which tour operator to select, flight costs, flight safety considerations, and more. Then, I’ll provide you some interesting information about this Caribbean natural wonder!

The Great Blue Hole: What Is It?

Underwater sinkhole known as The Great Blue Hole.

It is thought to have formerly been a cave when the water levels were lower, but as the water levels rose, it was engulfed.

Imagine the Blue Hole as being somewhat similar to the cenotes in Central America, with the exception that it is underwater rather than on land, and that it is filled with salt water rather than fresh water.

Where Is Belize’s Great Blue Hole?

The Caribbean Sea contains the Great Blue Hole. It is a portion of Belize, a little nation located between Mexico and Guatemala in Central America.

The Belize Barrier Reef, which includes the Blue Hole, is actually the world’s second-largest coral reef system after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

You need a boat, plane, or helicopter tour to go to the Blue Hole because it is specially situated on a marine atoll called Lighthouse Reef, which is roughly 75 kilometers (45 miles) off the coast of Belize City.

Flight to Blue Hole, Belize: What to Expect:

Every day of the week, scenic flights over the Blue Hole are offered in Belize, leaving from Caye Caulker, San Pedro, or Belize City Municipal. Three major businesses currently provide them: Tropic Air, Maya Island Air, or Astrum Helicopters.

The check-in process for my flight with Tropic Air was the fastest and easiest I’ve ever experienced, and I was then given a really special and opulent plastic boarding ticket with some interesting facts about the Great Blue Hole printed on it.

To be honest, I kind of wished I could keep this as a travel memento!

After a brief wait in the lobby, one of the pilots approached me and quickly described the locations on a map of the things we would visit during the tour of Belize before leading the way out to the tarmac where our flight would take off.

You’re in for a really thrilling journey if this is your first time flying in a puddle jumper aircraft. I’ve never seen a prop plane as small as this one! With two pilot seats up front and two passenger seats in back, it barely had enough for four people.

Later, I discovered that some of Tropic Air’s tours also use 11-seater aircraft, so it presumably just depends on the size of your group. It turned out that I was alone this time.

My flight was scheduled as a joint tour, but as I was the only traveler present, I got to have a private tour while a student pilot practiced the flight path with assistance from a second, more seasoned pilot.

I must admit that taking off in a plane this little is a little unnerving at first, but once you’re in the air, you quickly forget about that.

We immediately had stunning views of Belize City, some small islands, mangroves, coral reefs, and the Caribbean Sea’s azure waters.

With the help of modern drones, I’ve seen these kinds of sights from above numerous times, so they weren’t entirely new to me, but being up there and experiencing them firsthand is still unique.

We arrived at Belize’s Great Blue Hole after about 20 minutes of flying over the ocean. In person, it is quite stunning! My photographs completely fail to do it justice. Great window views were available from every seat on the aircraft.

In order for me to observe the Blue Hole up close and snap pictures, the pilot descended to a low altitude and made numerous circles around it. It was flawless.

We saw a rusty, ancient shipwreck that was stuck on the reef after leaving the Great Blue Hole, which provided another great photo opportunity.

Even though the duration of our flight, from takeoff to landing, was only around an hour, it didn’t feel hurried at all. During the flight, we saw a lot of interesting things, and I was able to shoot a ton of photos.

The plane’s glass were too thick, damaged, and filthy for serious photo work, which is my sole complaint. A doors-off flight (or at least opening a small window) was something I inquired about in advance, but none of the two prop plane companies I contacted could accommodate my request.

Although I didn’t ask Astrum Helicopters, they may have that option. Perhaps I’m being very picky. Simply put, in order to get the finest photos of something as amazing as the Blue Hole, I believe a door or window should be left open.

But all in all, it wasn’t a big deal. Even so, I managed to capture several passable images, and the flight itself was fantastic!

Is a Reservation Required?

Yes. No matter which operator you select for your Blue Hole tour, a reservation is required in advance. Despite the fact that these are rather informal flights, you cannot simply walk up at the airport and board a plane without making a reservation.

The flights are fairly well-liked by tourists. Normally, I’d advise booking at least a month in advance, preferably much sooner. Otherwise, if you arrive late and are fortunate, you might still be able to find a seat.

What Time Is The Best To Fly?

There is never a bad time to travel to Belize, and tours to the Blue Hole are available all year long.

However, it’s advisable to travel some time between December and May if you want the greatest chance of a bright day. There is less rain during this time of year because it is Belize’s dry season.

In Belize, the rainy season typically lasts from June to November. You can still visit the Blue Hole even though there is a higher likelihood of rain and clouds at this time, and typically you’ll have a great experience.

What Is The Price Of The Flight?

Of all, the flights on the Blue Hole are not exactly inexpensive. The flight I took in 2023 cost over $300 USD per person. It was meant to be a joint tour, but because I was the sole traveler, it turned out to be a private tour for the same amount.

There isn’t much of a difference in the prices between Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. Astrum Helicopters didn’t give me a quote, although I’ve heard they’re a little more expensive than flights in piston planes.

On the official Tropic Air, Maya Island Air, or Astrum Helicopters websites, you may acquire a current pricing quote for each of these choices.

Are You Safe?

Yes, I agree that the flights are very safe. whether you believe the statistics, one flight is very safe, though I’m not sure whether I’d want to spend my days on little planes.

Of course, there are always certain risks associated with flying, and I’ll confess that flying in a helicopter or a small prop plane like this is a little bit spooky, but all of the businesses offering Blue Hole trips have a solid record for safety.

Since its founding in 1979, Tropic Air has operated more than 200 flights daily throughout Belize and neighboring nations, carrying close to 300,000 passengers annually. They are the first regional airline in Latin America, according to their website, to be approved for registration on the IATA’s Industry Standard Safety Assessment.

Having been established in 1962, Maya Island Air now operates 250 regularly scheduled flights each day to locations in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

Although Astrum Helicopters was only founded in 2006, its website claims that their team members have decades of aviation experience.

Considering that all of these businesses have conducted numerous excursions to the Great Blue Hole without any serious safety concerns to date, I would feel comfortable flying with any of them in general.

Does It Pay Off?

It is worthwhile, yes! The Blue Hole flight, in my opinion, is completely worthwhile if you’re already in Belize or Central America. Although I’m sure the scuba diving excursion would be enjoyable as well, I much prefer to take the airplane.

This is one of the most amazing natural wonders in the world, and the best way to see it is from above, even though it isn’t inexpensive.

Fun Facts Regarding Belize’s Great Blue Hole:

• The Blue Hole’s size is unknown.

It’s a sizable Great Blue Hole. really large. With a width of 318 meters (1,043 feet) and a depth of 124 meters (407 feet), it is the largest underwater sinkhole in the world. Its overall surface area is 70,650 square meters (760,500 square feet), and it has a nearly round form.

• How was the name “Blue Hole” chosen?

Ned Middleton, a British diver who spent six months living in Belize, is credited with giving the place the moniker “Great Blue Hole.” In his 1988 book “Ten Years Underwater,” which was published, he talked about it.

• Does it allow for scuba diving?

Yes, you can scuba dive at Belize’s Blue Hole, but only experienced divers are permitted. The Blue Hole was one of the top 10 diving locations in the world, according to renowned French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, who first discovered it in 1971.

The Blue Hole is tough and risky to go far into, and people have vanished at the bottom only to have their bodies turned up years later.

Another alternative is to snorkel or take shallow dives close to the surface, but you won’t get to see anything.
You can find enormous stalactites, stalagmites, passages, and other fascinating cave features inside the Blue Hole’s deepest reaches. However, flying over the Blue Hole is the only way to glimpse its spherical shape.

• What species of animals occupy the area?

Many different coral types and fish species, such as hammerhead sharks, parrotfish, and enormous grouper fish, can be found in the Blue Hole. There are sporadic reports of seeing rays, dolphins, manatees, and other animals in the vicinity. You might even see some of these species on your Blue Hole flight if you keep an eye out.

• Exactly where does UNESCO stand?

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes the Great Blue Hole, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 due to its distinctive natural features, aesthetic appeal, and the variety of animal species that call it home.

Questions and Answers The Blue Hole Flight Tour

Which airport are the flights from?

Three alternative airports—Belize City Municipal/TZA (not the main international airport, but a smaller one inside the city), Caye Caulker, or San Pedro in Ambergris Caye—offer the Blue Hole tours.

Which chair is ideal?

There isn’t really a best seat on the Blue Hole scenic flights because everyone gets a window seat. Any seat should offer excellent views. If you have a choice, I recommend choosing the seat with the window that is the clearest and, ideally, free of any scratches or smudges.

How far in advance should I arrive?

In my instance, I was instructed to be at the airport and check in 30 minutes prior to my flight, and that was plenty of time.

Can I bring anything?

Only one small carry-on bag is permitted. I didn’t check to see if they allowed full-size backpacks before I brought my camera bag. Naturally, I also had my phone with me and utilized that to take a few short pictures and movies.

Should I bring my passport with me?

However, in my instance, they indicated I could bring any form of ID. Again, confirm with your organization. Back at my hotel in Belize, I stashed my passport in a safe place.

How do I purchase a Blue Hole ticket?

On the official websites of Tropic Air, Maya Island Air, or Astrum Helicopters, you can reserve a Blue Hole flight.

Travel advice for Belize:

Thank you for visiting! I sincerely hope you have enjoyed reading my guide to flying above Belize’s Great Blue Hole. The tour is really enjoyable!

I have numerous additional Central American travel books.

Travel safely!

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