Dean's Blue Hole

Dean's Blue Hole, tucked into a sheltered bay on Long Island, is one of the deepest known ocean blue holes in the world, a breathtaking natural wonder. This vast, water-filled sinkhole, formed by the collapse of an ancient limestone cavern, plunges over 200 metres straight down, its dark navy circle contrasting dramatically with the surrounding shallow turquoise lagoon and white beach. Ringed by a natural rock amphitheatre, it is a legendary site for snorkelling, scuba diving and, above all, competitive freediving, hosting world-record attempts.

What you actually see

• The blue hole - the vast, deep navy circle in the turquoise bay.
• The freediving - the world-famous freediving and competitions.
• The snorkelling - the shallow rim and the sudden dark drop.
• The rock amphitheatre - the natural cliffs framing the hole.

When to go

December to May, the dry season, for the calmest, clearest conditions; the sheltered bay is usually calm year-round, but the summer brings a hurricane risk. The site is on remote Long Island, reached by a flight and a drive, so it is often visited as part of a wider island trip.

Honest expectations

It is on remote Long Island, far from the main tourist hubs, so reaching it takes effort and is best combined with exploring the quiet out island, and the site itself is a natural spot with no facilities, its drama lying underwater and in the sheer depth beneath the calm surface. For divers, freedivers and lovers of natural wonders, though, this extraordinary deep-blue abyss in a turquoise bay is unforgettable.

Nearby

The beaches, bays and settlements of Long Island surround it.