Sapphire Blue Hole

Sapphire Blue Hole sits in the bush in central Eleuthera, an inland hole where the limestone has collapsed to expose a shaft of fresh water lying over salt, deep enough that the colour goes from turquoise at the edge to near-black in the middle. There is a rope for the descent and a rock ledge to jump from. It is entirely undeveloped: no signs, no fence, no facilities, and finding it depends on directions from someone who has been.

The landscape

• The blue water - a circular pool going from turquoise to near-black with depth.
• The rock walls - limestone sides with roots and vines hanging down.
• The jump ledge - a rock shelf used for jumping into the pool.
• The bush setting - coppice closing in around the opening.

When to go

November to April is the dry season and the most comfortable. The water stays cool year-round. The track in is easier when dry.

Good to know

There is no supervision, no fencing and no rescue. The descent is a scramble on rock and roots. Depth is considerable and there is no shallow end; this is not a swim for weak swimmers, and jumping without checking the water is how people get hurt.

Nearby

Rock Sound is south, and Ocean Hole is in the settlement there.