Great Blue Hole
Sistema Paloma (Ambergris Caye)
Info · exploration
Information only: a research project under an annual permit from the Belize Fisheries Department. No source says the cave is open to visiting divers.
- Max depth40 m (131 ft)
- CertificationFull cave
- SpecialExperienced divers
Diving and fills
Dive here with
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Fills nearby
- Amigos del Mar (San Pedro)Air; nitrox on the Blue Hole trip (USD 35)
Now at Sistema Paloma (Ambergris Caye)
The dive
Belize's longest surveyed underwater cave system, under the jungle of northern Ambergris Caye. Early on the water was heavily stained with tannin.
Profile and sections
Belize's longest surveyed underwater cave system, under the jungle of northern Ambergris Caye. Early on the water was heavily stained with tannin.
Ben Popik and Mick Micallef made the first dive here on 30 May 2019; Arielle Ginsberg and Ben Popik lead the project. After a pause for the pandemic, work resumed in 2021. In April 2024 the team found Iliffe's old line and connected it. About 5 km was added in two years, and according to the team there are more than a hundred open ends. For 2026 the team wants to find out whether large east–west passages cross under the island.
Practical: information only.
- Depth and profile
- Max 39.8 m, average 18.6 m; 19.2 km surveyed, five entrances (InDEPTH 2026).
- Configuration
- Expedition dives on rebreathers with scooters.
Who can dive where
- At least Full cave
- Configurations: Backmount / twinset / Sidemount / CCR
- Configuration unknown — research beforehand
- Goes down to 40 m (trimix or deco may be needed)
- Experienced divers only
This is how the planner decides who in your team may dive this cave. Rules your own trip adds (organizer, a mail, the AI) show with your trip.
How to get there
On Ambergris Caye, about 24 km north of San Pedro. The team carts the gear in and carries it through the jungle to the entrances.
Around Sistema Paloma (Ambergris Caye)
Fills1 fill station · ? km
Amigos del Mar (San Pedro)
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye
Air; nitrox on the Blue Hole trip (USD 35)
Ask
PADI dive centre in San Pedro. Day trip to Lighthouse Reef with three dives: the Blue Hole to ~40 m, the other sites to ~18 m. Asks Open Water, at least 20 logged dives and a minimum age of 12; runs from 10 participants. The USD 40 park fee is paid on site.
News
Access and rules change: check what applies locally right before your trip. Source: GDELT Project and the news feeds of diving magazines. Search for more news ↗ Searched automatically, last on 11 Nov 2026.
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