The Blue Hole and Turneffe Dive Tour is the bucket-list dive day in Belize. Two of the most famous dive destinations in the Western Hemisphere, back to back, in a single full-day trip out of San Pedro.
This is a 3-dive tour. You dive the Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef Atoll first, then move to Turneffe Atoll for 2 more dives along some of the best coral walls in the Caribbean. Your divemaster leads every dive, lunch is included, and you are back in San Pedro by late afternoon.
This tour is recommended for Advanced Open Water certified divers or above due to the depth of the Blue Hole dive (130 feet maximum).
Dive 1: The Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole sits at the center of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, approximately 2.5 hours by boat from San Pedro. It measures nearly 1,000 feet across and drops to over 400 feet. It is the largest underwater sinkhole in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System.
Jacques Cousteau explored the Blue Hole aboard the Calypso in 1971 and declared it one of the top 10 dive sites on earth. Millions of divers have followed since.
The dive descends along a sheer limestone wall. At around 90 feet a thermocline marks the transition into the deeper, quieter water below. The stalactites begin at approximately 120 feet and are fully visible at the 130-foot sport diving limit. These formations are ancient, created tens of thousands of years ago when the cavern sat above sea level before sea levels rose and the cave flooded and collapsed.
The Blue Hole is not a fish dive. It is a geological dive, a descent into one of the most dramatic underwater formations on earth. Caribbean reef sharks, blacktip sharks, and occasional hammerheads patrol the deeper water. The sheer scale of the sinkhole, the silence, and the hanging stalactites make this one of the most surreal experiences in recreational diving.
Bottom time at depth runs approximately 8-10 minutes due to the depth profile, with a slow, controlled ascent and safety stop, bringing total dive time to around 20-25 minutes.
Dives 2 and 3: Turneffe Atoll
After the Blue Hole, the Blue Hole and Turneffe Dive Tour moves to Turneffe Atoll for lunch and 2 more dives. Turneffe is the largest atoll in Belize and one of the most biodiverse reef systems in the entire Caribbean.
The Blue Hole delivers geology and drama. Turneffe delivers color, coral, and marine life in abundance. Visibility regularly pushes 100 to 150 feet, and the walls show for it: barrel sponges, tube sponges, black coral, sea fans, and hard and soft coral formations that have been building for centuries cover every surface you turn toward.
Dive 2
Typically runs along a wall at around 70-80 feet for approximately 40 minutes. Eagle rays, nurse sharks, turtles, and large groupers are common encounters. Schools of snapper and jacks move in dense formations along the wall.
Dive 3
Is a shallower reef dive, typically 25-60 feet for approximately 40 minutes. The reef at this depth is dense and colorful, with more macro life, reef fish, and a relaxed pace that lets you decompress and enjoy the reef after the intensity of the Blue Hole dive.
Turneffe is a protected marine reserve, which directly contributes to the quality and density of marine life you encounter on every dive here.
What Is Included
The Blue Hole and Turneffe Dive Tour includes everything you need for the day:
- Round-trip boat transportation from San Pedro
- 3 guided dives: 1 at the Great Blue Hole, 2 at Turneffe Atoll
- PADI-certified divemaster guiding every dive
- All tanks and weights
- Breakfast and lunch on the boat
- Refreshments and water throughout the day
Rental gear is available if needed. Contact us when booking to arrange equipment.
Who This Tour Is For
This tour requires scuba certification, and Advanced Open Water certification is the right entry point. The Blue Hole hits 130 feet, and that depth demands proper training. Open Water certified divers with significant logged experience can contact us to discuss their dive history before booking, and we will tell you honestly whether you are ready.
If you need your Advanced Open Water certification before this tour, Scuba School Belize offers the full course in 2-3 days. The Deep Diver adventure dive completed during the AOW course is direct preparation for the Blue Hole descent.
Not yet certified at all? Start with the PADI Open Water eLearning Course and plan your Blue Hole and Turneffe Dive Tour for a future trip once you have built your dive experience.
Why Book With Scuba School Belize
Scuba School and Family Dive Center Belize has been rated PADI’s number 1 training center in our region every year from 2015 through 2024. We are a PADI 5-Star Resort Facility and hold TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame designation, earned through 8 consecutive years of 5-star reviews.
A PADI-certified divemaster who knows these sites, reads the currents, and prioritizes your safety leads every dive on the Blue Hole and Turneffe Dive Tour. We keep groups small so your divemaster gives every diver real, personal attention on every dive.
Want to see all the diving options available out of San Pedro? Browse our full diving and tours page for local reef dives, specialty tours, and certification courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Blue Hole and Turneffe Dive Tour?
This is a full-day tour. The boat departs San Pedro early in the morning, the Blue Hole is approximately 2.5 hours away by boat, and you return to San Pedro by late afternoon. Plan for a full day on the water.
Do I need Advanced Open Water certification for this tour?
Advanced Open Water certification is strongly recommended due to the 130-foot depth of the Blue Hole dive. Open Water certified divers with significant logged experience may be considered. Contact us to discuss your certification level and experience before booking.
What marine life will I see on the Blue Hole and Turneffe Dive Tour?
At the Blue Hole, expect stalactites, limestone walls, and Caribbean reef sharks or blacktip sharks at depth. Marine life is limited due to the depth and geological nature of the site. At Turneffe, expect eagle rays, nurse sharks, sea turtles, large groupers, barrel and tube sponges, sea fans, and dense reef fish populations across 2 dives.
Is this tour suitable for beginner divers?
Beginning divers should skip the Blue Hole dive. At 130 feet, it demands real depth experience. The 2 Turneffe dives sit well within Advanced Open Water and Open Water depth ranges, so newer divers can still enjoy those sites, but the full tour delivers its best experience to divers who have logged meaningful time underwater.
What should I bring on the Blue Hole and Turneffe Dive Tour?
Breakfast and lunch are included. Bring sunscreen, a change of clothes, a towel, any personal medications, and your dive certification card. Rental gear is available if you need it; arrange this when booking.
Can I book this tour if I am not yet certified?
This tour requires scuba certification. If you want to get certified before the tour, we offer the PADI Open Water eLearning Course and Advanced Open Water course at Scuba School Belize. Many divers plan their Blue Hole tour as the highlight dive after completing their Advanced Open Water certification with us.