Have you ever seen something in nature that made you think, this is too weirdly beautiful and amazing to be real? Well, blue holes are one of those natural phenomena that can make you think that.
Blue holes are large underwater caverns or sinkholes that are open to the surface. They can extend way below sea level and some even have submerged passages that connect to inland water holes. Blue holes can be found all over the world, from Asia to Africa. You don’t have to travel halfway across the world to see them though. Exuma, Bahamas has multiple blue holes for you to visit and explore.
Blue Hole Locations
Exuma has more blue holes than any other place on Earth. Some are so large that their tunnel system runs under entire islands. Some blue holes are great for diving, others for snorkeling, and some for swimming. Here are some of the most popular blue holes in Exuma.
- Mystery Cave: Mystery Cave is probably one of the most famous blue holes in Exuma. It’s one of the three entrances to the blue hole on Stocking Island. This is a cave that can only be reached by those with diving skills and experience. Make sure you visit with a professional so that you aren’t injured.
- Angelfish Blue Hole: Another entrance to the Stocking Island blue hole, this area has a diving depth of 92 feet. There’s even a chamber on the bottom you can swim through.
- Bottomley’s Blue Hole: This hole presents itself as a swimming hole and is the third entrance to the blue hole on Stocking Island. It’s a popular location for local kids to cliff dive. It was recently named after Howland Bottomley who was a local that lived directly behind the hole.
- Crab Cay Crevasse: This one is located off of Crab Cay. It’s not always easy to locate, as the dark blue water isn’t as noticeable. You may have to hire a diving tour to find and visit it.
- Devin’s Boston’s Caves: Located off of Rolleville, this cave has been explored to a depth of 300 meters, plus side branches. The cool thing about this blue hole is that the water appears red and the cave seems to be always lit up.
Blue Hole Activities
You may wonder, besides looking at the natural wonder, what does one do at a blue hole? Well, we can tell you that we never get tired of looking at them, but if you do there are tons to explore within them.
You can swim in blue holes, but they can also be explored through diving and snorkeling. Exactly what activities can be done in each hole depends on the location and time of day. The waters are tidal, meaning they differ depends on when you visit. For safety purposes, visitors should go with local guides who know the blue holes. Even for experienced divers, exploring blue holes without aid or supervision can be dangerous as the tide and tunnels could prove dangerous.
Blue Hole Safety
The blue holes are connected to the ocean, meaning they are susceptible to tides. When the tide rises, the water will be sucked out of the hole causing a downwards vortex. This, combined with the lowered visibility, can be extremely dangerous to even the most experienced divers.
It’s best to visit blue holes during a falling tide. Clearwater flows in allowing for better visibility and safer conditions. Some blue holes are deep and have complex cave systems, so even during falling tide, they can be dangerous to explore alone. Each blue hole in Exuma has its own quirks and special spots, so be sure to go with a knowledgeable local guide.
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