Attractions · 22 of the best in The Bahamas
Blue holes of the Bahamas: Dean’s, Andros and beyond
The back story
About Blue holes of the Bahamas: Dean’s, Andros and beyond
Few places on earth have as many blue holes as The Bahamas: deep, round windows of dark blue in the shallows and in the bush. Here are the ones to know, and how to see them safely.
Dean’s Blue Hole
On Long Island, Dean’s Blue Hole drops 663 feet (202 m), one of the deepest known blue holes in the world; the official diving guide calls it the third-deepest. It sits in a beach-fringed cove enclosed by limestone cliffs, so you can float above the drop from the sand. It hosts an international free-diving competition, and day-trippers simply soak it in from the beach.
Andros, the capital of blue holes
Andros has more than 180 blue holes, inland and offshore, the highest concentration anywhere according to the official tourism site. Blue Holes National Park, created in 2002, protects about 40,000 acres of them. Captain Bill’s Blue Hole, inside the park near Fresh Creek, is about 100 ft deep, with a gazebo, a grill and bathrooms. Guardian Blue Hole holds the second-deepest cave in the country, explored to 436 ft.
Dean’s Blue Hole drops 663 feet beneath a white-sand cove.
Inside the caves
On Grand Bahama, Lucayan National Park protects one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world. Ben’s Cave, named after the diving pioneer Ben Rose, has fresh water floating on salt water, with stalactites, stalagmites and fossilised shells below. You may only dive it with an authorised instructor, booked in advance, and swimming in the park’s caves is prohibited.
More blue holes
Treasure Cay Blue Hole sits in Abaco’s pine forest and is 254 ft deep. Sapphire Blue Hole is minutes from Preacher’s Cave in North Eleuthera. Watling’s Blue Hole on San Salvador is entirely salt water, a sign of an underground link to the sea. And Stocking Island, across the harbour from George Town, has blue holes for snorkellers and divers.
Seeing them safely
Blue holes are deep and can hide layers such as the hydrogen sulfide found in Guardian Blue Hole. Swim only where it is allowed, dive only with a qualified local operator, and never dive alone. The official safety advice is to book excursions through your hotel or a trusted operator, not with people who approach you on the beach.
Why it's on our list
- Dean’s Blue Hole
- Andros, the capital of blue holes
- Inside the caves
- More blue holes
- Seeing them safely
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Blue holes of the Bahamas: Dean’s, Andros and beyond before you go.