I have always been fascinated by the image of Belize's Blue Hole in fact it's the reason I got into diving and the reason I even knew of Belize at all. It was top of my diving 'bucket list'! Discovered in 1984 by Jacques Cousteau the circular sinkhole measures 300m across and 120m deep and was once above sea level.

From Caye Caulker the day trip to Lighthouse Reef and the Blue Hole is one of the most popular excursions and trips run every two days. I booked in with 'Big Fish' and handed over my US$ 200, very expensive for three dives but the reef is nearly two hours off shore and the park fees are included.

Another early start, I was at the boat for 5.30. At least I got to see the sunrise.

Belize's barrier reef does a great job of creating a calm lagoon but 20 minutes into the ride and past the reef the Atlantic winds made for an interesting 2 hours. A few green faces later we were all relived when the engines slowed and the huge circular reef appeared in the distance.

The Blue hole plummets to 300m near vertically but the overhang full of Stalactites and Stalagmites starts and around 40m. Not being allowed to go into deco it was a very quick dive, with only about 10 minutes at 42m. This still gave me enough time to take in the sheer size and majesty of the site, take plenty of photos and get in a little bit of shark watching!

The huge stalactites, easily three times my size provide proof that the Blue Hole was once above sea level and would have been a gigantic cavern before the rising sea level caused the ceiling to collapse creating the hole as it is today.

For anyone new to diving I can see why they might be a little disappointed by the dive. It is short and it lacks the colour and life your see on the shallower reef, viability is a little cloudy too partly due to the halocline at depth. I on the other hand went with all of that in mind and really enjoyed it and appreciated it for the uniqueness of dive site. Next time I see a photo of Belize's Blue Hole I'll be able to proudly say.... "I've dived there"

The next two dives on Half Moon Caye and Long Caye were spectacular, only 15-20m but with some of the clearest water I have seen, aside from the Cenotes in Mexico. I saw eagle rays, turtles, huge free swimming Morey Eels friendly Barracuda and to top it all off a close encounter with a black tip reef shark. Nearly choking on my regulator as I thumbled for my camera I just managed to get a couple of shots as it effortlessly glided past me.

Later that week I found out that James Cameron became the third man to reach Challenger Deep, the deepest part of our ocean. Way to piss on my bonfire James! Thanks!