Long Cay to Blue Hole, Belize

Katharine Smith

Motored to the Blue Hole through shallow depths 6-18 feet with coral heads. 3 of us on watch on the bow to navigate through conditions. Moored on ball with boat drafting back in wind into the hole. We snorkeled the rim with lists of fish and coral. As soon as jumped in could see the hole bottom and sides, about 60+ feet. Some medium sized fish greeted us and then showed us the way. Back on the boat we grilled burgers and veggie dogs when a squall arrived changing winds from NE to SE and we had to immediately turn engines on and correct as to not hit the reef. After continuing to strongly drift into the reef with 19 knot winds and rain, we released the mooring lines in pouring rain and went to the polar opposite mooring ball. We moored, finished lunch, and motored back to Long Cay. We got stopped by the park rangers to pay $150 and told them we would go to the half moon Caye island to pay. They were not happy.