Lighthouse Reef Blue Hole, Belize

Dock at Half Moon Cay, Lighthouse Reef, Belize

The sail from the Cayman Islands to Lighthouse Reef off the coast of Belize took us 2 nights and 3 days.  Following the easterly trade winds was a breeze, we had our spinnaker up all the way and cruised at 7 to 8 knots.  Our ocean friends the dolphins accompanied us once again.

T R I B E off Half Moon Cay, Lighthouse Reef

Lighthouse reef is one of the only true atolls this side of the Pacific and also where one finds the worlds largest (not deepest) blue hole.  


The crew on SY Calabra caught a Mahi Mahi and invited us over for a delicious dinner (once anchored), with chocolate brownies for desert, yum!

Rourke and Layla about to jump in for their 'wake up' swim

Waking up after a great nights sleep (don't really sleep soundly while under way with a watch system of 3 hours on and 3 hours off) anchored safely inside lighthouse reef in water so still and clear that we could see the see the rays on the seabed was refreshing.  Mornay swam over from SY Calabra and the 2 of us did a couple of laps between the boats for morning exercise. 

Great visibility!



Later we all went snorkeling on such an amazing reef (they just keep getting better) and visited the Booby Colony on Half Moon Cay, a littoral forest.  Half Moon Cay is home to some 4000 white phased red footed booby birds and a walk on the trail provides a spectacular view of the boobies in their natural habitat.

Chris, Mornay, Layla and Kimble on our way to Half Moon Cay

Rourke and Skyla

Jonno and Sascha

Layla

Hermit Crab

Red Footed Booby

Stuff..

Lovers on da paradise island :)

so green, I love greeeen

Wandering Sky

The Windward side of Half Moon Cay

Rourke, Sky and Kimble hanging out

The following day we sailed over to the other side of the reef to Long Cay and went exploring there.  The little island on that side is private with a dive school and a couple of chalets.  We found some internet there, no way!

Iguana

Rourke was walking along and heard a noise, he investigated and saw a head pop out, thinking it was an iguana.  Suddenly it came charging out of the growth about a foot away from him, it was a saltwater crocodile, he screamed and hopped onto a log as it swam away.  Eeek!

Long Cay visitors centre 

Blue Crab, duh

The crew heading back to T R I B E and Calabra for sundowners

Sasch, Mornay and Lupita

Warning for Blue Hole dive.  Inspires a lot of confidence, nooot!

As soon as the weather was right for a scuba dive, we made our way up (8km) on the inside of Lighthouse reef to the well known Blue Hole (World Heritage Site).  The Great Blue Hole is a large circular sinkhole, with a diameter of 1000ft (318m) and a depth of 412ft (125m), with vertical cliffs and over hanging shelves supporting stalactites and stalagmites.

Motoring up to the Great Blue Hole from Half Moon Cay, about 8km inside the reef wall, so clear and inviting.  Layla on the lookout for coral heads.

Great Blue Hole, Belize

T R I B E in the Blue Hole

Chris near the top of the mast tried to capture the Blue Hole, tribelits on deck below

We all dived in the hole and the kids snorkeled, I've got some great footage of the Scuba dive on the GoPro but am having trouble uploading it, will keep trying here.


Below is a short snip of Layla and I freediving in the Blue Hole.  

Lastly I would like to welcome readers in Estonia, Columbia, Belize, Czech Republic and Guatemala.  I don't know how you found us, but we are happy to have you along on our voyage.  Your comments are very welcome too!