Shark Hole
Shark Hole Belize: Cavern Dive at Tobacco Caye
Shark Hole is a sinkhole in about 30feet/10meters of water just inside the main barrier reef 4 miles north of the Tobacco Range of islands. The cavern drops to 110 feet (33 meters) at its deepest point.
The hole was found by fishermen exploring and hunting permits and tarpon for sport fishing. Large schools of these fish can often be seen hanging out at the entrance of the hole. This is probably what attracts the several species of sharks that can be seen in and around the hole. Shark species that have been seen include bull sharks, lemon sharks, reef sharks and nurse sharks. You can also encounter schools of horse-eye jacks, snappers and cobia.
Specifically, this sinkhole lies in roughly 30 feet (10 meters) of water just inside the main barrier reef, north of the Tobacco Range of islands. The cavern drops to 110 feet (33 meters) at its deepest point.
Local fishermen originally discovered the hole while hunting permits and tarpon for sport fishing. In fact, you’ll often see large schools of these two species hanging around the cavern entrance — which likely explains why so many sharks patrol the area.
Specifically, shark species spotted here include bull sharks, lemon sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and nurse sharks. Additionally, you’ll often encounter schools of horse-eye jacks, snappers, and cobia hunting through the site.
After entering the sinkhole at 30 ft (10 m), a dive light is required as the inner sections of the cavern become quite dark. Good buoyancy control and close monitoring of depth and air consumption are essential throughout the dive. Dive lights also help the divemaster maintain visual contact with divers in the low-light conditions.
Careful observation of the cavern walls and crevices may reveal nurse sharks resting below, while larger sharks are occasionally seen swimming through the opening. One of the highlights of the dive is the dramatic shaft of sunlight that penetrates the cavern entrance, illuminating a mound of white sand on the floor below.
Shark Hole offers a memorable cavern experience and is an excellent site for divers interested in completing the Cavern Diver Adventure Dive under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
Splash works with a maximum of 4 divers per divemaster to ensure the safety and the quality of the experience.
