Dive Site: Blue Hole - Sigua

About Blue Hole - Sigua

The Blue Hole - Sigua is a remarkable dive site found near Cay Sigua, positioned precisely at the western end of a prominent reef crest. Its entrance, situated at a shallow 4 meters, is an opening measuring approximately 6 meters long by 3 meters wide, leading to a dramatic vertical descent. The walls of this blue hole plunge to an impressive depth of 83 meters, with one side almost sheer and the other featuring an overhang, causing the cavity to widen as divers go deeper. This unique geological formation is notable for the abundant marine life at its entrance, including lobsters, nudibranchs, yellow-headed snappers, and flamingo tongues. The topography around Cayo Sigua also features a sandy area at 12 meters that slopes into a wall with purple tunicates and round anemones. Just before the blue hole, the reef forms a large natural horseshoe, providing a well-known anchorage. The Blue Hole itself is located at the northwestern tip of the second ridge within this horseshoe, accessible by boat. While the sources do not specify seasonality for marine life encounters at this particular site, the region in general, especially the dry season from November to May, offers excellent visibility. The area hosts a diverse array of species due to its protected status and limited human activity. The blue hole’s entrance provides a rich habitat for smaller creatures. This site demands careful diving due to the risks associated with its depth and structure. Bubbles released by divers can stir up sediments, potentially reducing visibility within the cavity. Night dives are recommended for exploring the numerous organisms outside the cavity, leveraging the protection offered by the coral barrier, rather than entering the deep hole after dark. Its significant depth means it is typically considered an advanced dive, often part of liveaboard itineraries.

Dive site facts: Blue Hole - Sigua

Depth

4–83 m

Typical dive

4–32 m, 50–60 min (depending on exploration)

Current

Mild to moderate (outside cavity), negligible (inside)

Visibility

20–30 m (outside), variable (inside)

Water temperature

25–29°C

Entry

Liveaboard tender drop

Level

Advanced to Expert (for full depth)

Dive type

Wall, cave/cavern, reef

Night dive

Possible (at entrance/reef crest)

Region / port

Zapata Swamp, Cuba

Coordinates

21.6427° N, 80.3446° W

Conditions & Currents

Blue Hole - Sigua is situated in an area where currents are typically mild to moderate, characteristic of the broader Cuban diving regions. While the blue hole itself is a sheltered cavity, divers must be aware of prevailing currents when approaching the entrance or exploring the adjacent reef crest. For liveaboard tender drops, a negative entry is often recommended to quickly reach the dive objective, though this is less critical for the shallow 4-meter entry of the Blue Hole. Inside the cavity, the primary concern is the potential for disturbed sediments due to bubbles from entering groups, which can rapidly diminish visibility and require meticulous buoyancy control. Water temperatures remain comfortably warm, ranging from 25°C to 29°C year-round, minimizing concerns about thermoclines. Divers should always consult their dive guides for real-time conditions and be prepared for potenti

Marine life & sighting chances

Lobster

occasional

Nudibranch

occasional

Yellow-headed snapper

occasional

Flamingo tongue snail

occasional

Black coral

common

Goliath grouper

occasional

Jack

common

Ray

occasional

Barracuda

common

Sponge

common

Octopus

night · occasional

Squid

night · occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Blue Hole - Sigua begins with an entry at a shallow 4-meter opening, situated at the western end of a reef crest. The entrance is roughly 6 meters long and 3 meters wide, leading into a vertical cavity. Divers descend along the vertical walls, noting that one side is nearly sheer while the other features an overhang, causing the cavity to widen with depth. The shaft plummets to 83 meters, offering a deep blue hole experience. Due to the rapid depth progression and confined space, precise buoyancy is crucial, as bubbles can dislodge sediments, reducing visibility for following divers. Exploration often involves observing the unique geological features and marine life like lobsters and nudibranchs at the entrance. For night dives or less experienced groups, the recommendation is to remain outside the deep cavity, exploring the rich coral barrier that provides protection and hosts various organisms. The safety stop can be performed in the shallower reef crest area, which is abundant with coral formations.

Underwater photography

Blue Hole - Sigua presents distinct photographic opportunities. For wide-angle shots, a fisheye or wide-angle rectilinear lens is essential to capture the dramatic scale of the vertical shaft and the expanding cavity, especially when looking up towards the light-filled entrance. External reef sections and the surrounding coral barrier also provide excellent wide-angle subjects, showcasing healthy coral formations and schools of fish. For macro photography, focus on the entrance area and the shallower reef where nudibranchs, lobsters, and flamingo tongue snails can be found. A focus light is recommended for macro subjects, particularly during night dives. Due to potential sediment disturbance within the blue hole, maintaining excellent buoyancy control is paramount for clear shots. Consider using strobes to illuminate the darker sections of the cavity and bring out the vibrant colors of corals and sponges at the entrance.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Cañón de Sigua

  Features a seagrass bed and a vertical wall with black coral and large fish.

• Cayo Sigua

  Sandy area with a wall drop-off, known for purple tunicates and round anemones.

• Arrecife Somero

  A horseshoe-shaped reef crest ideal for snorkeling and night dives.

• Cañón de Cayo Blanco

  Vertical wall starting at 7m, with a deep rupture and abundant sponges.

• Pared de Cayo Blanco

  A vertical wall from 6m with stony corals, gorgonians, and staghorn corals.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Blue Hole - Sigua is primarily facilitated by liveaboards operating in the Zapata Swamp region of Cuba. Divers typically fly into international airports like Havana (HAV) or Cienfuegos (CFG), from where transfers to the liveaboard departure point, often near the San Lázaro Channel, are arranged. Trip lengths usually range from 7 to 10 days, allowing for comprehensive exploration of remote dive sites in the area. There are no specific individual permits mentioned for Blue Hole - Sigua, as liveaboard packages generally cover all necessary fees for diving within the UNESCO biosphere reserve. This site is commonly combined with other wall dives, reefs, and canyons in the Zapata area, providing a diverse itinerary of Cuban underwater experiences.

Safety & environment

Diving Blue Hole - Sigua requires a high level of caution and appropriate training due to the significant risks associated with its depth and confined nature. The nearest recompression chamber would typically be in Cienfuegos or Havana, necessitating a potentially lengthy evacuation for serious incidents. Divers must carry appropriate insurance that covers technical or deep diving if they plan to explore the full depth of the blue hole. Site-specific hazards include rapid depth changes, potential for sediment disturbance reducing visibility within the cavity, and the inherent risks of overhead environments. It is strongly recommended to dive with experienced guides, adhere strictly to no-decompression limits, and maintain excellent buoyancy control to prevent stirring the bottom. Night dives are suggested at the entrance or along the coral barrier, not within the deep cavity, to mitigate risks.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Blue Hole - Sigua FAQ

Liveaboards diving Blue Hole - Sigua

These liveaboards may visit Blue Hole - Sigua on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Jardines Avalon Fleet

Cuba

20 guests35.05 m

$494/day