Dive Site: Lost Blue Hole

About Lost Blue Hole

The Lost Blue Hole, situated off Andros Island and approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) east of Nassau, presents a unique and captivating dive experience. This marine sinkhole, characterized by its deep blue hue against the surrounding turquoise waters, begins 14 meters (45 feet) below the surface and descends to a depth of 90 meters (300 feet). The hole itself is bell-shaped and measures 25 meters (80 feet) in diameter at its entrance. Inside the blue hole, divers encounter a serene environment, sheltered from external currents, which contributes to exceptional visibility year-round. The rim of the hole is a vibrant ecosystem, teeming with colorful corals, sea fans, and sponges that provide shelter for a variety of tropical fish, including snappers, amberjacks, Nassau grouper, and French angelfish. Beyond these, sightings often include southern stingrays, large sea turtles, and a resident giant barracuda. Deeper within, on a ledge, a few pods of rock lobsters can be found. The site is also known for a high abundance of nurse sharks and reef sharks, which often patrol the bottom and are occasionally seen interacting with divers as they move in and out of the hole, though they are generally passive and even shy. This dive is suitable for divers with an Open Water certification due to the sheltered conditions and excellent visibility within the blue hole. While the darkness inside the hole can be quite pronounced, especially as one descends, much of the interesting activity and formations are found at shallower depths before entering the deeper, darker sections. A dive light is highly recommended to enhance the exploration of the darker areas.

Dive site facts: Lost Blue Hole

Depth

12–60 m (recreational limit 30m)

Typical dive

12–30 m, 45–60 min

Current

Mild

Visibility

15–30 m

Water temperature

24–29°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Advanced Open Water

Dive type

Blue hole, reef, wall

Region / port

New Providence, Nassau

Coordinates

24.99, -77.54

Conditions & Currents

Currents at the Lost Blue Hole are typically mild, making for generally easy diving conditions. The site's location on the south side of the island contributes to consistent clear visibility throughout the year, usually between 20-30 meters within the hole and 15-25 meters on the sandy approach. While calm conditions prevail, divers should always be aware of potential gentle movements, especially when navigating the blue hole's perimeter. This predictable environment means that entry and exit are usually straightforward boat procedures, and planning for slack tide is generally not a critical concern, allowing for a relaxed exploration of this unique geological feature.

Marine life & sighting chances

Giant Southern Stingray

occasional

Large Grouper

common

Reef Shark

occasional

Sea Turtle

occasional

Pelagic Fish Species

occasional

Midnight Parrotfish

common

Black Grouper

common

Nassau Grouper

common

Eagle Ray

occasional

Nurse Shark

occasional

Conch

common

Cleaner Wrasse

common

Flamingo Tongue Cowrie

occasional

Blacknose Shark

May-June · occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at the Lost Blue Hole begins with a boat ride from Nassau, arriving at the site over a shallow sandy plain. You'll descend onto this plateau, approaching the rim of the blue hole at approximately 12 meters. From there, you'll explore the interior wall of the blue hole, maintaining recreational depths, typically no deeper than 30 meters. The route often involves a gradual descent along the coral-encrusted walls, observing the diverse marine life and the sheer drop into the hole's deeper sections. The turn point is determined by air consumption and no-decompression limits, after which you'll slowly ascend, conducting your safety stop at 5 meters along the blue hole's perimeter or the adjacent reef, before surfacing to the waiting boat.

Underwater photography

The Lost Blue Hole offers fantastic opportunities for wide-angle photography, especially when capturing the vastness of the sinkhole and its dramatic coral-covered walls. A fisheye lens is ideal for showcasing the scale of the blue hole and the pelagic life that may cruise by. For capturing the vibrant corals, sponges, and resident reef fish along the walls, a dome port and external strobes will enhance color and detail, mitigating the loss of natural light at depth. Macro photographers can find interesting subjects like arrow crabs, banded coral shrimps, and flamingo tongue cowries on the sea fans. Given the good visibility, ambient light photography can be effective, but strobes are recommended to bring out the true colors of the reef. Divers should practice excellent buoyancy control to avoid disturbing the delicate coral formations and the sandy bottom.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• The Washing Machine

  The Washing Machine is a renowned drift dive site located in the Exuma Cays, specifically off Highbourne Cay in the northern part of the…

• Monolith Wall

  Monolith Wall is found within the dramatic Exuma Cays, offering divers a captivating exploration of an underwater abyss.

• Thunderball Grotto

  Thunderball Grotto, nestled in the Exuma Cays of The Bahamas, is an intricate underwater cave system renowned for its cinematic history and…

• Cat Island Walls

  Cat Island Walls provides an exceptional wall diving experience, characterized by its dramatic topography and vibrant marine ecosystem.

• Train Wreck

  The Train Wreck is a unique dive site located off the northern tip of Eleuthera, forming part of the infamous Devil's Backbone reef.

Getting there & logistics

Diving the Lost Blue Hole typically involves booking with a Nassau-based dive operator, with trips usually operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Guests are often offered complimentary hotel pick-ups, though cruise ship passengers may need to arrange their own transport to the dive shop. The site is a 25-35 minute boat ride from Nassau. Dive trips are usually full-day itineraries that pair the blue hole dive with an additional dive at a nearby coral reef. The main international airport for arrival is Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau. While no specific permits are mentioned for this site, it is advisable to confirm with your chosen operator regarding any park fees or additional charges. It's often combined with other New Providence sites or as part of a liveaboard itinerary exploring the Exuma Cays.

Safety & environment

Safety at the Lost Blue Hole begins with ensuring you are a certified Advanced Open Water diver or higher, and have dived within the last three years, as per operator requirements. The dive depth is limited to 30 meters for recreational divers, and it is crucial to monitor your bottom time and air consumption diligently. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Nassau, and all divers should carry valid dive accident insurance to cover potential medical emergencies and evacuation, though unprovoked shark attacks on divers are extremely rare. Dive masters are trained to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, emphasizing awareness of your surroundings, maintaining proper buoyancy, and respecting marine life. Nitrox is typically not available for this specific dive, so air planning is essential.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Lost Blue Hole FAQ

Liveaboards diving Lost Blue Hole

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

All Star Blackbeards Morning Star

Bahamas

24 guests19.81 m

$156/day

Bahamas Aggressor II

Bahamas

20 guests33.5 m

$312/day

Blue Marlin

Bahamas

26 guests42 m

$318/day

All Star Aqua Cat

Bahamas

30 guests31.09 m

$312/day

All Star Cat Ppalu

Bahamas

12 guests20 m

$237/day