Dean's Blue Hole

The world's deepest known blue hole

Category Natural Wonders, Watery Wonders, Geological Oddities, Curious Caves

Natural Wonders http://atlasobscura.com/category/natural-wonders Watery Wonders http://atlasobscura.com/category/natural-wonders/watery-wonders Geological Oddities http://atlasobscura.com/category/natural-wonders/geological-oddities Curious Caves http://atlasobscura.com/category/natural-wonders/curious-caves

Plunging to a depth of 663 feet (202 meters) in a bay west of Clarence Town on Long Island, Dean's Blue Hole is the world's deepest known blue hole. A blue hole is a term that is often given to sinkholes that are filled with water, while the entrance to them is located beneath the surface.

While most other known blue holes only reach maximum depths of 360 feet, the 663 foot depth of Dean's Blue Hole makes it quite exceptional. At the surface, Dean's Blue Hole is roughly circular with a diameter ranging from 82-115 feet (25-35 meters). After one descends 66 feet below the surface, the hole widens considerably into a cavern with a diameter of 330 feet (100 meters).

In April 2010, professional diver William Trubridge broke a free-diving world record in the blue hole by reaching a depth of 302 feet (92 meters) without the use of fins. He took that even further when on December 14th, 2010, he swam to a depth of 331 feet (101 meters) on a single breath while using only his hands and feet for propulsion! Talk about amazing lung capacity!

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  • Address Bahamas
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