I’ve experienced many emotions that made my body prepare for danger, but few have been as beautiful as floating over the abyss of Dean’s Blue Hole. Located on Long Island in the Bahamas, this 663-foot-deep marine sinkhole is one of the deepest on Earth. While professionals come here to chase freediving records, anyone can snorkel along its edge, challenge a cliff jump, or simply relax on the surrounding sands. Arriving there offered little indication of what awaited them. A sandy road branches off from Long Island’s main highway and winds over several dunes before reaching a small parking area. From there, a short walk reveals a sheltered cove of white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and the striking circular maw of Dean’s Blue Hole, which has a surface diameter of approximately 82 to 115 feet wide. There were no vendors, buildings, or crowds. The only obvious signs of human presence were two free divers resting on a platform anchored in the middle of the hole. Getting to the edge requires little more than wading a short distance from shore. The water was warm, crystal clear, and barely more than a foot deep when I approached. Then, the pale background simply disappeared. The cliffs surrounding Dean’s Blue Hole. Credit: Michael D’Estries/Travel + Leisure After securing my snorkel and mask, my legs pulled away from the edge long before my mind had fully accepted it. In an instant, the sand beneath me was replaced by a seemingly boundless blue. I’m pretty sure I cursed loudly through my snorkel, then immediately turned around to make sure the shallow water was still only a fathom or two away. Over time, curiosity began to get the better of my nerves. Once I felt comfortable swimming over the chasm, I began looking toward the edge, where one of the most amazing phenomena at this site came into view. Sand from the shallow waters spilled onto the underwater platform in long white streams, cascading down the walls before disappearing into the blue. I kept circling different sections to watch what was happening, sometimes diving 10 or 15 feet to get a closer look. Schools of goldfish darted along the walls, while further away, three huge tarpon cruised about 30 feet below me. Later, a sea turtle circled the edge before descending into the depths and out of sight. Looking from the platform into the blue hole. Credit: Michael D’Estries/Travel + Leisure The permanent freediving platform became the perfect place to climb, stretch out in the sun, and take a break between swims. Several ropes descend from it, including the vertical line that freedivers follow into the depths. I tried to follow it myself, but the pressure in my ears became uncomfortable at about 15 feet and I turned around. That made the two Italian freedivers I saw emerging nearby even more impressive. When I asked them how deep they had gone, they replied: 40 meters, almost 132 feet! Cliff jumping offered another adrenaline rush. There were no signs directing visitors to a designated spot during my visit, but my son and I noticed worn trails leading up from the water and climbing over limestone to a ledge about 15 feet high. The highest jumps, nearly 40 feet, were visible, but the lowest provided more than enough thrills for my group. The trails also climb above the cove, where the view reveals just how unusual the setting is: a dark blue circle surrounded by calm turquoise waters, with the much rougher Atlantic churning just beyond the sheltered inlet. The white sand shores and bright blue waters. Credit: Michael D’Estries/Travel + Leisure We stayed almost four hours. Another dozen visitors eventually arrived, but the beach never felt crowded or noisy, and the setting retained its remote, undeveloped feel. In the summer of 2026, a new warning sign was installed noting the hole’s depth of 663 feet, the absence of a lifeguard, and that visitors enter the water at their own risk. We brought our own snorkeling equipment and visitors should arrive with everything they need to spend a day at the beach. Wearing sturdy footwear is a good idea if you plan to explore the cliffs and trails surrounding the cove. There is no cost to visit, but please note that there are no bathrooms or other facilities either. It’s also worth noting that the sandy access road is passable in a standard vehicle and does not require four-wheel drive. For those visiting Long Island, Dean’s Blue Hole offers a great day trip for all ages. For all its intimidating imagery, what stuck with me most was how little effort it took to experience something that felt so extreme. He didn’t need to descend almost 100 feet in a single breath. I only had to walk a few meters through shin-deep water, walk away from the sand and watch the bottom disappear beneath me.Read the original article on Travel and Leisure
