Exploring the majestic Nice Blue Gap on a scenic flight is an journey of a lifetime. Whereas the Nice Blue Gap is legendary within the scuba diving neighborhood, it’s much more spectacular to see from the sky. Hovering above an immense, deep blue abyss standing out towards the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea appears unreal.
Discovery Channel named the Nice Blue Gap in Belize probably the most superb locations on earth, and when you see it, you’ll perceive why. We took a one-hour non-public constitution scenic flight over the Nice Blue Gap with Tropic Air, On this article, we’ll share all the things you could learn about visiting the Nice Blue Gap.
The Attract of the Nice Blue Gap
The Nice Blue Gap is a huge marine sinkhole, about 300 meters (984 ft) throughout and 124 meters (407 ft) deep. Situated off the coast of this stunning Central American nation The Blue Gap is famend for its practically excellent round form and deep blue colour, seen from above. It’s acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Website and was popularized by Jacques Cousteau, who declared it one of many prime scuba diving websites on the planet. Since then, tourism has expanded to incorporate scenic flights, snorkeling journeys, and boat excursions.
Initially, The Nice Blue Gap was a part of a limestone cave system over the past ice age. Because the ice caps started melting and sea ranges rose, the caves have been flooded, and their roofs collapsed, resulting in the formation of this round, deep blue void. The Nice Blue Gap is a must-visit when touring to Belize.
Location and The best way to Get to the Blue Gap
Situated within the middle of Lighthouse Reef, a tiny atoll some 70 km (43 miles) from the mainland of Belize, the Nice Blue Gap is accessible by boat and air.
Once we first visited Belize 20 years in the past, the one option to see the Nice Blue Gap was on a scuba diving journey, however issues have modified and even non-divers can now expertise this pure world marvel.
We booked a flight from San Pedro on Ambergris Caye for our scenic flight to the Blue Gap which lasted for one hour. This flight to the Nice Blue Gap was no doubt, the very best scenic flight we’ve ever taken. And we’ve performed lots!
Most individuals go to the Nice Blue Gap in Belize by boat or when scuba diving. Journeys to the Blue Gap will be booked from Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Belize Metropolis. Whereas boat journeys supply a sea-level view, and scuba divers can dive deep into the depths of the darkish cavern for bragging rights, aerial excursions supply probably the most breathtaking perspective of this pure marvel.
The Expertise of Flying Over the Nice Blue Gap
Flying over the Nice Blue Gap is nothing in need of spectacular. We left Ambergris Caye in our non-public four-seater airplane and spent an hour within the air overlooking the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize is one other jewel in Belize’s crown of pure wonders. This marine sanctuary was established in 1987 and spans roughly 18 sq. kilometers (7 sq. miles). It’s a haven for an astonishing number of marine life, particularly, sleek sea turtles, manta rays, and mild nurse sharks.
The title ‘Hol Chan’ comes from the Mayan language, which means ‘Little Channel’, which aptly describes the reserve’s pure break within the Belize Barrier Reef. This break creates a perfect atmosphere for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Our Nice Blue Gap Flight
The journey started from San Pedro airport and took us over Ambergris Caye to see town, its shoreline, and a few gems like Secret Seaside.
We then continued to fly over neighboring Caye Caulker, the place we had a hen’s eye view of the well-known Caye Caulker Cut up. Caye Caulker was cut up into two components by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. The fierce storm carved a slim channel often called The Cut up, creating a definite north and south division of the island. In the event you go to Belize, we extremely advocate spending a number of days on Caye Caulker.
We then flew out over the Belize Barrier Reef to see a few of its 400+ cayes and atolls. We noticed a non-public island that’s being remodeled right into a luxurious five-star retreat that can be a non-public escape for the wealthy and well-known and we noticed different non-public islands scattered between the Belize mainland and the Blue Gap throughout our 70 km flight.
The Belize Barrier Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef is a spectacular pure marvel. It’s the largest barrier reef within the Northern Hemisphere and the second largest on the planet after the Nice Barrier Reef. We have now taken a scenic flight over the Nice Barrier Reef in Australia as properly and located the Belize Barrier Reef to be simply as stunning (if no more) than its extra well-known cousin. ,
Spanning over 300 kilometers (190 miles), this UNESCO World Heritage Website is house to over 500 species of fish, quite a few forms of corals, and an array of marine mammals. We even noticed large rays from the airplane throughout our scenic flight.
This magnificent reef system, which incorporates a number of offshore atolls, tons of of sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons, and estuaries, performs a vital ecological function. It acts as a pure barrier towards sturdy waves, defending Belize’s shoreline and supporting the nation’s fishing business.
It was fascinating to see the distinct divide between the barrier reef and the Belize coast confide in huge open blue waters.
Approaching the Blue Gap
As our airplane circled the positioning, we have been giddy with pleasure. Our captain made 4 passes across the Blue Gap – two on both facet of the airplane, so Dave and I each had ample views of the pure marvel.
The stark distinction between the darkish blue of the outlet and the lighter blue and vibrant turquoise of the encompassing shallow waters was magnificent. We have been fortunate as there have been no boats inside the outlet once we arrived, so we had pristine views of the outlet all to ourselves.
Planning Your Journey
Plan your journey throughout Belize’s dry season to expertise the very best of the Nice Blue Gap from above.
Mild clothes, sun shades, and cameras are must-haves for this journey. It was scorching inside our airplane and we have been blissful to be in shorts and a lightweight T-shirt.
Most, importantly, guarantee your digicam has sufficient reminiscence and an additional battery, as you’ll need to seize each second of this unbelievable expertise. We didn’t get to the Blue Gap till about half-hour into our flight and we already took a ton of images because the coast and waters of Belize are stunning in their very own proper!
Flights sometimes final round one hour, providing ample time to marvel at this marvel. The very best instances for flights are in the course of the dry season, from late November to mid-April, when skies are clear and the visibility is unparalleled.
Value and Reserving Suggestions
The price of flying over the Nice Blue Gap varies, sometimes starting from $200 to USD 500 per particular person, relying on the tour operator and the plane used. Personal charters can run sometimes round USD 1200. The price is totally value it. We’ve taken a number of scenic flights all over the world that final solely ten to twenty minutes. An hour over these stunning waters is like nothing you’ve ever seen.
You may examine the Tropic Air Web site for charges and availability. Be certain to reach half-hour earlier than your flight to examine in and have a photograph ID along with your Passports.
We advocate reserving your flight upfront, particularly throughout peak vacationer season, to safe your spot. Some tour operators supply bundle offers that embody different points of interest in Belize, so be looking out for these to take advantage of your journey.
Different Methods to See the Nice Blue Gap
Scuba Diving
The Nice Blue Gap is a world-renowned diving web site. Diving right here lets you discover the crystal-clear waters, see the large underwater stalactites and stalagmites, and presumably encounter marine life like sharks and different fish species. Notice that diving within the Nice Blue Gap is beneficial for knowledgeable divers as a result of its depth and distinctive circumstances. Dive outlets would require proof of deep and superior open-water diving expertise.
Snorkeling
In the event you’re not a diver, snorkeling across the edges of the Nice Blue Gap is a incredible different. You received’t see the deep, darker depths, however the surrounding reef areas are teeming with vibrant marine life. There are numerous snorkeling excursions out there that present gear and steering, making it a secure and informative expertise.
Day Journeys
A number of corporations supply boat excursions to the Nice Blue Gap, usually mixed with stops at close by points of interest just like the Half Moon Caye or the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. These excursions normally cater to divers and snorkelers, making them a good selection for teams with blended pursuits.
Liveaboard Journeys
Belize is among the prime scuba diving locations on earth and there are various corporations that over in a single day journeys. For a extra immersive expertise, think about a liveaboard journey which incorporates a number of dives within the Nice Blue Gap and surrounding areas over a number of days. These journeys usually embody different prime dive websites in Belize,
Mixture Excursions
Some excursions mix a go to to the Nice Blue Gap with different actions in Belize, comparable to river tubing, jungle treks, or visits to Mayan ruins. When you’ve got a short while in Belize and need to see the very best of the seashores and jungle, it is a nice selection offering a well-rounded expertise of the nation’s numerous points of interest.
Situated off the coast of this Central American paradise, the Nice Blue Gap provides a novel aerial spectacle in contrast to every other on the planet. A flight over the Nice Blue Gap is extra than simply an aerial tour; it’s an encounter with one of many world’s most gorgeous pure wonders. This journey guarantees awe-inspiring views and unforgettable reminiscences. Belize awaits with its open skies and the enchanting Nice Blue Gap at its coronary heart. Embrace the journey!