What is the history of the Blue Hole Park?

The Blue Hole property was owned by the John R. Dobie family from 1897. In the 1920s, it became a popular spot for swimmers and picnickers when the Dobie family opened the Blue Hole to the public. Blue Hole was sold to a private Austin partnership group who allowed limited swimming and camping access to the property.



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Blue holes, physically, are hazardous due to their structure and depth. Their surrounding walls cause bad water circulation, meaning the water is generally depleted of oxygen. Their depth needs specialized training. Nitrogen narcosis will be common.

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The main big swimming hole when you first enter the park is absolutely deep enough to swim in. Divers have reportedly measured some spots as deep as 20 feet. But it's so freezing cold, between 50-60 degrees in the midst of summer, that you won't want to stay shoulder-deep for long.

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Blue Hole Regional Park is a natural, spring-fed swimming hole lined with the iconic Cypress Trees located deep in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. The whole family will enjoy swimming in crystal clear water, sunbathing on the grassy swim lawn, and of course, swinging on our famous rope swings.

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Blue Hole Regional Park requires reservations for swimming only. All other recreational amenities are free and open to the public.

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Why is Great Blue Hole so famous? It is a unique site off the coast of Belize, known as a wonder of the marine world. The submarine sinkhole covers 984 feet and has a depth of 124 feet. Recreational divers from all over the world visit the place to enjoy an unforgettable diving experience.

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Biodiversity is one of the most important reasons why people want to see Great Blue Hole. In particular, this place is home to several shark species including Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, hammerheads, bull sharks, and black tip sharks.

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In 1932, it served as a fish hatchery; however, since the 1970s it has become a recreation site named Blue Hole Dive and Conference Center. The water in the hole completely renews itself in six hours—that's why the water is so cold and fresh. The flow speed is 11 m³ per minute (3,000 gallons per minute).

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Scientists believe the cave formed during the last Ice Age, which ended about 14,000 years ago. The cave flooded and collapsed as the Ice Age ended and sea levels began to rise, leaving behind the Blue Hole we see today. Researchers also predict it won't be around forever.

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Believed to be the world's largest feature of its kind, the Great Blue Hole is part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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