Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island, Bahamas, drops to 150 metres (492 feet) — deep enough to make it the planet’s deepest known blue hole. Every July (and occasionally June) it hosts Vertical Blue, a freediving competition that athletes routinely call “the Wimbledon of Freediving.” This guide covers what Vertical Blue is, how to see it in person, and what you need to know about safety, etiquette, and logistics if you’re planning a trip to watch — or simply want to understand why this remote spot draws record-breakers from 16 countries.
Vertical Blue at Dean’s Blue Hole has seen world records of 126 m (413 ft) in constant-weight bifins and 123 m (404 ft) in constant weight — both set during the 2025 edition under CMAS rules.
Vertical Blue is the pinnacle freediving competition in the Bahamas, but public access is limited to shore viewing and only during announced dates. If you’re not a competing athlete, plan around the event schedule and come prepared for a remote island setting with few services.
Freediving enthusiasts
Record‑tracking fans
Adventure travellers who want a one‑of‑a‑kind spectacle
Vertical Blue: The Tradition and the Site
Before you organise a trip, it helps to understand what makes this competition distinct and where it takes place.
| Tradition / Site | What It Is | Where | Etiquette Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical Blue | Elite freediving competition with four depth disciplines: CWT, CWTB, FIM, CNF. Founded in 2008 by William Trubridge. | Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas | Respect quiet zones near the water — athletes prepare in silence before dives. No loud talking or sudden movements during competition hours. |
How to Attend Vertical Blue
Attending the competition isn’t complicated, but it does require advance planning. The event typically runs over 10–11 days, and 2025 saw only 17 athletes from 16 countries — a deliberately small field that keeps the vibe intimate. Spectators are welcome to watch from the shore free of charge, though there’s no formal seating or shade. The 2025 edition had no online broadcast, so being on site was the only way to see the dives live.
Vertical Blue 2025 ran July 1–11; 2026 is scheduled for June 20–30 (CMAS rules). Check the official Vertical Blue social channels closer to the year for any changes.
Fly into Nassau, then take a domestic flight to Deadman’s Cay or Clarence Town. Car rental is advisable — Dean’s Blue Hole is a 20‑minute drive from Clarence Town. Accommodation is limited; book a guesthouse or Airbnb months ahead.
The shoreline around the blue hole is rocky and narrow. Competition usually starts in the morning; the best sightlines go to those who settle in before 8 a.m. Bring a chair, hat, sunscreen, and enough water for the day — there are no vendors.
Stay quiet during active dives. No flash photography. Avoid throwing anything into the water. Athletes often spend several minutes in breath‑hold preparation — any disruption can abort a record attempt.
A rope line with depth markers shows how far athletes descend. Safety divers accompany every dive, and the Professional Safety Freediver Program is in place. Dives range from 33 m to 126 m — even shallow warm‑up dives are impressive to watch.
The 2025 event had no online broadcast and no Diveye system — that might change in future years, but don’t count on streaming. If you can’t get to Long Island, you miss the action entirely.
Heading into the water at Dean’s Blue Hole reframed the whole trip for us. Even if you never dive, watching someone hang motionless at 80 m is an unforgettable sight.
Practical Considerations for Spectators
Getting to Long Island is only half the challenge. Here’s what you’ll actually deal with on the ground.
Pack a rechargeable fan and a cooling towel — the sun reflects off the white rock and the heat builds fast by 10 a.m. A small umbrella won’t cut it; bring a proper beach shelter if you have one.
Limited Services and What to Bring
Dean’s Blue Hole has no bathrooms, no cafés, and no shade structures. The nearest proper grocery store is in Clarence Town. Stock up on food, water, ice, and first‑aid supplies before heading out. A durable, wheeled cooler bag (like the Samsonite Omni 2 hardside set — the medium size works well for perishables) makes the rocky walk from the car easier.
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Respect the Athletes’ Space
Freedivers need total quiet during the “packing” phase of a dive (the final breaths before descent). Even a dropped phone or a shout can trigger a failed attempt. The event’s safety team will signal when silence is required — follow their lead. If you’re photographing, use a silent camera. Many spectators use a compact 360° camera like the Insta360 X5 to capture the surroundings without needing to zoom or move around much. Its invisible selfie‑stick effect is useful for above‑water shots, but be aware that underwater use requires a separate housing.
Safety and Accessibility
The water is calm, but the entry point is rocky and slippery. No lifeguards are on site beyond the competition safety divers, who focus on the athletes. If you plan to swim, wear reef‑safe sunscreen and avoid the area directly above the blue hole’s centre — the sudden depth change can disorient even strong swimmers. For those with mobility concerns, the path from the car park to the hole is uneven sand and limestone; a sturdy walking stick helps.
The 2025 competition recorded 73 total dives, with 57 receiving white cards (clean dives). The average depth across all athletes was 79.6 m — that’s 261 ft deeper than most recreational freedivers ever go.
- Vertical Blue is the premier freediving competition in the Bahamas; only a small number of spectators can comfortably watch from the shore.
- Dean’s Blue Hole is remote – bring all supplies and arrive early for a decent spot.
- Etiquette is critical: silence during dives, no flash, and respect for athletes’ preparation time.
- Check the CMAS event calendar for 2026 dates (June 20–30) and book accommodation months in advance.
Before You Go: Freediving Competition Questions Answered
Can anyone attend Vertical Blue?
Yes — the shoreline is public land, and there are no tickets or fees. The competition is run under CMAS rules in 2025 and 2026, so you don’t need membership to watch. Just show up during the announced dates. Note that the athlete list is invitation‑only; you can’t register as a competitor unless you’re an elite freediver.
What should I bring to watch a freediving competition?
Sun protection (a wide‑brimmed hat, SPF 50+, and a UV‑rated shirt), at least 2 litres of water per person, snacks, a portable chair, and a towel to sit on. A pair of binoculars helps you spot the rope markers. Leave drones at home — the noise disturbs the athletes, and the area is within the flight path of the nearby airstrip.
Are there any risks to swimming at Dean’s Blue Hole during the competition?
Outside of competition hours the site is open for swimming, but the drop‑off is extreme — 150 m straight down. The water is clear, so the sudden depth can cause vertigo. Stick to the shallows near the edge. The competition safety team roped off the central area during dives; obey their markers.
What records were set at the 2025 edition?
Three absolute world records: Arnaud Jerald dove 126 m (413 ft) in constant‑weight bifins, Alenka Artnik equaled Alessia Zecchini’s 2023 mark with 123 m (404 ft) in constant weight, and Claire Paris set Masters 2 records at 60 m (197 ft) in constant‑weight bifins. Twenty‑one national records also fell.
Is the competition family‑friendly?
Yes, but with caveats. The site is rough terrain; young children need careful supervision near the rocks. Ethan (our youngest) got bored after an hour because the action is spaced out — each dive takes several minutes of preparation. Bring activities for kids. The quiet‑zone rules mean they have to be shushed often, which can be tough for toddlers.
One Dive at a Time
Vertical Blue is less a spectator event and more a meditation on human limits. You’ll spend hours sitting on hot rock, watching a calm patch of water, waiting for a ripple that signals a diver’s return. Then a head breaks the surface, a safety diver raises a thumb, and a white card is waved — and you realise you’ve watched someone push past sixty metres on a single breath. That’s the pull of this competition. If the timing works, pair your trip with a few days exploring other parts of Long Island — the kayaking and paddleboarding around the island’s southern cays offer a completely different pace after the intensity of the blue hole.
References
Molchanovs. “Vertical Blue 2025 CMAS Wrap‑Up.” Molchanovs, 2025. ↗
Sportalsub.net. “CMAS Freediving Depth World Cup ‘Vertical Blue 2026’.” Sportalsub.net, 2025. ↗
Liang, John. “Vertical Blue Freediving Competition Announces 2025 Dates.” DeeperBlue.com, 2025. ↗
Long Island offers more than just deep water. If you’re planning a broader Bahamas trip, the local food scene from conch fritters to cracked lobster makes a natural post‑competition reward, and a sunset cruise off the western shore is a quiet way to end a day spent watching people defy gravity underwater.
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