By CHESTER ROBARDS

Tribune Senior Reporter

crobards@tribunemedia.net

THE PROPERTY around Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, the deepest blue hole in the world, is reportedly for sale.

Minster of Tourism, Obie Wilchcombe, said yesterday that he had no official report of a sale, but said Bahamians could be assured that the blue hole would remain in the hands of the Bahamian people.

The Long Island-based Durrant Harding Real Estate company lists the 30 acre beach front “parcel surrounding the world famous Dean’s Blue Hole” for $10,000,000. A property map shows the for-sale property extending out to the beach and the edges of the cliffs surrounding the blue hole.

Meanwhile Colliers International South Florida said last week it had been retained to market Blue Hole Bay, which it describes as ‘also known as Dean’s Blue Hole, a property that has been voted one of the top natural wonders of the world. An iconic Bahamian 180-acre parcel which includes the world’s deepest sea cave and breathtaking views.’

Colliers Senior Investment Sales Associate Xavier Cossard says in a press release: “High-end hotels and resorts exist throughout the globe, but having an opportunity to build a world-class resort in one of the true natural wonders is a hard value proposition to equal.”

Mr Wilchcombe said he would look into the reported sale of the property today, but said Dean’s Blue Hole was too valuable an asset to lose.

“If it is owned by someone or land in the immediate area we have to see how best to keep it in the hands of the Bahamian people,” he said. “We have to make sure that does not leave our treasury. It’s a treasure.”

While blue holes attract mass attention worldwide, Dean’s Blue Hole attracts special attention because it has been measured as the deepest blue hole in the world. The Vertical Blue freedive competition is held annually at the blue hole.

Currently, the blue hole and its beach and diving cliffs can be accessed by anyone wanting to visit the site. However, there are fears that could change if the property is acquired by private interest.

Mr Wilchcombe said the government hoped to protect sites like Dean’s Blue Hole and possibly even register them with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

“People will always come for sun, sand and sea,” he said.

“What gives us the distinction is those unique features and we can’t let them get out of our hands.

“This is 2013. What is ours we have to hold on to, we have to protect it for the Bahamian people.”