Diving in the Cenotes


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Cenotes

The word "cenote" derives from "t'z oo not”, which in the Mayan language means “sacred well”. These sinkholes were considered the entrance to a parallel underworld, home of Gods and Spirits. Hundreds of these huge systems of underground caves and tunnels are located in the jungle area of the Riviera Maya, but only a few have large enough cavern areas for cavern diving. The cavern is defined as the area of a cave within the natural daylight zone and within a maximum of 60m / 200ft from the surface. Today we can safely dive in the unbelievable crystal fresh waters flowing in these cenotes accompanied by our professional cavern diving guides. Incredible rock formations, marine fossils, amazing stalactites, stalagmites and columns decorate these caverns; great light effects as sunlight shines through cracks in the ceiling and other visual effects (like halocline) will amaze you and make you feel in another world. A unique and extraordinary diving experience you should not miss!!!

CHAC MOOL It is located 16km / 10miles south of Playa del Carmen. It has a lot of light entering from the openings. Through the main entrance divers can see a spectacular laser light show on sunny days. There is an air dome where divers can surface and breathe without using their regulators and also a halocline where salt and fresh water mix creating fascinating visual effects. With its large rooms and shallow waters (maximum depth 12m / 40ft) this cenote is perfect for novice cavern diving.

PONDEROSA Located 25km / 16miles south of Playa, this cenote presents big rocks covered by plants on the bottom and it is home to a variety of fresh water fish and eels. It is a perfect place for swimmers and snorkelers, and is also a common spot for diving courses when the ocean is too rough. The cave has very large rooms several daylight entrances, and a maximum depth of 14m / 46ft, making it easy for not experienced divers.

TAJ-MAHAL It is located 26km / 16miles south of Playa del Carmen. Taj-mahal is decorated with fossils, stalactites and stalagmites and offers spectacular light shows on sunny days. Divers can also admire a wide air filled bat cave and a hole in the ceiling (10m / 33ft diameter) where divers can surface to admire the beautiful Mexican jungle. The maximum depth is 14m / 46ft.

DOS OJOS It is located 48km / 30miles south of Playa del Carmen. "Dos Ojos" means “two eyes” and it is named after the two circular shaped entrances, located close to another. In this dive we visit also the Bat Cave, a series of rooms and passages underneath an air filled bat cave with delicate great decorations of stalactites and stalagmites, good buoyancy control is required to protect these fragile formations. Maximum depth is 10m / 33ft.

DEEP CENOTE DOS OJOS (PIT) Enjoy our new deep cenote. Halocline, sulphur clouds, enormous formations, light rays longer than 30m / 100ft, fossils, ancient human bones and ???. De best deep cavern dive, 100% adventure! Multilevel profile, maximum depth 40m / 130ft, only for experienced divers.

GRAN CENOTE Located 3km / 2 miles east from Tulum, it is considered one of the most beautiful sights in the area for snorkeling and diving. Perfect buoyancy is required as the cavern and passages are highly decorated, maximum depth is 10m / 33ft.

ANGELITA Located 17km / 11miles south of Tulum is the farest cenote from Playa del Carmen. After a 5 minutes walk in the jungle you will reach the circular shaped cenote which looks pretty unremarkable. However, there is a spectacular change of views once you start descending. After a cloud of hydrogen sulfate you will get to the saltwater which is very dark, giving you the sensation of being in the middle of a forest during the night. Because the maximum depth is 60m / 180ft, it is only recommended for technical divers who are looking for a decompression dive in a cenote.