All the Cenotes offering the possibility to do a Cavern dive present a board with very clear and explicit pictograms regarding the safety rules for cavern diving. We encourage you to have a look at it and ask your guide what may remain unclear.
Pictograms illustrating the basic safety rules to be followed while cavern diving with a guide
– No Knives – No Gloves
Geraldine Solignac doing a cavern Diving briefing
– No snorkel – Gear streamlined and stowed
– Do not remove any stalactite, rock, fossil from the dive site
– No touching, no scratching, do not leave any visible mark
– Divers go behind the guide in a single file, maximum 4 divers per guide
– The guide must be a Divemaster or Dive Instructor in teaching status and be a certified Full Cave Diver
– Manage your Air using the rule of thirds
– Natural sunlight should be visible at all time, do not go beyond natural sunlight
– Follow the guideline at all time, do not go off the guideline
– Adopt good trim, buoyancy and propulsion techniques,
– Do not remove sediment, it might result in the loss of visibility and it is part of the cave formation, so you should treat it respectfully
– Do not pass through restricted area, at all time 2 divers should fit side by side or one on top of each other
– Limit your penetration to 60m/200feet even when sunlight is still visible, you should not pass this distance without proper Cave diving training.
Remember: There is nothing beyond these limits worth dying for! Do not put your life at risk and follow the rules.
The cavern dives are full of surprises and amazing dives all year around, enjoy!
We are passionate and experienced instructors and guide and will love to show you this amazing and unique art of nature in the safest way possible.
You are planning a dive trip to the Yucatan Penninsula in Mexico? Then you might have come accross some amazing pictures of the beautiful Cenotes. Once stunned by these pictures you probably want to see it with your own eyes and live the experience.
But this question keeps popping up: is Cenote diving for me?
What are Cenotes?
Deep Cave diving in the Cenotes of Yucatan, Mexico
Cenotes are sinkholes distributed all over the Yucatan Peninsula. They are the window to the underwater caves and caverns. And they are one of the main dive attraction in the area and one of the top dive destination in the world.
Those caves are highly decorated with stunning formations such as stalagmites and stalactites which makes them very unique.
Your first Cenote diving experience will probably be a cavern tour. You are not required to have a cave diving certification as you will not be technically entering the cave.
What is a cavern dive?
A cavern dive is the exploration of a natural overhead environment while remaining within sight of natural light.
When diving in the Cenotes you will always see natural light and have a sight of a direct way out of the cavern. However do not underestimate safety by thinking it is an easy dive. And here are some thoughts to consider before going for a cavern dive.
Will I be swimming in tight places?
Gran Cenote – Cavern diving
No you won’t!
It is a requirement for all cavern dive in the Cenotes to go through areas where two divers can fit side by side at all time. You will not swim in any tight areas.
Should any problem arrize you will be able to swim side by side with your guide to exit the cavern.
Can accidents happen while Cenote diving?
Yes, it can happen…
Your cavern guide should be a qualified divemaster or instructor in teaching status and a certified cave diver. Of course the more experienced the better the guide can react to a bad situation. And the more he/she knows the site, the better he/she can handle the situation.
Cavern diving by the book, is really safe. The conditions are optimal: shallow dives, no current, great visibility, group size limited to 4 divers maximum per guide and all divers should be experienced.
We recommend you to choose carefully your dive operator or guide. And remember the most experienced the guide the better he/she can show you around and yet commit to safety and conservation.
Is it dark down there?
Yes it is!
Basic safety rules
Some parts in the Cenotes are very dark and darkness can alter your sense of orientation, and you a feeling you could get lost easily. This is why everyone is diving with a dive light.
Your guide should be carrying all his/her full cave gear that includes a bright and long lasting primary light used for showing you around and for communication as well as 2 back up lights. And yourself should carry at least one dive light.
The waters in the Cenotes are crystal clear, and will stay that way if all divers follow the basic rules: maintain good buoyancy, swim using non silting kicking techniques and follow the guideline.
Will I be able to find my way?
Yes, as long as you follow the Guide Lines
Installing a guideline
One of the main safety rule in cavern diving in the Cenotes is referencing the guideline at all time. Your guide will explain how to identify it, how to use it and where to position yourself at all time. The same guideline will show you the way out. You should also be able to rely on your guide to follow them at all time.
We strongly recommend to dive the Cenotes. It is a unique and magical experience. Always make sure you dive well within your limits and remember the golden rule: anyone can call the dive, at any time, for any reason. So, do not hesitate to do so whenever you don’t feel comfortable.
When comes the time for you to book your dive tour to the Cenotes, remember that safety is important. Cenote diving is for advanced divers and you should be sharp on your dive skills, so don’t hesitate to refresh them by a couple ocean dives before you head for the cenotes.
Enjoy your Cenote dive 🙂
Contact us for some private guiding or personalized group packages: CONTACT
Cenote Kukulkan, cavern dive in the winter morning light
BEST CENOTE CAVERN DIVING IN RIVIERA MAYA: CENOTE TAJ MA HA
The amazing cenote Taj Ma Ha is one of the best Cenote for cavern diving tours in the Riviera Maya. Don’t miss this unique diving experience.
Location
Cenote Taj Ma Ha is located about 5 km south of Puerto Aventuras. You drive on a bumpy dirt road in the jungle to the parking area. There you will find bathroom facilities and tables to prepare your gears. From there a short walk down the stairs will lead you to the water.
The Cavern dive
The cavern dive is one of the most amazing and most diverse dive in Cenotes. During the circuit you will dive past several cenotes: Cenote points of light, Cenote Sugar bowl and Cenotes Esmeralda. Each of them offering outstanding light effects.
From March to September, you will enjoy one of the most spectacular light shows. The sun is high up in the sky and enters through small apertures in the ceiling of the Points of Light Room. Laser like beams of light will give you the opportunity to enjoy one of the most spectacular light show nature can offer.
In the deeper areas you will cross halocline tunnels. The halocline creates a surprising mirror light effect as you enter the salt water layer, below the fresh water.
These tunnels will lead you to some beautifully decorated areas with a lots of speleothems like stalactites, stalagmites flowstones.
You will surface in cenote Sugar bowl where, you’ll be able to have a unique view over the jungle and maybe spot a Motmot, a sacred bird with stunning colours, often observed in the proximity of the Cenotes. Its very distinctive voice will loudly announce its presence.
Throughout the dive, you will observe lots of fossils in the walls and the ceiling of the cavern.
Difficulty
This dive has a saw tooth profile and will require extremely good buoyancy control at all time. You will then make sure you don’t damage any part of the cavern and fully enjoy the adventure.
To get the best of your experience we also recommend to book a private tour with an experienced guide.
Maximum Depth: 45 feet (14 meters)
Video from two divers on a private tour at Cenote Taj Ma Ha
Contact us for a private guiding service in the cavern of the Cenote Taj Ma Ha
From March to September, you will enjoy one of the most spectacular light shows. The sun is high up in the sky and enters through small apertures in the ceiling of the Points of Light Room. Laser like beams of light will give you the opportunity to enjoy one of the most spectacular light show nature can offer.