The Yucatan Peninsula is renowned as a mecca for cave diving, featuring a flat karst landscape with an extensive aquifer accessible through numerous sinkholes, known as “cenotes.” These cenotes, widespread in the northern lowlands, make it a prime destination for cave diving enthusiasts.

The region’s ongoing exploration reveals new cenotes each year, expanding the known groundwater systems. Describing the uniqueness and beauty of each cave would require an encyclopedia.

There are hundreds of cenotes accessible to certified cave divers. Some might be easy to find, but let us take you off the beaten path and enjoy guided cave diving with our experienced local guides and instructors.

Go no further - Cave Diving Training - Guided cave diving

A cave diving guide is up to date with the dive conditions, with much cave diving experience and constant practice. All our cave diving guides live and have been safely cave diving in the Riviera Maya for many years, most of them are experienced cave diving instructors that will also provide tips with local practices and up to date techniques.

A cave diving guide already knows the cave and the system and can assure you that it suits your level and your cave diving skills. During your guided cave diving, you are assured of enjoying your time in a cave that matches your expectations.

Deep Dark Diving can take you on long and beautiful cave dives that might take you an entire week of cave diving to find on your own if you ever find it…

A Cave guide will drive you directly to the right cenote entrance and point you to the cave entrance and guidelines.

Going with a local cave guide could save you the time and frustration of getting to the dive site and being denied entry.

All our cave dive guides have a true passion for caves in general and cave diving. They all have experience in underwater cave exploration and survey.

Living in the Riviera Maya, fluent in Spanish and English (at least), you learn a lot about the Mayan culture, the local fauna, the local flora, etc…

Cave Diving in Yucatan

The first step in the Overhead environment. You will learn all safety protocols for cave diving within the daylight zone.

That’s it! This is the first step in the dark caves. You will learn how to perform simple cave dives beyond the daylight zone.

intro to cave diving training
full cave diving training

Caves can be very complex, especially in Mexico. We will combine all the previously learned cave diving skills with complex navigation and more.

Cave Diving training

Cenote Chac Mool.

Visit the famous monster, the biggest submerged stalactite

Cenote Chikin Ha – Cenote X Tabay

Right next to each other, these two cenotes are not connected yet.

It’s a great place for cave diving training; you can go back and fully enjoy the place once you get your certification, continue your education with stage cave diving, and enjoy the traverse to Cenote El Eden (Ponderosa).

Cenote Cristal

The Cenote Cristal is part of the Ponderosa system. It is a beautiful place, and the owners often change their minds regarding cave divers. Sometimes, we have the privilege to enter, and sometimes not… Remember, that’s one of the reasons you need a guide. If you can’t dive there, your cave guide will always have a great backup plan.

Cenote El Jardin del Eden

Another amazing place that you probably already know if you did your cave diving training here is the Riviera Maya. If it is your first-time cave diving here in Mexico, this is the place to have your first experience in diving into the halocline. A nice circuit will take you from one side of the open water to the other through the famous “River Run.” A jump from this line will take you to Cenote Escondido. And if you feel like a long dive, you can reach Cenote Xtabay.

Cenote Minotauro

Minotauro is an underwater cave system that you want to know about!

In Greek mythology, the minotaur was a creature with a man’s body and a bull’s head who lived in a labyrinth.

This system is a labyrinth with different levels. Starting your dive from Cenote Minotauro, you may reach other Cenote Estrella, Cenote Winz, and Cenote Escalera.

All passages are fairly small but are accessible with a back mount configuration. And if you are diving side mount, it can be fun to go off to the side passages even briefly.

You will feel privileged to dive into these dusty passages nicely decorated with brownish speleothems and light sediment. Following the Ariadne line, you will feel like Theseus hunting…

Maximum depth: 50ft/15m

Check our video of cave diving in Minotauro

Cenote Buena Vista

Cenote Taj Ma Ha

Delving into the beauty of the Tajma-ha cave system, specifically the mesmerizing Room of Reflections upstream from Cenote Buena Vista.

Cenote Xunnan Ha

Cenote Xunaan-Ha, translated as the ‘Goddess of Water,’ is a stunningly clear cenote nestled in the charming village of Chemuyil. As the fourth longest cave system in the Riviera Maya, it’s a hidden gem highly favored by cave divers. Snorkelers are welcome to experience the awesome and shallow crystalline waters. Cenote Xunaan-Ha offers a peaceful and tranquil escape for those seeking a serene time away from the crowds.

Cenote Cup 1

Cenote Nai Tux Ha

Cenote Nai Tucha is an integral part of the extensive cave system known as K’oox Baal, which includes the Tux Kapaxa caves. The convergence of these two cave systems has resulted in the creation of the third-longest underwater cave system globally, with the K’oox Baal system boasting a remarkable total length of over 100 km. This vast network stands as the world’s largest cave system, meticulously mapped.

The symbolic culmination of numerous years of dedicated exploration, the connection between K’oox Baal and Tux Kapaxa caves signifies a significant milestone. Explorers devoted countless hours to underwater dives in the caves, conducting extensive research, hacking through uncharted and perilous jungles, transporting and maintaining equipment, driving vehicles, and overseeing numerous repairs.

Between 2006 and the conclusion of 2011, the relentless efforts of explorers led to the discovery of over 30 km of new space within the K’oox Baal cave system, extending its length to an impressive 120,541 ft (36,741 m). On December 9, 2011, the merging of the two cave systems resulted in the consolidated name K’oox Baal. With a total length now reaching over 100k m, it proudly claims to be the third longest underwater cave system globally. Notably, it is the longest cave system worldwide, with a fully mapped layout, including contours and fills.

Cave diving around the Dos Ojos area

Cenote Dos Ojos

Cenote Dos Palmas

Cenote El Toh

Cenote El Pit

Exploring the Enchanting Depths of The Pit Cenote

While the name may not spark excitement, The Pit Cenote in Mexico offers a dive experience that is anything but dull. Regarded as one of the finest dives on the Yucatan Peninsula, this underwater adventure boasts a breathtaking 100-foot pillar of light illuminating the halocline and gas cloud layers. The effects of this unique illumination within the cave are truly mesmerizing, earning it the nickname “Dream Dive” among the diving community.

This exceptional dive in The Pit, designed for open-water divers, delves into the deep darkness of El Pit. The 1-tank dive reaches depths of 100 feet (approximately 30 meters), featuring a cool water temperature of 78°F / 25°C. Tailored for advanced divers, this experience is often combined with two additional dives in Dos Ojos – Barbie line & Bat Cave, creating a thrilling 3 Cenote Dives Full Day Adventure.

Getting to The Pit Cenote is a straightforward 30-minute drive from Playa del Carmen. Located approximately 22km north of Tulum and 54km south of Playa del Carmen, The Pit is situated within the Dos Ojos Natural Park, itself a destination worth exploring. Follow the signs for Dos Ojos Cenote along the highway, and after signing in and paying, continue into the park until you see the sign for “The Pit.” While the road may become more of a track, you are indeed on the right path. After 10-15 minutes, you’ll arrive at the facilities near the cavern entrance, where you can park and find dive tables for gear assembly.

Scuba diving in The Pit Cenote was once a closely guarded secret, with limited access for only the most intrepid divers. As of 2010, the entrance required a jungle hike, often involving rope swings or challenging climbs. Today, however, access has been greatly simplified, and facilities have been enhanced, making this underwater cave system more accessible than ever.

The Pit offers exceptional cave diving opportunities, making it a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts seeking a captivating underwater adventure.

Cenote Tak be lum

Cenote Sac Actun – Pet Cemetary

One of the most famous dives is probably leading to the spectacular blue abyss, with highly decorated passages. The rest of the cave is also highly decorated.

Cenote Nohoch Na Chich

Discover the wonders of Nohoch Nah Chich, translating to “giant bird cage” in Mayan, a conveniently accessible cenote to certified cave divers. This cenote is a notable part of the extensive Sac Actun cave system in the Yucatan, boasting a vast network that spans over 216 miles (348 kilometers) and stretches 5 miles (8 kilometers) inland. Immerse yourself in the rich history and formation of these underwater caves, considered sacred portals to the underworld by the ancient Maya, making Nohoch Nah Chich a captivating destination for both diving enthusiasts and those eager to explore the region’s cultural heritage. Dive into the depths of this mesmerizing cenote and unravel the mysteries hidden beneath the surface.

Cenote Caracol

Cenote Fenomeno

Cenote Concha

Cemnote Nariz – Otoch Ha

Cenote Calavera – Temple of Doom

Gran Cenote

Cenote Carwash – Actun Ha

Cenote Kalimba

Cenote Zacil Ha

Cenote Angelita

No cave diving in Cenote Angelita. It’s a big deep sinkhole hidden in the middle of the trees near the highway. It is located south of Tulum, past cell coverage. With a maximum depth of over 57m, it is a great spot for the final dives of the Deco procedures and Extended Range training.

The sulfur cloud at a depth of 28-30m is a few meters thick, very dense, quite stinky, and has very poor visibility. It creates a creepy atmosphere, is a good challenge, and is interesting to cross. As we often say in the area, diving Cenote the Pit is like a dream. Diving Cenote Angelita is like a nightmare.

Laguna Kaan Luum

This beautiful laguna is heaven for swimmers with its large shallow water area. The crystal clear waters are warm all year round, and the beautiful setup makes it a very attractive spot. And then… quite a distance from shore, this deep pit is in the middle of the laguna. This is one is heaven for freedivers and tech divers.

With a maximum of 90m deep, it is now officially accessible for tech divers with a local certified tech diving instructor.

The perfect site for tech training. With its wide range of depth, it is ideal for training. We can practice descents and ascents and repeat until satisfactory and become proficient. Unlike ocean training, we are not tight to the boat schedule. We have no stress and can focus on tech skills: controlling the descent and the ascent, holding buoyancy and trim, following a dive plan, and solving emergencies.

Cenote Dos Pisos

The cave of Cenote Dos Pisos is extremely white. The entrance features dark sediment and a quite low ceiling, but it opens up after a few minutes. To make it even more fun and for cave life conservation, we can enter without lights to leave the tetras behind until the main passage which is huge, white, and extremely decorated. There are several interesting jumps along the main line which goes a long way.

Cenote Cristal aka Naharon

Cenote Cristal, also known as Naharon, stands out among the caves in this region due to its unique characteristics. The water in Naharon is fed by swampy lands, giving it a tannic quality that stains everything it touches. Referred to as “the dark cave,” Naharon is distinguished by its black-stained walls and formations that absorb light to a significant extent, creating a psychologically challenging diving environment. However, once you acclimate to this distinctive setting, you’ll uncover the beauty of the black-stained formations.

Certain passages of the cave dive lead into the saltwater layer, where the walls transform into a pristine white, resulting in breathtaking color contrasts between the two water layers. Naharon has one of the most spectacular haloclines in the area. As part of the Ox Bel Ha System, the longest underwater cave system globally, Naharon is a remarkable site for cave diving.

Beyond its geological allure, Naharon holds archaeological significance. Notably, the cave is home to Eva de Naharon, a skeleton of a 25-30 year old woman carbon-dated to 13,600 years old.

Cenote Mayan Blue

Cenote Jail House

Cenote Chan Aktun Ha

Cenote Chan Hole (small Hole)

Cenote Doggi

Access to this cave dive site is only limited to certified cave divers in Side Mount configuration. The challenging and interesting entrance hides an unexpected gem. The cave is beautifully decorated with white speleothems in all sections. And to make the pleasure last longer, it is a very shallow cave to visit if you are a side mount cave diver. If not, we will happily train you all the way.

Cenote Caterpillar

In the middle of a quarry, the opening of the cenote Caterpillar happened by accident.

Cenote Xulo

Cenote Xulo, also known as the Cave of the Swallows, stands out as a remarkable dive site, offering finely decorated rooms, varied speleothems, and intricate phreatic passages.

Named after the Mayan landowner, Xulo is one of the four cenotes in the Caterpillar Cave System. Despite being considered small by Mexican standards, it shows over 13 kilometers of explored passages, with 1.5 kilometers of large to extremely narrow cave passages. Located near the village of Muyil, Xulo’s geological features differ from those further north between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, providing divers with a distinctive experience.

Easily accessible by car, Xulo is conveniently located about 200 meters from the highway. The cave entrance, surrounded by well-maintained land, offers facilities for divers’ convenience (tables to prepare your cave diving equipment, bathrooms, and changing rooms). After settling the entrance fee, divers can explore a dry decorated chamber leading to a shallow pool with pristine water and white stalactites. Xulo’s main cave line emerges from the restricted entrance, leading divers through a vast, decorated cathedral-like room.

Divers can navigate through various passages, each offering a unique underwater landscape. The “Main Line” leads to a deep route, or you can follow the path of the kilometer-long shallow traverse to Cenote Caterpillar, featuring additional complex navigation.

Cave diving in Xulo requires advanced cave training due to minor to major restrictions and changing underwater environments (Stage cave and Side mount diving). Despite its shallow average depth, Xulo’s configurations require staged sidemount cylinders and adaptive techniques, especially in fragile and silty paths.

Navigation in Xulo can range from simple to complex, and cave divers should be cautious of potential hazards and damage to the cave. The absence of regular cellular coverage in the Muyil area emphasizes the importance of thorough safety measures, including proper equipment and emergency procedures.

Cenote Mosquito factory

Cenote Galaxia

SCUBA DIVING INTERNATIONAL - SDI
TECHNICAL DIVING INTERNATIONAL - TDI
Razor Side Mount Instructor 6 RAZOR GO SIDEMOUNT
DIVESOFT
Optimized by Optimole
Verified by MonsterInsights