All the Cenotes offering the possibility to do a Cavern dive present a board with clear and explicit pictograms regarding the safety rules for cenote diving for certified divers. We encourage you to look at it and ask your guide what may remain unclear.
At Deep Dark Diving, your safety is our top priority. For all our Cenote dives, cavern dives and cave dives, our experienced guides conduct on-site dive briefings, thoroughly explaining safety rules to ensure a secure underwater experience. Take your time to understand and come prepared by reviewing the rules on this page. For maximum safety, opt for a reputable dive center with extensive experience to make the most of your cenote diving adventure. Trust in expertise for an unforgettable and secure underwater exploration.
– No Knives: during your cavern dive. There are no fishing lines and no use for a knife. Your guide is a trained cave dive diver. In case of entanglement into the guideline, your dive guide will deal with the problem
– No Gloves: The water in the cenotes is warm, so gloves are unnecessary during your cavern dive. Do not touch anything. Also, illuminated hand signals are clearer
– No snorkel
– All Gear has to be streamlined and stowed
– Do not remove any stalactite, rock, a 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 of four 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 times, do not go beyond natural sunlight
– Follow the guideline at all times, 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 any restricted areas. At all times, two divers should fit side by side or one on top of each other
– Limit your penetration to 60m/200 feet 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.
At Deep Dark Diving, we are passionate and experienced instructors and guides and will love to show you this amazing and unique art of nature in the safest way possible.
The cenote dives are full of surprises and amazing dives all year round. Enjoy!
Classification of the Cenotes based of the diving difficulty
LEVEL 1
- Shallow
- relatively constant depth
- Wide passages
- Constant natural light
Cenotes Dive sites at Level 1
- Barbie Line (Cenote Dos Ojos)
- Cenote Carwash
- Casa Cenote – Cenote Manati
- Cenote Eden
- Cenote Kukulkan (Chac Mool)
Guide to divers ratio: 4
Prerequisites
- Minimum age: 15 years old
- Open water certification or equivalent
- Recent dive experience beyond dive certification (< 1 year)
- Other limitations based on training agency (age, depth, parental consent, supervision)
LEVEL 2
- Shallow
- Multiple depth changes
- Smaller passages
- Limited natural light
- Halocline
Cenotes Dive sites at Level 2
- Bat Cave (Cenote Dos Ojos)
- Cenote Calavera
- Casa Taj Ma Ha
- Cenote Little Brother (Chac Mool)
Guide to divers ratio: 4
Prerequisites
- Minimum age: 15 years old
- Open water certification
- 1 dive minimum in a Level 1 Cenote
- Recent dive experience beyond dive certification (< 1 year)
- Other limitations based on training agency (age, depth, parental consent, supervision)
LEVEL 3
- Deep
- Fragile
- Longer distance from the entrance
- Dark
- Require advanced skills
Cenotes Dive sites at Level 2
- Cenote Angelita (deep cenote)
- Cenote Kin Ha (deep cenote)
- Maravillas (Chim Chan Luub)
- Cenote Nicte Ha
- Cenote Orquidea (deep cenote)
- Cenote Siete Bocas
- Cenote El Pit (deep cenote)
Guide to divers ratio: 4
Prerequisites
- Minimum age: 15 years old
- Open water certification or equivalent for shallow dives
- Advanced Open Water Certification for Deep dives
- 1 dive minimum in a Level 2 Cenote
- Recent dive experience beyond dive certification (< 1 year)
- Other limitations based on training agency (age, depth, parental consent, supervision)
LEVEL 4
Level 4 Cenotes are specific cenotes beyond level 3. Divers engaging in a dive in a Level 4 Cenotes must meet the requirements of a Level 3 dive. The diver/guide ratio is limited to 4 participants. Not all divers can engage in a Level 4 Cenote dive and the approval of the Cenote guide/instructor is required to confirm the skills and level of comfort are suitable for a guided Cenote dive.
Cenotes Dive sites at Level 4
- Cenote Zapote
- Cenote Dreamgate
- Cenote Taak Bi Ha (Highly experienced divers only)
- Cenote Taak Be Luum (Highly experienced divers only)
Guide to divers ratio: 3
Prerequisites
- Minimum age: 15 years old
- Advanced Open Water Certification minimum
- 1 dive minimum in a Level 3 Cenote
- Experienced divers only
- Other limitations based on training agency (age, depth, parental consent, supervision)
