How many Cenotes are there?

It seems that cenotes are normally found near trails or where people live. In other words, cenotes are all over the place in this region of the Yucatan. It is believed that fewer than 10% of cenotes have been explored by modern man. 

The jungle is vast and protective of its secrets. Most of the easily accessed ones have been explored by cave divers, but each year more and more systems of underground passageway are put on the map as explorations penetrate deeper. Many reach thousands of meters in length, often connecting multiple cenotes.

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Big Deal

There are water-filled caves in many parts of the world. Those found in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo are considered by many to be the finest for diving. Compared to other water-filled cave systems in the world they are shallower, warmer, more decorated with speleothems, more easily accessed, and more complex with the greatest water clarity one could expect anywhere in any dive situation worldwide. 

Added to the mix is the fantastic beauty of the jungle oasis-like setting of many cenotes. You don’t need to be a diver to become enchanted with these miracles of nature. Beautiful exotic birds frequent the cenotes’ lush flora. They define the perfect summer swimming hole.

Caves and Caverns

There’s a difference. At least as far as diving is considered. Most technical diving agencies consider the cavern zone to be that area of an overhead environment limited to:

visible range of direct sunlight and within 67m/140’ of combined linear distance of the open water area less than 33m/100’ of depth area sufficiently large for two divers to pass side by side minimum starting water visibility of 13m/40 ‘ always maintaining a continuous guideline to the surface

Cave Diving

To dive in water-filled caves, a diver must utilize specialized equipment and specialized training. Improperly trained divers, including open water instructors, have a very poor safety record in caves.

Cavern Tour

Purpose

Confident and relaxed Open Water certified divers can safely participate in a guided cavern tour at one of many local cenotes with an adequately large cavern zone.

Pre-requisites

Confident, certified Open Water diver with good buoyancy control
Not claustrophobic
Recently logged dive or refresher course

Limits

a. Natural Daylight
b. Max linear distance from surface: 65m/200ft
c. Maximum depth: 30m/100ft
d. No restrictions where two divers cannot pass side by side
e. No planned decompression
f.  Minimum starting visibility 10m/30’
g. Maximum ratio of one guide to 4 divers
h. Minimum tank pressure to begin cavern dive: 135BAR/2000 psi (AL80 tank)
i. Continuous guideline to the surface

 

 

Guide Qualifications