If you are a diver and you come to Mexico you have to dive in the Cenotes! Cenotes, natural sinkholes filled with freshwater, were formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, exposing groundwater underneath. These geological formations provide some of the most intriguing and beautiful dive sites in the world. Here’s a guide to the best cenotes for scuba diving, each offering a unique and breathtaking experience.
Cenote Chac-Mool
Rigt after Puerto Aventura, Cenote Chac-Mool is the best choice for beginners. Two different shallow cenotes in the same locations. This place has everything: clear water, sun beans, formations, halocline, hydrogen sulfide cloud, air dome! The only thing to know: you can’t take any gopro or camera underwater (cenote owner’s rule).
Cenote Dos Ojos
Located near Tulum, Dos Ojos is one of the most famous cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula. Its name, which means “Two Eyes,” refers to the two interconnected sinkholes that form this cenote. Yes, two dives in two different cenotes, in the same place! The Barbie line or The Bat Cave, with its air dome, are both beautiful dives. These caverns are adorned with so many stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The crystal-clear waters, incredible formations, and remarkable visibility make it a diver’s paradise.
Cenote The Pit
In the dos ojos area, The Pit is one of the deepest cenotes, reaching depths of over 120 feet. This majestic cenote, with blue clear water and parts full of stalactites, offers a unique diving experience. Best period of the year to dive here is summer, the sun filtering through the narrow opening creates stunning light effects. The hydrogen sulfide cloud at about 90 feet with a few trees adds something special to the beauty of this site.
Cenote Nicte-ha
Cenote Nicte-ha is one of the first cenotes in Dos Ojos Ecopark. This cavern is for divers with good buoyancy (the all cenote has a very light sediment and restricted passages). It’s a very shallow cavernwith a very simple line, but the small passages between stalactites, the sunbeams filtering and the water lilies create a really magical atmospher.
Cenote Angelita
Cenote Angelita offers a different diving experience. The water is not so clear as in the Pit, but at about 30 meters (100 feet) there is a cloud of hydrogen sulfide that creates the illusion of an underwater river, complete with tree branches sticking out. Below this cloud, the cenote plunges to over 60 meters (200 feet), offering an otherworldly diving adventure for advanced divers. The walls of this huge sink hole are full of particular red formations, to observe on the way up and during the safety stop.
Cenote Carwash
Just a few kilometers from Tulum, Cenote Carwash, known locally as Aktun Ha, is a popular dive site. The cenote is relatively shallow, making it ideal for beginner divers. However, it also features a fascinating underwater landscape, with stalactites in the cavern area, plants and trees in the open area. The clear water and abundant aquatic life make this dive an enjoyable experience.
Cenote Yaakun
Cenote Yaakun, love in Maya, is located near Playa del Carmen. It’s in a secluded area surrounded by lush jungle, providing a peaceful and serene environment. The water is a little bit murky but under a really thick hydrogen sulfide cloud (at 25m), the visibility becomes incredible. Deep white walls go down to 300 feets! Likely to see blind cavefish and cenote shrimp. Tree branches protrude out of the cloud reminding to cenote Angelita. On the way up you swim next to massive stalactites along the cavern wall. After the dive, you can jump off the top of the wooden staircase!
Cenote Zapote
Cenote Zapote is recommended for advanced divers (30/35 meters deep). It is located on the Ruta de los Cenotes, a panoramic route that extends from Puerto Morelos to the lush jungle of the Yucatan Peninsula. The cenote has a funnel-shaped typography. Passing these walls, the cenote opens up and you will be speechless: a tree emerging from a cloud of hydrogen sulfide and the spectacular formations of bells (hell bells) around you!
Cenote Maravilla
Cenote Maravilla is located along the Ruta de los Cenotes, a scenic route that stretches from Puerto Morelos into the lush jungle of the Yucatan Peninsula. The waters of Cenote Maravilla are remarkably clear, with visibility often reaching up to 100 feet. One of the highlights of diving in Cenote Maravilla is the play of light and shadow and the thickness of the hydrogen sulfide cloud layer (at 30 m). Sunlight filters through the cenote’s openings, creating stunning light beams that penetrate the water and illuminate the rock formations, adding a magical quality to the dive.
Cenote Kin-ha
The Kin Ha Cenote, which means sun and water in Mayan, is considered one of the most beautiful cenotes on the Cenote Route. Its beauty is due to the beautiful formations inside its cavern, the bells, the rays of light that illuminate its crystal-clear blue waters of up to 60 meters deep and its large size for diving. For advanced divers!
Cenote Dreamgate
Dreamgate is part of Dos Ojos´park. This cavern offers 2 different dives in 2 different lines. The clear water let you enjoy the sensation of flying between thousands of very fine stalactites and columns. For Advanced divers with experience! Excellent buoyancy control is required due to the cavern´s delicate formations and light sediment floor.
Cenote Nohoch
Cenote Nohoch (in Mayan house of the big bird) is a beautiful cenote located near Tulum. This cenote is less known than other more touristy ones and is for experienced divers. It is semi-open, meaning it has an opening in the roof that lets in natural light, creating a unique environment of shadows and reflections in the water. The water is crystal clear and usually has a turquoise blue hue, with a depth of 10-15 meters. The formations are incredible, you are in the cavern line but it seems to be in a cave!
Cenote Taak-bi-ha
The name “Taak’biha” comes from the Mayan language and means “hidden water”, reflecting the connection with the jungle that surrounds this beautiful site. The cenote is covered, the many formations create an environment very similar to a cave dive, but the entire route is around an area of open water. It is shallow (7 meters) with a light sediment in the bottom, for experienced divers with excellent buoyancy control.
Cenote Taak-be-luum
Taak be luum (Earth Road in Mayan), hidden in the jungle, is known for its unique bubble-like formations. For advanced divers, it has very good buoyancy due to the many columns and light sediment of the bottom. If you are lucky, you can see the blind fish “white lady” here.
Cenote dives combinations
The Cenotes are in the jungle of the Riviera Maya, between Puerto Morelos and Tulum. These beautiful places are private property and in order to do 2 dives in 2 different cenotes we have to respect the opening hours and rules of each place.
The possible combinations (by distance, time and price) are:
Pit + Dos ojos o Pit + Nicteha
Angelita + Carwash
Yaakun + Chacmool
Zapote + Maravilla o Zapote + 7 bocas
Tips for diving in Cenote:
- Certification and Experience: Some cenotes require advanced open water certification due to their depth and complexity. Ensure you have the appropriate certification and experience.
- Guide Services: Hiring a local guide is mandatory, cenotes are private properties and they allow you diving only with local full cave divers.
- Respect the Environment: Cenotes are delicate ecosystems. It’s forbidden to touch formations and to use sunscreen or mosquito repellent. Respect wildlife.
Exploring the cenotes of Mexico is an adventure like no other. Each dive offers a glimpse into a hidden world of geological wonders and pristine waters, making it an unforgettable experience for any scuba diving enthusiast. So, pack your gear, dive into these natural marvels, and let the underwater adventure begin!