“Cenotes” are cool fresh water sanctuaries scattered throughout the green jungles and savannas of the Yucatan Peninsula. The entrance to magical caverns and cave passages below the earth, Cenotes are created when the ceiling of a cave collapses leaving what is sometimes known elsewhere as a sinkhole. Many Cenotes have cavern systems which are great for exploring with snorkel gear. Venturing into a cavern or cave system, or any overhead environment, on scuba, alone is very technical and advanced, requiring specialized training and safety gear. The cavern and caves of the Yucatan are well known to and important for underwater cavern and cave explorers who come from all over the world to dive with us.
The cavern portion of a Cenote is characterized by a number of points, mainly the availability of sunlight here and there, a maximum distance to the next exit of no more than 60 meters / 200ft and a yellow-colored cavern line laid out along the dive passage. For safety, it is obligatory to follow this line in and out of the cavern at all times. At Planet Scuba Mexico you will have the chance to discover the cavern area of our Cenotes without special training – but only in small groups of maximum 4 divers and under the direct supervision of one of our experienced Cenotes guides.
Before your first Cenotes dive in overhead environment with Planet Scuba Mexico we make sure that your buoyancy, breathing and basic diving skills are up to date to ensure a safe and great time under water. The cave area of a Cenote usually starts where the cavern area ends and is clearly marked with a warning sign. It is characterized by narrower passages, absence of daylight and a white-colored cave line. Going beyond the cavern area is strictly off limits for anyone but full cave certified divers with specialized equipment and training. With highly skilled cave instructors on staff, Planet Scuba Mexico is your stop to become a professional Full Cave Diver.
A typical Cenotes tour day @ Planet Scuba Mexico looks like this:
- 8:15am meeting at the dive shop, last equipment check, loading the truck & small briefing before leaving for the dive site
- Arrival to the dive site, familiarization with the area, dive briefing & gearing up
- 1st dive, dive time ca. 50min, always following the permanent cavern line in and out of the cavern
- Surface interval, debriefing, drinks, food, changing to the 2nd dive site
- Arrival to the dive site, familiarization with the area, dive briefing & gearing up
- 2nd dive, dive time ca. 50min, always following the permanent cavern line in and out of the cavern
- Exiting the water, debriefing, loading the truck, drive back to Planet Scuba Mexico
- Return between 3-4pm (depending on what Cenotes are scheduled that day)
We always select our Cenotes dive sites carefully, making sure that each place suits our divers’ experience level and expectations. Generally, we choose easier (but still beautiful!) Cenotes in the beginning of your dive vacation and the more challenging ones towards the end.
With Planet Scuba Mexico being in Puerto Aventuras, the Cenotes are just a stone throw away. The daily rides take just 10-40 minutes and will take you to the world’s most spectacular cavern and cave systems!
Learn more about diving the Cenotes at: http://www.planetscubamexico.com
“All photographs taken by Katy Fraser”
