Central Area

CENOTES DOS OJOS

Cenotes Dos Ojos are probably the world's best cavern dives. The name Dos Ojos means two eyes, and refers to two neighboring cenotes which connect into a very large cavern zone shared between the two. These two cenotes appear like two large eyes into the underground. The original cave diving exploration of the whole cave system began through these cenotes.

They are two very different caverns that start and end in the same place. 

The first dive called THE BARBIE LINE, on its 500 meters (1,600 feet) circuit, leads the diver mainly along the opening of the second eye, containing plenty of daylight. It also gives divers a lot of space to swim around huge columns and stalactites. 

The second dive, called THE BATCAVE LINE, feels almost like a cave. It is the darker of the two due to the fact that it leads around an air filled bat cave with little daylight entering. We ascend here to see the stunning decorations and the bats.

The Dos Ojos underwater cave system was featured in the 2002 IMAX film "Journey into Amazing Caves" and parts of the Hollywood 2005 movie "The Cave" were filmed here.

Maximum depth: 9 meters (30 feet)
>>>>>Dos Ojos Map and Bat Cave Map
>>>>>view photo album

 THE PIT (requires an Advanced Open Water Diver certification)

The Pit is an amazing sinkhole inside the deep jungle, an upstream branch of the system Dos Ojos. The Pit is with 391 ft/119 m the deepest cenote in Quintana Roo State. Open since February of 2007 it still does not appear in the common dive guides.

We perform a multilevel profile dive, ascending progressively, making circles around the gigantic cylinder.

A truly unique place: amazing sun rays penetrating to 100 ft/30 m crashing with a hydrogen sulfide cloud. Below the white cloud you will see various groups of ancient bones, an animal skeleton, a human skull, a human jaw with four molars, the remains of what seems to be an old fire place with small burnt bones, black lines on the wall showing the variation of the water level through the ice ages and a beautifully decorated ceiling with white thin formations.

Only for divers experienced in deep diving. Maximum depth: 40 meters (130 feet)

>>>>>The Pit Map
>>>>>view photo album

Opened in February 2008, it offers a good and long dive entering by the Dos Ojos land. This group of cenotes (Pet Cementery 1 and 2) belongs to the huge Sac Aktun system. You will enjoy the intactness of the place: the finest formations, animal bones, blind fishes… but also a beautiful contrast between the natural light and the darkness, between imposing columns. 

Maximum depth: 7 meters (25 feet)
>>>>>view photo album

DREAMGATE (only for experienced divers)

This untouched cavern just opened to public last April 2008. It offers a combination of two magnificent dives. You will enjoy the amazing sensation of flying between very fine stalactites and columns. Both dives require a good control of neutral buoyancy because of the delicacy of the formations and of the bottom which is made of dark silt. Short but intense dives (approximately 30 minutes the first one and 40 minutes the second one). 

Maximum depth: 6 meters (20 feet)

NOHOCH NA CHICH (only certified cave divers)

Just for experienced and very stable divers, this thickly decorated site gives the diver an astonishing journey into the beauties of the underworld. The feeling of flying in a white surreal cathedral is inevitable. 

Maximum depth: 8 meters (25 feet)

TANKAH (Casa Cenote)

As one of the most interesting dives of the area, the Manatee cenote is located in the middle of a mangrove field, very close to the ocean. It is one of the exits to the Caribbean of the Sac Aktun system. With big open areas, this site is perfect for very novice divers and has lots of fauna from the wetlands and the sea. Also with a halocline and nice light effects, the diver can enjoy moving through passages and cracks of limestone. For the experienced diver, the place offers an alternative and more challenging tour with unexpected surprises.

Maximum depth: 7 meters (23 feet)

>>>>>Casa Cenote Map

Northern Area

CHAC MOOL & KUKULKAN

Popular combination of two dives for any level of divers. Usually we start with the Kukulkan line to enjoy the breathtaking curtain of light, just visible in the morning. Fantastic place for underwater pictures. A strong halocline will give the divers the feeling of diving in jelly. The second dive is performed visiting two cenotes including the fantastic dome with its gigantic collapses and hundreds of stalactites. 

Maximum depth: 14 meters (46 feet).
>>>>>Chac Mool Map and Kukulkan Map
>>>>>view photo album

PONDEROSA (Garden of Eden)

A spectacular pond with crystal clear water full of life is the entrance to this awesome cavern. A thick halocline and fantastic light effects give the diver the feeling of being in another planet. The variation of temperature between the fresh and salt water is surprising. Nice in the morning and in the afternoon. 

Maximum depth: 14 meters (46 feet)
>>>>>click here for Ponderosa Map 
>>>>>view photo album

TAJMAHAL

One of the best cavern dives in a very quiet place. This cavern offers the diver all of the main features of this kind of diving: sharp halocline, light effects (thin beams like lasers during summer time, refraction, reflection…), beautiful fossils, typical limestone halls, colapses, tannic acid, speleotherms… four cenotes in one dive. The up and down profile is a little bit aggressive for novice divers and people with sensitive ears.

Maximum depth: 15 meters (50 feet)
>>>>>click here for Tajmahal Map
>>>>>view photo album

Tulum Area

TEMPLE OF DOOM

Also named Calavera, wich means skull, because the three holes on the roof gives the impression of being inside a skull. This place has an amazing halocline and the diver will feel a little variation of temperature between the fresh and salt water. This dive requires a good control of the neutral buoyancy because the sediment is very light like baby powder. Very nice green light effects from the main opening and surprising tree branches falling from the center hill. A very diferent dive!

Maximum depth: 16 meters (53 feet)

GRAN CENOTE (now only allows cave certified divers)

This place is the heart of the huge system known as Sac Aktun which means white cave. It is an ample collapse that allow the diver to enjoy a large area with natural light. As the name says it, all formations are white and it feels like being in a marbol palace. The diver will also enjoy the beautiful contrast between the darkness and the light entering the cristaline water. An easy and beautiful dive! 

Maximum depth: 8 meters (26 feet)
>>>>>click here for Gran Cenote Map
>>>>>view photo album

AKTUN HA (Carwash)

One of the first caverns dived in the area. A good dive for photographers. There is no mystery as to how this cenote got its name...yes, it was actually used to wash taxis in the past. 

It resembles a typical pond. Entrance into the water is easy with the water level being just a few inches below ground. During the hot season there is a spectacular effect created by over blooming from algae which is visualized as a think orange-green layer on the surface. As you descend you get the feeling you are crossing through mist to an unknown world. After about 6 ft/2 m water suddenly becomes crystal clear and the view is of tree branches and roots fading through this cloud. To look at this cloud from inside the cavern area is absolutely breathtaking as it tints the water emerald green. The light falling through the roots create an amazing light show and the large room behind is beautifully decorated. Sometimes a little crocodile as well as fresh water turtles can be seen.

Maximum depth: 16 meters (53 feet).
>>>>>click here for Aktun Ha Map
>>>>>view photo album

ANGELITA (requires an Advanced Open Water Diver certification)

Angelita is difficult to describe...you have to dive and experience it by yourself! The traditional "Lord of the Rings dive" which gives the diver the impression of submerging in the swamps of Mordor! Definitely an unforgettable experience! 

Angelita is different from other cenote dives because you dive only in the open water area. The specialty of this sinkhole is a thick layer of hydrogen sulfide at around 100 ft/30 m which formed through rotten vegetation and which separates the fresh water from salt water below. Out of this opaque artificial seeming surface rises the top of the collapsed cave ceiling, like a half moon shaped island with trees on it.

We perform a multilevel profile dive, ascending progressively, making circles around the cylinder. Just for experienced divers.

Maximum depth: 40 meters (130 feet).
>>>>>click here for Angelita Map
>>>>>view photo album