Cenote Diving in Mexico: All You Need to Know Before You Go
August 21, 2023
Cenotes are created when limestone collapses and reveals hidden groundwater beneath. These awe-inspiring landscapes have water that is often very clear, and very fun to dive in! And when it comes to cenote diving, nowhere rivals Mexico for its quantity and diversity of cenotes.
Mexico’s surface cenotes boast sunlit pools with hidden depths for recreational divers to explore, and underground cenotes that can offer deep cave diving. There is something for every diver to enjoy. In this article, we share all you need to know to explore these incredible dive sites, including our top cenotes in Mexico. So, grab your sense of adventure and read on to find out more.
Facts and myths – The fascinating history of Mexico’s cenotes
The Yucatan peninsula is made of limestone and is home to the largest number of cenotes - over 7000 of them! Over millions of years, as the Earth’s temperature rose and fell, underground caves in the limestone filled and emptied with rain and ocean water. As caves widened and supporting water levels fell, the limestone ceiling collapsed in, revealing cenotes.
Cenotes are all classed as shore dives as they do not require a boat. Here are some more fantastic options for shore diving: 8 Best Shore Dives for 2023.
For the Mayan people (the native community of Yucatan), cenotes hold a sacred and spiritual meaning. Each community has their own tales of the importance of these holy sites but many link with the God of rain, Chaak.
Cenotes have often been the place of rituals for fertility, rebirth, rain, or death. Some communities also believe other worldly spirits and creatures inhabited the cenotes and they bring them offerings for good fortune.
It is important to understand that cenotes are considered sacred by indigenous Mexican people. Always behave respectfully when at the cenotes and abide by the natives’ rules.
Cenote diving in Mexico – Everything you need to know
1. How do you get to Mexico’s cenotes?
Many cenotes are well established tourist locations, making them easily accessible. Plenty of dive centers offer daily trips to go cenote diving and provide transport to and from your hotel.
- Always research the specific cenotes that you want to explore beforehand, so you can book the best dive trip with your chosen center.
Most tourists base themselves in Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, or Tulum, all of which are close to many cenotes. Renting a car is an easy option in Mexico, meaning you can make your own way to your chosen area, and even head to cenotes by yourself for swimming and snorkeling.
Ask locals for their top cenote site, as they may know of locations off the beaten track.
2. What types of cenotes are there in Mexico?
As they are formed by nature, cenotes come in all shapes and sizes. There is an official classification for cenotes and different terms can be used, but these are the three main types of cenotes:
Open cenotes
Open cenotes are fully exposed. They are cylindrical in shape and appear like natural dip pools in wetlands or jungles.
Semi-open cenotes
Semi-open cenotes have an entrance which is smaller than the true size of the cenote. If only part of the ceiling of the cenote has collapsed, this creates a "pitcher" like structure where the cenote widens the deeper you explore.
Closed cenotes
Closed cenotes have small openings, so to reach the water, you may take a tunnel or path from the surface which opensup to the cenote. Some of the most photogenic cenotes are closed cenotes and have small openings at the surface that allow dramatic rays of light through. Others are completely closed and can be accessed by diving through tunnels to reach the full cenote chamber.
3. What are the diving conditions like in Mexico’s cenotes?
Depth:
The average water depth is 11.5 meters (37 feet), making most cenotes accessible to open water divers. For advanced or technical divers, there are some more challenging options. These include Cenote Ik-Kil at 40 meters (131 feet) deep, all the way to The Pit with a daunting 119 meters (391 feet) maximum depth.
Water temperature:
The water temperature in cenotes is around 25°C (77°F). Full wetsuits are recommended when cenote diving, especially in covered or partially covered cenotes. Swimmers and snorkelers often enter the water in just their swimwear, but it is good to have an extra layer to keep you warm for longer in the water. Drysuits are not necessary for cenote diving.
4. Who is cenote diving suitable for?
Cenotes come in all depths and difficulties. Most sites offer cenote diving for open water divers, but given that the beauty of a cenote is often at depth, advanced open water divers will have the opportunity to explore more.
There are cenotes with cave systems, so having a tech diving certification is a must for seeing the true extent of some cenotes. Cenotes can also be great fun for freediving.
5. What marine life can you see in cenotes?
It is easy to get caught up in the sheer beauty of cenotes and almost forget that they are full of life! The combination of ocean and rainwater passing through limestone creates a distinctive water composition in cenotes that allows a special collection of plants and creatures to flourish.
Each cenote has its own unique ecosystem but blind brotula and pale catfish are consistent cast members at each cenote.
Some of the standout marine life in cenotes includes the Mexican crocodile, cenote shrimp, Yucatan molly, blue crab, and even meso-American slider turtles.
Many cenotes are found in the jungle and are circular pools that drop off steeply from the flourishing foliage above. Cenotes which are closer to the coast are often surrounded by palm trees, ferns and mangroves. Those further inland feature giant roots of rubber or guaya trees gripping onto the walls or hanging free where the ground disappears beneath them.
With lots of dive centers in the Yucatan Peninsula to choose from, the SSI Center Locator can help you to pick the right place to go cenote diving.
Top 3 Cenote Dive Sites in Mexico
There are lots of dive sites to choose from for cenote diving, but here are our top three:
1. Aktun Ha Cenote
Located near Tulum, Aktun Ha (also known as Car Wash Cenote) is 18 meters (60 feet) deep and full of marine life. There is a beautiful cavern with stalactites and natural columns to explore, plus vibrant algae that colors the water illuminated by surface sunlight. Beautiful water lilies fill the entrance of the cenote and turtles can be spotted swimming amongst the freshwater fish.
2. Pat Jacinto Cenote
Known as The Pit, Pat Jacinto is the deepest diveable cenote at 119 meters (391 feet). Take a dramatic descent past rugged limestone walls into an illuminated halocline, revealing the true depth of the site. There are overhangs to be explored and stunning stalactites which are lit up beautifully by beams of sunlight.
3. Chac Mool Cenote
There are three cenotes located at this site which are connected by underwater caves. Beginner divers can explore the caverns individually, but for technical drivers, there is the potential to see so much more of this complex site. That includes the world’s tallest submerged stalactite at 12 meters 40 (feet) high. Regardless of your ability level, you will be in awe of the stunning natural beauty of Chac Mool.
The cenotes of Mexico offer a unique adventure for scuba divers. Swim amongst crocodiles, explore swim-throughs, and witness submerged ancient tree roots - All while basking in the beauty of clear, azure waters around you.
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