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The word "Cenote"
is pronounced, say-no-tay and is derived
from the Mayan word, "Dzonot" which means
sacred well. A combination of various
geological events and climate changes
created an incredible and unique ecosystem
in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. These caves
and underground rivers were created
naturally over 6,500 years ago. Over the
past 20 years, experienced scuba divers have
explored these caves discovering more than
300 miles of interconnected passageways and
caves that make up this amazing one of a
kind ecosystem.
These
cenotes, only found in this part of the
world, offer certified divers the
opportunity to explore something different!
Discover the tranquil beauty of these
pristine windows to the underwater world and
experience the dive of your life floating
through caverns full of crystal clear
water, stalagmites and stalactites.
Diving in a
cenote cavern is an unforgettable
experience, unique to this area of Mexico.
Cenotes are cavern entrances to the
underground river system of the Yucatan
Peninsula. The maximum depth reached is 50
feet (16 meters), with excellent visibility,
no current, and fresh water.
We conducts
two tank cenote dives every day of the week.
We visit the diver's choice from eight
marvelous caverns that we have selected for
our dives.
Transportation to the dive sites is in an
air conditioned vehicle, and our two tank
cenotes dives explore two different caverns.
Dive groups consist of a maximum four divers
per guide. All of Sealife Divers' cenote
guides are certified cave divers. The
maximum depth reached on the dive is 50 feet
(16 meters), with excellent visibility, no
currents, truly an unforgettable experience.
Meet at the
dive shop at 8:30am. You must show proof of
Open Water Certification to dive in the
cenotes. You can read about cenote cavern
diving techniques, see cenote cavern dive
prices, and learn more about cenotes on our
Cenote / Cavern / Cave page and see more
photos of Cenotes.
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Propulsion
Techniques:
The following
description is one of the recommended
techniques for cavern and cave diving the
cenotes of the Riviera Maya.
Modified
Flutter Kick
Picture
provided by S.Gerrard
The Cenotes of the Riviera Maya To
Purchase this book click on the links "its a
Good one to have "
The diver is
looking straight ahead, swimming
horizontally
and moving the ankles only in a casual,
alternating style, bending the knees and
holding firmly in place. The technique is
the most common used in cavern and cave
diving. |
Limits:
- No
decompression.
-
Penetration: max. 200 feet (60m) from
opening.
- Depth
max. 70 feet (21m).
-
Minimum visibility of 40 feet (12.5 m).
- Large
with no restrictions.
- Area
with ceiling and some visible light.
Environmental
Concerns:
Please help us
to preserve these fragile cenotes. Dive
gently!
- Take
nothing.
- Reduce
drag from equipment.
- No
grabbing or pulling speleothems.
- Try
not to touch sediments.
Communications:
Light and Hand
Signals:
Our Certified
Full Cave Guide will go over all signals
with you before the dive.
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Techniques:
Buoyancy and
Propulsion:
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Minimize weight and do a buoyancy check
before the dive.
-
Buoyancy wanted.
- Gentle
kicks from the knee and ankle, not the
hip.
Body Position:
- Head
down slightly, body horizontal
-
Mid-water positioning, stay off bottom
and top.
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Fun Facts:
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Longest Cave Dive - 8 hours, 5 min.
- Total
number of known cave systems: 60
- Water
Temperature: 25 C / 77 F
-
Cenotes we visit in the top 10 longest
cave systems within the Riviera Maya:
1.
Nohoch Nah Chich (225,000 ft/68,182
m)
2. Dos Ojos (200,000 ft/60,606m)
7. PonDeRosa (49,275 ft/14,132m)
10. Chac Mool (27,000 ft/8,182 m)
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Deepest Caves 351 feet / 106 m
- The 3
largest underground rivers in the world
are all located in Riviera Maya.
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