Cenotes (pronounced say-NO-tay) is the Mayan word for ‘sacred waters’ or what we call in English, caverns. In the diving world there are some very strict definitions that separate a cavern/cenote from a cave, to ensure diving safety and enable open water certified divers entry into this beautiful system of staglamites and stalamites.
A cavern is defined using the following criteria:
- is any area where there is visible light every 200 ft/60m
- guides must be cave certified
- tour have a maximum of 4 divers per group
- divers are briefed as to the rules of the cenotes
- cavern lights are used by each diver
- Full wetsuits are recommended
The history of the cenotes is as interesting as the tour itself. Millions of years ago, the cenotes were an underwater river system used by the Mayans to travel through the country. The cenotes as we know them now were only half full. The water protects the unique formations, stalagmites and stalagtites, which were formed when the caves were dry.
Highlights of the Cenotes
In the Tulum area we have many cenotes for the avid diver and snorkeler.
Cavern diving is a unique experience that is only offered here in the Mayan Riviera and the Yucatan Peninsula.
A cavern dive is NOT a cave dive. The standards and certification requirements for divers in the cenotes is quite a different species and follows different standands to that of cave diving. The standards and definitions of a cavern dive have been clearly outlined by the International Cave Diving Certification agencies.
Check out our cenote tours offered everyday
Interested in Cave Diving? Check out our technical courses
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