Scuba Diving in Cenotes

Read all you need to know about scuba diving in cenotes, including certification requirements, guide recommendations, and the best cenotes in the area.

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When I first traveled to the Yucatan Peninsula, I knew I wanted to try scuba diving in the cenotes of the area. I had seen some amazing cenote diving pictures and a friend of mine had raved about the experience. However, I never really knew what it took to dive in a cenote or what to expect once I was in the water.

In this post I will give you some information about scuba diving in cenotes. I’ll share my lessons learned and tell you what to expect. Also, I’ll include some contact names for some diving companies and instructors which I have used in the past and that I highly recommend.

WARNING: This post is meant to give some insight into cenote scuba diving. Before engaging in this activity, ensure you have the necessary certification requirements. During the dive, follow your instructor directions at all times.

What is a Cenote?

Cenote: A sink hole that exposes the ground water to the surface. Cenotes can be very large (tens of meters in diameter). They are popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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These beautiful natural formations are a great place to go scuba diving. The water is so clear that you feel like you are flying inside a cave. The natural rock formations and light penetrating the darkness make for spectacular underwater views.

Fun Fact: In pre-Hispanic times, the Maya used cenotes for sacrificial offerings.

There are some good cenotes to visit near Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Each one has their own particular charm. I recommend the cenotes Tajma Ha, Dos Ojos, and El Pit, which are all located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

What’s the difference between scuba diving in cenotes and diving in the ocean?

There are a few differences between scuba diving in a cenote or cavern compared to diving in the ocean.

• No direct path to the surface directly over your head. This is probably the most obvious difference. This means you may not be able to simply swim directly up in case of a controlled emergency swimming ascent (CESA). However, in a cavern dive, you should be able to see light entry at every point of your dive and you can surface there instead. You need to keep these entry/exit points in mind.
• Lack of light. In my opinion this makes the cenote diving experience great. However, it calls for additional, important considerations. You must always carry a lamp or torch with you. In fact, your communication with your buddy or guide will involve a lamp. Furthermore, you need the lamp find and follow the guide line.
• You must follow a guide line. This is basically a thin rope that is permanently attached to the bottom of the floor which guides your path during the dive. You should never go venturing outside of the line; this is how accidents happen.
• Less life underwater. If you want to see fish and plants, you’ll have to go for a dive in the ocean. Here you will instead find natural formations like stalagmites and stalactites, awesome light effects, and haloclines (very well-defined layers of water with different levels of salinity). It’s a different type of diving, which is fascinating and rewarding!
• There’s no such thing as night dives. During cavern diving sunlight is a must to ensure you can find the exit points on the cavern. There is another type dive called cave diving where diving during the day is recommended, but not required. However, cave diving certification is more extensive (more on this below).
• Cenotes are predominantly fresh water dives. Keep this in mind when adjusting your buoyancy.

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Do I need a special certification to go scuba diving in a cenote?

The recreational diving described here is considered cavern diving. To do a guided cavern dive in a cenote you only need open water certification. 

In cavern diving there is always an opening of light within your surroundings. Also, you will generally not go very deep and you will not be very far from a place where you can surface.

On the other hand, cave diving allows you to do a full exploration and go deeper into the cave. Also, you will not see any sunlight during some portions of the dive since you will be diving deeper below the surface. You will need extensive training to become certified for cave diving.

Note that cavern diving is always performed during the daytime to ensure you have line of sight to the surface.

If you have open water certification, you can travel to Playa del Carmen or Tulum, and book a cenote dive without having to be cave or even cavern certified.

TIP: If you’re serious about getting cave or cavern certified make sure to contact Harry Gust ([email protected]) from Cave Explorations in Tulum/Playa del Carmen. He has a lot of experience, and will ensure you get properly trained. I got my cavern certification with Harry.

For me, my very first dive after open water certification was in a cenote. I later heard this was not recommended for a first time diver for a few reasons. First, there is slightly less room for error since you can’t always just swim up to the surface. Second, you have to deal with a lamp and the darkness. The lamp you use for signaling in the darkness since hand or arm signals are not visible. Lastly, you will need better buoyancy control to get through narrower paths in the cave.

Having said that, I find cenote diving is not very difficult if you have decent buoyancy. Keep in mind that some diving companies may not let you dive unless you have more experience.

How do you go scuba diving in cenotes?

It’s actually easier than you think! All you need to do is grab a flight into Cancún, drive or take a bus to Playa del Carmen, and there you can find a number of operators to many cenotes. 

Once you hire a diving company, the dive shop will either pick you up at your hotel, or you can meet at the dive shop. I’ve taken rides with them, and I’ve also driven my own car to explore the area immediately after the dive.

You should plan ample time for your cenote diving experience. The whole diving experience will likely take you from ~8am to 3pm. It generally includes at least 2 dives, with a short surface interval between dives. 

TIP: My friends at CenoteXperience have guided me through most of my recreational cenote dives. Make sure to follow them on Facebook. I simply send them a message through Facebook and I can book my dives on the go. Martin and Nico are great!

You have to wake up early and meet at the dive shop so you can rent any equipment you may need, sign forms, and get yourself setup for your dives. I recommend you bring your own mask. You can rent the rest of the equipment from the shop, including the wetsuit. You then generally ride with your guide to the dive site.

What is it like to scuba dive in a cenote?

There are few things to take care of before starting your diving experience. First, you must prepare your equipment. Most cenotes will have a setup like the one below to prepare your equipment:

Second, you have to walk to the entrance of the cenote. Some have a few stairs, some are a few tens of yards away. You’ll have to carry your equipment on the way to the entrance. It can get hot carrying all that equipment around, but don’t worry, you’ll cool down soon!

Lastly, once you get on the water, you’ll get to check your buoyancy. See below divers checking buoyancy and also equipment.  Make sure your light is working properly!

Keep in mind that the water can get to low to mid 70’s. The water is not cold enough for a drysuit, but you want to make sure you’re comfortable during your dive. If you easily get cold, then I’d recommend a 5 or 7 mm wetsuit. I generally use a 5 mm wetsuit.

Generally you’ll have at least 2 dives as part of the experience. You get a short surface interval to go to the restroom (they have them on site), hydrate, and grab a snack.

Note that during your dive, a few cenotes have opportunities to surface in some of their domes.  This makes for a great photo-op!

One more thing I want to point out is that you will not have to dive through narrow openings. That is what specialized cave divers do. There will be plenty of space for you to dive in. However, you do need to ensure you have your buoyancy under control, though. Although, buoyancy control is needed to enjoy any dive, even in the ocean.

Our Recommendations for Scuba Diving in Cenotes

If you have open water certification, you can get started with your cenote scuba diving adventure pretty quick. I can tell you from experience that you will get your money’s worth!

Tips for Planning a Cenote Scuba Diving Adventure

Where To Go Head to the cenotes Tajma Ha, Dos Ojos, and El Pit (all located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum). Guide Recommendations I recommend my friends at CENOTEXPERIENCE. You can easily reach them through Facebook. Certification Requirements If you have open water certification, you are good to go. You can also get cavern and cave certified. Getting cave certified is harder. Where To Get Certified Contact Harry Gust ([email protected]) at Cave Explorations in Tulum/Playa del Carmen.

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I hope you found the information in this post about scuba diving in cenotes useful. If you have any questions or comments, be sure to let me know in the comments section below.

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Further Reading

The Yucatán Less Traveled: Read about cenotes and other cools things to do in the Yucatán peninsula.

Yucatán Peninsula Itinerary: Plan your trip to this amazing area with this helpful travel guide.

Top 10 archaeological sites in Mexico: The Yucatán peninsula is home to some amazing archaeological sites. See how they rank compared to other sites is Mexico.