Cenote diving in Mexico

Cenote diving is one of the most extraordinary diving experiences you can have. You dive in clear fresh water, among ancient rock formations, with rays of light dancing through the water. But what exactly is a cenote? What does such a dive day look like? And what can you expect underwater? In this blog, we tell you everything you need to know about cenote diving in Mexico.

What is a cenote?

A cenote is a naturally formed freshwater cave or pool, created by collapsing the ceiling of an underground cave. There are more than 3,000 cenotes in Mexico, especially in the Yucatán region. They are known for their crystal clear waters and impressive rock formations. For the ancient Maya and other indigenous peoples, cenotes were sacred sites. Today, they attract travelers from all over the world, who come to swim, snorkel or dive in the crystal clear waters.

Diving in a cenote

Diving in a cenote is a unique experience because you are diving underwater in freshwater with incredibly clear visibility, often up to 40 meters. Cenotes are natural underground caves with impressive stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years. The special thing about cenotes is that you “fly” between huge rock formations and sometimes cross a layer of salt and fresh water (the halocline), giving a magical visual effect. In addition, you feel the serene silence and mysterious nature of these underwater worlds, which are totally different from diving in the sea.

What can you expect from a cenote dive?

A cenote dive is unlike any other dive you’ve ever done. You dive in clear fresh water, often with visibility of 30 meters or more. You almost always see daylight: cenote dives stay within the so-called cavern area, where natural light remains visible.

Access to a cenote varies: sometimes you walk down a staircase, sometimes you climb through boulders or even jump into the water from a platform. Before each dive there is a clear briefing. You always follow a fixed rope – the cavern line – that runs through the cenote. This line is your landmark, and you stay within sight distance of your guide.

A dive usually lasts about 40 to 50 minutes, depending on depth, profile and your air consumption. Some divers opt for a sidemount configuration, where you carry two tanks on the side. This gives more freedom of movement in narrow spaces and is useful in the often horizontal dive profiles of cenotes.

Is it dark? Sometimes. You always bring a diving torch, but there is usually daylight coming in through openings. Those rays of light penetrating the water create spectacular lighting effects. Cenotes are often thousands of years old, and you can feel it. It is quiet, serene, and smells slightly mineral – a very different feeling than in the sea.

Level of experience & certifications

Diving cenotes in Tulum requires some diving experience. Most cenote dives fall under cavern diving: you always stay within daylight and recreational diving limits, but you do dive under a ceiling. Therefore, an Open Water certification with recent diving experience is the minimum.

For some cenotes with more challenging conditions, such as narrower passages or greater depths, an Advanced Open Water certification and experience with similar dives is strongly recommended or required.

Never dived in a cave or cenote before? No problem: you will receive a comprehensive briefing beforehand and you will always go out with an experienced cenote guide, who puts safety and comfort first.

Favorite cenotes to dive into

Not all cenotes in Mexico are suitable for diving or even visiting. In this overview you will find the cenotes that we find most special to explore underwater. Selected on beauty, atmosphere and diving experience.

Dos Ojos

Maximum depth: 10 meters
Certification required: minimum Open Water
Level: Easy

Dos Ojos is undoubtedly one of the most iconic cenotes in the world. Located in the middle of the jungle, this impressive dive site is known for its crystal clear waters and spectacular rock formations. During your dive, you will explore two different routes: the Barbie Line and the Bat Cave Line. You float through huge chambers full of jagged limestone structures and watch as sunlight casts beautiful blue light beams through the water. In the Bat Cave, you even surface in a dome decorated with stalactites. A magical experience, both visually and technically. By the way, you can also snorkel here.

The Pit

Maximum depth: 30 meters
Required certification: minimum Advanced Open Water
Level: Intermediate

The Pit is often cited as one of the most beautiful dive sites in the world – and for good reason. You descend into crystal clear freshwater, until at a depth of about 12 meters you reach the mysterious halocline: a fascinating transition between fresh and saltwater that distorts the view as if you were looking through glass. Even deeper, you encounter a mysterious cloud of gas floating like fog through the branches of sunken trees. All around you: rays of light, silence and ancient rock formations. An experience that feels almost otherworldly.

Carwash

Maximum depth: 15 meters
Required certification: minimum Open Water
Level: Intermediate

Diving into a water-based painting – that is perhaps the best description for this cenote. It is a kind of submerged garden: you dive among lots of greenery, trees and groups of fish. Then you go deeper into the cenote and darkness to swim among unusual rock formations.

Nicte Ha

Maximum depth: 8 meters
Certification required: minimum Advanced Open Water
Level: Difficult

Nicta Ha is a quiet and more sheltered cenote surrounded by jungle. The crystal clear turquoise water and impressive rock structures make this one of the area’s hidden gems. During the dive you swim through tunnels and past richly decorated caves, while sunlight through openings in the ceiling creates an enchanting play of light and shadow. It is a somewhat more technical cenote, which you often do only when you are more experienced.

Angelita

Maximum depth: 30 meters
Required certification: minimum Advanced Open Water
Level: Intermediate

Cenote Angelita is a deep, vertical cenote in the middle of the jungle. At a depth of about 30 meters, a thick cloud of sulfur hangs in the air, dividing the water into two worlds. You float above fallen tree trunks in an eerie setting – a dive that feels like entering another planet. It is perhaps the most mysterious and fascinating cenote in the area.

Dreamgate

Maximum depth: 6 meters
Certification required: minimum Advanced Open Water
Level: Difficult

Dreamgate is one of the most ornate cenotes in the region, known for its impressive decorations. Among the millennia-old stalactites and stalagmites, it feels like floating through an underground cathedral. These delicate formations hang from the ceiling or rise from the bottom, creating an enchanting maze of stone. The atmosphere is mysterious and almost magical, each meter you swim revealing a new detail.

Best travel time for cenote diving

Diving in cenotes is possible all year round. The water temperature remains almost constant around 24-26°C. In the dry season (November to April) visibility is usually better and access is easier thanks to less rainfall. By the way, for diving in the cenotes we always recommend a 5mm full wetsuit.

The table below shows you what the best periods are for diving in and around Tulum. We’ve also included conditions for diving in the Caribbean Sea, because chances are you’ll get in the water there as well during your trip. Especially with a chance of whale sharks or bull sharks!

Period	Diving conditions	Wetsuit Advice	Details
November – March	Very good visibility in cenotes (30-40 m), cooler water (23-25 °C), calm sea	5 mm full wetsuit	Dry time; best visibility in cenotes. Bullsharks at Playa del Carmen (Dec-Feb).
April – June	Excellent visibility, water gets warmer (25-27 °C), also sea is often calm	3-5 mm wetsuit	Good light conditions beginning. Quiet period before high season.
July – September	Warm water (27-29 °C), cenotes often good visibility, chance of rain and storms	3 mm or shorty	Spectacular light in cenotes for photography. Whale sharks (June-Sep) possible as an extra.
October	Transitional month, water remains warm, changeable weather	3 mm wetsuit	Fewer tourists. End of whale shark season, visibility may decrease in sea.

Practical Tips

Bring a 5mm wetsuit (or rent one): The water in cenotes is around 24°C. That may sound pleasant, but you’ll cool off faster than you think – especially on two long dives.
Wear closed-toe shoes or sturdy sandals: You will often walk over rocky terrain or muddy paths to the cenote entrance.
Make sure you have a dive light (or rent one): Even if there is daylight, a good lamp makes a world of difference – to your vision and to the experience.
Leave sunscreen and insect repellent behind before diving: Cenotes are fragile ecosystems. Protect the water and flora by not using products on your skin.
Enter the water well prepared: Discuss your experience and any doubts with your guide beforehand. Cenote dives are not technically difficult, but do require focus and control.
Bring warm clothes or a towel for afterwards: You are often on the road for half a day and cool off quickly after the dives.
Do not use fins with hard edges: These can dislodge sediment, reducing visibility for everyone.

FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions

Can you dive in a cenote as a beginner diver?

Some cenotes are suitable for novice divers, especially those with open water zones and good visibility. Other cenotes, on the other hand, are a lot more technical and require more experience or even cave diving certification. It is therefore important to look carefully in advance at the requirements of each dive site or excursion. That way you can be sure that the dive will suit your level of experience.

Do I need a specialty or specific certification for cenotes?

For most cavern dives, an Open Water certification is sufficient. However, if you want to dive in an indoor environment, such as a cave or cavern, an Advanced Open Water or Cavern/Cave Diver certification is recommended or sometimes even required.

What is the difference between cavern diving and cave diving?

Cavern diving takes place in areas where there is always a visible exit and natural light. Cave diving continues in confined spaces, often in complete darkness, and requires specialized training and equipment.

Is it safe to dive in a cenote?

Yes, but it is important that you go with a good diving school and instructors specially trained for cenotes. Of course, it is also important that you follow safety protocols just as you do during a dive in open water.

What is the best time to dive in cenotes?

Diving in cenotes is possible all year round. The water temperature remains almost constant (around 24-26 °C). In the dry season (November to April), however, visibility is usually better and access is easier thanks to less rainfall.

Are you allowed to bring your camera during the dive?

Yes, but you may have to pay a surcharge for this.

GoPro and camera fees may vary by cenote, but generally you can expect an additional fee between 150 MXN (€7) and 500 MXN (€23) per camera, depending on the location.

There are also cenotes where you can use your GoPro or other camera for free. Check in advance with your diving school what exactly applies to the cenotes you are visiting. That way you avoid unpleasant surprises at the box office.

What diving equipment do you need?

The water temperature is around 24°C. Depending on what you are used to, that may feel a bit chilly. Therefore, we always recommend wearing a 5mm wetsuit, especially for protection. Staying warm is not only nice, it is also important for your safety. Staying well insulated helps maintain your agility and clarity, which is essential during challenges in the cenotes, such as narrow passages or unexpected temperature changes.

What does the day's program look like?

Sample daily program Cenote diving
09:00 – Gather at the diving school. Load up equipment and depart towards the cenote.
09:45 – Arrive at Cenote Dos Ojos. During the drive you will get stories about the cenotes and important diving instructions.
10:00 – Final briefing and preparations at the parking lot with facilities such as toilets and showers.
10:30 – First dive of about 50 minutes.
11:30 – Break to relax and share experiences.
12:00 – Second dive, again about 50 minutes.
13:00 – Enjoy a homemade Mexican lunch at the cenote.
14:00 – Drive back to the diving school.
15:00 – Arrival at the diving school and end of the program.

Cenote diving with EWDR

Enthused? We understand that all too well. Sebastiaan – co-owner of EWDR – also cites cenote diving in Tulum as one of his best diving experiences ever.

For Tulum, we have put together a special trip. You’ll explore the magical cenotes, but also make beautiful reef dives in Tulum, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. After all, here lies the second largest barrier reef in the world – an experience you don’t want to miss.

Curious about this diving vacation? Check out the trip here or contact us. We would love to tell you more about it.