Cenotes exert an irresistible fascination. These natural wells, gateways to the depths of the Mexican peninsula, provide access to vast flooded underground networks. Imbued with Mayan history and prehistory, they have become a favored exploration site for divers of all levels, from beginners to tech divers. Let’s dive together to discover these unique places!
Exploring the Cenotes of Yucatán
Starting in the 1980s, with the tourism boom of the Riviera Maya, the first cave divers, often from Florida, explored the peninsula. Near Tulum, they found an exceptional playground.
No need to venture deep into the jungle: the first cenotes explored were located along the roads leading to Tulum! In the 80s, the Car Wash, Naharon, and Mayan Blue systems were the first exploration grounds of Jim Coke and Loris Colin, pioneers of the submerged tunnels of the Car Wash system. Later, in 1993, Mike Madden’s team was the first to explore the Nohoch Nah Chich cave, now the largest known system in the world.
Since these first explorations, new networks are discovered each year in the Yucatán Peninsula. Over 1,600 kilometers of flooded galleries have been mapped to date. Quintana Roo hosts the longest cave systems: Sac Actun (369 km), Ox Bel Ha (318 km), and K’oox Ball (102 km).
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