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"Diving the Yucatan Cenotes"
For more photos click here
Whether your an avid experienced diver or a
beginner who is comfortable in the water, diving the Yucatan Cenotes is an amazing experience.
When it comes to the cenotes, there are two types
of dives; Cave and Cavern. Regardless of your experience and
rating you must have a guide to enter
 any of these sites.
Diving any cave without the proper training can be fatal.
However even basic divers can enjoy this magnificent world with
the right guide. Cavern diving differs from cave for many
reasons. in short, while guided through a cavern you will always
be within sight of an area to exit or surface. Cavern limits are
set and tours will be limited to these areas. Cave certified
divers are limited only by their training, experience and their
guides established limits.
I know what some of you are thinking. Its not for
everybody but if you are comfortable with your buoyancy and want
to see something you have never before
 then
give it a shot. After 1000s of dives I was beginning to get in a
rut and lose the enjoyment of diving, when I met Luis from
100percentdiving. Luis talked me into a cavern dive with him at
Dos Ojos and the hook was set again. Instantly I was that 18year
old kid who was breathing underwater for the first time. It was
like my very first open water dive. Everything was new to me,
everything was amazing.
If you are thinking about giving it a shot I
strongly recommend looking Luis and his sister Marina up. They
have the only shops on site at Dos Ojos and Tajhmahal as well as
one in Playa Del Carmen. You can reach Luis at
www.100percentdiving.com.
Why Luis you ask? Well to me its simple. Not part
of the giant tourist industry or major resorts, 100percentdiving
offers great service, extreme safety and a personal touch you
wont find from a resort, not to mention much cheaper! An
open water instructor, dive master and cave diver, Luis is a
great guy who still loves the sport. Conducting safety checks,
extensive dive briefings and even history lessons his approach
to diving was a welcome change to the normal half ass dive
mastering found at some resorts. If you are a serious caver
looking for a day or entire vacation look Luis up for sure he is
very versatile and flexable. Check them out I promise you wont
be disappointed.
If you are in Cozumel, Luis can make arrangements
for a pick up at the Ferry Terminal in Playa and transportation
south. There may be added fees but trust me its cheaper then
taking a taxi. If staying anywhere on the main land give him a
call for directions and or pick ups.
There are many theories on how
the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico got its extensive underground
cave system. The most logical explanation is that the Yucatan is
the site in which the large meteor that struck the earth
millions of years ago killing the dinosaurs formed billions of
cracks in the stone earth of the Yucatan. For millions of years
and through the ice ages these caves transformed from once dry caves
to now flooded chambers below the jungles surface.
The stalactite and stalagmite formations are
incredible, huge columns fill giant cathedral like rooms.
Once inhabited there are still signs of life from the Ice
Ages. Cave pictures, human remains and charcoal from fires can
still be found. Openings in the jungle floor cast beautiful
beams of light into the rooms making spectacular light shows.
As far as gear goes not much is needed for a
guided cavern dive. If you have a favorite light I strongly
recommend it. Lights are always provided however its nice if you
own a HID you wont want to forget it. If you are a newer
diver and thinking of heading south to give it a shot during
your vacation you might want to work on your frog kicking and
buoyancy. Good skills will make it more enjoyable for everyone.
If your planning a trip to Mexico don't over look
a few dives here, I promise you wont regret it!
-Chuck Lindsey
chuck@deep-descent.com
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