![]() Massive stalactites descend from the ceiling, and huge areas of flowstone make you wonder what this cavern was like before it became filled with water. Still, the massive caverns hold appeal for anyone who enjoys cave diving. Maximum depth at Chac Mool is just 45 feet, which makes this cave ideal for relatively new cave divers. Continue your descent, and the water once again becomes crystal clear – you are now swimming in pure salt water! Swimming through these ethereal shafts of light, one cannot help feeling a sense of wonder.Īs you descend further into the cave system, you will come to the halocline, where the water mingles to create a stunning, swirling visual effect. On bright, sunny days, the sun’s rays appear like lasers. As you enter the water, look up to see the backlit trees and their roots, which create a stunning visual effect. At the main opening, trees line the entryway their roots reaching thirstily to the water below. There are two separate water entries at Jaguar Cave, both of which lead divers through the same rooms. As Chac-Mool contains a halocline, where fresh water lies atop salt water, and as it is easy to penetrate, it is very likely that this cenote was once a sacred source for the Mayan people. Mayans revered these cenotes as pathways to the underworld, and some cenotes were used as sources of water for these ancient people. Chac-MoolĬhac Mool, or Jaguar Cave, is named after the Mayan god, Chac-Mool, who had the head of a jaguar. Chac-Mool, or Jaguar Cave, and Kikulkan are two of these, and provide visitors with a wonderful introduction to cenote diving. While some of Mexico’s cave dives are extremely challenging and even death-defying, there are others which provide a pleasant visit to an ethereal underground world. Īround 10m / 30ft deep, you will experience the effects of halocline, thermocline and a harmless cloud of hydrogen sulfide with varying densities from time to time.Ĭenote Kukulkan does not contain many speleothems but is filled with a great variety of calcite crystals and Pliocene epoch (5 million to 11 700 years ago) shell and coral fossils which you can observe at any depth.Ĭenote Kukulcan has a considerable collection of freshwater – cavern animals including turtles, catfish, cichlids, eels and crustaceans which are commonly seen while diving.Ĭameras of any kind are forbidden while diving, however there is a photographer on site who offers incredible photos and videos at a reasonable price.Many of us have a thirst for exploration – and cave diving either quenches, or deepens that thirst, depending upon how you look at things! Some of the best cave diving in the world takes place below the surface of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, where a vast system of cenotes invite unlimited exploration. When dived early in the morning, you will be greeted with an unforgettable display of dazzling light effects from the sunrays dancing in the crystal clear water that is very similar to northern lights or majestic rays piercing menacing storm clouds.Ĭenote Kukulkan is wide open and lit up with darker areas in the deepest part of the dive, its waters are crystal clear with a year-round temperature of 76F / 25C. Once inside, you will appreciate the vastness and beauty this cavern displays. When in season, sightings of the stunning sacred Mayan bird, the Motmot is very common.Ĭenote Kukulcan offers changing rooms, shower, newly built restrooms and a restaurant and souvenirs.Ĭenote Kukulkan has many tables to set up gear comfortably with short & easy access to the water. ![]() It’s a great place to walk around with a camera, the site has many shell & coral fossils over 2.5 million years old littering the ground. The cenote Kukulkan site itself has a few other cenotes and the second dive is usually done in cenote Chac Mool after a short dive through cenote Little Brother. This cavern is the easiest to dive and one of the most beautiful for its mesmerizing displays of sunrays piercing the cool crystal clear water. PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty CozumelĬenote Kukulkan is a little gem nestled in the middle of the Yucatan jungle where many divers experience their first cenote dive.PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty.
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