Cenote ?

[Dogbowl]

Why not? There is no gate, drive up, gear up, jump in. Cenote is guarded by a small croc though.

It's certainly not publicized. I only heard about the existence of a cenote on Cozumel here on SB. It seems like it's a "hush hush" kind of place only for the "inside crowd". I suppose that's to make sure that those who aren't qualified don't go there and kill themselves. I certainly have no problem with that. I would not even think of going there by myself. However, I'm also curious about it (just because it's so secretive). Is someone willing to offer more details? Where is it? Is it a cavern or cave? Has someone laid a line in there?

 

[Lorenzoid]

Diving the Cozumel cenotes is not something that is available to the typical diver who goes to Cozumel.

That has been my understanding (croc notwithstanding). I think @Bigtank1958 needs to clarify if we're talking about Cozumel or the mainland. This is posted in the Cozumel forum.

 

[northernone]

Diving the Cozumel cenotes is not something that is available to the typical diver who goes to Cozumel.

Well said, that's an important note.

The island has dozens of cave systems which with proper training and experience are beautiful to visit. They aren't like the tourist caves being sold as dive packages on the mainland, and are not suitable for OW divers. The only one that's regularly dove as a cavern is the sea entrance at chankanaab. That entire massive tourist trap is built up around a cenote, and dive tours are sold constantly. It's beautiful.

Cozumel cave diving kept quiet, I suspect, because those who know are those with the abilities and resources to enjoy them. Otherwise, there's no financial advantage to making their presence known and an untimely death could restrict access.

To visit the cenotes on foot, there are a half dozen companies which would take you, or any taxi. On 65th ave there's a nice park area around a large cenote open to the public.

A web search has much information, or ask locals. It's pretty common to go see if the crocodile is home and enjoy a picnic beside the cenote.

There is also the conservation aspect to consider.

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[northernone]

It's certainly not publicized. I only heard about the existence of a cenote on Cozumel here on SB. It seems like it's a "hush hush" kind of place only for the "inside crowd". I suppose that's to make sure that those who aren't qualified don't go there and kill themselves. I certainly have no problem with that. I would not even think of going there by myself. However, I'm also curious about it (just because it's so secretive). Is someone willing to offer more details? Where is it? Is it a cavern or cave? Has someone laid a line in there?

If you want a cenote in cozumel, check out chankanaab. It's visited by hundreds of tourists daily, but probably some don't know what it is. There are dives possible the cavern zone there.

There are 10,000s of feet of line in dozens of cave systems in cozumel, exploration has been going for decades. And still even this year many new discoveries. I'm a newcomer, and also quiet myself. I'm in Cozumel primarily for cave diving.

 

[Dogbowl]

If you want a cenote in cozumel, check out chankanaab. It's visited by hundreds of tourists daily, but probably some don't know what it is. There are dives possible the cavern zone there.

There are 10,000s of feet of line in dozens of cave systems in cozumel, exploration has been going for decades. And still even this year many new discoveries. I'm a newcomer, and also quiet myself. I'm in Cozumel primarily for cave diving.

@northernone , thanks for sharing. This is all news to me and absolutely interesting! A whole new side of Cozumel that I did not know existed.

I wasn't looking for a cenote on Cozumel, but now that I know one exists in Chankanaab...I might just go have a look! I dove there 10 years ago (as a Discover Scuba) and did a little swim-through and saw a halocline...I possibly already dove it and didn't even know it then!

 

[wedivebc]

On my last visit I did a 2 hour dive in Aerolito. I don't think the cenote there offers much for the cavern diver but for full cave certified there was miles of passage I could have explored but will get to next time.

 

[bamafan]

The saltwater in the Cozumel caves is 82 to 83 degrees. The freshwater is noticeably cooler. Aerolito is the only cenote that I know of that is open to the public. The locals use it for a swimming hole. It has a large cavern but is definitely not ow diver friendly. It is rather silty and without proper technique it could be a bad day for someone. Add to that the issue of having to generally have a connection to get tanks outside of a dive op and it just isn't something that most ow divers do. Go to the mainland for the ow cenote tours. Places such as Dos Ojos are much better suited for it.

Now if you are on Cozumel and want to take a cavern course I would recommend German Yanez.

 

[ggunn]

Why not? There is no gate, drive up, gear up, jump in. Cenote is guarded by a small croc though.

A typical Cozumel diver would not do that. Nor should he or she.

 

[Bigtank1958]

That has been my understanding (croc notwithstanding). I think @Bigtank1958 needs to clarify if we're talking about Cozumel or the mainland. This is posted in the Cozumel forum.

Mainland over at Playa

 

[Doc Harry]