How many cenotes are enough?

[highdesert]

If I'm in the Playa del Carmen area, and want to dive some cenotes, are there several different ones available? We're AOW, no cavern or cave training. And how many cenote dives back to back are enough, and you start saying, "been there, done that?" Trying to figure out how much time to allow.

Thanks!

 

[Dhboner]

I did two cenotes in January and found that to be a really good intro to the whole cavern experience. You might come out of the first one and want to spend the rest of your diving days in cenotes...it's impossible to perdict your reaction.

I had a great time but still prefer wrecks and reefs.

Bob (Toronto)

 

[Dirty-Dog]

I can't tell you exactly how many cenotes there are in the PDC area, but there must be at least a dozen.
We did 2 tanks at Chac Mool last year, as our first exposure to cavern diving. This year we're planning on 1 tank at Angelita (anybody think more are needed to explore this cenote?) and 2 at (probably) Dos Ojos.

You do not need specific cavern training to join a guided tour in the cenotes. You should, however, have good bouyancy and trim, and be familiar with propulsion methods such as the modified frog kick. And there's no way to know how you'll respond to the overhead environment until you're actually in it.

I can't imagine ever saying "been there done that" with regards to diving. I've dove the same reef on multiple days, and while the geography becomes familiar (which is not a bad thing) the experience is still unique.

 

[divad]

And how many cenote dives back to back are enough, and you start saying, "been there, done that?"

One............then, woo hoo, back to Cancun and on to Vail.

 

[Sask Diver]

I did to cenotes on the 10th and was awe stuck, I don't think I could ever get tired of them, I found it very calm and relaxing.

 

[highdesert]

I can't imagine ever saying "been there done that" with regards to diving.

With regards to diving??? No way ... there is no "been there, done that" in regards to diving. I'm just talking specifically about the cenotes. I know it will be a really great experience; I'm just wondering if, without getting into cavern or cave diving, does one plateau with the cenote experience fairly quickly? If we're in one location, can we string together multiple days of cenotes that suit our AOW (but experienced) cert without the dives getting repetitive?

 

[highdesert]

One............then, woo hoo, back to Cancun and on to Vail.

Haven't been skiing since yesterday ... going back up on Monday. Should have most of a foot of fresh powder by then!

 

[fire_diver]

You'll either do one and be done or you'll never be tired of them.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

With regards to diving??? No way ... there is no "been there, done that" in regards to diving. I'm just talking specifically about the cenotes. I know it will be a really great experience; I'm just wondering if, without getting into cavern or cave diving, does one plateau with the cenote experience fairly quickly? If we're in one location, can we string together multiple days of cenotes that suit our AOW (but experienced) cert without the dives getting repetitive?

There does not seem to be much (if any) middle ground. You'll either love it or have zero interest in it. Personally, I'd sign up for cave training in a heartbeat. But I think you need to dive more than a couple weeks 2-3 times a year to achieve and retain that level of skill. And that's not likely to happen, given where we live.
So, I'll stick to reef diving and do a few cenote dives whenever we're in the area.

If you enjoy it, you'll have no difficulty finding new cenotes to dive in. I seem to recall reading somewhere that the Dos Ojos system has something like 25 cenotes (at least, since it has not been fully explored...) opening into it. I don't know how many of those are used for the guided dives that are available without specific cavern training. But I suspect that long before you run out of cenotes, you'll have signed up for a cavern course.

 

[CCR Josh]

You'll either do one and be done or you'll never be tired of them.

Agreed.... it is not for everyone, but if you like it you will be hooked!

I have a group of Utah divers coming to FL with me in Oct to complete their Cavern and Intro to Cave training if you are interested. We have a home there which makes taking students very easy and convenient.