Question Requirements to dive without a local guide in Cenotes

[mxdiver25]

Hi! I am wondering if one can dive on its own on cenotes with a dive buddy but no local guide/DM. I have been a couple of times to Dos Ojos and Car Wash which are quite easy, and wanted to go with a friend. We are both certified with +50 dives and working to become DM soon. If not, what are the requirements? Be full cave dive certified? Register somewhere once one is DM + full cave diver? We are not planning to go into any caves, just take the easy open water level routes on both.

Thank you!

 

[rick00001967]

i believe this has been asked previously. but maybe someone else has more current info.
from what i remember, not only would you need to be cave certified, but you would need to have a contact at the cenote.
from what i was told, even if you were fully certified, they wont let just anyone go diving without a guide. one, they dont want the liability. and two, they want to be sure the area guides keep working.

 

[34109411]

50 dive and working to be a soon DM is not a ticket to go on your own in a cenotes.

Carwash you do need to go in an overhead environment to go from one side to the others even if you see the daylight from a distance. Assuming you don't dive double this will be a bad idea anyway.

DM or not is irrelevant in this case.

Be safe

 

[VikingDives]

You need a guide. I believe what you're asking is "How do we go along the cavern routes, that we previously went along with a guide?"

If that's the question, you would need at a minimum, cavern certification. Don't look for the cheapest shop. Find a good instructor.

 

[mxdiver25]

Thanks! I understand that it is probably a good idea to become cave certified before venturing without a local DM. However, from what I understand even if I am a full cave diver and I know a given cenote like the back of my hand, I still need to pay for a local DM every time I want to go to a given cenote? The thing that troubles me is having to pay for a guide every time I want to dive on a cenote, it would be way cheaper if I bring my own gear and do it on my own.

 

[steinbil]

Thanks! I understand that it is probably a good idea to become cave certified before venturing without a local DM. However, from what I understand even if I am a full cave diver and I know a given cenote like the back of my hand, I still need to pay for a local DM every time I want to go to a given cenote? The thing that troubles me is having to pay for a guide every time I want to dive on a cenote, it would be way cheaper if I bring my own gear and do it on my own.

Once you're cave certified, you would probably dive the caves instead of the cavern lines. You still have to pay the entrance fee to the cenote, or have some arrangement with the land owner, but you wouldn't have to pay for a guide.

 

[Underwater Tourist]

However, from what I understand even if I am a full cave diver and I know a given cenote like the back of my hand, I still need to pay for a local DM every time I want to go to a given cenote?

Nope, you just get your gear and go diving, no requirement to get a guide

 

[34109411]

Thanks! I understand that it is probably a good idea to become cave certified before venturing without a local DM. However, from what I understand even if I am a full cave diver and I know a given cenote like the back of my hand, I still need to pay for a local DM every time I want to go to a given cenote? The thing that troubles me is having to pay for a guide every time I want to dive on a cenote, it would be way cheaper if I bring my own gear and do it on my own.

What trouble me is that following you plan not having to pay someone you will end up in the DAN annual report statistic.

Be safe

 

[ginti]

Thanks! I understand that it is probably a good idea to become cave certified before venturing without a local DM. However, from what I understand even if I am a full cave diver and I know a given cenote like the back of my hand, I still need to pay for a local DM every time I want to go to a given cenote? The thing that troubles me is having to pay for a guide every time I want to dive on a cenote, it would be way cheaper if I bring my own gear and do it on my own.

Hi @mxdiver25 , speaking about the CAVES, there are very few cenotes where a local guide is required, no matter your certification; in other words, you could be the top instructor trainer of a recognized agency -> you would still need a guide. Carwash is one of them. In most of these (few) cenotes, the guide will just sign a paper and then you can discuss with the guide how strictly you need to follow.

However, the above situation is true only for a few cenotes. In most cenotes, no guides are needed - just an appropriate certification.

Unsure if you only want to do cavern tours: if this is the case, I assume there are more restrictions (as cavern divers are less trained and independent than full cave ones).

Don't overthink it: gain experience (50 dives is really not a lot), get the right training (intro to tech -> intro to cave -> full cave -> multistage cave), and then enjoy. This will take some time, please don't rush it

 

[rick00001967]

Thanks! I understand that it is probably a good idea to become cave certified before venturing without a local DM. However, from what I understand even if I am a full cave diver and I know a given cenote like the back of my hand, I still need to pay for a local DM every time I want to go to a given cenote? The thing that troubles me is having to pay for a guide every time I want to dive on a cenote, it would be way cheaper if I bring my own gear and do it on my own.

then try florida