Trip Report We did our first cenote dives and we're HOOKED

[Rob9876]

Maaaaaaaaybe if you find some random sinkhole in the middle of the jungle that hasn’t been seen in thousands of years and has a million bats living in it that you have to traverse through to get to the water, but the Bat Cave line is probably the furthest thing from this scenario you can imagine.

I haven't been there -- are you saying it is different because there aren't many bats, or that their guano doesn't get into the water you are diving in?

 

[Norwegian Cave Diver]

Welcome to the other side! It only gets better!

 

[naick]

We visit once a year. We enjoy the tropical diving closer to home, but my wife also has the crazy idea of getting tech-trained so she can help dive groups with ghost net removal projects in Belgium.

Hah nice! We have some great wreck diving here in Belgium. I've even been diving an intact U-boat that sits in 40m. Getting tech certified is a great way to lear' more about diving and advance your skills!

 

[JohnnyC]

I haven't been there -- are you saying it is different because there aren't many bats, or that their guano doesn't get into the water you are diving in?

The number of bats is quite small, and you’re not in contact with guano in any significant amount. You’re not inhaling it like you would when dry caving, trudging and crawling through it.

Yes, there’s bat crap settled on the bottom on a small portion of the dive. I would not suggest eating it. If there is ANY exposure, it is incredibly minimal. The danger driving to the cenote far eclipses the possibility of any bat-borne disease.

I would imagine your friends issue was more related to his roof endeavors. I’m certainly willing to admit I could be wrong, but i’ve never heard, even anecdotally, of someone in Mexico having any issues.

 

[kafkaland]

Welcome to the dark side - we have cookies! The cavern tours is like getting into drugs: thee first hit is free! In this case, you can do it with your OW cert and gear for the price of a boat dive. And then you're hooked and come back for more. You'll spend a lot of money on cave training and gear. And your mind will revolve around getting the next hit, i.e., another trip to MX... Trust me, I went down that road. And still haven't regretted it!

 

[naick]

Haha, I love cookies! But I prefer the edible kind.

Most of my gear is pretty cave compliant as I dive a DIR(ish) set-up. I'll have to get bigger doubles though. And a reel. I looked into cave training, but it looks like that is going to cost me and arm and a leg haha.

I'm already trying to figure out when I can return to MX to do the training. Hi I'm Naick and I'm addicted go deep dark and wet holes!

 

[naick]

I might be returning back to Tulum in a while. Does anyone have any good recommendations for other cenotes to dive or any good operators down there?

 

[bamafan]

Natalie at Under the Jungle, Protec in Tulum or Playa are all excellent.

 

[Norwegian Cave Diver]

If your diving XDeep then Protec Tulum or Playa are the premium choice. Patrick from Protec is one of the owners and is the designer of that gear. Doesn't get better.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I can highly recommend Nicolas from CenoteXperience - Cavern, Cave and Ocean Diving in Playa del Carmen Yucatan Mexico - Home I have been diving with Nico & his brother Martin for about 8 years. They are great guys and excellent dive guides. They have a small family dive shop in Playa. Tell Nico that Steve from Canada sent you. Go to YouTube and look at the videos of the different cenotes and dive the ones that interest you.