Scuba Diving in Cenote Eden

Enter the garden of Eden and sink into its depths. Watch Sailfin Mollies corral females with their flamboyant displays, see million year old fossils embedded in every rock and dramatic displays of lights.

Cenote Eden

At first sight you can see how this huge pool circled by jungle got its name.

Just under the surface lie algae covered rocks, a perfect habitat for many fish species, the most stunning being the Sailfin Molly males. They flare up their vibrant dorsal fin and swim back and forth around the females in a herding like manner.

Enter the cavern zone passing through an enormous white tunnel towards Cenote Coral, towards the “Mexican Northern lights”, a wall of dancing beams splitting into rainbows as they hit the rock.

Even on a cloudy day cenote Eden is very impressive, notice the insane number of fossilized shells in this cenote. Huge conch sticking out of the rock, flush swirling cross sections and thousands of other small shells scattered all over.

Observe the distinct temperature change as you pass through the halocline, the difference between the fresh and saltwater can be as great as 3°c/37°f. You can feel as if you passed into another realm seeing the simmering ceiling of fresh water above you.

This cenote is also great for non divers, its clear shallow waters and many platforms to lie on. You can even cliff jump or enjoy a free pedicure from the garra rufa fish.

Diving this cenote

This cenote is a one tank dive and is best combined with a dive in Cenote Yakuun.

We suggest you bring a towel and a dry set of clothes. Keep in mind that in all cenotes sunscreen, cosmetics and insect repellent are banned due to the conservation of the site.

The History

Cenote Eden aka Ponderosa the name for the cave system which it is a part of, joining many of the neighbouring cenotes you will pass on the highway, including Cenote Cristalino, Cenote Kantun Chi, Cenote Chickin Ha and Cenote Azul.

It was in June 1990 that Bill and Joyce Matthews of Paalmu told Tony & Nancy DeRosa about a cenote on a friend’s property. A large pool of water, in which was quickly discovered a 300 feet traverse to a second cenote. They returned in the second week of July with Steve Gerrard and the team of three spent four amazing days laying line, naming cenotes, hallways and big rooms. The name Ponderosa comes from the explorer’s surname.