The Best Cenotes for Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen and Tulum
Playa del Carmen and Tulum are not only prime beach destinations, but gateways to some of the most stunning cenotes in the world. These natural sinkholes offer a unique scuba diving experience distinctly different from ocean diving.
Here is a guide to the best cenotes for scuba diving in the region, each with its own unique features and attractions.
Cenote Chac Mool
Just outside Playa del Carmen, System Chac Mool features 3 cenotes in close proximity to each other. We dive into two of its cenotes and swim past the other to experience haloclines and air domes within the system’s caverns. It is the perfect cenote if you only have one day as it has everything you can expect (formations, halocline, sulphur clouds, sunbeams, fossils,…). Dive into Cenote Kukulkan and Little Brother with us (read more…).
Cenote Chikin Ha
One of three cenotes in this complex, Chikin Ha allows divers to explore the cristal clear waters. A favourite among snorkelers and divers alike, this cenote is known for its wide-open spaces and stunning underwater light effects. The presence of a halocline, where saltwater and freshwater meet creates surreal visual effects, making it a fantastic spot for photography and exploration. Full information about scuba diving in Cenote Chikin Ha here..
Cenote Dos Ojos
One of the most famous cenotes, Dos Ojos, or “Two Eyes” features two connected caves with a large cavern zone between them. Known for its stunning rock formations and extensive underwater cave systems. See huge pillars and solidified waterfalls! Read more about scuba diving in Cenote Dos Ojos here.
Cenote El Pit
El Pit is a massive sinkhole known for its dramatic light beams and immense size, creating a cathedral-like atmosphere. This deeper dive site is only suitable for advanced divers, offering a breathtaking plunge into its crystal clear waters. Read more about scuba diving in Cenote El Pit here.
Cenote Casa Cenote
Located close to Tulum Casa Cenote connects directly to the ocean, making it a perfect shelter for young marine life. This cenote is relatively open and shallow, making it ideal for beginners or those new to cenote diving. Experience mangrove roots overhead and large tarpon swimming gracefully about. There is also a local crocodile named Pancho that you can sometimes see gracing in the sun. Learn more about cenote diving in Casa Cenote here.
Cenote Angelita
A unique sinkhole known for its thick layer of hydrogen sulfide at about 30 meters creating a solid sea of mist. Protruding from the mist, trees and an island creating an eerie alien landscape. This cenote is particularly mystical. Only for advanced divers due to the depth. Check out our information page about scuba diving in Cenote Angelita here.
Cenote Car Wash
Previously used as a car wash in the 1980s, this cenote near Tulum now offers a vibrant diving experience. A stunning cenote of many colours, bright blues, stunning greens in the summer and reds after heavy rain. It is a haven for small fish, turtles and is famous for its water lilies. Check out all the information about Cenote Car Wash here.
Cenote Dreamgate
One of the intricately decorated cenote dives, Dreamgate showcases an array of exquisite stalactites and stalagmites. Its fragility requires divers to have excellent buoyancy control to prevent damage, a rewarding challenge for those skilled enough to navigate its delicate beauty. Previous cenote diving experience is mandatory before going to Dreamgate. See here all the information about scuba diving in Cenote Dreamgate here.
Cenote Taak Bi Ha & Tak Be Luum
Only for divers with excellent buoyancy control, cenotes Tak Be Ha and Tak Be Lum offer an unrivalled experience. Located deep within the jungle their names meaning “hidden land” (Tak Be Luum) and “hidden water” (Taak Bi Ha). Known for their stunning and highly unusual rock formations.
See more information here about scuba diving in Tak Bi Ha and Tak Bi Lum.
Cenote Zapote aka Hell’s Bells & Cenote Maravilla
Cenote Zapote and Cenote Maravilla offer some of the most intriguing diving experiences in the area. Cenote Zapote is famous for its “Hell’s Bells,” eerie bell-shaped formations, created by extremophile bacteria over thousands of years. See more about scuba diving in the Hell Bells Cenote here.
Cenote Maravilla astonishes divers with its massive size and the mystical light that penetrates its depths to a thick sulphur cloud. These cenotes are deep and only for advanced divers. All the info about scuba diving at Cenote Maravilla here.
Each of these cenotes provides a unique diving experience. Ranging from easy open-water dives to challenging overhead areas. Whether you are a novice diver or an experienced explorer the cenotes around Playa del Carmen and Tulum offer compelling reasons to dive into their hidden depths, promising unforgettable underwater adventures.
