Cavern Diving Adventures in Tulum

Cavern and cave diving are both unique experiences that are restricted to just a few special places in the world. The Yucatan peninsula of Mexico and Riviera Maya in particular (from Playa del Carmen to Tulum), are abundant in underwater formations: cenotes and underground solution cave systems. Something completely different from other types of diving, allowing you to explore a very special environment – underwater caves. Swimming in the crystal clear water of a underwater cavern is an experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime and come back to Tulum for more.

What is the difference between a cave and a cavern?

Caverns are the entrances of caves, the point where there is still natural sunlight penetrating the cave ceiling, no deeper than 70 feet (about 21 meters) into the cave system. There is an overhead environment present, a semi ceiling with the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites formations, that you can gladly explore.

Most cenotes, the splendid natural sinkholes that Riviera Maya is so famous for, are actually the entrances to underground cave systems. While most diving customers visit the cenotes for a recreational dive, open water certified ones can go on cavern diving tours and immerse themselves further deep into the cave system.

Is any special certification or training required for cavern diving?

Yes, the opportunity to experience scuba diving in caverns is granted to certified recreational divers. Cave diving certification or equipment are not yet required.

Basic requirements for safe cavern diving:

• most cavern dives can be performed by Open Water certified divers, holding any equivalent certification or higher;
• all caverns dives are under the instruction and guidance of a professional full cave certified dive master instructor;
• the certified dive guides have hundreds of cave dives on their dive logs list, fully exploring the cenote systems – from deep under to the sunlit open cenote;
• guided dive tours are within the daylight sunlit zone of the overhead cave environment up to 40m / 120 ft of depth and up to 60m / 200ft penetration into the cave system, if properly trained for that;

Cavern Diving Locations