The Pit: One of Mexico's Best Cenote Cavern Dives:
Brilliant turquoise shafts of light plunge more than 100 feet straight down. Unlimited visibility, a hydrogen sulfide cloud, anthropological remains, and cave formations make a cenote scuba dive in this fresh water sinkhole unlike any other experience. People have called this the best dive of their lives.
Quick Information
•Location: Riviera Maya, Mexico.
•Depth: 130 feet/30 meters maximum
•Dive time: 45-60 minutes
•Water Temperature: 75-77˚ F, 24-25˚ C
•Current: none
•Visibility: unlimited
•Difficulty: intermediate to advanced
•Facilities: none. You are deep in the jungle
Logistics and Important Information
•What Is a Cenote?
Cenote is the Spanish name for the sinkholes opening into the Yucatan Peninsula's underground river system, the largest underground river system in the world. The Pit is currently the deepest cenote in the area.
•When to Go
Cenote scuba diving is available year-round, and in all weather. The most fantastic light effects at the Pit are visible from May to September.
•Who Can Dive the Pit
Experienced divers certified to the open water level and higher are welcome to participate in a cenote scuba dive at The Pit. Divers descending below 60 feet may need an advanced certification level, in accordance with their training agency.
To dive the Pit, divers should be confident with their buoyancy and be free of equalization problems.
•Equipment
Standard open water gear is appropriate for guided cavern dives, including the Pit. Divers generally wear a 3mm-long wetsuit (or thicker if the chill easily). Dive lights are needed for communication purposes, although divers will remain within view of daylight at all times. Cenote dives begin in freshwater, so divers will need only about half the weight they use in the ocean.
•Guides
According to local safety organizations, all cenote guides should be certified as full cave divers and either divemasters or instructors. Guides should give an extremely detailed briefing about cenote diving techniques.
•Group Size
Maximum group size is four divers per a guide.
•Transportation
Most dive shops provide transportation from the dive shop to the cenotes and back to the dive shop.
•Scheduling a Dive
Guided dives to the Pit are available through most dive shops in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Divers should schedule a dive to the Pit well in advance, and may expect to pay an additional fee due to the logistics of transportation and arrival.
