Cenote Diving
Cenote Diving Requirements
What do you need to dive in a cenote? It depends on the cenote and on your certification. Here is what you need for each type of cenote dive, from your first Discover Scuba to deep cenotes and cave diving.
Caverns, Deep Cenotes and Caves: Different Levels
Most recreational cenote dives are cavern dives: they stay within the natural light zone, where you can always see light entering, so an Open Water certification is enough. Deep cenotes such as El Pit, Angelita, Zapote and Yaakun require Advanced Open Water certification. Cave diving goes beyond the natural light zone into total darkness and requires specialized cave diving certification and equipment.
What You Need for Each Type of Dive
Not Certified
Discover Scuba: explore select cenotes with a qualified instructor. No certification required.
Explore
Open Water
Cavern dives in the natural light zone: Dos Ojos, Casa Cenote, Cristalino and more.
Explore
Advanced Open Water
Deep cenotes such as El Pit and Angelita, down to about 30 m.
Explore
Cave Certification
Beyond the light zone, into total darkness, with specialized training and equipment.
Explore Remember
Before You Dive
Haven’t been diving for over a year? Our Scuba Refresh course will get you back in the water safely before your cenote adventure. Cenotes offer ideal conditions all year round, with calm water, no currents and temperatures between 24 and 26 °C.
What Is Included and What to Bring
Our cenote diving packages include all the equipment, including a dive light, a certified SSI guide, two cenote dives, lunch, snacks and water. Bring your dive certification (if applicable), biodegradable sunscreen, a swimsuit and a towel. Cenote entrance fees are paid by the diver, and round-trip transportation is available for an additional fee.
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Cenote Dives per Trip
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m
Deep Cenote Dives (Advanced)
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-26 °C
Cenote Water
What's Included
Everything you need for an amazing day of diving: we take care of the rest
Full Scuba Gear
BCD, regulator, tanks, weights, fins and mask.
Dive Lights
Primary and backup light for exploring the cenotes
Thermal Protection
Wetsuits suited to cenote and reef conditions (24-26 °C)
Cenote Entrance Fees
All park and cenote entrance fees are paid by the diver.
Lunch/Snacks
A tasty sandwich with fruit and a dessert after your dive adventure
Certified Guide
All of our instructors are bilingual and hold current credentials
Why Choose The Dive Machine?
Your trusted diving partner in the Riviera Maya
SSI Certified Center
As an SSI certified dive center, you can count on high-quality training and first-class customer service backed by international standards.
Small Groups
We prioritize personal attention with small groups, ensuring a safe and intimate dive where every diver gets the care they deserve.
High-Quality Equipment
Dive with complete, quality gear included in your experience: BCD, regulator, tanks, weights, fins, mask and dive lights.
Expert Certified Guides
We only work with the best certified guides in the Yucatán Peninsula, with thousands of dives and years of experience so you can enjoy every moment.
Sustainable Diving
The Dive Machine offers eco-friendly tours in Puerto Aventuras and the Riviera Maya. We are committed to reducing waste and promoting responsible diving practices.
Personalized Service
Every diver is unique. We tailor each experience to your skill level, interests and comfort, whether it is your first dive or you are an advanced explorer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. If you have an Open Water certification or higher, you can join our Fun Dives in cenotes right away. If you're not certified, our Discover Scuba Diving experience lets you explore select cenotes with a fully qualified instructor, with no prior training required. We also offer full Open Water courses that include cenote diving as part of the training.
Cavern diving takes place within the area of natural light: you can always see light entering or air pockets. It requires only an Open Water certification and is what most recreational cenote dives entail. Cave diving goes beyond the cavern zone into completely enclosed environments and requires specialized certifications (Cavern, Intro to Cave or Full Cave). The Dive Machine offers both experiences depending on your certification level.
For newly certified divers, we recommend Chac Mool, Dos Ojos, Casa Cenote and Cristalino. These cenotes offer shallow depths (6 to 12 meters), excellent visibility, easy entry points and stunning formations. Our guides will select the best cenote based on your comfort level and experience on the day of the dive.
Yes. Our Scuba Refresh course will get you back in the water safely before your cenote adventure. Contact us and we will plan it with your cenote dives.
Yes, diving in cenote caverns is very safe when done with a qualified dive center. At The Dive Machine, we follow the safety protocols required in cenotes. All our guides are certified cave divers with extensive experience in the area's cenotes. Conditions inside the cenotes are calm with no currents, making them safer than many open-water environments.
