Technical Cave Diving Exploration
Explore Mexico's Legendary Underwater Cave Systems
Full cave certified? Dive into Sistema Sac Actun, the world's longest underwater cave, and explore passages that few have seen. Sidemount, backmount, and stage configurations available for serious cave exploration.
Watch VideoTechnical Cave Diving
Explore Mexico's Legendary Underwater Cave Systems
Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is home to the world's most extensive underwater cave systems. For full cave certified divers, this is the ultimate destination. Sistema Sac Actun alone offers over 370 kilometers of explored passages, and new discoveries are made regularly.
Requirements: Full Cave Certification (Intro to Cave + Full Cave) from a recognized agency (NSS-CDS, NACD, GUE, TDI, IANTD). Proof of certification and logged cave dives required.
Major Cave Systems
World-Class Underwater Exploration
Sistema Sac Actun
Length: 370+ km | World's Longest Underwater Cave
The crown jewel of Mexican cave diving. Connected to multiple cenotes including Dos Ojos, this massive system offers everything from decorated passages to deep exploration.
- Multiple access points
- Varied passage types
- Depth range: 10-30m+
- Pristine formations
Sistema Dos Ojos
Length: 80+ km | Classic Cave Diving
One of the most popular cave diving destinations. The Barbie Line and other classic routes offer excellent visibility and stunning formations.
- Well-established lines
- Excellent training environment
- Spectacular formations
- Connected to Sac Actun
Sistema Ox Bel Ha
Length: 270+ km | Coastal System
A massive coastal system with unique characteristics. Saltwater intrusion creates haloclines and different biological communities.
- Halocline effects
- Unique ecosystem
- Less traffic than Sac Actun
- Challenging navigation
Sistema Nohoch Nah Chich
Length: 60+ km | Historic System
One of the first major systems explored. Historic significance in Mexican cave diving history with beautiful decorated passages.
- Historic exploration site
- Beautiful formations
- Moderate depths
- Good for building experience
Equipment Configurations
Backmount
Traditional configuration with doubles. Ideal for longer penetrations and complex passages.
- Steel doubles (LP85, HP100)
- Long hose configuration
- Backplate and wing
- Redundant lights (3+)
Sidemount
Excellent for restrictions and low passages. Popular choice for Mexican caves.
- Aluminum 80s standard
- Low profile configuration
- Easy gas management
- Restriction-friendly
Stage/Deco
For extended range diving with decompression requirements.
- Stage bottles for penetration
- Deco gases (O2, Nitrox)
- DPV supported dives
- Advanced gas planning
Rebreather
Closed-circuit systems for extended bottom times and silent exploration.
- CCR cave certification required
- Extended exploration time
- Reduced gas logistics
- Bailout planning essential
Cave Training Path
Not yet cave certified? Here's the typical training progression:
- Cavern Diver: Introduction to overhead environments (guided cavern diving)
- Intro to Cave: Basic cave diving skills, limited penetration
- Full Cave: Complex navigation, stage diving, complete cave diver
- Advanced cave specialties: Sidemount, DPV, Survey, Stage
For recreational cenote diving, check our beginners guide or advanced cenote diving (no cave cert required).
