A cenote is a natural sinkhole that opens into an underground cavern system in the Yucatan Peninsula. Many cenotes connect to extensive freshwater and saltwater cave networks.

How were cenotes formed?

Cenotes formed as water slowly eroded porous limestone over time, creating underground caverns and caves. When parts of the ceiling collapsed, openings formed to the surface.

What certification do I need to dive in the cenotes?

Requirements vary by cenote and operator, but certified divers are best suited for cavern environments. Good buoyancy control is important to protect fragile formations and maintain visibility for the group.

What will I see on a cenote dive?

Divers often see dramatic light beams, halocline layers where freshwater and saltwater meet, mineral formations like stalactites and stalagmites, and exceptionally clear water that makes every detail stand out.

Is cenote diving safe?

Cenote guides are trained for overhead environments and should provide a detailed briefing before the dive. Following the guide’s procedures, moving slowly, and maintaining buoyancy control help keep the dive safe and enjoyable.

CENOTE DIVING: exploring the 'Hidden World'

Manta Divers Team
Mar 9, 2021
4 min read

Updated: Dec 16, 2025

Cenote. Pronounced say-no-tay.

Cenote Scuba Diving Cancun — Cenote Route Mayan Riviera

Scuba diving the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula should be on every diver’s bucket list. Exploring these ancient limestone caverns is a unique experience, one that you will never forget. The team at Manta Divers Cancun is here today to introduce you to this hidden world.

If you are already planning your trip and want the full tour details, start here: Cenote Cavern Diving from Cancun. If you prefer to jump straight to the booking style page, see: Cenote 2 Tank.

What is a cenote, and how were they formed?

The Yucatan Peninsula was once underwater. As the marine life and corals died, their remains fell to the bottom of the seabed, which compacted over many years, eventually forming a limestone layer approximately 1 mile thick. During the last ice age, the sea level dropped, and the Yucatan Peninsula became exposed. Over time, what once was a reef became fertile soil and eventually developed into a tropical jungle. Rainfall trickling into the porous limestone over time caused further erosion, creating vast caverns and caves. When the roof of an underground cavern or cave structure collapses, BAM, you have a cenote opening!

If you want a deeper visual explanation with more context and examples, read our newer guide here: Cenote Cavern Diving from Cancun: History, Legends, and What Divers Should Know.

What scuba certification do I need to dive in the cenotes?

There are so many accessible cenotes to choose from, each one varying in depth, structure, and complexity. This means that some are suitable for novice divers. Even if you are not the most experienced diver, divers entering the cenotes should have decent buoyancy control to avoid damaging the surrounding fragile environment.

Some destinations offer “Try Dive” style programs in very open cenotes. That said, cenotes are still an overhead environment, and it is important to be honest about what you are ready for.

At Manta, our cenote cavern dives are for certified divers. If you are not certified yet, we recommend starting the right way in the ocean first and building comfort before heading underground. Here are the best starting points:

Discover Scuba Diving in Cancun (beginner experience, ocean)
PADI Open Water Training (get certified, then cenotes)

Swim and Dive Cenotes Cancun — An example of an open cenote

Is cenote diving cave diving or cavern diving? What’s the difference?

Diving in the cenotes as a recreational diver is a form of cavern diving. During a cavern dive, while you are swimming in an overhead environment, you are always within sight of an entry or exit point, and you can see natural light.

Cave diving is different. Cave dives go deeper into these systems, move beyond the daylight zone, and require specialized training and equipment.

If you want the calm, non-hype version of what rules and limits look like, this page explains it clearly: Cenote Cavern Diving from Cancun.

Difference Cave and Cavern Diving — The difference between a cavern and a cave

What am I going to see?

Diving in the cenotes is incomparable to diving in the sea or a lake. Here are some examples of what you can witness:

Stalactites and stalagmites: mineral-deposit formations created over immense time
Spectacular light displays: beams pouring in from the surface
Halocline layers: a shimmering layer where freshwater and saltwater meet
Sulphur clouds: hydrogen sulphide from decomposing organic material
Fossils: shells and sea life preserved in limestone

The best thing about diving in the cenotes is that you can witness all of this with ease due to the outstanding visibility.

If you want to understand haloclines, light beams, and what to expect on a first cavern day, this post goes deeper: Cenote Cavern Diving from Cancun: History, Legends, and What Divers Should Know.

Scuba Diving Cenote Cancun — Stalactites and Stalagmites

Is it safe?

Cenote dive guides are trained to dive in this particular environment. They have specialized training and equipment to increase safety. Before your dive, your guide should provide a thorough briefing on safety procedures. You will notice that the rules are more conservative than when diving in open water. While no diving activity is entirely risk-free, following the instructions of your guide will increase safety and enjoyment for the entire group.

A few simple habits make a huge difference in cenotes:

Move slowly and stay neutral, the environment is fragile
Keep good spacing, silting affects everyone
Do not touch the formations, ever
If you bring a camera, keep it clipped and do not chase shots

Ready to plan your cenote day?

Signing up for your first cenote dive may feel a little daunting, but you won’t regret it. The enchanting tranquility of this hidden world will stay with you long after you surface.

For the cenote tour overview, start here: Cenote Cavern Diving from CancunTo book the standard trip format, see: Cenote 2 TankFor questions, use our contact page: Contact Manta Divers

If you are building a full week of diving, you can also browse everything we do here: Scuba Diving with Manta