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Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes
One of the top bucket list experiences you should have (if you’re into SCUBA diving) is diving the cenotes in Mexico. The amazing colors, light beams, and adventure that awaits you underwater will leave you spell bounded. It’s an experience you will yearn for time and time again, and who knows, it could change your life.
Interview with Aydin Dinc, aka The Cenote Guy
Meet Aydin Dinc, also known as the Cenote Guy. Listen to the episode above with Aydin to learn about cavern diving in Mexico’s cenotes or read on for further information. Aydin was born in Turkey, raised in Paris, France, and is now living in Mexico as a full time diver. Diving Mexico’s cenotes changed Aydin, and compelled him to move there and help others experience the magic of the cenotes.
Aydin is a PADI dive instructor and is a Full Cave Diver and has been a professional diver since 2017. The cenote guy, tells all on the best cenotes to dive in Mexico and when. He’s based out of Playa Del Carmen and can help you dive the cenotes.
Where are the Best Cenotes to Dive in Mexico?
Riviera Maya is the best place to dive Mexico’s awe-inspiring cenotes. Technically, Riviera Maya is the beachfront of the Quintana Roo State, it’s mostly known as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The easiest way to get there is from the Cancun airport.
What is it like Diving in a Cenote?
Diving in Mexico’s caverns will trigger your senses. It may feel like flying, give you goosebumps and the adventure will compel you to open your eyes further. Cenote diving is different from ocean diving in that you won’t encounter marine life. In the cenotes you are driven by jaw dropping views, landscapes and different perspectives. You may find that apprehension may be transformed into enthusiasm and passion after one dive in a cenote. Aydin loves seeing the fascination of divers, even through the mask.
Difference Between Cavern Diving and Cave Diving
You can dive the cenotes if you aren’t a certified cave diver, but you have to do so as a cavern diver. Open water divers can dive caverns if they follow these three rules.
- Be able to see by yourself where the outside light is.
- Never be more than 60 meters (200 feet) from the nearest exit
- You are not allowed to get in a place where you find yourself confined, or in a narrow place. You should be in big rooms, chambers and galleries at all times.
Skills and Certifications Needed to Cavern Dive in Cenotes
- Open Water Diving Certification.
- Ideally you would have 5-10 dives under your belt before diving the cenotes.
Recommend reaching out to the Cenote Guy via Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger and explaining your current skills, certifications, and/or hesitations and he can make and guide you to the right cenote.
Can You dive the Cenotes as an Adaptive Scuba Diver
Yes, if you have your certification. Aydin, the Cenote Guy, can be a private dive guide and help the diver dive. Check out Luke’s video below of diving the cenotes (and snorkeling with whale sharks). He has cerebral palsy, but has his full dive certification and he dove Cenote Angelita, The Pit, Dos Ojos, and Grand Cenote. Yes, his wife is a mermaid (and produces this podcast).
How to Dive the Cenotes and How Much Does it Cost?
You will need a guide to dive the cenotes (unless you are a certified cave diver and know what you’re doing), and it’s recommended to reach out to the Cenote Guy (certified divers only). Aydin (the cenote guy), charges $120 USD which includes your gear, transport from Playa del Carmen (or Tulum), snacks, tanks, sodas, lunch, flashlight. It does not include tip (anywhere from 10-30%) and cenote entrance fees, which varies by cenote.
Cenote diving is limited to 4 people per guide.
Top Cenotes to Dive in Mexico by Season
You wouldn’t think that cenotes have a preferred season, but they do if you care about light beams, rain and more.
Dreamgate in Summer
If you’re looking for the best cenote to dive in summer, then Dreamgate is your answer. Dreamgate is the most technical and most obscure cenote of all of them, it is by far the most decorated Cenote we have for cavern divers. The cenote is very small and the rays of light beating the surface of the water are hypnotizing.
Cenote Angelita in Winter
This cenote is a stunning cenote, and can be experienced in many seasons, but winter is particularly nice. You will be amazed by the beauty of Cenote Angelita. Some people say it looks like an underwater river, because of the branches and halocline that happens underwater at 120 feet. It’s not an underwater river, but when the fresh water of the cenote meets the salt water underneath, a precipitous change in the salinity happens. Hydrogen sulfate is created, and drops below the fresh water, but is above the salt water and creates an optical illusion that looks like a river with current. It is a sight to see.
Carwash Cenote in Fall
The best time to dive carwash cenote is the place to be whenever the sun is at its highest, between two heavy rain showers. Usually, this happens in Fall. This huge pond like cenote becomes the theater of the most spectacular Tannic Acid show in Riviera Maya, amazing colors are making this cenote a world class dive.
Spring – The Pit Cenote
The Pit cenote will not disappoint. The key for The Pit is go on a nice sunny day as the perpendicular light beams will shine down to even 90 feet make this cenote extremely attractive and awe inspiring. This is a cenote you have to add to your diving bucket list.
Time to Book Your Cenote Diving Trip
Diving in the cenotes is a spiritual calling, you will never dive the same way again after having a couple of dive in crystal clear water of Yucatan.