2 Dives you Must Do in Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Welcome to diving mecca of the Western Hemisphere. The Riviera Maya, where familiar Mexico destinations like Playa del Carmen and Tulum are located, contains some of the most diverse, beautiful, and thrilling diving in the world. If budget wasn’t a concern, you could easily spend an entire vacation just diving here and end each day with the same level of stoked-ness as the previous. The fact that you’re on this website doing research for your own Riviera Maya scuba trip makes our writers jealous because these dives are SO GOOD!
The spongiest sponges and coraliest corals in Cozumel - Riviera Maya, Mexico diving.
When it comes to scuba near the Riviera Maya, there are two types of diving you shouldn’t miss: Cenote Diving and Cozumel Wall Diving. These are the iconic and unique dives that make this region truly world class.
About Cenote Diving
You may be wondering “what is a cenote?” Thanks for asking - we’d love to tell ya.
Cenotes are natural water-filled sinkholes, often connected to intricate limestone cave systems. Many of these cenotes are in pristine condition with crystal clear underwater visibility thanks to conservation efforts, natural water filtration from their limestone roofs, and minimal sediment inlets. This presents you, adventure seeker, with a unique diving opportunity to explore caverns and exotic microecosystems (safely with a guide, of course).
The Yucatán Peninsula has over 6000 of these cenotes and, lucky enough, some of the best cenote diving is located in the Riviera Maya, near Tulum. If you can, we highly recommend diving at least a couple different cenotes while you’re here since the type of water (salt vs fresh), color, flora, fauna, and cave features can vary greatly between cenotes. Diving multiple in one day can usually be arranged with your dive shop in Tulum or Playa Del Carmen.
Following the Master of Dives, while diving in a Yucatan cenote. Check out the mirror on the ceiling; that’s not an opening, but rather the accumulation of diver air bubbles. Kind of trip! Barbie Line, Dos Ojos, Tulum, Mexico.
Cenote diving is technically defined as Cavern Diving, which means there is some amount of natural light present at any moment throughout your dive and you can participate with Open Water Dive certification. This natural light also provides some of the prettiest diving on the planet. Rays of sunlight highlight deep blue, turquoise, and green waters to create absolutely breathtaking scenes and the silhouettes of other divers passing through these aquariums creates a surreal sense of calm and beauty.
Dos Ojos Cenote Diving
Dos Ojos is a quintessential Yucatán cenote dive. Ridiculously clear water, impressive cave formations, and stunning light-induced water colors are highlights here. Dos Ojos is Spanish for “Two Eyes,” which refers to two beautiful pools of water that are connected by the cavern you dive through. Natural light throughout your journey creates mesmerizing windows of deep blue as you swim through the stalactites and stalagmites that make this site so magical.
Dos Ojos features two shallow dive paths (max depth of 30ft/9m), the Barbie Line and Batcave. While you can do both, if you only have time for one dive here, we highly recommend the Barbie line because it really highlights the best features that Dos Ojos has to offer (“yes please” to gorgeous cave formations and light effects). Note, the Batcave does allow you to engage more of your senses, since you can surface at the end of the line and see/smell the namesake bats. To end this rambling about how much we love Dos Ojos, let’s finish by saying this gem is great for your first cenote diving experience.
Common sense says “Don’t dive into that cavern,” but here we plunge into the depths of Dos Ojos Cenote. Barbie Line, Dos Ojos Diving.
Dos Ojos Dives: Barbie Line (our favorite) and Bat Cave (still awesome).
Dive Shop Recommendation: We dove Dos Ojos with Freeway Scuba Diving and were very happy with our experience. The dive master, Diego, is a down-to-earth guy and loves what he does. Freeway Scuba took safety seriously with a cavern diving and site orientation before starting the Barbie Line. Their gear was in good shape too. You can book with Freeway Scuba Diving on their webpage or WhatsApp (+ 52 9841361212).
Dos Ojos Cenote dive orientation with Freeway Scuba Diving. This is the entrance to one of the pools and the cavern; also a great spot to take a dip post diving.
Casa Cenote Diving
Casa Cenote is one of the most diverse cenotes in the Yucatan. In these waters you can find classic cenote caverns, haloclines (separate layers of fresh and salt water), and a lot of wild life, sometimes including crocodiles!
Entering a cavern at Casa Cenote, one of the best dive spots in the Yucatan.
But, the coolest feature is Casa Cenote’s cavern passageway under a mangrove forest where mangrove roots cover the ceiling and walls. It’s hard to describe in words how it feels to explore this network of mangrove caves, but it’s kind of like diving through an underground maze. In the more classic cavernous sections of Casa Cenote, you’ll find marvelous windows of light, which are very different than the deep blues of Dos Ojos. Instead, there are a lot of light blues, turquoises, and greens.
Riding the edge of a halocline - Casa Cenote Diving.
Cozumel Wall Diving
Cozumel is an island located about 20km southeast of Playa del Carmen. Thriving offshore Cozumel’s southwest side is a lively and crystal clear Mesoamerican Reef that hugs a sea wall starting at a depth around 45ft (~14m). The wall isn’t a shear cliff, but instead a very steep, coral-covered slope that plunges into the depths. The current is typically pretty strong and pushes you along a parallel path with the wall, providing the sensation of being on a roller coaster throughout your dive. With the current being as strong as it is, all you have to do is kick back and enjoy your drift through this spectacular reef.
Spotted Eagle Ray gliding by Cozumel, Mexico. That thing is effortlessly swimming against the current. Our team couldn’t even effortfully accomplish such a feat.
Along your Cozumel coast, you’ll see a variety of corals / fish and a plethora of very large Barrel Sponge. If you’re lucky, a Spotted Eagle Ray or two will cruise by you on their effortless journey against the current (because, wtf, right?).
Recommended Dive Sites: Santa Rosa Wall and Punta Tunich.
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