The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is filled with amazing, naturally formed water-filled sinkholes. They are addicting for underwater explorers. Although the origin of cenotes is debated, it is generally attributed to rainwater eroding the fractured limestone causing bedrock collapse; it has also been linked to the impact of the Chicxulub meteor. In ancient Mayan culture, cenotes acted as their primary water source and were also believed to be passageways to the underworld, Xibalba, as well as the abode of Chac, god of rain. Dos Ojos (Two Eyes), El Pit, and Aktun-Ha (car wash) are a few of the more well known centotes that we’ve been fortunate enough to explore. Cenote El Pit lies in the middle of the jungle on the peninsula and it’s linked to the Dos Ojos system. As we dove El Pit, sunbeam trails led us down the cenote's depths as we descended into an eerie layer of hydrogen sulphide through a halocline. Needless to say, exploring the unique cave formations and evidence of sea level change was unforgettable; and we were the only ones there. A surreal dive.
Dos Ojos is an underwater cave system that extends 37 miles. Many parts of it are classified as a closed overhead environment (meaning there is no visible exit point). Without lights, the cave would be pitch black! In situations like this you find your mind racing to your past training while ensuring you stay calm and focused. You cannot move very quickly, or you could risk disturbing the area and kicking up layers of silt sitting on the floor. The visibility could instantly turn to 0. In cave environments such as Dos Ojos, much like extended decompression situations, we repeat to ourselves “slow is smooth, and smooth is fast ''. It’s important to remember this so you can calmly appreciate the beautiful stalactite formations that have formed (and are continuously growing) over millions of years. There is only a small niche of people on the planet that get to see the most intricate parts of complex cave systems like this.
