Acombination of various geological events and climate changes created an incredible and unique eco-system in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Created naturally over 6,500 years ago, the cenotes (pronounced say-no-tay, meaning "sacred well") are filled with crystal clear, fresh water opening to a vast system of underground caverns, tunnels and chambers. For thousands of years, these caves had been dry, forming stalagmites, stalactites, columns and flowstones. In some places, the land above subterranean rivers have collapsed, creating access for divers to explore these ancient passageways.

Sacred to the Mayan people, cenotes were once the only resources for fresh water in the local jungle. Equally important was the role they played in Mayan mythology as the entrance to the underworld and the afterlife. Some cenotes still contain artifacts from Mayan rituals and ceremonies.

Over the past 20 years, experienced divers have explored these caves and caverns discovering more than 300 miles of interconnected passageways that make up this amazing one of a kind eco-system.

Although special certification is required for divers who want to penetrate caves, no advanced training is necessary for certified divers who want to explore the cenotes, since routes always follow tunnels bathed in natural sunlight. This is a dive experience not to be missed! See our Magical Cenotes Video to sample a unique dive.