Cenote Angelita Diving is a surreal experience that is not for everyone. But for those brave divers who challenge its depths, a miracle of nature awaits.
Hidden beneath the dense canopy of the sprawling jungle which covers the Yucatan peninsula, is an underground cave and river system unlike any other on earth.
This vast network of flooded caves and caverns are the gateway to the subterranean world that has captivated humanity for millennia. XíBalBa, as the Mayan's called it, is every bit as alluring and mysterious as it sounds. Explorers from all over the world have spent the past 40 years exploring these cave systems - the most revered of which are only accessible to experienced and bold cave divers.
Just south of Tulum, concealed within an ancient jungle on private land, one of Mexico's most unique cenote's attracts divers from nearly every continent. Cenote Angelita is commanding from the surface, but an astounding phenomenon exists within its depths. As foliage from the surrounding forest fell into this magnificent hole over thousands of years - Cenote Angelita formed a hydrogen sulfide cloud as a result of the decomposition which took place within its depths. This surreal "cloud layer" resides at 90ft (30M), concealing an enormous mound of tree limbs, leaves, and all manner of organic material. No light penetrates beyond the cloud, providing divers the experience of descending into black abyss. Cenote Angelita Underwater River, as its been called by many in the diving community, is an ethereal cenote diving experience that requires advanced certification because of its depth. Cenote Angellita diving requires precision buoyancy control in order to avoid collision with the delicate foliage which has accumulated over thousands of years.
Cenote Angelita Depth : Cenote Angelita has a maximum depth of ~60M, but most divers never descen past 40M (our max depth for this dive).
Cenote Angelita Dive : Diving in Cenote Angelita is an otherworldy experience unlike any other. Descending to the cloud affords a view of a ghostly dreamscape that grips you with excitement, while simultaneously enforcing a feeling of being suspended in time. To see small leaves and bits of debris suspended ominously above the massive pile of ancient fallen trees is nothing short of etherial.
Cenote Angelita Hydrogen Sulfide: The "cloud layer" at 30M is, in fact, hydrogen sulfide - the product of decomposing organic material. The hydrogen sulfide layer prevents any light from penetrating the nearly 2 meter thick blanket of gas which is suspended in pristine fresh water.
Cenote Angelita Underwater River: It's true - Cenote Angelita is part of the underground river system which connects all of the cave systems across the Yucatan peninsula. While there is no current in Cenote Angelita, it is very much connected to the same water source which fills all of the cenotes in the Dos Ojos and Sac Atun cave system.
We were extremely fortunate to do the Cenote Angelia Dive with Victor Rosado of Ko'Ox Diving Adventures. Victor is one of the original explorers of the caves and caverns which are now accessible to visiting divers. Diving with Victor is a privilege and tremendously good time! If you're considering a trip to Tulum for cenote diving, be sure to check out kooxdiving.com