Deep Water and Cave Diving
The Maya Riviera has the world's second longest coral reef system just off shore. The Mesoamerican Coral Reef runs from Cancun all the way to Honduras. This is the premier dive location in the Eastern Hemisphere – perfect for the advanced diver or beginner alike. There are a number of dive courses and tours available for all levels and a number of specialty dives that are offered; such as, Deep Diver, Night Diver, Search and Recovery Diver, Underwater Navigator, Boat Diver, Drift Diver, Multilevel Diver, Underwater Naturalist, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Equipment Specialist and Enriched Air Nitrox Diver.
Hurricane Emily Update
We were concerned about the impact of Hurricane Emily on this precious reef so we went to the experts. Lucy Gallagher at CEA explained “We observed that the impact of the strong waves hitting the reef had indeed damaged or broken up many large corals. Although this kind of damage may seem tragic, research suggests that tropical storms may actually be of benefit to coral reefs. Indeed, segments of branching corals that break off during hurricanes may settle and start new coral colonies. In addition, areas of substrate may be cleared giving way to smooth surfaces that coral larvae can settle on. This process is similar to that of natural fires on forests, where fires clear away the dominant species of trees allowing for less dominant species to settle and grow, therefore creating a more biodiverse forest.”
Cave Diving
The Yucatan Peninsula is approximately 65,000 years old and was completely covered by the ocean. Through several ice ages and the lowering of the ocean water level, the limestone floor was exposed to air and rain. Limestone and rainwater formed carbonic acid, which helped dissolve the region’s bedrock, carving out underground rivers and passages. This underground river system was and still is the main water source for the people of Yucatan. Like all rivers, this water system flows to the ocean, but makes it’s way underground.
The rising and lowering of the tides as well as hydrostatic pressure produced by the warm ocean water pushing less dense and colder freshwater to the surface creates a unique environment of siphons and springs in the cenotes. Since saltwater and freshwater don’t mix, they create a halocline at about 36 feet of depth.
During the underwater dry cave formation, calcite structures called speleotherms were created. Groundwater flowing through cracks in the limestone bedrock removed carbonic dioxide, causing calcite to form in the shape of straw like drip tubes attached to the cave ceiling, these stalactites continued to grow and drip onto the cave floor, forming stalagmites.
The area’s abundant limestone allowed the Mayans to build temples and walled cites that flourished from 600 AD to 900 AD.
Right beside Akumal, where the AKUMAL DIVE CENTER is situated, it is easy to recognize the series of cenotes considered to be the best, like Dos Ojos, Taj Mahal, Chac Mool, Ponderosa and Gran Cenote. Every one of them displaying different characteristics.
A professional diving instructor will accompany you to discover this magical and mysterious underworld, where lovers of this sport will be encircled by an unusual and spectacular environment.
The Maya Riviera is a karst limestone terrain which means all of its rivers are underground. This makes for some of the best underground cave diving in the world. If the idea of going where few men have gone before into the dark recesses of the earth does not excite you, we highly recommend you consider taking a underground snorkeling tour – it is a once in a life time experience.
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