I went to Dreamgate on my 11th dives and it was def the most challenging dive for me up to now because of buoyancy control, but the dive itself was so entertaining and I worked on my buoyancy. Not mentioning how beautiful it is, it looks like an underwater cathedral. It’s a cavern that looks the most like a cave. Knowing previously that this Cenote requires good buoyancy control, it was something far away on my list that I wanted to go; I was so happy that my dive guide suggested to take me there. I love it.
I'm with you on the pit. I'd rate it even lower on my list, but I've done a ton of cenotes at this point. If I could suggest a couple to you that maybe you haven't done, I'd check out: 1. Cenote Zapote - This is my #1. It's also known as hells bells. Bell formation stalactites, sulfuric acid layer like Angelita.. just an amazing dive, but that sulfuric layer is quite deep much like Angelita. Cenote Kin Ha is next door to this and is also good, but it doesn't have the bell formation party trick that Zapote does. 2. Casa Cenote - this one won't feel like a Cenote so much, but it's a nice shallow dive to do after, say, Angelita. You'll be diving under a mangrove forest. Lots of tree roots, etc.
These looked like some pretty cool cenote dives! Thanks for sharing your favorites and giving some useful information about each site. Always appreciate seeing the person hosting the channel in the actual dive videos too. Nice personal touch.
DiveSAGA I look forward to doing my first cenote dive. The one with the jungle peeking through at surface looks stunning. It would be like the best of both worlds happening simultaneously during a dive. Magical.
Many of these more complex cavern dives require a divemaster with Cavern/cave certification. Got my buoyancy control, Advanced Open Water, done at Tajma Ha. Unlike salt water, fresh water requires a lot less weight and buoyancy control is more challenging. I would think any shop would have to see how you dive before doing some of these more complex caverns.
Agree, going to dive The Pit this spring, but there is not much swimming and exploration. I did 4 dives as Tajma Ha and these are four of the best dives ever! Facilities are great. two loops. This is where the cool kids go because you can actually cave dive there (warning signs everywhere! Actually, the people play fast and loose with cavern and cave. It is so choice. No to Angelita. Garden of eden would be ok. Dreamgate my divemaster is taking to me in Sept 2023!
Awesome video and thanks for sharing this list. I would add Nohoc to the list, super shallow, beautifully decorated and you can dive for hours if you are a cave diver.
Can't argue with dreamgate taking the number 1 spot. I've dived both lines, upstream and downstream 3 times, just as beautiful every time. Zapote has to be in my top 5, as well as Angelita. Another cenote similar to Angelita, but in my opinion even better is orquidia.
Great video, we got back from there in March just before lock down. I agree dream gate is one of the top cenotes to dive. Other that are worth looking at are. Nic-te-ha and maravilla also hells bells for the unusual stalactites.
I used your video to form a short list of my dives & after diving 11 (I def checked off all 5 of your favorites) & talking to other cenote divers / cave instructors I dove with, I found *the best* hidden gem that eked out #1 over Dreamgate for me: Taak Be Ha. It is not as ornately decorated as Dreamgate-however: much, much tighter. There are so many nooks & crannies to creep through mixed with surprisingly bright, open parts that take you through about 1meter of water (your tank basically surfaces to get through some open parts.) You must do Taak Be Ha if you loved Dreamgate & Garden of Eden. It’s like combining the two together. Thanks so much for your suggestions & I DEF agree with placing Angelita over the Pit. 100%.
That cenote in the middle of Tajma Ha is called Sugar Bowl. And you only get a taste of how wonderful that cave is, what is past the cavern zone is one of the more amazing dives there. Though in Mexico caves it is going from one amazing room to another.
