Plunging fin first into 'The Pit', El Pit, might not sound like the most enticing offer when it comes to dive sites. But allow us to explain the beauty of diving in the cenote known as El Pit, and why it should be on every diver's bucket-list. El Pit is part of the longest underwater cave systems in the world (we're talking over 225 miles long) known as the system Sac Actun, and is located in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, 28 miles south of Playa del Carmen.
Into the jungle...
Cocooned within the lush jungles of the Tulum area, this natural wonder is one of many cenotes scattered across the region, formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock to expose the crystal-clear groundwater beneath.
Getting there through the rugged jungle path is a slight challenge. Before embarking on this, it should be noted that diving El Pit is only suitable for advanced divers due to the depth (it reaches a depth of 120m, with most dives going to 40m) and the hydrogen sulfide layer. But those advanced divers are rewarded with a truly exceptional experience once in crystal clear waters.
Diving in...
Descending into El Pit, divers are greeted with 30m of visibility, allowing for a panoramic views of the sinkhole while sunlight filters through the above dense jungle creating beams that bounce off the cenotes walls.
At around 30m, there is a thick cloud-like layer of hydrogen sulfide. This milky, white layer creates a visual and sensory boundary, giving the sensation of passing through a portal into another world. Below this layer, the light diminishes, and the environment becomes more mysterious and tranquil. While there might not be marvelous marine life (apart from the occasional small school of fish) the ancient stalactites and stalagmites formed thousands of years ago when the cave was dry, creates an underwater topography that's hauntingly beautiful.
The water temperature of this cenote remains consistent throughout the year, hovering between 25-27°C. Unlike open water environments, where thermoclines can cause significant temperature drops at greater depths, cenotes like El Pit generally maintain a stable temperature due to the groundwater source and the geological conditions of the Yucatán Peninsula.
While accessing the site may not be the most luxurious of dives, once within the cenote, divers can immediately understand why this cenote was such a well-guarded secret within the diving community. It's remote, adventurous and staggeringly beautiful.
