CENOTE MARAVILLA
Cenote diving in Maravilla: a wide-open giant with a halocline at 28 m.
Minimum 25 logged dives · Advanced strongly recommended
Cenote Maravilla is one of the big sinkholes on the Route of the Cenotes, inland from Puerto Morelos. Unlike the cavern dives of Dos Ojos, Maravilla is mostly open: only about 20% of the dive is under a ceiling, so daylight is never far away and the water stays bright.
This is a depth dive, not a formations dive. You won’t find the decorated speleothems of Dos Ojos here. What you get is space, light and a slow descent to the halocline at about 28 m, where fresh water sits on top of salt water and the view turns blurry, like heat rising over a road. A hydrogen sulfide layer adds to the strange atmosphere.
Our dive plan stays within 30 m / 98 ft for about 45 minutes, with a full briefing before you get in the water.
Specs
| BRIGHTNESS | 4/5 |
| MAX DEPTH | 30 m / 98 ft |
| DIVE TIME | 45 MIN |
| CLAUSTROPHOBIA | 2/5 |
| OVERHEAD | 20% |
| HALOCLINE | 28 m / 92 ft |
| H2S | YES |
| SPELEOTHEMS | 1/5 |
| ACCESSIBILITY | 5/5 |
| DISTANCE | 45 MIN FROM PLAYA |
| LEVEL REQ. | 25+ LOGGED DIVES |
Requirements: Minimum 25 logged dives. Advanced Open Water (or equivalent deep training) strongly recommended — this dive reaches 30 m / 98 ft.
Location
Cenote Maravilla is on the “route of the cenotes”, inland from Puerto Morelos, about 45 minutes by car from Playa del Carmen. We run it from Playa del Carmen only: pickup at 8:00 AM at the Fruit Stand (2nd Street & 25th Avenue). We don’t offer Maravilla from Tulum, because the drive is too long.
Entrance fee: 350 MXN per diver, paid in cash at the cenote. Camera fee: 500 MXN.
Cenote Maravilla FAQ
How deep is the Maravilla dive?
Our dive plan goes to a maximum of 30 m / 98 ft for about 45 minutes. The halocline sits at about 28 m.
What certification do I need?
Minimum 25 logged dives. Advanced Open Water (or equivalent deep training) is strongly recommended, because the dive reaches 30 m.
When is the light best?
Light enters through the open sinkhole, so the brightest dives are around midday. On this coast, solar noon falls between 12:33 and 13:04 depending on the month, never at 12:00. The sun climbs almost straight overhead in May and July, and stays below about 46° in December, so the light comes in at its steepest angle in late spring and summer.
Can I bring a camera?
Yes. The cenote charges a 500 MXN camera fee, paid in cash.
Can I dive Maravilla from Tulum?
No. We only run Maravilla from Playa del Carmen. From Tulum, ask us about Angelita, The Pit or Casa Cenote.
Cenote Maravilla is suggested with Cenote Zapote or Cenote Kin Ha as a double tank.
170 USD per diver, gear included. Entrance fee (350 MXN) not included.
We care about your vacation schedule!
Our goal is to give our divers a personalized service and the opportunity to choose the cenote dive they want to do. Look at the daily program below or just ask us directly on WhatsApp for a customized diving program.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Do not hesitate to write us in Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger.
Together we can schedule your next dives.