Cenote Dos Palmas

Protected Area

Playa Tortuguera X'cacel-X'cacelito

Why dive here

With 417+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks - Cenote Dos Palmas offers some of Yucatán Cenotes's richest reef diving.

Marine lifeBarracuda, Bull Sharks, Dolphins, Eagle Rays and Hammerhead Sharks · 417+ species recorded

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Dos Palmas is a different kind of cenote, a real cave diver's playground. We love it because it’s not about the big speleothems or dramatic light shafts you find in other cenotes. This one is all about the pure, unadulterated cave. There's no cavern line here, no safety net for the casual diver. It’s exclusively for certified cave divers, and a fantastic spot for training or just getting comfortable with tighter restrictions. The entrance is pretty unassuming, just a break in the jungle floor. Once you’re in, it’s a tight squeeze in places, with plenty of silty bottom to remind you of your buoyancy skills. You won't find much in the way of fish, maybe a small guppy darting past, but the appeal here is the geology and the challenge. The water is incredibly clear, often pushing 30 meters of visibility, even when it’s only 5-9 meters deep. It’s a very intimate dive, feeling the rock close around you, the absolute silence punctuated only by your own breathing. We’d suggest going with a guide who knows the passages well; it’s easy to get disoriented in the low light. Expect to spend your time navigating tight spaces and refining your trim in a true overhead environment.