In february 2020 I had again a visit from my friend Jonathan Bird and his cameraman Todd Kelly, both from the USA and they were here to film another segment for their Youtube channel Jonathan Bird’s Blue World. You can watch it here directly. It is an excellent documentation from these truly unique formations that fascinate me for years and that I truly enjoy diving every time again and again.
In no way do I intend to give the impression that this is a scientific research. I would like to point out, that I am not taking samples out of the cenotes, do not catch animals and collect any algae or any inorganic material in order to analyse them under the microscope – unless I am invited and within a team of scientist with the corresponding permits. First and foremost, I am a diver with a strong interest in caves, especially underwater caves. As a diver, I document was I see and also would like to put an name to what I have seen. The verification of certain species is sometimes depending on microscopic details. But as a diver, I will never be able to distinguish these species in media aqua. The obvious and apparent is sufficient for me and I try to make as focused and detailed photographs as possible in an environment that poses challenges to man and camera. And I am happy if I can find an explanation, a name, a detail, anything that I hadn’t known before and there is plenty to learn for me in that respect.
Thank you very much to all diving friends that are so kind to share their research results and articles about the various species with me. Besides the few aquaristic books I have at home, they were a valuable rescource. Especially thankful am I to Dr. Guido Kirsten, Werner Fiedler, Wolfgang Schilling, Dr. Thomas Iliffe. If I give however misleading information about some species, then this is of course my full responsibility.
Every diving organization offers within its course structure a programm that successfully qualifies the candidate to guide certified divers in open water. Examples are the Divemaster Course.
Why should there be a special course for guiding divers in the cavern area respectively in the cave area (if they have the corresponding training)?
Divers with minimum Open Water Certification can experience the cenotes of the Riviera Maya with a guide. They learn a completely new dive environmet, diving without a direct ascent to the surface, the overhead environment. The guide needs to be able to explain all necessary emergency procedures and why it changes in the overhead environment, but this is such a specialized aspect and a dive master, if (s)he has been trained as a cave diver, has not necessarily learnt this during his/her cave course.
It is of course a great advantage if the recreational diver knows the differences for cavern diving versus open water versus cave.
Although every technical diver should be capable to plan and dive his/her cave dive, there is an advantage to have a local guide to buddy up with (suitable choice of dive site, knowledge where to go, emergency equipment etc.). The guide on the other side has always to consider that technical divers with varying training levels and certification levels arrive and would like to or are able to dive caves with different levels of difficulty. The guide must be in a position to evaluate the diver in the beginning and to create an adequate plan for the day that pays respect to the wishes of the client as well as safety and cave conservation.
At the moment only a well trained cave instructor fulfills these requirement for BOTH of guided dives in the caverns and caves. Experience and not only course dives are prerequisite as a minimum.
Request with your booking a log of the experience of your guide and help us to make diving in the cavern and caves of the Riviera Maya safer. Only if the customer knows what to ask for, can we create the grounds for change.
When light is involved, the caves are stunningly colorful and gorgeous with all the little details
Casa Cenote is one of the cenotes that have a connection to the ocean and diveable. Life in this cenotes is completely different to other cenotes
This is a shot of 2007 and it is reported that the famous Barbie of Dos Ojos is gone now.
In winter, cenote Kukulkan is just a dream for any photographer and all that want to enjoy the beauty of nature.
