A circular hole about 30 ft in diameter drops from the jungle floor. Below, an almost perfect cone of material from the collapse sits submerged in 10ft of water. Bats flit about the dimly lit chamber. Only a ladder, crudely lashed together from fallen trees, makes it possible to exit the cenote.

Known by the locals as cenote esquelito, the site was used by Mayans for human sacrifice to the rain god Chac. There are hints of earlier use for a similar purpose as parts of human skeletons have been found deep in the cave. These bones have presumably been submerged since the end of the last ice age when the caves filled with water.

Another View of Doom

As you proceed to the base of the cone there is a line which circumscribes the cavern zone. This is a nice cavern dive and very safe since at this point there is air above you. (Please, openwater divers stay in the cavern zone and go only with a quailfied, cave certified, divemaster.)

From there several passages lead into the cave. Swiminging through shimering white corridors with limestone walls, seemingly made of swiss cheese you soon arrive at The Hall of Giants.

The Hall of Giants

A short distance further into the cave is Satans Fang. Entering the Fang Room a single large stalactite, 27 ft long, is bisected by the shimering halocline.

The halocline is the seperation between salt and fresh water and plays strangely with your lights as it undulates. A quick fin kick or any disturbance makes it look like a mixture of glycerine and water. Vis declines to about 1 ft as everything goes out of focus. Very cool effect.