Cancun Has a New Draw for Divers

Early this year, a pair of professional diversof geologists, biologists, chemists and other
uncovered a new landmark beneath Cancun andenvironmental researchers.
the Yucatan Peninsula. After years of searchingBeyond the thrill of the dive, the cave system
and thousands of dives, Steve Bogaerts and hishighlights important ecological issues regarding the
dive partner, Robbie Schmittner, were able to findarea's drainage patterns. Bogaerts says, "The
a connection between two massive underwaterpoint is that they're so interconnected. There are
cave systems. Bogaerts and Schmittnerso many cave systems that if there's a point of
performed more than 500 dives of several hourspollution in any one particular area it can spread
over a course of four years to connect thevery extensively throughout the entire system."
world's second-longest (Sistema Sac Actun) andAccording to the divers, "awareness is growing,
third-longest underwater caves (Sistema Nohochbut it must keep pace with the extremely rapid
Nah Chich). Since then, the Sistema Sac Actunpace of development."
(White Cave System) has assumed the title ofFor the tourist, the discovery of such
the world's largest underwater cave. At over 95underground systems has opened the door to
miles in length, Sac Actun also stands as thesome of the most incredible dive opportunities in
ninth-largest cave in the world, including all drythe world. Thanks to the connection made early
cave systems.this year, divers can visit several popular cenotes
As underground waterways of this size arewhile advanced divers can explore the dark
certainly rare, the development of the cavedepths of this unique system. Entering the
system over thousands of years provides ansystem through one of the area's numerous
equally interesting story. Several unique factorscenotes, divers will find over 500,000 feet of
play a role in the creation of the area's sinkholescaves to explore. According to an online message
and eventually the underground rivers. Theposted by Bogaerts after the discovery, divers
stretch of the Yucatan Peninsula known as thenow have the opportunity to explore several
Riviera Maya rests on a base of porous limestone,popular cenotes as part of a single cave. He
a stone that allows rainwater to easily enter theclaims that "it is now possible to traverse from
underground cave systems. Meanwhile, thethe Pabilany cenote - west of the Calimba cenote
rainforests of the Yucatan Peninsula attracton the Coba Road - around the Grand Cenote
considerable precipitation, all of which drains(Sac Actun), Cenote Esqueleto (Temple of
toward the Caribbean Sea.Doom), Cenote Naval, Cenote Abejas, Cenote
After the water seeps through the limestone andNohoch Kin, bypass Manati, press on to
moves slowly east, the relatively flat ground nearBalancanche, Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, pass by
the coastline fosters the creation of sinkholes -the Dinner Hole Cenote and end up in the Dirty
known to divers and scientists as cenotes.Dog or Pet Cemetery Cenotes." If you are
Underground, the water becomes slightly acidicfamiliar with diving around Cancun or have begun
and dissolves rock as it moves, carving out theseresearching your trip to the area, this new path is
remarkable caves. In fact, these unique ecologicalsure to excite.
elements were also responsible for the world'sBogaerts and Schmitter will continue exploring the
previous longest underground cave system - theRiviera Maya's underwater caves, searching for
91-mile Sistema Ox Bel Ha, also located in themore connections. Some have speculated that
Riviera Maya.Sistema Sac Actun could be connected to at least
The cenotes, caves and rivers have played antwo additional cave systems, caves that would
important role in the cultural history of the region,add an additional 125 miles in length. There is even
as well. The Mayan culture depended on the fresha possibility that the Riviera Maya might surpass
water found in these systems for centuries, whilethe world's largest cave system - a title currently
the underground rivers currently support theheld by the 360-mile Mammoth Cave system in
tourist industries of Cancun and Cozumel. At theKentucky.
same time, the rivers are important to scientistsTime will tell what else lies beneath Cancun and
analyzing the human impact on the environment.the Riviera Maya. In the meantime, visitors can
In fact, Bogaerts states that the adventurousexplore some of the most important - and
divers seeking out the connections ofundeniably unique - caves in the world.
underground rivers serve as the "eyes and hands"