| The Rivera Maya: Boasting the world's second | | | | Not only are there amazing coral, plant, and |
| largest barrier reef in the world, The Great | | | | fish life in the warm waters of the |
| Maya Reef, second only to Australia's Great | | | | Caribbean, but the underground caves and |
| Barrier Reef, makes the Rivera Maya a world | | | | river system brings a whole other element to |
| wide destination for divers, and underwater | | | | diving and exploration. With over 200 miles |
| adventurers. The Great Maya Reef stretches | | | | of underground caves and rivers the Riviera |
| from Cabo Catoche, about 53 kilometers (33 | | | | Maya has become a top destination, not only |
| miles) north of Cancun, to the Bay Islands of | | | | for open water ocean dives, but for cavern |
| Honduras, 455 kilometers (285 miles) south of | | | | and cave diving as well. There are no rivers, |
| Playa del Carmen, and offers a myriad of dive | | | | or fresh water sources, that run above ground |
| sights, ranging in depth and difficulty. | | | | in the Riviera Maya so the cenotes, or sink |
| | | | holes, were the only way the Mayans got their |
| This marvelous coral reef, also known as the | | | | fresh water. Because of this they were |
| Mesoamerican reef, which skirts the coasts of | | | | considered sacred to the ancient Maya, and |
| Belize, Guatemala on down to Honduras is home | | | | still play a significant role in modern life |
| to multiple types of amazing corals, | | | | and celebrations. |
| magnificent sea turtles and over 500 species | | | | |
| of fish and other sea life. The part of the | | | | Divers and explorers can now enter this |
| reef that stretches along the Mexican | | | | underwater world through the cenotes, which |
| coastline is 300 kilometers (186 miles) long, | | | | can be located right on the shores of the |
| and, in many parts, the reef is extremely | | | | Caribbean, or deeper into the jungle flora. |
| deep with some marked dive sites reaching | | | | The Rivera Maya has more then 75 known cave |
| more then 30 meters or just under 100 feet. | | | | systems which have been mapped and surveyed |
| There are even deeper sights that can be | | | | and they cover approximately 611 kilometers/ |
| explored, but these sites require more | | | | 380 miles. Even with that impressive number |
| training and experience. | | | | it is estimated that there is as much as 50% |
| | | | or more that has yet to be explored and |
| There are more than 70 named dive sites | | | | documented. Discovered just a little over |
| between Punta Maroma and Tulum right along | | | | twenty years ago, the underground river |
| the Rivera Maya. The majority of the marked | | | | system has very little current, temperate |
| dive sites located on the Rivera Maya are | | | | waters (25 degrees Celsius/ 78 degrees |
| only a short boat ride away from such resort | | | | Fahrenheit), and the water is so clear that |
| areas as Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, | | | | visibility is virtually unlimited. Add this |
| Akumal and Tulum. Some of the more popular | | | | to the fact that all you need is an open |
| dive spots are Cerebros, Los Arcos, Pared | | | | water certification to experience the |
| Verde (Green Wall), Moc Che Deep, Moc Che, | | | | exhilaration of cave diving, and it has |
| Chum Zumbal, Jardines, Sabatos, Tortugas, | | | | become a major attraction to the Rivera Maya |
| Barracuda, and Mama Vina. | | | | for divers from all parts of the globe. |
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