Cenote Chac Mool Dives in 2001

 The following four pictures were taken on November 27, 2001 near Akumal, Yucatan, Mexico in one of the many caverns.  These limestone caves were once above water, so there are stalactites and stalagmites frequently visible during the dive. In addition, the strata was formed underwater, so there are sometimes fossil shells visible imbedded in the rock. Tree roots occasionally protrude from the ceiling and expanding to about a foot in diameter into the fresh water below; below the waterline only thin rootlets are visible. At one point during one of the Scuba dives in Cenote Chac Mool, we all turned off our lights, and no light was visible (other than from our fluorescent Scuba instrument gauges). There was fresh water above salt water, with a milky interface in between. The water temperature was 74 F and the visibility in the fresh water was an astounding 200 feet!

The picture above was taken of Peter Landecker diving at the Cenote Chac Mool entrance, with the jungle visible above in the distance.

The three pictures below were taken by Ed Montalvo (edward.montalvo@abbott.com). The first two show underwater stalactites and stalagmites. The water was so clear, it was if we were viewing the rock formations through air and not water!  

If you would like to see a high resolution version of the above photo, click here.

The third photo (below) shows tree roots between the cavern ceiling and the fresh water interface.
If you would like to see a high resolution version of the above photo, click here.

More information about this Cenote can be found if you, click here.

There is some controversy as to whether this cenote should be named Chac Mol or Chac Mool. Chac Mool means claw of the jaguar, and the roadside sign uses this spelling. However, many web sites call it Chac Mol, referring to the reclining statue with the bowl for a belly that was used for burning incense and other sacrificial purposes by the Maya.