Diving in Casa Cenote in Tulum, Mexico

When I returned to Cancun earlier this year, there was one thing I really wanted to do, and that is diving in a cenote. Cenote is a sinkhole, and a lot of them are connected to underwater caverns via underground rivers. The area that has the most of the cenotes is actually Tulum, but it's not a far drive away from Cancun and a lot of the dive shops will pick you up from Cancun. We decided to drive ourselves so we can visit the Tulum ruins and have dinner in the area. The drive took about two hours. We did our dive with La Calypso and I highly recommend this small dive shop!

If you go to the deeper caves, you have to be an advance certified diver, but there are plenty that you can go with a beginner certification. Our dives that day were in Casa Cenote and Dos Ojos cenote, two very different environments. Casa Cenote has more light, with mangrove roots, while Dos Ojos is more of a dark cavern with tons of stalactites and stalagmites. Yes, under water. It really was like another universe.

Here's a video of what you can see in Casa Cenote. Beautiful light rays, surreal colors, it was really a remarkable place! In this cenote you'll also pass by a spot where fresh water and sea water mixes in.



Diving in Casa Cenote is not too difficult and easier than Dos Ojos because it's more open. Your guide needs to have special equipment and certification for cave diving (with two oxygen tanks), but La Calypso knows what they're doing. The water inside the caverns can be a little bit cool, so a thin wetsuit is recommended.

I think both cenotes were definitely worth seeing and I for one can't wait to do more cenote dives soon!

Getting PADI Certified in California: Pool Lesson at Beach Cities Scuba

I've finally gone and done it. I signed up for a PADI certification course. I was told that it takes longer to get certified in California. I don't know if that's true but basically here you have to do a classroom work (with quizzes and a final exam), a day of pool training, and 2 days of ocean dives (4 ocean dives total).

After going through the textbook and learning how to read dive table, we were ready for our pool training. I'm doing my course with Beach Cities Scuba, and the training takes place at their pool facility in Cypress.

So, pool training. It was hard. It was a long and grueling day (but hey, keep your eyes on the prize: your certification!)

The first thing you do is to set up and break down your gear 3 times as practice.

You put together the oxygen tank and BCD and regulator. They also give you a weight belt so you can sink despite the buoyancy in water.

When we signed up for the course (with a LivingSocial deal) there were options for beach dives (included) or boat dives ($115 extra per day). I was cheap so I thought I would do the beach dives, but then I put the gear on. The tank, and especially that weight belt ... It is super heavy! I don't know if I want to walk with all that heavy gear on, I'd rather just jump off of a boat with it on ...

We actually found a different deal which was more expensive but included boat dives. If only we had known earlier! Just keep that in mind when you sign up for a course ...

After setting up the gear, most of your day will be spent wearing it inside the pool. They have a swimming test, floating test, and go through many hypothetical emergency situations. Better to get used to it in a pool than in the ocean!

First is of course just getting used to controlling your buoyancy and breathing under water. Then you will practice taking your gears on and off inside the water, maskless breathing (where I pretty much panicked), how to switch to your buddy's alternate air source, and things like that. Some are things that you hopefully will never have to do but are good to know. I hated the maskless breathing but like I said, better here than in the ocean.

The day will go faster depending on how the class does, of course, but for us it took about 8 hours. But everyone got it done and so can you!

Next is the ocean dives, where we'll be under water for less time and get to see pretty fishies (hopefully). While it's hard, I think it's better to be thorough and know everything rather than doing those "express" courses. I can't wait to just do fun dives, as well, but safety is always first. Remember though.. do boat dives!