Divers Make Historic 120-Meter Descent in Yucatán’s Deepest Cenote

Expert team conquers extreme depths and toxic clouds in Cenote Sabakha

A team of technical divers recently achieved what many considered impossible, descending 120 meters (393 feet) into Cenote Sabakha, thought to be the deepest cenote in Yucatán. The historic dive pushed the boundaries of underwater exploration in Mexico’s vast cave systems.

Cenote Sabakha, known locally as agua tiznada or tainted water, lives up to its ominous name. The open cenote features a 70-meter (230-foot)- diameter water surface that plunges into an abyss measuring more than 150 meters (492 feet) deep, according to official records.

The expedition team included speleologist Erick Sosa along with Kay Vilchis, Gabriel Bergonzi, Pablo Bayardo, Michel Silva, and Manuel Chávez. Their descent represents a significant milestone for the technical diving community in the Yucatán Peninsula.

“Apparently it has more than 150 meters deep, the explorations that have been done have reached up to 140,” explained Sosa, highlighting how this latest dive pushed closer to the cenote’s true maximum depth.

Deadly Challenges Below

What makes Sabakha particularly treacherous isn’t just its depth. At 70 meters (230 feet) down, divers encounter a thick cloud of hydrogen sulfide gas. This toxic layer covers much of the cenote, creating a foggy, otherworldly environment that severely reduces visibility.

The hydrogen sulfide forms naturally when organic matter decomposes without oxygen. Trees and vegetation that fall into the cenote from the surrounding jungle create a steady supply of material for this bacterial breakdown process.

“In this case we did 130 minutes total of decompression,” Sosa noted, emphasizing the extreme technical requirements. This decompression time far exceeds anything recreational divers experience and requires careful gas management and nerves of steel.

Technical diving at these depths demands specialized training, equipment, and gas mixtures. Unlike recreational diving where safety stops might last a few minutes, technical divers must make multiple lengthy stops during ascent to safely eliminate absorbed gases from their bloodstream.

Yucatán’s Underground World

The Yucatán Peninsula sits atop one of the world’s most extensive underwater cave networks. Scientists recently discovered a massive underground cave system extending from the Chuy Ha Cenote in Kaua municipality to the Aktun Kaab dry cave in Santa Rita — roughly 85 kilometers away in a straight line, according to previous reporting by Yucatán Magazine.

These limestone formations developed over millions of years as groundwater slowly dissolved the bedrock. When the last ice age ended and sea levels rose, many of these cave systems flooded, creating the cenotes that dot the peninsula today.

Three of the world’s longest underwater cave systems with a length of up to 129 km can be found at the Riviera Maya, making the region a global destination for cave diving enthusiasts. The Yucatán Peninsula contains an estimated 10,000 cenotes that serve as the region’s primary freshwater source.

The ancient Maya considered cenotes sacred, believing them to be entrances to the underworld. Modern science has revealed they serve as the peninsula’s primary source of fresh water, forming an interconnected network that sustains millions of people and countless species.

Technical Diving’s Growing Edge

The Sabakha achievement highlights the advancing frontier of technical diving in Mexico. As equipment improves and techniques evolve, divers are pushing deeper into previously unexplored depths.

However, these extreme dives carry significant risks. The combination of crushing pressure, toxic gases, and extended decompression requirements means even minor equipment failures or human errors can prove fatal.

The successful Sabakha expedition adds to Yucatán’s reputation as a world center for speleology and technical diving. Each new achievement helps scientists better understand the peninsula’s vast underground ecosystems and geological history.

For the diving team, conquering Sabakha’s depths represents years of training and preparation finally paying off. Their historic descent will likely inspire future expeditions to push even deeper into Mexico’s mysterious underwater realm.

Going to Yucatán’s Deepest Cenote

Cenote Sabakha

• Location: Yucatán Peninsula (exact location varies by tour operator)
• Certification required: Full cave diving certification and technical diving training
• Maximum recreational depth: This cenote requires technical diving skills
• Best time to visit: Year-round, but consult with certified technical diving operators
• Equipment needed: Technical diving gear, multiple gas tanks, and specialized safety equipment
• Safety note: Only attempt with certified technical diving instructors
• Water temperature: Approximately 25°C (77°F)