Cenote Chikin Ha

Chikin Ha, which means “Western Water,” is part of a very well maintained natural park containing three cenotes—Chikin Ha, Rainbow, and X’tabay. Chikin Ha is a large half-moon shaped cenote known for its extraordinary beauty.

This cenote offers two incredible dives. Dives start from Cenote Chikin Ha and traverse over to Cenote Rainbow. At around 12m/40ft, the dive leads through a large halocline tunnel. A halocline is where fresh and salt water meet and when disturbed creates some spectacular visual distortions. Parts of the dives go along the edge of cenote Rainbow giving a spectacular view of massive breakdown piles decorated with fossils, crystal formations and speleothems.

Amazing light beams reach the bottom of the cavern and lead the way up to the surface where amazing plant growth and tree roots are stretching to reach the water’s surface and where the sight of the Motmot bird, the guardian of the Mayan cenotes, with its distinctive call, shimmering turquoise plumage, and racket shaped tail can be admired.

Divers have to walk about 120m/400ft down a good path and concrete stairway to the water from the parking area. A longer than usual walk to the entrance of the cenote but all worth the effort!