Cenote diving in the Yucatan, March 2005
While we were in the Yucatan we had the opportunity to scuba dive several of the cenotes in the area. The cenotes are underwater caves of crystal clear, cold, fresh water. The caves are a collection of cavernous openings and tunnels, created as a result of acid rain etching through limestone millions of years ago. What is so interesting about the cenotes is that rainwater seeps through from atop, comprising a top layer of fresh water, while salt water flows in from the sea where the tunnels meet the ocean, creating a salt water level. The salt and fresh water meet several feet below the waterline and cause a filmy layer of water which is difficult to see through.. This is referred to as the Schleren effect and it can be a bit disconcerting while diving if you don’t expect it.
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