When learning about Cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, everyone has a certain image in their head. Cenote Dreamgate is probably the closest to one’s image of what a Cenote is. Surrounded by lush vegetation, deep in the Mayan jungle we find this Cenote in the middle of a collapse from the surface. Some steep stairs lead down into the collapse to the water level, and the access to this unique and mindblowing dive.
Cenote Dreamgate is known as a cavern dive that feels closest to real cave diving. Many divers call it their favorite cavern dive. Some even choose to obtain their cavern or cave diving certification after diving here. In this blog, we talk about everything important about Cenote Dreamgate, and what to expect from a Cenote dive at this magical place.
Cenote Diving at Cenote Dreamgate
Booking a dive at Cenote Dreamgate guarantees you a great underwater adventure in one of the most decorated caverns accessible to recreational divers in the area. Although it’s not the easiest dive, it is definitely worth a visit. Especially because you can do two different dives in this Cenote. Dreamgate makes a great destination for a Cenote tour.
This Cenote dive is available to most certified divers. As long as they have proper control of their buoyancy and have previously dived some other Cenotes. Because of its countless dripstone formations in the cavern area and delicate decorations, it’s of utmost importance that all participants have a high awareness of where they are in the body of water, and control their buoyancy and finning technique while diving in the cavern.
Quick Facts
Location
Cenote Dreamgate is located south of Playa del Carmen, it takes roughly 45-50 minutes of a drive to arrive here. Once you enter the gate off the highway, we drive another 10-15 minutes. The drive goes straight into the jungle before arriving at the dive site.
There is little infrastructure. There are only some bathrooms, changing rooms, and tables to set up your dive gear before the dive. This is a very natural left Cenote.
Depth
The open water area of this cenote is very shallow, reaching approximately 2-3 meters. Cenote Dreamgate offers two very shallow dives. It reaches a maximum depth of 7 meters in both cavern dives. Therefore, depth won’t limit our dive time during the Cenote dives here.
Dive Time
Due to its shallow dive depth, the dive time in Cenote Dreamgate can be between 40-60 minutes per dive. Following the cavern line allows you to view many different formations and spots. We can extend the dive depending on your air consumption.
Temperature & Conditions
The water temperature at this Cenote remains at a constant 24°C all year round. Usually, you will find excellent diving conditions, with almost no notable flow and clear visibility. Dripstone formations highly decorate this Cenote, and you may find some small turtles in the open water area!
Requirements
Only certified divers! Cenote Dreamgate is considered a level 3 Cenote dive. Therefore it requires divers who want to dive here to have previously participated in some level 1 & 2 Cenote dives. Also due to its complexity, each participant has to have mastered their buoyancy control to dive here.
The highly decorated cavern area requires divers to be totally aware of every movement, so as not to damage any of the fragile formations. Also, you’ll benefit from having proper finning techniques at Cenote Dreamgate, as there’s a lot of silt on the bottom. This silt can be easily stirred up by a single fin kick, causing reduced visibility for all following divers and groups.
What to Expect From A Dive at Cenote Dreamgate
The Yucatan Peninsula has the advantage of being spotted by countless Cenotes, and you can dive into many of these. If you have already dived several Cenotes and are looking for a more challenging, darker cavern dive, Cenote Dreamgate may be your best bet.
Cenote Dreamgate is accessible to experienced divers. Although it features two fairly shallow dives, both are quite challenging in terms of profile and complexity. The Cenote is filled with countless delicate dripstone formations, which require divers to be aware of their surroundings. In addition, both dives are rather dark, and the permanent guideline leads through many of these formations.
Once you arrive at Cenote Dreamgate, you may perceive its unique atmosphere, surrounded by lush vegetation. There are wooden tables to set up gear, and your Cenote dive guide will brief you about the upcoming cavern dive. Some pretty steep stairs lead down into the circular collapse and to the clear water. Be careful stepping down with your tank on, to avoid any falls, or use the pully system to lower your tanks! Your Cenote dive guide will be happy to help with that.
First Dive
On the platform, you will get ready to get into the water, already wearing your dive gear and equipped with an underwater flashlight. Underwater, you can see the bottom of Cenote Dreamgate covered in very fine silt, so be careful with your fin kicks to avoid stirring it up.
Once ready to descend, you’ll follow your Cenote dive guide into the quickly darkening cavern area along the permanent guideline into the dive. Admiring lots of dripstone formations, and the occasional blind brotula fish that’s endemic to the local Cenotes, you’ll complete your first dive in Cenote Dreamgate. This lasts anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes, depending on your air consumption. The cavern line is designed in a loop, making the most out of the dive and leading you through the huge area.
After completing your first dive here, you’ll ascend back to the open water area of the Cenote and change your tanks.
Second Dive
The first dive in Cenote Dreamgate will usually be in the upstream area of the Cenote. Once you complete your surface interval, your Cenote dive guide will help you get back in the water for the second dive.
The second cavern dive at this Cenote generally takes place in the so-called downstream part of the cavern. This means, that the water flow comes from the upstream area, flows through the Cenote, and towards the downstream. Therefore, this cavern section is even a bit darker due to organic material being dragged in from Cenote Dreamgate. You’ll often find seeds, leaves, and other organic debris on the bottom of the cavern, along with lots of silt.
Nevertheless, the water here is crystal clear, and there are no less formations than in the first dive. It’s a beautiful and mindblowing dive, leading to huge and impressive dripstone formations, countless stalactites hanging from the roof, and a unique view of the light shining into the Cenote opening. Especially on sunny days, this scenery appears magical and serves as a unique backdrop for photographers.
Both dives here are shallow and therefore do not require divers to complete a safety stop before ascending back to the surface.
Cenote Diving with Blue Life Diving
The Riviera Maya is a premier beach destination, renowned not just for its cenote dives. It boasts the Mesoamerican Reef barrier, a top-notch scuba diving area. Also part of the Riviera Maya is Cozumel’s marine park, which is a dream for many divers. Visitors frequently obtain their open water certification here or dive as already certified divers.
It offers a vast diversity of different dives, and especially the Cenotes are on top of many divers’ bucket lists.
Blue Life Diving offers daily SCUBA diving trips to the most sought-after sites in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Cenotes. Whether you’re a beginner SCUBA diver or a seasoned cave diver, we got you covered with logistics, equipment, guides, and everything around. Contact us for further information or booking.
Our Cenote trips always include transportation, entry fees, a guide, lunch & water, tanks, and weights as well as flashlights. If you’re looking to leave your equipment at home, we can rent you full gear, and 5 mm neoprene wetsuits to keep you warm during your Cenote dive. Our group sizes for either, Cenote diving or ocean dives are limited to four divers per guide. Create your custom dive package for a perfect underwater vacation and benefit from a multi-day adventure at the best dive sites of the Riviera Maya.