Isla Cuzamil, the Island of the Swallows, contains a number of underwater caves beneath its surface. The longest caves on Cozumel are located on the island's western shore. Both Cueva Quebrada (length: 9000 m or 29529 ft) and Cueva Aerolito (length: 6100 m or 20014 ft) release large volumes of fresh water directly to the Caribbean through submerged coastal entrances. Many dedicated biologists and explorers have studied these caves since the early 1980's. However much survey and exploration work in the 1990's remains to be accounted for. We hope to be able to report more accurate facts on these two caves as they become available.

Cueva Aerolito was reported to be at 18.3 km in length (60,000 feet) in Underwater Speleology (vol 27, no 4, p.18) in an article authored by Tim McMahon. We are seeking confirmation on this length (ie. no open water traverses included in the cave length).   

Cave diving in Cueva Quebrada requires an official permit from the Chankanaab Park office. Cavers applying for this permit must produce a Full Cave certification card; exploration of Quebrada is limited to scientific purposes. German Yanez Mendoza, a resident caver of Cozumel, provided us with the cave descriptions below of four inland underwater caves.

Cenote Cocodrilo - (Length: 2493 m  (8180 ft), with a  maximum depth of 17.4 m  (57 ft).

This cenote is closed for diving unless permission is obtained by the landowner. It is located on private property, and contains both Prehispanic and colonial artifacts. The cave has one cenote entrance, which is a short distance from the Caribbean Sea. Its entire length extends nearly due east in upstream passage with a few side passage leads. Although the maximum depth of Cocodrilo is 17.4 m (57 ft), much of the explored cave averages 6.1 m (20 ft) in depth. Explorations in Cenote Cocodrilo continue to yield more going passage. A detailed map of the cave was produced in August 2004.

Cenote Chu-Ha - (Cenote is Closed/Destroyed due to many reasons.)

Upstream explored length is 244 m (800 ft) with a maximum depth of 38.1 m (125 ft). Downstream explored length is 305 m (1000 ft) with a maximum depth of 18.3 m (60 ft).

This cenote is closed to the public due to the presence of archaeological artifacts; as well as being surrounded by very private commercial property. About 9 large Mayan artifacts were recovered from this cenote. According to INAH, these artifacts are dated to 400 years old (ca. 1600 ad). The most interesting quality of these artifacts is their style and fabrication is exclusively that of the Maya of Cozumel.

Cenote Tres Potrillos - ( Length: 94 m (310 ft). Maximum depth of the sink is 38.1 m (125 ft). Maximum depth of a branching tunnel is 15 m (50 ft).

This cave was discovered in late 1998. Its entrance is a series of minor restrictions which opens into a very large classic sink chamber at - 9 m (30 ft). Without a daylight zone, the main chamber and its one branching horizontal passage are rich in speleothems. Furthest penetration into the branching tunnel is 61 m (200 ft). This cave is on private property and requires an entrance fee. 

Cenote Bambu - (Length: 61 m (200 ft), with a maximum depth of 51.8 m (170 ft).

Cenote Bambu was explored in the Spring of 2000 and is very similar to the Tres Potrillos Cenote. Maximum visibility in this classic sink is 3 m (10 ft). It appears that the initial entrance gallery is huge, yet poor visibility makes it extremely difficult to fully explore this deep cave. Furthermore, the floor of the cave presents a very deep and heavy silt which makes survey guideline tie-offs nearly impossible.

Updates and corrections are welcome at: chac<at>consolidated.net

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