July Akumal Cave Trip

[MichaelBaranowski]

I am back from a short trip to Akumal, Mexico for a 4 days of cave diving. Me and my dad did our cavern and intro course will Dennis Weeks back in November and this is our second time this year to get back down to Mexico to work on our skills and enjoy the caves.

Quick plane ride from Houston down to Cancun. We picked up our rental car at Easyway rental car. Easyway once again did a great quick job. setting us up with a new Jetta. Jumped on 307 and headed South for a little over and hour to get to Akumal to our housing for the week. Met up with Natalie to set up plans for Tuesday dives. Then went to the famous La Buena Vida Restaurant/Bar that have a sand floor and swings as bar stools for a bite to eat.

7/13
First day of diving we headed to Tajma Ha after going to the taco shop just outside Puerto Adventura. We dove at Tajma Ha during our cavern/intro course but we didn’t have the chance to really enjoy the cave cause we were busy with the course. Dad really enjoyed the Taj during the into course so it was great to check the cave out on this trip. I lead the first dive and my reel skill were a little rusty. And I am going to have to work on running a reel more often. I really like the halocline and the white limestone in Taj. This was a short 40 minute dive since were only dive 1/6th since we are only intro divers.

Dad was up for leading the 2nd dive. His reels skills were any better none the less everything got worked out. We were able to go a little farther than we did during our intro course and make a dive over an hour. Got to see a few cave animals including a blind fish. I look forward to what I will get to see when we get our Full cave cert. Cool thing was that after our dives it was still early enough to get a nap. Then that evening along with Nat we met up with another friend Aurora at a Thai restaurant in Playa to eat and visit. I was surprised how good dad did using chop sticks.

7/14
Tacos and picked up tanks from fill station. Then down 307 to Tulum so we can dive Carwash Cenote and Grand Cenote. First dive is going to be at Carwash which is named cause the taxi diver used to use the water of the cenote to wash their cars. The cenote looks like a pond with water about the color of coffee. But once we dropped down into the water under the aglee bloom the water was crystal clear. Nat lead this dive cause it would save us some bottom time since she already knows were the main line is located. We followed Nat into the cave as she ran the primary reel into the cave to the main cave line. Then the dive conitued along the main line towards the Luke’s Hope cenote that we have dove back in Feb. When we dad got to his turn pressure he call the dive and we turned around and start back to the entry/exit. Entering back into the cavern zone I was surprised by the colors of the sunlight going thru the aglee in colors of orange.

The second dove was at the Grand Cenote just down the road. This is a huge cenote that is great for swimming as well as diving. Since we dove her before I was willing to run in the reel to the cave line. It was a short run from the cavern line down to the cave line and my skills were better but I still was a little unsure about were to tie off the line. This is a nice cave that is open and a very relaxing dive. I am normally a very slow diver but since there was an group infront of us had a made a jump on the short cut I figured I would pick up the pace to see if we could beat them to the other end of the short cut. So after we made our left turn I notice some lights to the left which happened to be the other group and yes we did beat them to the end of the jump. Then at the 32 minute mark I get to the end of the main line so I call the dive and turn around and head back to the enterence. Being the last person in the group I pulled the reel on the way out and we head to the dock to get out of the water finishing a relaxing 54 minute dive. After the dive we stop in Puerto Adventura and got some pizza before dropping off the tanks to be filled so we can pick them up the next morning.

[MichaelBaranowski]

7/15
3rd day of diving and I am feeling a lot more comfortable in the caves than I had on the first day. Again off to the taco stand for a few taco and then the fill station to get our tanks for the day. We went back to another of favorite places that we dove last Feburary. Dos Palmas (2 palms) and part of the famous Dos Ojos system. Like many of the other cenote enterances this that the opening in part of a fallen cave dome that has created a pit a dry floor that has like a moot were the cave entreance is located. The owners have cover the floor with stone and cement along with benchs and table to make a very nice area. As I am putting in my gear I am the last one to leave the set-up table when I head some wood breaking and it was the tree limb. That just happened to be above my head. I was lucky cause the two branch on the limb that fell on each side of me. Dad lead the 1st dive up stream and placing a cookie (cave diving line marker) on the line and didn’t run a reel because the cave line runs thru open water. The first dive was upstream into a very slow current for 24 minutes before reach our turn pressure and heading back out with me leading. Rather than hurry out, I keep the pace slow by not kicking much and mainly used the slow flow push us out. As we entered the cavern zone I pulled out my camera to get a few photo with the natural light be I must have had the camera set wrong cause the photos were blurry. Even without swimming it only took 16 minutes to exit the cave.

2nd dive I was in the lead going down stream letting the flow push us into the cave for 32 minutes before dad reached his turn pressure. Along the way I so several other side passages that I look forward to checking out once we finish out full cave cert. There were some cool cave shrimp with red eyes. They should do have when you shine them with a bright cave light. I would have to save this is the tightest cave I have dove in so far. I guess it really it isn’t really tight be it is really twisty so as you would go around on thing you would have to turn the other direction to go around something else. Since dad was last person on the entry, he got to lead us back out of the cave. He is a strong swimmer so he had a pretty good pace into the current/flow on the exit but the good thing was it took us just about as long to get out as it did going in with a total dive time of 62 minutes.

7/16
This is the last day of diving so Nat said she was going to take us somewhere special. Normal events every morning. Tacos and full tanks from the fill station. Then the plan was to head for about 45 minute drive into the jungle to dive a place called “White River”. When we got the site the owner wasn’t there and when Natalie asked what the cost was, it was higher than normal so she decided to just dive the Cenote Fenomna. There don’t have the site totally set-up yet with gear tables etc. But they are buying a resturant which should be really nice. So we had to get up on the back of Nat’s truck. From my understanding the site has only be open to divers for a short time. Nat lead this dive and it was into a prestine cave with no damage. I am marking this one to be sure to dive again after full cave complete. I think my jaw was hanging open for most of this 45 minute dive.

Last dive of the trip is the same place as last trip, Na Hoch Nah Chich (or big bird cage). This is a huge cenote area and big time snorkeling site. Last year we made two dives at this cenote and doing a dive upstream that was over and hour and half. But for out last dive we down the downstream area. Which has some really nice formations include one that is famous call “Heaven’s Gate”. Also has a formations that is probably my favorite I have ever seen and everytime I see it I have to stop and take a long look. It is a staglatie that is only about 6” diameter but probably 10’s tall and pure white. We got much farther in this cave than we did back in Feburary. A little over an hour on your last dive.

We took Saturday easy before heading back to the airport. Stopped “the Pub” (not Potter’s Pub) in Puerto Adventura to have a plate of nachos and a few beers. Ended up see Carlos and John and talked a little. The Pub is a great place to people and dolphin watch. They have a place for people to swim with dolphins and I am just wait for the dolphins to attack. Everything was going good and looked like we might even get home a little early. But then we got redirected to San Antino cause there was a major storm in Houston and the plane needed to refuel. So it ended up being about 1000 before the plane got to Houston. And then one of my bags didn’t arrive on our plane so I had to report lost bag to baggage claim and didn’t get home until after 100 when we should have been home about 900. But I am not going to let that one little storm bother me week in Mexico. Fed-ex deliveried me bag on Monday and everything is great. Now just need so see when I will be able to get back down to Mexico. I am starting to think late October or November to finish full cave.

[ScubaRob]

Sounds like a great set of dives. Nat is an awsome guide. I dove with her early July 2010. I got to dive Cenote Fenomna also. As intro divers you probably didn't get to see the bones or the pottery. The diving in Mexico is great isn't it?

[MichaelBaranowski]

Yes, Nat is great. We have been diving with her for over 3 years but on the last 2 trip in the caves. No, we didn't get to the bones but I think they "White River". Yes, the Mexico cave diving is great. I am sure that once I get full cave I will be making 3 or 4 trips to Mexico a year.

[CaveBuddy95]

Great to read such a detailed and positive report!
Ok, there is a lot of mosquitoes at the moment but the caves are worse a bit or two!

[LCF]

I really hate to say this, but if you intend to do any cave diving anywhere else, stay on top of Dennis for your card. I did my class with him in November of last year, and still don't have mine, despite multiple e-mails and phone calls and personal conversations when I was there in March.

[MichaelBaranowski]

A few mosquitoes bites just make me put my wetsuit on faster.

[CaveBuddy95]

Like this, quicker in the water! Perfecto.
The other day at Ponderosa, I was wondering if I was gonna have any blood left by the time I splashed..!!

[beachcomber]

You'll get your card. Dennis won't cheat you out of it.