One
of the most unique and exciting day adventures to be found in the Riviera
Maya is offered by “Divers of the Hidden Worlds” at the world famous “Dos
Ojos” (2 eyes) cenote.
The adventure starts with
a wild jungle ride in road warrior style vehicles, bouncing down sand covered
roads to the cave openings.
Next is a short descent to
the Bat Cave chamber, which is tastefully illuminated to accent its stalactite-encrusted
walls and crystal clear water. Now it’s time to get wet! Snorkelers
and divers are separated into small groups, each with a professional guide.
A safety briefing is given and all the equipment is double checked before
the action starts. What the participants experience next is hard
to describe in mere words.
Pictures give an idea, but
the sensation of flying through chambers and corridors loaded with beautiful
stalactites, all while suspended in ultra clear water really needs to be
experienced to be appreciated! These are the same areas that were
recently captured on film for an IMAX film that will be released in 2001.
Sea
Turtles
The beaches of the Rivieria
Maya, especially south of Playa in Akumal, Tankah and Tulum, are nesting
grounds for two endangered species of sea turtles: the Loggerhead (Caretta
caretta) and the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Nesting season for
these turtles is May through October. After mating at sea the female turtle
swims to shore to dig a nest for her eggs.
It is not unusual to see
turtles nesting at night on the beaches of Xpu-Ha, Akumal, Chemuyil,
and Xcacel. If you should see a turtle at night please do not disturb or
shine a flashlight on it as this may disrupt their reproductive cycle.
Female turtles dig
their nests on the beach
with their flippers, then lay their eggs and cover them with sand. They
then crawl back to the surf zone and swim out to sea. After 50 – 60 days
the baby turtles hatch from the nests and try to make their way through
the surf zone and out to sea.
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The Dos Ojos cave system is
one of the largest and most spectacular submerged caves in the world.
With over 34 miles of passages explored so far, one of the most beautiful
areas yet discovered is right around the main entrance where the tour takes
place. This is the Bat Cave, Toc Be Ha and main entrance areas.
A day exploring Dos Ojos with “Divers of the Hidden Worlds” is a day that
will be permanently etched in your memory. Divers of the Hidden Worlds
is located just 1.5 kilometers south of Xel Ha.
Open daily
from 9- 5 pm and their tour is $40 USD and includes snorkel equipment,
wetsuit and guide. Check out their website at www.hiddenworlds.com.mx
or email them at buddy@hiddenworlds.com.mx,
tell them that you are a loco gringo.
Caution should be exercised
when walking the nesting beaches in order to avoid trampling nests where
eggs are incubating. Avoid stepping on mounds in the sand or anywhere that
you see sticks with markers pushed into the sand. The Centro Ecologico
Akumal (CEA) for the past four years has been actively particpating in
the sea turtle protection program. A restricted and watched hatchery area
has been created to better protect some of the nests of eggs, thus producing
a higher yeild upon hatching. To witness such an event is amazing, but
if you happen to miss turtle season, CEA offers a slide presentation weekly
on sea turtles. Addition printed material is also available about
sea turtles.
Established in July of 1993,
CEA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the ecologically sustainable
development of the Cancun-Tulum corridor. CEA promotes conservation of
the natural habitat and native culture through research and education.
If you are visiting the Akumal
– Tulum area, stop by the CEA Information Center open every day 7am to
5pm and check the CEA calendar for the weekly
schedule of activites and
events.
For more information about
CEA, membership or turtle protection program contact CEA by e-mail mul@mail.caribe.net.mx
or visit their website. |
