I just completed my TDI Full Cave Diver certification in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico!
I’ve been wanting to do this course for years, and finally had the opportunity. The main reason I wanted to do this course was to become a better overall diver, adapt new skills and gain access to a new type of underwater photography - caverns and caves.
The hidden underwater world of the Yucatan Peninsula offers an amazing opportunity for photographers. Sun beams pierce through the jungle into tiny crevices and entrances above the cenotes, creating a dance of light in the water. While many of these areas can be accessed through open water cavern areas, I wanted to fully learn cave diving skills before really getting in there to photograph them.
I had the pleasure of doing a one-on-one course with Michel Vazquez, the owner of a dive operation called “Cenotes Cuevas”. He is incredibly knowledgeable about cave diving and really opened my eyes to how addictive underwater cave exploration can be.
I had assumed most of the cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula had been discovered, but little did I know there are so many more to be found! During the course, some of my favourite skills were learning how to navigate and communicate by only touch, in zero visibility situations. I often work in zero visibility environments while commercial diving so these techniques can easily be applicable with commercial diving work. I also really enjoyed the line/reel work, both on land and underwater - though underwater you don’t get eaten alive by mosquitos!
Cave diving has opened my eyes to a whole new world of exploration. I’m absolutely hooked and looking forward to going back to soon!
More about the TDI Full Cave Diver course visit here.
For more on my instructor visit Cenotes Cuevas.
