Snorkelling in the Grande Cenote

Kyden, Steve, and myself caught a taxi over to the Grande Cenote this afternoon. This is one of several cenotes (rock pools) in the area, that I learned are actually all joined together, through a vast, subterranean network of water tunnels. We hired some snorkels and fins at the cenote, and jumped in for a dazzling underwater adventure.

This was the first proper snorkelling I've ever done — certainly the first snorkelling where there's something worth seeing below the surface — and I have to say, it really blew me away. Under the water, there are delicately formed stalactites, mysterious rocky caves, and fish of all colours swimming everywhere.

And aside from the noise of breathing through the snorkel, everything is as peaceful as the surface of the Moon. In fact, in many ways — the silence, the cold, the stillness, and the alienness — I imagine it's the next best thing to actually going to the moon.

Sadly, I couldn't take any photos of this underwater world; but Steve had an underwater camera, so he got plenty of good snaps. Also, after only a short while (about 30 mins), it starts to get too cold to continue snorkelling, and you simply have to get out and lie in the sun.