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Cenote El Pit and Nicte Ha Diving from Playa del Carmen

Descend through the deep blue shaft of El Pit to about 30 m / 98 ft, then finish in the shallow, peaceful Nicte Ha cavern surrounded by jungle, roots, and lilies. A high-contrast advanced cenote day.

Cenote El Pit and Dos Ojos Diving from Playa del Carmen
Cenote El Pit and Nicte Ha Diving from Playa del Carmen
Cenote El Pit and Nicte Ha Diving from Playa del Carmen
Cenote El Pit and Nicte Ha Diving from Playa del Carmen
Cenote El Pit and Nicte Ha Diving from Playa del Carmen
Cenote El Pit and Nicte Ha Diving from Playa del Carmen
Cenote El Pit and Nicte Ha Diving from Playa del Carmen

Why choose Xico for this dive

Runs Even With One Client This product does not depend on Xico filling a group before it can operate.
Maximum 4 Divers per Cenote Guide Xico limits recreational cenote groups to a maximum of four divers per guide so spacing, buoyancy, communication and comfort can be managed properly in the cavern environment.
Cavern-Qualified Cenote Guides Cenote dives are led by experienced cave/cavern-qualified professionals who understand local cavern procedures, guideline discipline and the specific routes used at Riviera Maya cenotes.
Complete Cenote-Day Logistics Meet at Xico in Playa del Carmen and we organize round-trip transport, cenote entrances, a qualified guide, two cavern dives, and refreshments.
The experience

One of the Strongest Depth Contrasts in a Cenote Day

El Pit and Nicte Ha could hardly feel more different. The first dive is a deep vertical experience with scale, blue water, and dramatic light. The second is shallow, calm, and framed by the jungle above the water.

El Pit: Light, Depth, and Vertical Space

El Pit can reach approximately 30 m / 98 ft on the recreational profile. The descent through the shaft and the changing light create the feeling of entering a much larger underwater space than a normal shallow cavern.

Nicte Ha: A Calm Shallow Finish

Nicte Ha reaches only around 5 m / 16 ft. Lilies, roots, clear water, natural light, and shallow formations create a quiet contrast after the deep first dive. It is not a lesser second dive; it completes the day by showing a completely different cenote character.

Advanced Certification and Recent Experience

The El Pit profile makes this an Advanced Open Water route. Good buoyancy, recent depth comfort, and gas awareness are important. Xico limits the group to four and confirms that the route fits your current experience before the trip.

Simple logistics

How it works

  1. Check In at Xico

    Meet at 08:15, complete paperwork, confirm certification and recent experience, and get fitted for any rental gear.

  2. Drive to the Cenotes

    Travel from Xico Dive Center to the first cenote while the guide reviews the route, cavern procedures, and the plan for the day.

  3. First Cavern Dive

    Dive Cenote El Pit after a detailed briefing, equipment check, and controlled entry.

  4. Jungle Surface Interval

    Relax between dives with a sandwich and refreshments while the team prepares for the second route.

  5. Second Cavern Dive

    Dive Cenote Nicte Ha and experience a different freshwater cavern environment.

  6. Return to Playa del Carmen

    Travel back to Xico Dive Center, normally arriving around 15:30, with showers, towels, and lockers available.

Before you book

Plan your dive

Included

  • 2 guided cavern dives
  • Entrance fees for both cenotes
  • Round-trip transportation from Xico Dive Center
  • Professional cavern-qualified cenote guide
  • Maximum 4 divers per guide
  • Sandwich and refreshments
  • All taxes and operational fees
  • Locker at the dive center
  • Shower and towels at the dive center

Extras / not included

  • Standard recreational rental gear
  • Site camera fee when charged by the cenote
  • Cenote camera fee Some cenotes charge a separate site fee when an underwater camera is used.

Requirements

  • Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent.
  • Recent diving experience and comfort with a controlled descent to approximately 30 m / 98 ft.
  • Good buoyancy, gas awareness, and calm cavern movement.
  • Follow all depth, guideline, and ascent instructions from the guide.

Key details

Meet at
Xico Dive Center, Playa del Carmen
Operating days
Daily
Availability
Year-round
Nitrox
Complimentary for Nitrox-certified divers on suitable dive profiles, subject to availability.
Minimum booking
Runs with one client
Cenote combination
El Pit + Nicte Ha
More trip details What to bring, check-in and departure information

What to bring

  • Certification card or digital proof of certification
  • Swimsuit
  • Dry clothes and personal items for after the dives
  • Your own dive equipment if you prefer to use it instead of rental gear
  • Camera-fee cash if you plan to bring a camera and the selected site charges a fee

Arrival / check-in: Meet at Xico Dive Center at 08:15 for check-in and equipment preparation. The trip normally returns around 15:30, with exact timing depending on traffic, site access, conditions, and group pace.

Boat / transport: This is a land-based cenote diving day. Round-trip transportation from Xico Dive Center to both cenote sites and back is included.

Departure details: Meet at Xico Dive Center at 08:15. Return to Playa del Carmen is normally around 15:30. Exact timing can vary with traffic, site access, conditions, and group pace.

Real Guest Feedback

What divers say

★★★★★
I did a recreational with Xico DC which included 2 dives with Felipe as my guide. He was calm and made me feel at ease. For some reason I was nervous but he had a relaxed way about him that set me right. The dives… Read full review Show less

I did a recreational with Xico DC which included 2 dives with Felipe as my guide. He was calm and made me feel at ease. For some reason I was nervous but he had a relaxed way about him that set me right. The dives went great. The water had more current than what Id experienced before but Im still new & it was all good. The boat crew was very helpful and attentive. Id definitely dive with Xico DC again. The staff there are very helpful too.
Update:
I went on with other instructors (Santi & Morgan) to complete my Advanced Cert here adding 6 more dives and then an unforgetable cenote dive. With Xicos great staff, team of instructor's, boat crew, and location, I look forward to seeing what the center looks like after renovations have finished.

Lori Google
★★★★★

I had Manuel as a guide and he took me to cenotes for my cave dives. I had a wonderful experience and would recommend him as a guide. Thank you for guiding and keeping me safe.

Victor Cheah Google
★★★★★

Amazing experiences with Xico - cenotes and Cozumel dives. Manu is a fantastic instructor as well. Look forward to next time!

Jack Decker Google
Read All Google Reviews
Planning more than one dive day? Compare Xico's 4-, 5- and 6-day packages with Playa reefs, cenotes and Cozumel. View Multi-Day Packages →
Ready to go?

Check availability

Tell us your preferred date and diver details. The Xico team confirms the exact trip before anything is booked.

  • Direct confirmation from the Xico team
  • Diver level and trip fit checked
  • Exact trip confirmed before booking

    This is an availability request. Xico confirms the final plan before booking.

    Prefer WhatsApp? Message Xico →

    Good to Know

    Frequently asked questions

    Why combine deep El Pit with shallow Nicte Ha?

    The route is built around contrast. El Pit is a deep blue shaft with light, depth, and a dramatic vertical feeling. Nicte Ha is shallow, calm, and framed by jungle, lilies, roots, and natural formations. You experience two very different cenote environments in one day.

    What experience do I need for El Pit and Nicte Ha?

    Advanced Open Water or equivalent is required because El Pit reaches roughly 30 m / 98 ft. Good buoyancy, recent diving, gas awareness, and comfort with a controlled deep descent are strongly recommended.

    How deep is the Nicte Ha dive?

    Nicte Ha is a shallow contrast to El Pit, with a maximum depth around 5 m / 16 ft. Its appeal is the clear water, natural light, lilies, roots, and calm cavern atmosphere rather than depth.

    When are the light beams at El Pit best?

    The most dramatic light depends on sun angle, season, cloud cover, and time of day, so it cannot be guaranteed. El Pit remains an impressive deep cenote even when the light column is softer than in promotional photographs.

    Is this cave diving?

    No. Xico recreational cenote trips are guided cavern dives in the natural-light zone, following a permanent guideline back to the entrance. Full cave diving continues beyond the cavern zone and requires formal technical cave training and specialized equipment.

    What is the water temperature in the cenotes?

    Riviera Maya cenotes are usually around 24-26 C / 75-79 F year-round. A 3 mm wetsuit is comfortable for many divers, while people who get cold easily may prefer additional exposure protection.

    Can I dive a cenote if I have not dived recently?

    Tell us your last dive date and comfort level. Cenotes are calm and clear, but they are overhead cavern environments where buoyancy, trim, awareness, and following the guideline matter. A refresher or local reef check dive may be recommended first.

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