Author: Alexander Vronsky

Cenote Tres Estrellas is part of the K’oox Baal cave system (including the Tux Kapaxa system).

Between 2006 and 2011, cave divers explored more than 30 km of new cave passages in the K’oox Baal system. On December 9, 2011, the two cave systems merged and became known as K’oox Baal. Already boasting an impressive total cave line length of 75,140 meters, it was subsequently extended to 102,901 meters and is now proudly considered the fourth-longest underwater cave system in the world.

Historic Connection: “Mother of All Cenotes” Linked to K’oox Baal System

On June 22, 2025, Phillip Lehman, Patrick Widmann, Rosso Rivera, and Robbie Schmittner successfully connected the “Mother of All Cenotes” to the K’oox Baal cave system. This achievement followed the discovery of a navigable passage between the two systems, which lie approximately 1.5 kilometers apart.

To bridge the gap, the team laid over 8 kilometers of guideline, establishing a permanent connection between the cave networks. The exploratory dive lasted 425 minutes and was conducted using Seacraft scooters, mNemo mapping tools, and Sidewinder rebreathers, enabling the team to navigate, map, and document the newly accessed sections with precision.

With this connection, the total surveyed length of the K’oox Baal system now reaches 123 kilometers, marking a significant milestone in the exploration of underwater cave systems in the region.

By the way, the first (Ox Bel Ha) and second (Sac Actun-Nohoch-Dos Ojos) underwater cave systems in the world are also located here on the Rivera Maya and we can dive them as well

Establishing this connection is the culmination of years of effort by cave divers worldwide. Researchers have conducted hundreds of dives in the region’s caves and spent thousands of hours underwater. They spent hundreds more hours exploring and navigating the treacherous jungle. They transported and maintained diving equipment, drove cars, and oversaw their endless repairs.

Today, the K’oox Baal is the world’s longest cave system, whose entire surface, including contours and cave lines, has been fully mapped.

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Our K’oox Baal cave diving video

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Cenote Tres Estrellas (Three Stars or Ox-ek in Maya)

The maximum depth of this cave system area is 42 ft (12.8 m).

This location got its name from three holes in the ceiling of a large dry room with a pool of water inside. Walk down the set of stairs, follow the path to the water, and walk carefully into the water. The permanent guideline lies straight ahead, perpendicular to the surface.

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Tres Estrellas Cenote location map

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The first explorers of the Sistema Tux Kapaxa side were Gunnar Wagner and Robbie Schmittner.

Bill Philips and Robbie Schmittner were the first explorers of the K’oox Baal System.

Other explorers were Steve Bogearts, Petr Chmel, Miloslav Dvoracek, Harry Hicks, Radoslav Husak, Daniel Hutnan, Martin Hutnan, Karol Kyska, Radek Jancar, Andres Labarthe, Miroslav Manhunt, Michal Megela, Theirry Minet, Zdenek Motycka, Bil Philips, Sabine Schnittger, Wulf Schubert, Jan Sirotek, Sarka Stepanova, Kamila Svobodova, and Radoslav Teichmann, Phillip Lehman, Patrick Widmann, Rosso Rivera, Max and Laura Tobey.

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Cenote Sac Xiquin is part of the K’oox Baal cave system (including the Tux Kapaxa system).

Between 2006 and 2011, cave divers explored more than 30 km of new cave passages in the K’oox Baal system. On December 9, 2011, the two cave systems merged and became known as K’oox Baal. Already boasting an impressive total cave line length of 75,140 meters, it was subsequently extended to 102,901 meters and is now proudly considered the fourth-longest underwater cave system in the world.

Historic Connection: “Mother of All Cenotes” Linked to K’oox Baal System

On June 22, 2025, Phillip Lehman, Patrick Widmann, Rosso Rivera, and Robbie Schmittner successfully connected the “Mother of All Cenotes” to the K’oox Baal cave system. This achievement followed the discovery of a navigable passage between the two systems, which lie approximately 1.5 kilometers apart.

To bridge the gap, the team laid over 8 kilometers of guideline, establishing a permanent connection between the cave networks. The exploratory dive lasted 425 minutes and was conducted using Seacraft scooters, mNemo mapping tools, and Sidewinder rebreathers, enabling the team to navigate, map, and document the newly accessed sections with precision.

With this connection, the total surveyed length of the K’oox Baal system now reaches 123 kilometers, marking a significant milestone in the exploration of underwater cave systems in the region.

By the way, the first (Ox Bel Ha) and second (Sac Actun-Nohoch-Dos Ojos) underwater cave systems in the world are also located here on the Rivera Maya and we can dive them as well

Establishing this connection is the culmination of years of effort by cave divers worldwide. Researchers have conducted hundreds of dives in caves in the region and spent thousands of hours underwater. They spent hundreds more hours exploring and navigating the treacherous jungle. They transported and maintained diving equipment, drove cars, and oversaw their endless repairs.

Today, the K’oox Baal is the world’s longest cave system, whose entire surface, including contours and cave lines, has been fully mapped.

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Our K’oox Baal cave diving video

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The maximum depth in this area is 44 ft (13.4 m).

There are two cenotes located within the area of this cenote. This cenote requires an eight-minute hike from the parking area at Cenote Coop One. Follow the path behind the dugout trench of Cenote Coop one, and you will pass Cenote Quintan, a 600 ft (183 m) separate cave. Continue following the trail through a very elongated dry cenote unto a very shallow water basin at the edge of a vertical high bluff of the cenote. The permanent guideline begins on a stalactite near the water’s surface.

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Sac Xiquin Cenote location map

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The first explorers of the Sistema Tux Kapaxa side were Gunnar Wagner and Robbie Schmittner.

Bill Philips and Robbie Schmittner were the first explorers of the K’oox Baal System.

Other explorers were Steve Bogearts, Petr Chmel, Miloslav Dvoracek, Harry Hicks, Radoslav Husak, Daniel Hutnan, Martin Hutnan, Karol Kyska, Radek Jancar, Andres Labarthe, Miroslav Manhunt, Michal Megela, Theirry Minet, Zdenek Motycka, Bil Philips, Sabine Schnittger, Wulf Schubert, Jan Sirotek, Sarka Stepanova, Kamila Svobodova, and Radoslav Teichmann, Phillip Lehman, Patrick Widmann, Rosso Rivera, Max and Laura Tobey.

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Back

Cenote Koi is part of the K’oox Baal cave system (including the Tux Kapaxa system).

Between 2006 and 2011, cave divers explored more than 30 km of new cave passages in the K’oox Baal system. On December 9, 2011, the two cave systems merged and became known as K’oox Baal. Already an impressive total cave line length of 75,140 meters, it was extended to 102,901 meters and is now proudly considered the fourth longest underwater cave system in the world.

Historic Connection: “Mother of All Cenotes” Linked to K’oox Baal System

On June 22, 2025, Phillip Lehman, Patrick Widmann, Rosso Rivera, and Robbie Schmittner successfully connected the “Mother of All Cenotes” to the K’oox Baal cave system. This achievement followed the discovery of a navigable passage between the two systems, which lie approximately 1.5 kilometers apart.

To bridge the gap, the team laid over 8 kilometers of guideline, establishing a permanent connection between the cave networks. The exploratory dive lasted 425 minutes and was conducted using Seacraft scooters, mNemo mapping tools, and Sidewinder rebreathers, enabling the team to navigate, map, and document the newly accessed sections with precision.

With this connection, the total surveyed length of the K’oox Baal system now reaches 123 kilometers, marking a significant milestone in the exploration of underwater cave systems in the region.

By the way, the first (Ox Bel Ha) and second (Sac Actun-Nohoch-Dos Ojos) underwater cave systems in the world are also located here on the Rivera Maya and we can dive them as well

Establishing this connection is the culmination of years of effort by cave divers worldwide. Researchers have conducted hundreds of dives in caves in the region and spent thousands of hours underwater. They spent hundreds more hours exploring and navigating the treacherous jungle. They transported and maintained diving equipment, drove cars, and oversaw their endless repairs.

Today, the K’oox Baal is the world’s longest cave system, whose entire surface, including contours and cave lines, has been fully mapped.

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Our K’oox Baal cave diving video

Cenote Koi and cenote Nai Tucha (originally Tux Kapaxa, the Playground Cave)

The maximum depth is 48 ft (14.6 m).

There are several openings to the surface, with one named Cenote Koi. The main permanent guideline begins in the open water. Follow the main line, swimming for twenty minutes. Jump to your left, follow this 150 ft/ (45.7 m) shortcut, and jump back onto a main guideline. This section of the cave system has massive passageways and is highly decorated. Turn left and swim twelve minutes to an INAH-documented bone site.

Another great dive is to stay on the main line until you reach a permanent T intersection. Turn left and swim twenty minutes to the bone site. Swim straight; eight minutes later, you will reach an air dome with two shafts to the surface.

K’oox Baal Cave system map

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Koi Cenote location map

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The first explorers of the Sistema Tux Kapaxa side were Gunnar Wagner and Robbie Schmittner.

Bill Philips and Robbie Schmittner were the first explorers of the K’oox Baal System.

Other explorers were Steve Bogearts, Petr Chmel, Miloslav Dvoracek, Harry Hicks, Radoslav Husak, Daniel Hutnan, Martin Hutnan, Karol Kyska, Radek Jancar, Andres Labarthe, Miroslav Manhunt, Michal Megela, Theirry Minet, Zdenek Motycka, Bil Philips, Sabine Schnittger, Wulf Schubert, Jan Sirotek, Sarka Stepanova, Kamila Svobodova, and Radoslav Teichmann, Phillip Lehman, Patrick Widmann, Rosso Rivera, Max and Laura Tobey.

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Back

Cenote Nai Tucha is part of the K’oox Baal cave system (including the Tux Kapaxa system).

Between 2006 and 2011, cave divers explored more than 30 km of new cave passages in the Tux Kapaxa system. On December 9, 2011, the two cave systems merged and became known as K’oox Baal. Already boasting an impressive total cave line length of 75,140 meters, it was subsequently extended to 102,901 meters and is now proudly considered the fourth-longest underwater cave system in the world.

Historic Connection: “Mother of All Cenotes” Linked to K’oox Baal System

On June 22, 2025, Phillip Lehman, Patrick Widmann, Rosso Rivera, and Robbie Schmittner successfully connected the “Mother of All Cenotes” to the K’oox Baal cave system. This achievement followed the discovery of a navigable passage between the two systems, which lie approximately 1.5 kilometers apart.

To bridge the gap, the team laid over 8 kilometers of guideline, establishing a permanent connection between the cave networks. The exploratory dive lasted 425 minutes and was conducted using Seacraft scooters, mNemo mapping tools, and Sidewinder rebreathers, enabling the team to navigate, map, and document the newly accessed sections with precision.

With this connection, the total surveyed length of the K’oox Baal system now reaches 123 kilometers, marking a significant milestone in the exploration of underwater cave systems in the region.

By the way, the first (Ox Bel Ha) and second (Sac Actun-Nohoch-Dos Ojos) underwater cave systems in the world are also located here on the Rivera Maya and we can dive them as well

Establishing this connection is the culmination of years of effort by cave divers worldwide. Researchers have conducted hundreds of dives in the region’s caves and spent thousands of hours underwater. They spent hundreds of more hours exploring and navigating the treacherous jungle. They transported and maintained diving equipment, drove cars, and oversaw their endless repairs.

Today, the K’oox Baal is the world’s longest cave system, whose entire surface, including contours and cave lines, has been fully mapped.

---

Our K’oox Baal cave diving video

Cenote Nai Tucha (originally Tux Kapaxa, the Playground Cave) and Cenote Koi

The maximum depth is 48 ft (14.6 m).

There are several openings to the surface, with one notable example being Cenote Nai Tucha. The main permanent guideline begins in the open water. Follow the main line, swimming for twenty minutes. Jump to your left, follow this 150 ft/ (45.7 m) shortcut, and jump back onto a main guideline. This section of the cave system has massive passageways and is highly decorated. Turn left and swim twelve minutes to an INAH-documented bone site.

Another great dive is to stay on the main line until you reach a permanent T intersection. Turn left and swim twenty minutes to the bone site. Swim straight; eight minutes later, you will reach an air dome with two shafts to the surface. From there, continue. You can swim straight to Cenote Koi or, at the far edge of the air dome on the permanent guideline, jump to your right 45 ft (13.7 m) for the more fabulous cave.

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Nai Tucha Cenote location map

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The first explorers of the Sistema Tux Kapaxa side were Gunnar Wagner and Robbie Schmittner.

Bill Philips and Robbie Schmittner were the first explorers of the K’oox Baal System.

Other explorers were Steve Bogearts, Petr Chmel, Miloslav Dvoracek, Harry Hicks, Radoslav Husak, Daniel Hutnan, Martin Hutnan, Karol Kyska, Radek Jancar, Andres Labarthe, Miroslav Manhunt, Michal Megela, Theirry Minet, Zdenek Motycka, Bil Philips, Sabine Schnittger, Wulf Schubert, Jan Sirotek, Sarka Stepanova, Kamila Svobodova, and Radoslav Teichmann, Phillip Lehman, Patrick Widmann, Rosso Rivera, Max and Laura Tobey.

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