Cenote Jailhouse. The maximum depth is 90 ft (29 m). Steve Bogearts, with Bil Philips’s help, connected this cave to the massive Ox Bel Ha cave system (‘Three Paths of Water’) on March 28th, 2011.
Historically, the Jailhouse Cenote, the Mayan Blue (Escondido) Cenote, and the Naharon Cenote were part of the Naranjal Cave system. On the weekend of March 28, 2011, Steve Bogearts of Playa del Carmen connected Sistema Naranjal to Sistema Ox Bel Ha. Support cave diver Bil Philips of Tulum assisted with logistics.
Nestled south of Tulum and near the captivating Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, the Ox Bel Ha cave system unveiled its mysteries in 1996 when a team of cave divers embarked on its discovery and exploration.
Ox Bel Ha Cave System from January 2023 (thanks to CINDAQ team efforts) becomes again the World’s Longest Underwater Cave. It boasts an impressive length of 496.8 kilometers (308.6 mi), securing its status as the world’s longest underwater cave system. As of the end of 2023, the cave system encompassed 160+ cenotes. The most notable ones are cenote Jailhouse, cenote Naharon, cenote Escondido (Mayan Blue). According to the latest CINDAQ annual report, the system includes 56674 survey stations, 615 sections, more than 2500 jumps, 1500+ T intersections, and 7683 cave line markers.
Ox Bel Ha Cave System map
The Yucatan Peninsula’s distinctive geological history, a testament to the Earth’s transformative power over millions of years, has given rise to a sprawling labyrinth of underground passages and cenotes. This unique geological formation, a gift to cave divers and geology enthusiasts, has established the Ox Bel Ha cave system as a paradise to explore and admire.
Cenote Jailhouse
The landowner has cleared most of the jungle surrounding the cenote and constructed a stone wall on the south side. Two equipment tables are available, along with a QRSS map on display under a glass frame underneath a palapa roof to protect it from the rain. Finally, stone steps are along the pathway to the water.
The basin’s water is clear from late October to early April, and green-brown algae cover the rest of the year. Once a group of cave divers enters the water of Jailhouse Cenote, it turns to muck.
The permanent line begins to be tied to a stone on the left side of the cave opening. Follow the string thru a small opening, and the line turns right down a steep slope of organic slit debris. Accordingly, you will make a mess if you are not gentle with your buoyancy. At a depth of 40 ft (12.2 m), there will be a permanent T-intersection with two white arrows pointing back to the surface.
This cave area would be considered one the most outstanding in the Riviera Maya if not for all the tannic-stained walls and decorations above the halocline at 60 ft (18.3 m). This tannic acid intrudes into the aquifer from a huge swamp area 8 km west of Nahaton Cenote into the jungle. Within geological time (thousands of years), the tannic acid stains the calcium carbonate into a dark brown. Because everything is so dark, the cave divers’ light is absorbed. The few saltwater areas are not affected as the calcium carbonate is bleached by the saltwater.
Upstream and downstream areas
To the right is the upstream section of the area. Moving along the main line, you will reach the Muknal Siphone area. Continue your cave dive; after about 1 kilometer, you will reach a T-intersection. A short line to the left will take you to Sun Cenote. Moving to the right, after a while, you will reach the Dead Zone passage and find yourself in Cenote Mayan Blue.
To the left is the downstream area. Swim left about 250 ft (76 m) and find two offshoot lines on the right side. The offshoot line that heads to the right is a shortcut to the incredibly deep saltwater line. The offshoot line to the left is another shortcut line and will take you to the beginning of the saltwater area. Jump across and swim right about 100 ft (30.5 m), then jump left, 50 ft (15.2 m), and you enter the beautiful Swiss siphon passage.
Our Jailhouse Cenote cave diving video
Jailhouse Cenote cave lines map
Jailhouse Cenote location map
Steve Bogearts, with Bil Philips’s help, connected this cave to the Ox Bel Ha cave system on March 28th, 2011. There is a beautiful cartography map of this cenote and the surrounding area drawn by Jim Coke.
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