Riviera Maya (Quintana Roo)
Sistema Pandora (Muyil)
Info · exploration
Information only: an exploration project with two usable entrances; access has been a problem for years. No source says the cave is open to visiting divers.
- Max depth30 m (98 ft)
- CertificationFull cave
- SpecialExperienced divers
Diving and fills
Dive here with
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Fills nearby
- Zero Gravity'Mixed gas fills' — ask which mixes exactly (trimix, O₂, sorb)
- Pro Dive International (Catalonia Riviera Maya)Air and nitrox (alu 80/12 L); no trimix, O₂ or CCR support
- Cave CCRTrimix and CCR support
Now at Sistema Pandora (Muyil)
The dive
The cave runs under forest, mangrove wetlands and freshwater lagoons south of Muyil. Turtle remains are embedded in the limestone, and the team has referred them to palaeontologists.
Profile and sections
The cave runs under forest, mangrove wetlands and freshwater lagoons south of Muyil. Turtle remains are embedded in the limestone, and the team has referred them to palaeontologists.
Vincent Rouquette-Cathala and Natalie Gibb have explored Pandora since November 2014, with Jorge Armando Castro Gutierrez helping with logistics and access. Their expeditions last seven to ten days. With Patricia Beddows they monitor the water flow, and they take samples for DNA analysis of microbes.
Practical: information only.
- Depth and profile
- Down to 30 m; 22.6 km surveyed, two usable entrances; the furthest open ends lie more than 3 km of scootering from the nearest entrance (InDEPTH 2026).
- Configuration
- Expedition dives on rebreathers with two scooters.
Who can dive where
- At least Full cave
- Configurations: Backmount / twinset / Sidemount / CCR
- Configuration unknown — research beforehand
- Goes down to 30 m (trimix or deco may be needed)
- Experienced divers only
This is how the planner decides who in your team may dive this cave. Rules your own trip adds (organizer, a mail, the AI) show with your trip.
How to get there
South of Muyil: the first entrance was a water-filled opening in a mangrove forest. The team drives an hour each way with two trucks of gear. Access to Cenote Melmak was restored after years without permission.
Around Sistema Pandora (Muyil)
Fills3 fill stations · nearest 1 km
Zero Gravity
Carretera 307 km 269,5, Puerto Aventuras
'Mixed gas fills' — ask which mixes exactly (trimix, O₂, sorb)
Daily 7:30–19:00
Nearest centre. Rental and servicing, also lodging. Arranges access to Otoch Ha (Nariz) and La Concha.
Pro Dive International (Catalonia Riviera Maya)
Avenida Xcacel Lt1 Mz18, Puerto Aventuras
Air and nitrox (alu 80/12 L); no trimix, O₂ or CCR support
Daily 8–17, including public holidays
Resort centre on the beach of hotel Catalonia Riviera Maya, with sister bases at Allegro and Royal Hideaway Playacar. Mainly reef and cenote dives (Dos Ojos, Chac Mool); also sells a two-dive cave excursion for certified cave divers — ask beforehand which caves and which requirements. Not a tech centre.
Cave CCR
Bahía Akumal 31, Puerto Aventuras
Trimix and CCR support
Mon–Fri 8–18, Sat–Sun 8–17
Rental of OC backmount/sidemount, CCR and scooters; official JJ-CCR service centre. Also Cozumel trips.
Drive times from Puerto Aventuras: we don't know this site's exact spot.
News
Access and rules change: check what applies locally right before your trip. Source: GDELT Project and the news feeds of diving magazines. Search for more news ↗ Searched automatically, last on 11 Nov 2026.
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