Cocodrilo Cave System – Cozumel Underwater Cave
The Cocodrilo Cenote is located on the grounds of a beach resort south of San Miguel de Cozumel on the island of Cozumel. The cave system was first explored during the 1990s, when divers began investigating the passages accessible through a cenote located near the shoreline. Although the cenote lies close to the coast, the cenote itself is the only known access point to the cave system.
Exploration History
Initial exploration of Cocodrilo took place in the 1990s. Years later, exploration efforts resumed in the early 2010s, during which additional passages were discovered. At the same time, divers began the process of resurveying the cave in order to produce a new and more accurate map of the system.
The exploration of this cave system is discussed in greater detail in Rob Neto’s book Beneath the Jungle of Cozumel: Connecting the Crowns.
The 2011 Incident
In 2011, an unfortunate incident occurred within the cave system that resulted in a fatality. The cause of the accident was later determined to be carbon monoxide contamination in the diver’s breathing gas. The victim lost consciousness underwater during the dive.
Rob Neto was one of the divers present on the dive and performed resuscitative efforts after the diver was brought out of the water.
Following the incident, access to the cave was restricted by the resort where the cenote is located.
Cave Characteristics
Cocodrilo is typical of many cave systems beneath the island, with passages that generally occur at relatively shallow depths. Most of the cave averages between 15 and 60 feet (4.5–18 meters) in depth. One of the notable features of the system is an air-filled chamber located approximately 3000 feet from the entrance. This chamber was the intended destination of the dive on the day the 2011 accident occurred.
Geological Context & Cave Data
Like other caves beneath Cozumel, the Cocodrilo Cave System formed within the island’s limestone bedrock through karst dissolution. These caves originally developed when sea levels were lower and the passages were dry. As sea levels rose following the last ice age, the caves flooded, creating the submerged cave systems found beneath the island today. Although individual caves may appear isolated, they are all part of the same geological processes that shaped the underground landscape of Cozumel.
Location: Western coastline of Cozumel south of San Miguel
Geology: Limestone karst formation
Cave Type: Submerged limestone cave
Approximate Depth Range: Approximately 15–60 ft (4.5–18 m)
Water Type: Freshwater lens over saltwater intrusion
Formation Process: Dissolution of limestone bedrock
Primary Access: Cenote entrance located on resort property near the shoreline
Exploration Status: Explored and partially resurveyed; access currently restricted
Several of the caves documented on this site were explored during efforts to better understand the underground landscape beneath the island of Cozumel.
Other Cozumel Cave Systems
Cueva Quebrada Cave System
Aerolito Cave System
Tres Potrillos Cave System
Chempita (Jade Cenote)
Sin Nombre Cave System
Kuuchi T’uuchtaj Cave System
See also: Map of Cave Systems on Cozumel
Return to Cozumel Cave Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cocodrilo Cave located?
Cocodrilo Cave is located south of San Miguel on the island of Cozumel. The cave is accessed through a cenote located on the grounds of a beach resort near the shoreline.
How deep is Cocodrilo Cave?
Most passages within the cave system occur between approximately 15 and 60 feet (4.5–18 meters).
Can divers access Cocodrilo Cave?
Access to the cave has been restricted by the resort property where the cenote entrance is located.
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