Cozumel Cave Systems Data Table
Several underwater cave systems have been explored on the island of Cozumel. These caves formed within the island’s limestone bedrock through karst dissolution and later flooded as sea levels rose following the last ice age.
The table below summarizes geological characteristics, depth ranges, access points, and exploration status of several known cave systems on the island.
Cave Systems of Cozumel
| Cave System | Location | Depth Range | Primary Access | Exploration Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerolito Cave System | Western shoreline of Cozumel | ~15–60 ft | Coastal cenote entrance | Explored and surveyed |
| Chempita (Jade Cenote) | Southern interior near El Cedral | Surface – ~160 ft | Jungle cenote | Limited exploration due to permit restrictions |
| Cocodrilo Cave System | South of San Miguel near shoreline | ~15–60 ft | Cenote on resort property | Access restricted |
| Cueva Quebrada Cave System (Chankanaab) | Western shoreline near Chankanaab | ~15–60 ft | Coastal cave openings | Exploration ongoing |
| Sin Nombre Cave System | Shoreline near cruise terminal | ~15–60 ft | Cenotes within Royal Village Shopping Center | Exploration ongoing |
| Tres Potrillos Cave System | Jungle interior near shoreline | Surface – ~125 ft | Small jungle cenote | Chamber explored |
| Kuuchi T’uuchtaj Cave System | Jungle interior of Cozumel | ~15–60 ft | Cenote El Poso / Cenote Los Caballos | Exploration ongoing |
Geological Characteristics of Cozumel Caves
The caves beneath Cozumel formed within the island’s limestone karst geology. Freshwater slowly dissolved the limestone over thousands of years, creating underground passages and chambers. When sea levels rose after the last ice age, many of these caves flooded. Today the caves exist beneath a freshwater lens that floats above intruding seawater, producing the haloclines commonly encountered by divers in the region.
Map of Cave Systems
For approximate locations of these caves, see the page:
Map of Cave Systems on Cozumel
Exploration of Cozumel’s Underground Caves
The discovery and exploration of several cave systems on Cozumel have gradually revealed more about the island’s underground landscape.
Many of these exploration efforts and the story of attempting to connect cave passages beneath the jungle are described in Rob Neto’s book Beneath the Jungle of Cozumel: Connecting the Crowns.