Aerolito Cave System
Cenote Aerolito is located near the Caleta marina just south of the cruise port terminal. There are multiple openings into the cave system from the cenote. The Aerolito Cave System lies beneath the central portion of Cozumel and represents one of the island’s most visually distinctive submerged networks. It is one of the best known underwater cave systems on the island of Cozumel. Accessible through the main cenote, the system extends horizontally beneath the jungle, incorporating features formed during both dry and submerged phases of its geological history. There is also a passage that extends from the cenote to the nearby marina.
Within its passages, evidence of its air-filled past remains clearly visible in the form of preserved speleothems.
Geological Context
Aerolito formed during periods of lower sea level when much of Cozumel’s limestone terrain was exposed to air. During that time, freshwater movement dissolved passageways while mineral-rich drip water created stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstone formations.
As sea levels rose, these once-dry chambers flooded, submerging the speleothems and transforming the system into an underwater environment. The presence of intact formations provides a clear geological record of this transition.
Halocline layers may be present in certain sections where freshwater and saltwater interact, further influencing visibility and environmental conditions.
Structure & Layout
The Aerolito system consists of extended horizontal passages interspersed with decorated chambers containing preserved formations. Some areas feature relatively open corridors, while others narrow into lower-ceiling segments.
Because of its speleothem density, movement within certain areas requires careful buoyancy control to prevent contact with fragile formations. Sediment stability varies depending on passage depth and historical water flow patterns.
Like many Cozumel systems, expansion historically involved identifying potential leads that could connect to adjacent networks.
Exploration History
Aerolito was first explored in the 1980s and 1990s, when early survey teams documented approximately 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) of passage. Those initial efforts established the primary framework of the system and provided a foundation for future mapping.
Exploration resumed in 2012, when systematic relining and full resurvey work was undertaken to verify previous data and evaluate potential extensions. During this process, overlooked leads were identified and expanded, resulting in the addition of more than 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) of newly documented passage.
Today, Aerolito contains just over 27,000 feet (8,200 meters) of lined and mapped cave, with exploration efforts continuing incrementally as logistics allow.
The discovery and exploration of this cave system, along with the effort to connect cave passages beneath the jungle of Cozumel, is described in greater detail in Rob Neto’s book Beneath the Jungle of Cozumel: Connecting the Crowns.
Notable Features
- Submerged stalactites and stalagmites
- Decorated chambers formed during dry cave phases
- Extended horizontal passage
- Halocline influence in certain areas
- Multiple access points
Mapping & Documentation
Survey work within Aerolito follows established cave mapping protocols, including distance, heading, and depth measurement. Data is incorporated into regional system documentation, helping clarify boundaries and potential connection points.
Because submerged systems can be visually disorienting in the presence of haloclines or disturbed sediment, careful navigation and disciplined survey methodology remain essential.
Documented Exploration
Aerolito and related Cozumel cave systems are discussed in Beneath the Jungle of Cozumel: Connecting the Crowns, where exploration planning, setbacks, and measured expansion are documented in context.
Cave Data
Location: Western shoreline of Cozumel
Geology: Limestone karst formation
Cave Type: Submerged limestone cave
Approximate Depth Range: 12 – 80 ft (4 – 24 m)
Water Type: Freshwater lens over saltwater
Formation process: Karst dissolution
Primary Access: Cenote near Caleta marina
Exploration Status: Ongoing exploration
Exploration of caves beneath the jungle of Cozumel continues to reveal more about the island’s underground landscape.
Other Cozumel Cave Systems
Cueva Quebrada Cave System
Sin Nombre Cave System
Tres Potrillos Cave System
Cocodrilo Cave System
Chempita (Jade Cenote)
Kuuchi T’uuchtaj Cave System
See also: Map of Cave Systems on Cozumel
Return to Cozumel Cave Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Aerolito located?
Aerolito is located near the Caleta boat marina. It can be seen from the road between the highway and the marina.
How deep is Aerolito Cave?
Most passages within the cave system occur between approximately 15 and 70 feet (4.5–21 meters).
What makes Aerolito unique?
Aerolito is the home to a variety of ocean creatures, some that have only been documented within its passages.
Photo Gallery
The following images were taken in Aerolito Cave System by Laurent Miroult. These are areas described in Beneath the Jungle of Cozumel.
For more photos by Laurent Miroult, please visit cavediving.pictures