What is Car Wash Cenote?
Cenote Car Wash, also known by its Maya name “Actun Ha”, literally translates to “rocks water”. But the more amusing reason behind its name? Locals once used it as an actual car wash before divers discovered its true beauty.
Now, Car Wash Cenote is a popular dive site in Tulum, offering something for all levels of divers, from open water divers enjoying the vibrant freshwater life to cavern and cave divers exploring the hidden depths beyond the light zone.
It’s also a great snorkeling spot, thanks to its shallow open area, lily pads, and abundant fish life.
Why Dive at Car Wash Cenote?
✔ Breathtaking Light Effects – At the right time of day, sunlight streams through the entrance, creating an incredible “Wall of Light” in the cavern.
✔ Great for All Levels – An easy, shallow dive for beginners, yet deep enough for cavern and cave divers to explore.
✔ Rich Aquatic Life – Turtles, freshwater fish, and stunning plant life make it feel like diving in an underwater garden.
✔ Fantastic Training Site – With its calm, open-water area, it’s perfect for practicing buoyancy, sidemount, and cavern diving skills.
The Open Water Zone – A Natural Paradise
The open water area of Car Wash Cenote is full of life.
🌿 Lily pads cover the surface, providing a vivid green backdrop.
🐟 Colorful fish dart between the aquatic plants.
🐢 Freshwater turtles swim lazily, surfacing for air before diving back to feed.
This area is perfect for first-time cenote divers to get comfortable before heading into the cavern.
Into the Cavern – A Natural Light Show
Moving from the open water, we enter the cavern zone, where the magic really begins.
☀️ A Wall of Light – At certain times of day, sunlight pierces the surface, refracting into intense beams of light that shimmer and dance through the cavern.
🌊 Massive Overhangs & Rock Formations – The limestone walls create an awe-inspiring sense of scale.
🪨 Crystal-clear visibility – On a good day, you can see over 30 meters ahead.
Even when we reach the back of the cavern, the entrance remains visible, providing a sense of safety and orientation.
👉 Want to experience this light show for yourself? Book a dive at Car Wash Cenote.
Training & Sidemount Diving at Car Wash
Car Wash Cenote is an amazing training site for:
✔ Buoyancy control – The open area provides the perfect spot to fine-tune your skills.
✔ Sidemount diving – The large, open water zone makes it ideal for getting comfortable with sidemount gear.
✔ Cavern training – The cavern zone is spacious yet structured, allowing for safe skill-building before progressing to full cave diving.
At Best Cenote Dives, we use sidemount in caverns all the time, so if you want the best training experience, you’re in the right place.
👉 Interested in a Sidemount or Cavern Course? Learn more here.
What’s the Best Time to Dive at Car Wash?
To witness the famous Wall of Light, the time of day matters. The best light effects occur when:
✔ The sun is high – Typically between late morning and early afternoon.
✔ The water is calm – Less surface movement = stronger beams of light.
✔ You position yourself just right – Your guide will help you find the perfect spot.
The angle of the sunlight creates a different effect each time, so every dive is a unique experience.
Exploring the Cave System
If you’re a certified cave diver, you can go beyond the cavern into the upstream and downstream sections of Car Wash Cenote.
✔ Upstream Cave – Features large tunnels, dramatic formations, and incredible visibility.
✔ Downstream Cave – More narrow passages, with intricate rock formations and pockets of ancient air bubbles trapped for thousands of years.
These caves extend far beyond what most divers ever see—a hidden world beneath the jungle.
Diving Tours to Car Wash Cenote
📍 Never dived before? 👉 Try Discover Scuba Diving – No certification needed!
📍 Certified diver? 👉 Book a Cenote Diving Tour – Dive Car Wash & other stunning cenotes.
🔹 Casa Cenote & Car Wash
🔹 Angelita & Car Wash
