The Riviera Maya is undoubtedly one of the most renowned and densely explored regions in the world for underwater cave systems. In addition to its vast network of cenotes, tunnels, and submerged caves, the area is home to a diverse community of passionate and highly skilled individuals who share a deep commitment to this beautiful, yet challenging and technical discipline.
Since the 1990s, several prominent cave exploration groups have operated throughout the Yucatán Peninsula and the Riviera Maya, including GEO (Grupo de Exploración Ox Bel Ha), MCEP (Mexican Cave Exploration Project), and others. These teams have been instrumental in the discovery, mapping, and documentation of some of the longest and most complex underwater cave systems on the planet.
Despite the shared passion among cave divers, unifying this community has proven to be a complex task. Cave exploration and surveying demand a high level of precision, dedication, and teamwork. Discovering untouched passages—places where no human has ever ventured—is not only a rare and deeply rewarding experience, but also a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth. For divers and instructors alike, these moments represent an opportunity to deepen their skills, expand their knowledge, and contribute meaningfully to the greater community.
What the Caves Taught Me About Community
Since 2017, I have been steadily building my cave diving knowledge and skill set — starting from the most basic level, with the long-term goal of contributing to exploration. I’ve been fortunate to receive valuable mentorship along the way, and I remain deeply appreciative of those who guided and supported my development.
For many years, the exploration projects I participated in were small in scale, typically involving just two or three divers. These early efforts offered rich opportunities for growth, allowing me to gain experience, develop competence, and build a deeper understanding of the cave systems of the Riviera Maya.
Over time, however, I began to notice a recurring theme: a sense of secrecy surrounding many exploration projects. Discoveries were often kept private, and with few exceptions, divers with limited experience were rarely invited to participate. Solo exploration remains a common practice in the region, and while there are understandable reasons for such approaches, they can create barriers for new divers seeking to learn and contribute.
Recognizing this, my close partners and I have committed to offering a different perspective within this already complex world of cave diving. Our goal is not to judge or criticize existing groups or explorers. Instead, we aim to foster a community grounded in shared passion, meaningful collaboration, and openness—where experience is passed on, negativity is left behind, and every diver feels they have a place in the story of exploration.
A New Approach to Exploration and Inclusion
In 2024, some of my closest friends introduced me to Sistema Cocom, located north of Playa del Carmen. Although the cave had been explored years ago by Vicente Fito and others, I quickly fell in love with it and felt it deserved a fresh look. We began a detailed resurvey of the system, and as the project progressed, many of my cave diving friends and former students expressed interest in joining our efforts.
However, we faced a challenge: most of the passages near the entrance had already been resurveyed, and the new tunnels we discovered were located much deeper in the system—often beyond major restrictions and in areas that required advanced skill and comfort with complex dive profiles. This made it difficult to safely involve less experienced divers. Saying no to passionate and motivated individuals was never easy; doing so risked discouraging their growth, diminishing their sense of purpose, and creating the impression that this was a closed, exclusive project.
After open conversations with members of the local diving community, we realized the need for a different approach. We decided to shift our focus toward building a community-oriented initiative—centered around a larger cave system that could be explored and studied collaboratively. Our goal is to create an inclusive project where divers of various certification levels and experience can contribute meaningfully, learn from one another, and grow within a supportive, purpose-driven environment.
This initiative marked the birth of PURE—Playa del Carmen Underwater Resurvey and Exploration—a community-driven project dedicated to the resurvey and exploration of local, well-known cave systems. Our ultimate goal is to produce accurate, detailed maps that can serve as valuable resources for visiting divers and instructors, while fostering a culture of collaboration, education, and shared passion for cave diving.
From Vision to Action: How PURE Took Shape
We began by organizing evening meetings where we presented the idea behind PURE. As hoped, it was met with enthusiasm and support. The next step was to structure the group and ensure that all core members were capable, knowledgeable, and wellpracticed in cave surveying techniques. From the outset, we chose to use the Mnemo electronic survey device, as it offers high accuracy and allows for efficient data collection within a relatively short time frame.
To ensure consistency and safety, we conducted dryland practice sessions and implemented a mentoring approach: divers with little or no cave survey experience would be paired with more experienced partners during their initial dives. We also agreed not to focus on the quantity of data collected, as overemphasis on volume can compromise long-term accuracy. We understood that certain areas might need to be resurveyed multiple times and that producing quality results would take time and patience.
One of the ongoing challenges has been scheduling. Most of us are full-time diving instructors, and the high season often limits the amount of free time available for exploration dives. Despite this, the commitment remains strong. PURE was founded under the banner of GUE (Global Underwater Explorers). All participating divers are certified through the agency, meet minimum training requirements, follow standardized equipment configurations, and adhere to GUE's core principles—most importantly, prioritizing safety above all else. And finally, one essential question remained: which system should we resurvey first?
Unmapped Depths: Ponderosa’s Next Chapter in Exploration
One of the most famous and frequently visited cave diving training sites in the Riviera Maya is the Ponderosa Cave System. Initial exploration began in June–July 1990, when Bill and Joyce Matthews introduced Tony and Nancy DeRosa to a promising cenote on private land. In July, they returned with Steve Gerrard, and over four days installed more than 2,400 feet of line, naming key features such as The Pool Room and its stunning air dome, The Chapel.
Ponderosa is widely appreciated by both cavern and cave-certified divers. The site offers easy access via a platform and steps, leading into a 100-meter illuminated cavern that flows toward Corral Cenote. The system is currently estimated to exceed 15 kilometers (approximately 49,000 feet) in length, and includes connections to several major cenotes such as Cenote Azul, Cenote Cristalino, and Kantun Chi. Although multiple teams have surveyed parts of the system over the years, no detailed or publicly available cave navigation map has been published to date. This presents a unique opportunity—not only for the local diving community but also for visiting instructors and divers—who are looking to engage in something meaningful during their time in the region.
More Than a Map: A Community in the Making
Our first dives under the PURE initiative began in February 2024. While our progress has been intentionally steady rather than rushed, the commitment from the team has been unwavering. Since then, we’ve successfully collected data on nearly one-third of the existing lines within the Ponderosa system. As the lower work season approaches this summer, we hope to see increased participation from local divers. Likewise, we look forward to welcoming visiting divers during the upcoming winter season—those eager to contribute meaningfully to the project during their time in the Riviera Maya. In addition to our survey work, we are planning a visual documentation project to highlight key features and passages of the system through video and photography. One of our long-term goals is to create an interactive online map that will be freely accessible, providing a valuable tool for divers and instructors alike.
Looking beyond Ponderosa, we are also turning our attention north of Playa del Carmen, where we've identified a number of potential cenotes and sinkholes with high exploratory value. Some of these sites require extended jungle hikes and larger logistical teams, but they offer exciting new possibilities for discovery and connection. Without question, one of our most meaningful achievements has already been realized: we’ve built a strong, inclusive community where passion and knowledge are shared openly, and where equality takes precedence over exclusivity. In a discipline that can sometimes feel cloaked in mystery, we believe in making cave exploration accessible, collaborative, and purpose-driven—and this is only the beginning.
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Emőke Wagner is a Hungarian cave diving instructor and explorer from Sopron who holds a 2013 human-kinesiology degree from Semmelweis University. After several years in healthcare, she turned professional diver, teaching in the Maldives (2014-17) before moving to Mexico to pursue caves full-time. A GUE instructor since 2016, she teaches Cave, DPV, Tech, and Recreational courses in English, German, Spanish, and Hungarian. She has logged 4,200 dives—over 1,200 in caves, 500 decompression, 300 wreck, 700 DPV—and has mapped more than 55 km/34 mi of new passage with a record penetration of 6.37 km/3.96 mi. Her exploration spans Mexico, Florida, France, and Hungary with roles in MCEP (2018-20), BEL (2020-23), Cocom (2024-25), and, as project leader, PURE (2025). Major exploration zones include Chuup Ich, Akalche, Yax Chen, La Concha, Abejas, and Cocom. Blending academic rigor with field skill, she promotes safe technique and conservation while mentoring the next generation of cave divers.
