A cave dive is considered any dive that takes place under a naturally occurring rock ceiling. Cave diving has been considered one of the most extreme and hazardous forms of diving, but it doesn’t have to be if you get proper training and follow the rules. There are two forms of cave diving: cavern diving and full cave diving.

Photos by: Steve Straatsma

Cavern diving is defined as a dive that takes place under no-decompression limits during daylight hours within direct sight of the surface. Limits for cavern diving are a maximum of 70 feet (21 m) deep and no more than 130 feet (40 m) of penetration into the cavern zone. The cavern must be large enough for two divers to swim side by side at all times. Visibility should be 40 or more feet (12 m). Cavern diving requires special training, equipment, techniques, and procedures and should not be conducted unless you have the proper training. Diving in caverns can be extremely exciting and a beautiful experience. Clear water, beautiful limestone walls, and natural sunlight illuminating the cavern area make a beautiful backdrop to an exciting diving experience.

Full cave diving is penetrating into a cave further than the sight of the surface or natural light. Cave diving is considered diving to a maximum depth of 130 feet (40 m), but routinely, cave divers explore to much deeper depths than that. Cave diving requires special training, equipment, techniques, and procedures and should not be conducted unless you have the proper training. Diving into a cave further than the penetration of natural light is an extremely exhilarating and beautiful experience.

Cave divers regularly speak about the shape of the tunnels, rock formations, pristine cave floor, etc. as some of the reasons they go where they go. Being underground, surrounded in a body of water can be intimidating to the faint at heart, but if the exploration side of you longs to see what few have seen before and go places many only dream of, then cave diving might be for you.