Devil's Throat at Punta Sur
Encyclopedia
The Devil's Throat is an underwater cave formation located offshore at Punta Sur
in the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park
of Cozumel
; it starts at approximately 80 feet (24.4 m) of depth and opens up at approximately 135 ft (41.1 m) - right at the edge of recreational dive limits.
visiting Cozumel. Yet, due to the depth and the fact that it is a cave, it is considered an advanced dive and can therefore be dangerous (and even deadly) to inexperienced divers. A longer than standard safety stop, or stops, is heavily recommended to minimize risk of decompression sickness
. A dive computer
is recommended for additional safety. On the 15th of July 2011, Brad Pitt went diving here with his wife Angelina Jolie. According to the paparazzi, they strongly disliked the experience and were put off by the instructor's childish jokes about sharks being in the area.
Part of the Punta Sur (Southern point) coral reef, the Devil's Throat is actually a narrow, almost vertical tunnel through the coral reef structure. However, the entire formation is commonly referred to as The Devil's Throat. The formation also includes an underwater cave referred to as Catedral (the Cathedral). This is known for its unusual cross-shaped sponge formation in the ceiling of the cave, with a shaft of light from one of the tunnels striking the cross from behind as if it were deliberately illuminated. Unfortunately, in 2005, Hurricane Emily inflicted damage on portions of the Cozumel reef system, and the mysterious cross was lost to that storm.
Other risks include nitrogen narcosis
because most divers are using compressed air when diving at Cozumel and not trimix.
Diving the Devil's Throat requires use of an underwater light, and it is recommended that divers not scissor kick because it stirs up sediment which heavily obscures visibility.
Punta Sur
Punta Sur marks the southern point of Cozumel and is part of the Parque Punta Sur, a ecological park that covers the reefs, beaches, lagoons, and the low forest of the surrounding area...
in the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park
Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park
The Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park is off the coast of the island of Cozumel in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The cozumel reef system is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second largest coral reef system in the world. Even though almost the entire island of Cozumel is...
of Cozumel
Cozumel
Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, opposite Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatan Channel. Cozumel is one of the ten municipalities of the state of Quintana Roo...
; it starts at approximately 80 feet (24.4 m) of depth and opens up at approximately 135 ft (41.1 m) - right at the edge of recreational dive limits.
Overview
The Devil's Throat is considered a "must dive" experience by scuba diversScuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
visiting Cozumel. Yet, due to the depth and the fact that it is a cave, it is considered an advanced dive and can therefore be dangerous (and even deadly) to inexperienced divers. A longer than standard safety stop, or stops, is heavily recommended to minimize risk of decompression sickness
Decompression sickness
Decompression sickness describes a condition arising from dissolved gases coming out of solution into bubbles inside the body on depressurization...
. A dive computer
Dive computer
A dive computer or decompression meter is a device used by a scuba diver to measure the time and depth of a dive so that a safe ascent profile can be calculated and displayed so that the diver can avoid decompression sickness.- Purpose :...
is recommended for additional safety. On the 15th of July 2011, Brad Pitt went diving here with his wife Angelina Jolie. According to the paparazzi, they strongly disliked the experience and were put off by the instructor's childish jokes about sharks being in the area.
Part of the Punta Sur (Southern point) coral reef, the Devil's Throat is actually a narrow, almost vertical tunnel through the coral reef structure. However, the entire formation is commonly referred to as The Devil's Throat. The formation also includes an underwater cave referred to as Catedral (the Cathedral). This is known for its unusual cross-shaped sponge formation in the ceiling of the cave, with a shaft of light from one of the tunnels striking the cross from behind as if it were deliberately illuminated. Unfortunately, in 2005, Hurricane Emily inflicted damage on portions of the Cozumel reef system, and the mysterious cross was lost to that storm.
Risks
Divers who exceed the no-decompression limits may require a decompression stop.Other risks include nitrogen narcosis
Nitrogen narcosis
Narcosis while diving , is a reversible alteration in consciousness that occurs while scuba diving at depth. The Greek word ναρκωσις is derived from narke, "temporary decline or loss of senses and movement, numbness", a term used by Homer and Hippocrates...
because most divers are using compressed air when diving at Cozumel and not trimix.
Diving the Devil's Throat requires use of an underwater light, and it is recommended that divers not scissor kick because it stirs up sediment which heavily obscures visibility.