THE SIAN KA'AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE

The Sian Ka'an ("Origin of the Sky" in Maya) Biosphere Reserve is a natural wonder, and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. It can be considered the equivalent in Mexico to what the Everglades is to the USA.

 

MCEP's first visit exploring the underground caves in Sian Ka'an dates back to the winter of 2006. That year, as an extension to the Ox Bel Ha cave exploration project happening nearby to the north, a team was sent scouting for the possible diving connection between OBH and the SKBR. Although to date no connection has been made, we have discovered several new caves below the shallow lagoons and have established records for the two longest single-entry underwater caves in Mexico.

 

We work in collaboration with Mexico's National Protected Area Agency (CONANP) under the Ministry of Environment (SEMARNAT) and through cave exploration, mapping and basic science, MCEP along with CINDAQ (Centro Investigador del Sistema Acuifero de Quintana Roo) support local efforts for protection, and management of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.

 

We continue to combat the logistical challenges and the dynamic environments associated with these growing caves, as it is clear that the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve represents the “New Frontier” of underwater cave exploration in Quintana Roo.

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