Bayahibe
EL CHICHO

After passing the water pumping station you continue up the road and eventually get to the "parking area" for the cave. You need to walk down in a big cavern to get to the water's edge, the entrance pool is very big and the cavern is also decorated and is very big as well.
Access is not that bad and climbing down is made easier as boulders have been converted into steps.

Dave at the entrance in El Chicho

Once in the water you go left through the cavern zone and get to the mainline which starts immediately behind the warning sign. The main tunnel is very wide and is very decorated with columns and stalactites, the walls are pristine white and there is very little silt.
After swimming a while the line eventually goes up into a very large dry cave with breathable air and a lot of bats. This dry cave is actually very big and goes pretty far back and is worth hanging out in and exploring as it is highly decorated and looks really cool, there are several sumps in the back of the dry cave but none seem to go but might be worth a look no mount. When facing in, to the right of the mainline at the right side of the dry cave is a jump, it is a bit hard to see as it is hidden under a boulder, this leads through a restriction before coming up to the surface, you need to crawl on your knees for a few meters and then the line drops vertical to about 10meters.

The water pool (El Chicho)

The cave goes through a series of big rooms and breakdowns with a yoyo profile before eventually choking out in a low bedding plane at -24meters.

The cave can be seen using two AL80's and is suitable for BM. The cave does not really silt out so viz is good throughout.

Dave half way up at El Chicho cavern

All the caves are within a 10-15 min drive, dont forget you need to register with the Medio Ambiente office in Bayahibe and pay the park fee before you dive. The office is at the entrance to the Bayahibe port.

click for large Manantial El Chicho map

For more information just contact us directly.

Please check the links section for this area's dive shops, hotels and filling stations.