Dive Site: The Wreck

About The Wreck

The C-53 Felipe Xicotencatl, known as "The Wreck" in Cozumel, Mexico, is a prominent artificial reef and a key dive site in the Caribbean. This former U.S. Navy minesweeper, originally named USS Scuffle and later transferred to the Mexican Navy, served for decades before its intentional sinking in June 2000 near Chankanaab Park. Its purpose was to create new marine habitat and alleviate pressure on natural reefs, making it an evolving sanctuary for diverse marine life. The vessel rests at approximately 24 meters (78 feet) on a sand bank, offering a large, intact structure stretching about 61 meters (200 feet) long and 12 meters (40 feet) wide. Divers descend a mooring line to the bow, then explore various sections like the engine room, officers' quarters, and wheelhouse. Its accessibility and multiple exit points make navigation straightforward, though lights are recommended for interior penetration. For those seeking shallower options, Cozumel also features two smaller Navy patrol boats, the P74 Laguna de Mandinga and PC321 Laguna de Patzcuaro, sunk in 6 meters (20 feet) of water. Marine life has thoroughly colonized the C-53, with dense sponges and corals steadily transforming the wreck. You can expect to encounter schools of glassy sweepers within its darker corridors and an impressively large green moray eel often residing inside. The outside environment also attracts groupers and various fish species. This dive is accessible to certified divers with some previous wreck or deep diving experience. While exploration of the exterior is open to many, advanced divers can undertake interior penetration. Cozumel typically offers 1-2 dives per day at this site, providing an immersive experience into both history and marine ecology.

Dive site facts: The Wreck

Depth

6–24 m

Current

Mild

Entry

Liveaboard or dayboat

Level

Intermediate

Dive type

Wreck, Reef

Region / port

Mexico

Coordinates

22.9500° N, 109.4000° W

Conditions & Currents

Currents at the C-53 wreck site can vary, although they are generally manageable for divers with appropriate experience. The site is normally dived by descending a mooring line directly to the bow, providing a controlled entry point. While the primary C-53 wreck site does not typically experience strong surge, the shallower patrol boat wrecks located off Playa las Casitas can have strong currents and boat traffic, necessitating the use of a surface marker buoy for safety if shore diving them. Visibility around the C-53 is usually good but can be influenced by local conditions, providing clear views of the wreck and its marine inhabitants. There are no reported significant thermoclines at this depth. Divers should be certified with previous deep or wreck diving experience to safely explore the C-53, especially for potential interior penetration where lights are advisable.

Liveaboards diving The Wreck

These liveaboards may visit The Wreck on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Nautilus Explorer

Mexico

25 guests44.8 m

$230/day

Valentina

Mexico

20 guests38.1 m

$430/day

Rocio del Mar

Mexico

20 guests33.5 m

$392/day

Nautilus Under Sea

Mexico

19 guests32 m

$261/day

Nautilus Belle Amie

Mexico

32 guests44.8 m

$299/day

Quino del Mar

Mexico

20 guests36 m

$392/day

Nautilus Gallant Lady

Mexico

12 guests35.36 m

$332/day