Dive Site: Ultrafreeze

About Ultrafreeze

The Ultrafreeze, also known as El Frio, is a 200-foot cargo ship and tugboat deliberately sunk to form an artificial reef off the Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It rests in Bahia de Mujeres, situated between Cancun and Isla Mujeres, approximately 7 miles southeast of Isla Mujeres. The vessel caught fire while docked at Isla Mujeres, sustaining severe damage that rendered it unseaworthy before its sinking in 1979. Today, the Ultrafreeze lies upright at depths ranging from 85 to 100 feet (26 to 30 meters). Its hull remains largely intact, though Hurricane Andrew in 1992 split the starboard side, creating an L-shaped angle. The wheelhouse, found at 70 feet (21 meters), is adorned with vibrant red, green, and yellow hard corals. Divers can explore its interior, which features loose cables, a staircase, and open cargo holds, with numerous entry and exit points. This site is renowned for its diverse marine life, attracting underwater photographers and divers seeking encounters with large fish. Common sightings include sea turtles, manta rays, groupers, barracuda, jacks, snook, grunts, tarpon, moray eels, and even occasional dolphins. Despite the hurricane damage, coral growth on the wreck is significant, supporting a thriving ecosystem. Due to its depth and potential for strong currents, Ultrafreeze is considered an advanced dive, suitable for certified divers with Advanced Open Water certification. It is typically accessed via a 30-minute boat ride from either Cancun or Isla Mujeres. The typical visibility is around 65 feet (20 meters), and water temperatures average 79°F (26°C).