Learn why you must visit to the stunning C-53 ship wreck in Cozumel during your next Cancun vacation! Here’s everything you need to know!

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When most people are planning a Cancun vacation, they think of beautiful white beaches, all-inclusive hotels, and relaxation. However, as I’ve written before, there are many other things to do in the Yucatan peninsula.

Scuba diving in Cozumel is one of those unforgettable activities that most people don’t ever get to experience. With a little planning you can see an underwater world teeming with life and brilliant colors.

I had the opportunity to visit the site of the C-53 ship wreck in Cozumel and it was absolutely amazing! Diving this wreck gave me the unique opportunity to explore the ship while at the same time experience the underwater wonders that Cozumel has to offer, all in one day!

Diving this wreck lets you experience a part of American World War II history. You can get an incredible perspective of the ship by swimming on the outside, but if you’re ready for an advanced dive, you can also go inside the ship!

Interested in diving Cozumel’s reef? Check out my article Cozumel’s stunning reefs.

Travel with Iván

History behind the C-53

The C-53 was initially built for the United States Navy during World War II. It was an Admirable-class minesweeper, which means that it was a ship designed to remove or even detonate naval mines helping keep waters safe for other ships.

The ship’s original name was the USS Scuffle (AM-298) when it was originally commissioned in 1943. It was decommissioned in 1946 after World War II was over.

The ship was sold to the Mexican Navy in 1962 where it was renamed ARM DM-05. It was renamed again in 1994 as the ARM General Felipe Xicoténcatl (C-53). In 1999 it was artificially sunk, and it was taken off the official Mexican Navy rolls in 2000, one year later.

During World War II, in 1945, the Scuffle performed pre-invasion sweeps in Manila Bay in the Philippines. It survived attacks from the Japanese during a couple of its sweeps, accomplishing its mission of making the waters safe and opening the harbor.

The Scuffle helped sweep other Japanese mine fields towards the end of the war.

While it was part of the Mexican Navy, the Scuffle did not participate in any active war efforts. In 1999, it was artificially sunk for the enjoyment of recreational divers world wide. 😃

Here are the specifications for this great boat:

• Displacement: 945 tons
• Length: 184 feet (56 meters)
• Beam (widest point on the waterline): 33 feet (10 meters)
• Draft (distance between waterline and deepest point of the boat): 9’9″ (3 meters)

Source: navsource.org

What to expect when diving the C-53 wreck

Diving the C-53 in Cozumel will allow you to experience both the grandiose size of this artificial wreck, as well as the marine life surrounding it.

Some of the marine life you will have an opportunity to see include crabs, lobsters, moraine eels, barracudas, and snappers.

In addition you can also penetrate the ship, and get to explore some of its chambers. The chambers include the machine room, the cabin, hallways, a few rooms, and even the bathroom!

Diving inside of the boat is limited to only 4 divers per divemaster, and a dive torch is required.

Dive details and logistics

This dive can be broken down into two types of different dives: an easy dive through the outside part of the ship (only requires Advanced Open Water certification), and an advanced dive which penetrates the ship. This last one requires Cave certification or similar level of skill, since you will be diving through reduced spaces with no clear path to the surface.

• Depth: 65-70 ft
• Time: 50-60 min
• Bottom temperature: 83F (October)

Recall that the advanced dive is limited to 4 people per divemaster.

If cave diving or cenote diving is your thing, you can catch the ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen for some opportunities to dive there! Check out my cenote diving article for details.

Travel with Iván

Looking for a great divemaster in Cozumel to take you visit the sites during your next Cancun vacation? Luis Alpuche is an amazing diver, and even better person. Feel free to reach out to him!

Travel with Iván

Ready to dare and explore this corner of Mexico? Why not travel where most don’t? You’ve got to join the club 😉

In conclusion, diving the C-53 wrench is a must if you’re diving for a few days in Cozumel, Cancun or Playa del Carmen. It is also a way to see a part of World War II history while on vacation in Mexico.

Expert coauthor: Luis Alpuche, dive master

This article was written with the expert contributions of my good friend Luis Alpuche, who is a divemaster in the island. Luis is a Cozumel native, who has had love for the water ever since he can remember. Both of his parents are divemasters. He started his own business (ScubaLuis) just a few years ago, which he runs alongside his son, Adrian. What has made him so successful has been the fact that he treats his customers like family. I’m proud to call him my friend!

His passion for diving in Cozumel is only surpassed by his respect to the reef. Luis is a strong advocate of responsible diving, and helping protect the reef. It is no wonder he has a perfect score on TripAdvisor. Nice job!

Make sure to say hi through his Facebook page if you want scuba dive in Cozumel during your next vacation and have any additional questions!

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What do you think about this dive wreck? Do you want to add it your itinerary of your next Cancun vacation? Please feel free to share your comments at the bottom of this page. Or, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or to Luis!

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