AGUSTIN MELGAR
Why dive here
With 177+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and nurse sharks - AGUSTIN MELGAR offers some of Cozumel's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.
We really like Agustin Melgar for a straightforward wreck dive. It's not a deep one, hovering around 13 metres, which means plenty of bottom time and a relaxed pace. This fishing vessel lays broken up on the sand, a stark contrast to some of Cozumel’s more intact wrecks, but that’s precisely its charm. The wreckage is spread out, with large pieces of the hull and superstructure creating a playground for fish. We've often found green morays peeking out from behind a twisted piece of metal, and the schools of grunt and snapper are usually thick. Light penetrates everything down here, making the colours pop even on an overcast day. It’s an easy dive, perfect for anyone looking to spend time exploring the nooks and crannies without worrying about complex navigation or strong currents. Our favourite part? The way the soft corals have started to fuzz over the metal, giving it an aged, established feel. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs – they’re often camouflaged on those coral patches.
Typical AGUSTIN MELGAR Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Strong currents typical this month (avg 79 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
AGUSTIN MELGAR Wreck History
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
scuttled
The "AGUSTIN MELGAR" is a popular wreck dive in the crystal-clear waters of Cozumel. While sometimes misidentified as a fishing vessel, its name-honoring one of Mexico's revered national heroes from the Battle of Chapultepec-strongly suggests it was a former Mexican Navy vessel. Like many of Cozumel's wrecks, it was most likely intentionally scuttled to create a vibrant artificial reef, providing a new habitat for marine life and an exciting underwater playground for divers.
Resting at an easily accessible depth of 13 meters, the "AGUSTIN MELGAR" is a perfect dive for all experience levels, from newly certified divers to seasoned underwater photographers. The wreck is typically teeming with life; schools of grunts and snappers swarm its superstructure, moray eels peer from pipes and crevices, and a rich layer of colorful sponges and corals encrusts its surfaces. Its "Dangerous wreck" classification is a standard warning to avoid penetration without proper training, but the exterior offers a fantastic and rewarding exploration in Cozumel's famously good visibility.
Reviews for AGUSTIN MELGAR
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for AGUSTIN MELGAR
AGUSTIN MELGAR Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for AGUSTIN MELGAR, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Yucatan Basin - 120 NM ESE of Cozumel, MX (227km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
85°F · Range: 28.7–32.3°C
Air Temperature
29°C
84°F
Current Speed
78.6 cm/s
Direction: NE (36.7°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.046 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
35.99 PSU
Wave Height
1.1m
6.7s period
Wind Speed
5.5 m/s
10.7 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1010.7 hPa
Visibility
24.1 nmi
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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