Barco Hundido - Wreck Cadete Juan Escutia C-56 - Cozumel

The Cadete Juan Escutia C-56 wreck, or Barco Hundido as it's often called, is our favourite wreck in Cozumel. We love how the story of this ship, a former US Navy vessel from WWII, gives it a real sense of history before you even hit the water. Dropping down, you'll feel the cool thermocline at about 15 metres, often meaning great visibility below. The wreck itself sits upright at a maximum depth of 26 metres, meaning a decent bottom time for exploring the superstructure. We always head for the wheelhouse first; it's practically begging for a swim-through, and you'll often find schools of French grunts milling about inside, their silver scales catching the shafts of light. Look out for the resident green razorfish burying themselves in the sand nearby if you get too close. This site is brilliant for divers who appreciate a wreck with character, offering plenty of nooks to poke your head into without being overly challenging. The sheer volume of fish here – from the schooling blue runners to the solitary yellow stingrays on the sand – makes it a captivating dive. It’s also a good spot for spotting eagle rays in season, gliding past in the blue.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.860000, -86.828400
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Barco Hundido - Wreck Cadete Juan Escutia C-56

Year Sunk
2000
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
scuttled

Before settling on the seabed off Puerto Morelos, the C-56 Cadete Juan Escutia had a long and storied career. It was originally commissioned into the US Navy in 1944 as the USS Knave (AM-256), an Admirable-class minesweeper. During World War II, it served diligently on patrol and escort duty in the Atlantic, protecting convoys from the threat of German U-boats. After the war, the vessel was decommissioned and, in 1962, transferred to the Mexican Navy, where it was renamed and served for decades as a patrol boat.

By the late 1990s, the aging ship was retired from service. In a final act of duty, on October 28, 2000, the C-56 was intentionally scuttled in the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park to create a new artificial reef. For five years, it sat perfectly upright until 2005, when Hurricane Wilma's powerful surge broke the ship in two, scattering its pieces across the sand. Today, divers can explore both the bow and stern sections, penetrating the cargo holds and swimming through the wheelhouse while surrounded by schools of fish, barracuda, and the occasional eagle ray.

Marine Protected Area: Arrecife de Puerto Morelos

Best Time to Dive in Cozumel

The warmest water temperatures in Cozumel occur in September, averaging 29.8°C (up to 32.1°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 26.9°C.

The calmest sea conditions are typically in September with average wave heights of 0.70m. Average current speed: 95.0 cm/s.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.2°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • February: 26.9°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • March: 27.0°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • April: 27.5°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • May: 28.4°C (air: 28.2°C)
  • June: 29.0°C (air: 28.8°C)
  • July: 29.4°C (air: 29.4°C)
  • August: 29.6°C (air: 29.5°C)
  • September: 29.8°C (air: 29.5°C)
  • October: 29.6°C (air: 29.0°C)
  • November: 28.8°C (air: 27.9°C)
  • December: 27.9°C (air: 26.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cozumel

Nearest Dive Centres to Barco Hundido - Wreck Cadete Juan Escutia C-56

Marine Life in Cozumel

Home to 181 recorded species including 140 reef fish, 15 hard corals, 9 other, 7 sharks & rays, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Barco Hundido - Wreck Cadete Juan Escutia C-56

Based on average water temperature of 28.4°C, visibility 23 nmi, currents 87 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories