C-56 Shipwreck - Cozumel

We love a good purpose-sunk wreck, and Cozumel’s C-56 is one of our favourites. Originally a US Navy minesweeper and then a Mexican Navy patrol boat, she was deliberately sunk in 2000 and now rests upright in a sandy channel, split into two main sections. The bow half sits deeper, around 24 metres, while the stern rises to 15 metres, making it approachable for advanced open water divers. What we really enjoy here is the penetration. You can swim through the holds, past old bunks, and even out through the bridge. It’s an easy swim-through, no tight squeezes, but still gives you that thrill of being inside a wreck. Look for the massive Goliath groupers that often hang out in the deeper sections; their sheer size is always impressive. Around the superstructure, we’ve seen schools of snapper and barracuda, and the coral growth, while not ancient, is developing nicely. The current can be brisk, typical for Cozumel, so we always suggest an early morning dive before the crowds arrive and the winds pick up.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.825443, -86.790620
Type
wreck

Wreck History - C-56 Shipwreck

Year Sunk
2000
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
650 tons

Originally commissioned as the USS Scuffle (AM-298) in 1943, this Admirable-class minesweeper served the US Navy with distinction during World War II, earning two battle stars for its service in the Pacific theater. After the war, she was transferred to the Mexican Navy in 1962 and renamed the ARM Felipe Xicoténcatl (C-56). She served for decades as a patrol and rescue vessel, safeguarding the waters of the Mexican Caribbean.

In 2000, after a long and storied career, the C-56 was given a final, noble mission: to become an underwater haven for marine life. She was carefully prepared and intentionally sunk just off Cozumel's coast, settling upright on a sandy bottom at a depth of around 80 feet (24 meters). Today, the C-56 is one of Cozumel's premier wreck dives. Divers can explore its intact structure, penetrate the main cargo holds, and visit the bridge. The wreck is teeming with life, from massive green moray eels in the engine room to schools of jacks and barracuda that patrol its decks, making it a spectacular artificial reef.

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 C-56 Shipwreck

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 C-56 Shipwreck

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