Cozumel plane wreck - Cozumel

Okay, the Cozumel plane wreck. We actually really enjoy this site, and it’s a bit different from the usual drift dives Cozumel is famous for. You’ll find the wreck of a small C-46 cargo plane, deliberately sunk back in the 80s for a Mexican movie, and it’s now lying in pieces on the sandy bottom. The fuselage is pretty broken up, but you can still poke around the cockpit area and some of the wings. It’s not a huge wreck, but the way it’s settled, half-buried in the sand, gives it a cool, ghostly vibe. What we love about it is how much life has moved in – we’re talking big green morays peeking out from the engine cowlings, squadrons of snapper cruising through the scattered debris, and often a grumpy nurse shark tucked under a wing. It’s an easy dive, shallow enough for comfortable bottom times, and the current here is usually much milder than on the outer reefs, making it perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to take their time exploring. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light filtering through the water and reflecting off the sandy patches around the wreck is just beautiful. It’s not the biggest wreck dive you’ll ever do, but it’s got personality, and that’s what we look for.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.479960, -86.973700
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Caribe Mexicano

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 Cozumel plane wreck

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 Cozumel plane wreck

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