Mama Viña (Wreck) - Cozumel

Parasasa Beach, or the Crash Site as most divers know it, always delivers a relaxed afternoon dive, especially if you’re staying nearby. It’s an easy entry right off the beach, and you’re quickly on the sand slope leading out to the small aircraft wreckage. We love how the Kingfisher plane, ditched from the torpedoed USS Erie back in ‘42, feels like a forgotten toy on the seafloor. You can poke around the bent propeller and remnants of the fuselage, which are now completely encrusted. Look closely and you’ll find camouflaged Pacific spotted scorpionfish hunkering down, or maybe a curious hogfish nosing through the debris. The maximum depth of 18m makes it perfect for a long bottom time, letting you really soak in the details. Keep an eye out for hawksbill turtles gliding past; we often see them here. While the main ship is long gone, the plane provides a surprisingly intimate piece of history with plenty of critters to keep you engaged.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.569500, -87.117300
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 Mama Viña (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 Mama Viña (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