Canto del Bajito - Santa Marta & Tayrona

The C-53, or the Felipe Xicotencatl, is our pick for a straightforward wreck dive in Cozumel, especially if you're looking for an easy penetration. They scuttled this 55-meter former minesweeper specifically for divers, so it’s been prepped for safe entry and exit points, which we really appreciate. Dropping down to about 22 meters, you'll feel the gentle push of the current typical for Cozumel, which often helps sweep you along the deck. Inside, those schools of glassy sweepers are a real spectacle – so many of them shimmer in the shafts of light that pierce the hull. We've often spotted spiny lobsters tucked into the bow’s nooks and crannies, and if you keep an eye on the sand around the wreck, garden eels usually pepper the seafloor. It’s a great site for seeing how quickly marine life colonises a new structure; we’ve found everything from slender filefish to the occasional splendid toadfish peeking out. Go early in the morning for the best light and fewer crowds.

Location

Santa Marta & Tayrona, Colombia, South America

Coordinates

9.797900, -75.676100

Type

wreck

Marine Protected Area: Los Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo