Beneath the turquoise surface of the Riviera Maya lie remnants from another era, old ships transformed into reefs, covered in coral and home to tropical fish.
These once silent wrecks tell stories of sailors, storms, and the passage of time. Today, they offer divers a fascinating experience where history and nature become one.
Here are the five most iconic wrecks of the Riviera Maya!
1. C-53 Felipe Xicoténcatl
Now resting in the depths of Cozumel, the C53 Felipe Xicoténcatl was built in the United States in 1944. Originally, it was a minesweeper for the US Navy.
After several years of service, it was sold to Mexico and used by the national navy for surveillance and military transport missions.
In 2000, it was intentionally sunk off the coast of Cozumel to become an artificial reef and a training site for divers. Today, it has become one of the most popular wrecks in Mexico.
Since then, nature has taken over. The hull is now covered with coral, and the ship’s corridors are home to thriving marine life.
Resting at around 25m deep, the wreck is accessible to divers with an Advanced Open Water certification. Conditions are generally calm, and visibility is exceptional.
While exploring the deck and different rooms, you can often encounter barracudas, moray eels, lionfish, and sometimes curious turtles.
2. Mama Viña
Now located in Playa del Carmen, the Mama Viña was once a Mexican fishing boat used for many years off the Caribbean coast.
In the 1990s, it was intentionally sunk by local instructors to create a new dive site south of Playa del Carmen. The goal was to provide an artificial reef that would attract marine life and serve as an exploration site for experienced divers.
Today, the Mama Viña rests at a depth of about 28 to 30m, standing upright on the sandy bottom, transformed over time into an underwater sanctuary.
Known for its sometimes strong currents, this is what makes Mama Viña a dynamic site, full of life and excitement.
From the moment you descend, you can see the dark silhouette of the wreck taking shape in the blue. The deck is covered with soft corals, colorful sponges, and sea fans.
Schools of jacks, barracudas, and sometimes turtles slowly circle around. Inside, the narrow corridors let the light pass through in an almost mystical way.
3. C-55 Teniente Juan de la Barrera
Located about 9km southwest of Isla Mujeres, the C55 was originally the USS Ransom (AM283), an American minesweeper built in 1943 in San Francisco.
Active during World War II, it patrolled the Pacific, particularly around Pearl Harbor, Okinawa, and Nagasaki, earning three battle stars for its service.
Sold to Mexico in 1962, it became the Teniente Juan de la Barrera (C55) before being intentionally sunk in 2000 to create an artificial reef off the coast of Isla Mujeres.
The wreck rests at a depth of 25m (82 feet) on a white sandy bottom. The ship was damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, which broke it into 4 distinct sections.
The site is reserved for experienced divers (Advanced Open Water level), as the currents are often strong. Personally, I find that diving the C53 in Cozumel is much better.
4. C-56 Ã Puerto Morelos
The C56, officially named Cadete Juan Escutia, was part of the Mexican Navy fleet. Like several other ships of its generation, it was intentionally sunk in 2000 to serve as an artificial reef off the coast of Puerto Morelos, between Cancún and Playa del Carmen.
This project aimed to reduce pressure on natural reefs and provide a new exploration site for divers in the Riviera Maya.
The wreck rests at around 27m deep, standing perfectly upright on the sandy bottom. It is an impressive dive, often reserved for advanced divers, as the current can range from moderate to strong depending on the conditions.
Around the ship, marine life is abundant with stingrays, barracudas, green moray eels and lionfish all finding shelter here.
5. C-58 Général Anaya
The C58 General Anaya is a former American World War II destroyer that was later incorporated into the Mexican Navy.
In 1980, it was sunk off the coast of Cancún to become an artificial reef and an iconic dive site.
After remaining intact for years, it was eventually broken into 2 parts by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, now offering a spectacular dive through its two sections covered in coral and marine life.
The wreck rests at about 26m deep on a white sandy bottom. It is a popular site among experienced divers, especially because of its abundant marine life and the impressive size of the ship.
You can often encounter stingrays, barracudas, and groupers there.
What level do you need to dive on these wrecks ?
To dive on the wrecks of the Riviera Maya, you need to have some experience underwater. Most of them rest between 25 and 30m deep and require good buoyancy control as well as strong awareness of your surroundings.
Advanced Open Water certified divers are therefore the best prepared to fully enjoy these sites.
What makes these dives so special is that they combine both technique and emotion. Descending along the line and slowly seeing the silhouette of a sunken ship appear creates a truly unique feeling.
What is the best time to dive on the wrecks in Mexico ?
Wreck diving in the Riviera Maya is possible all year round.
Between November and May, the sea is generally calmer and visibility often exceeds 30m, although in winter the sea can sometimes be closed due to strong winds.
Between June and October, the sea becomes warmer. It is the rainy and hurricane season, with stronger currents and sometimes reduced visibility.
My opinion
If I had to choose only one, it would definitely be the C-53 in Cozumel. Easy to access, full of history, and surrounded by incredible marine life, this wreck offers everything you could want from a dive: perfect visibility, a mystical atmosphere, and guaranteed emotion.
A must do for any diver who wants to discover the magic of Mexico’s underwater world.