Top Shipwrecks to Explore While Scuba Diving in Cancun and the Riviera Maya

Diver exploring a sunken shipwreck underwater. Sepia tone, bubbles visible, with the ship's rusted surface in the background. Serene mood. — A diver explores the haunting beauty of a shipwreck off the coast of Cancun, one of the top underwater attractions in the area.

Cancun is well-known for its lively nightlife, offering vibrant parties and tropical cocktails, but its reputation as a party destination often overshadows its lesser-known gem – scuba diving. For those looking to explore beneath the waves, Cancun is home to numerous fascinating shipwrecks and artificial reefs that offer incredible dive sites. This makes it an exceptional spot for scuba Cancun adventures, especially for those seeking unique underwater experiences far from the party scene.

Since the early 1980s, Cancun has intentionally sunk ships to create artificial reefs and dive sites, enhancing the region's appeal to tourists. By 2000, Cancun had successfully developed a series of shipwrecks and even an underwater museum called MUSA, cementing its status as a top-tier scuba diving destination.

The sunken ships in the area are mainly former WWII vessels, many of which were originally part of the US Navy. These ships remain in excellent condition, covered with vibrant coral, sea sponges, and bustling marine life. Whether you're an experienced diver or just beginning your scuba journey, Cancun dive shops offer easy access to some of the most exciting dive sites in the world.

TOP shipwrecks in Cancun

General Anaya C-58 | Cancun

Coral-covered shipwreck with vibrant red and orange hues, underwater diver exploring in the blue ocean backdrop. — The coral-encrusted remains of the C 58 General Anaya shipwreck lie silent on the ocean floor, as a lone diver explores the haunting beauty of the submerged vessel.

Expected Marine Life: Reef sharks, barracuda, grouper, rays, eels, lionfish, parrotfish, seahorses, starfish, and coral.And eagle ray migration during the season
Skill Level: Intermediate

The C-58, originally named the USS Harlequin and later re-designated as General Anaya, was a minesweeper used during WWII. Measuring 184 feet (56 meters), this vessel served until May 1946. It was sold to the Mexican Navy in 1962, where it functioned as an oceanic research vessel until 1978.

In the 1980s, the ship was intentionally sunk to form an artificial reef off the coast of Cancun. Unfortunately, Hurricane Wilma caused the wreck to split in 2005, but this event turned out to be beneficial for divers, as the exposed interior rooms are now easily accessible for exploration.

The wreck, located at a depth of 80 feet (24 meters), is home to large schools of eagle rays from December to March, making it even more mesmerizing during these months. Strong currents and good visibility (65 feet or 20 meters) require intermediate-level diving skills.

Juan de la Barrera C-55 | Cancun

A barracuda swims through a sunken shipwreck, surrounded by blue water. Colorful corals and other fish add vibrant accents to the scene. — A barracuda swims through the submerged structure of the C-55 Juan de la Barrera shipwreck, surrounded by clear blue waters and vibrant marine life.

Expected Marine Life: Barracuda, grouper, snapper, rays, eels, and coral.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

The C-55, a minesweeper built in San Francisco and initially named USS Ransom (AM-283), served in WWII around the South Pacific, East China Sea, and Japan. After being retired in 1955, the ship was purchased by the Mexican Navy in 1962, where it remained in service until 2000.

Sunk in 2000 to create an artificial reef, the ship was damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, breaking into four sections. The site is home to loggerhead turtles, reef sharks, and large schools of spotted eagle rays from December to March. The wreck lies at a depth of 82 feet (25 meters), with visibility reaching 40 feet (12 meters), so divers should be intermediate or more experienced to explore.

Ultrafreeze | Cancun

Sunken shipwreck on the ocean floor, covered in barnacles and algae. The water is deep blue, creating a tranquil, eerie atmosphere. — The submerged remnants of the ultrafreeze wreck are encrusted with marine life, resting quietly on the ocean floor.

Expect to See: Dolphins, barracuda, jacks, grouper, turtles, eels, rays, jewfish, coral.
Skill Level: Intermediate

Also known as Ultrafreeze, the El Frio wreck is situated off the coast of Isla Mujeres. This former cargo ship caught fire while docked in 1978 and was severely damaged. Afterward, it was towed and intentionally sunk in 1979, creating a new artificial reef.

The site is named "Ultrafreeze" due to the notably colder water temperatures surrounding the ship. The wreck rests at a depth of 90 feet (27 meters), and while the current can be strong, visibility is generally good, making it a perfect spot for intermediate divers. Marine life here includes schools of barracuda, jacks, and even dolphins, which often visit the site.

Mama Viña | Playa del Carmen

Sunken shipwreck on ocean floor, covered in marine growth. Murky blue water surrounds, creating an eerie, abandoned atmosphere. — Sunken beneath the waves, the Mama Viña shipwreck rests eerily on the ocean floor, its once-sturdy structure now cloaked in marine life and mystery.

Expected Marine Life: Bull sharks (winter), barracuda, turtles, rays, eels, lobsters, tropical fish, coral, and sea fans.
Skill Level: Intermediate

The Mama Viña, once a shrimp boat, was intentionally sunk in 1995. Over the years, the wreck has become encrusted with soft corals, and a thriving marine community has settled around it. You'll find large populations of garden eels, stingrays, morays, and even bull sharks that frequently appear during the winter months.

At a depth of 100 feet (30 meters), this wreck is typically explored through a drift dive, as there is a current in the area. Most dive centers require at least 25 logged dives before guiding divers to the wreck, making it a great site for those looking for an intermediate challenge. The site is accessible via a 35-minute boat ride from Playa del Carmen, Cozumel.

Hondureño | Isla Mujeres

Expected Marine Life: Nurse sharks, cobia, amberjack, grouper, snapper, parrotfish, stonefish, eels, lobsters, coral.
Skill Level: Beginner

Located just 2 miles (3 kilometers) from North Beach on Isla Mujeres, the Hondureño is a 120-foot (36-meter) steel shrimp boat that sank in 1988 after being caught in Hurricane Gilbert. This wreck is home to massive green moray eels, schools of cobia, and rainbow parrotfish, with nurse sharks frequently spotted nearby.

The wreck lies at a depth of 70 feet (21 meters), with excellent visibility (65 feet or 20 meters). Since it's only a short 10-minute boat ride from Isla Mujeres, this site is ideal for beginner divers.

Felipe Xicoténcatl C-53 | Cozumel

Expect to See: Grouper, eel, shrimp, starfish, tropical fish, coral, sea sponges.
Skill Level: Intermediate

The C-53 was originally a WWII-era minesweeper named USS Scuffle, and it served in various roles for the US Navy before being sold to the Mexican Navy in 1962. After its retirement, the ship was sunk off the coast of Cozumel in 2000 to create an artificial reef.

Hurricane Wilma caused significant damage to the wreck in 2005, but the ship remains in good condition and safe for exploration. The C-53 sits at a depth of 85 feet (26 meters), making it suitable for intermediate divers. The wreck is positioned upright on a sandbar, and the current can be strong at the surface, but once you descend, it becomes more manageable. Divers can enter the ship through openings and explore the interior with the use of flashlights.

Juan Escutia C-56 | Puerto Morelos

Small fish swim inside an underwater shipwreck, surrounded by rusty, colorful metal and vibrant blue water, creating a serene scene. — An underwater scene reveals the wreck of the Juan Escutia C-56, teeming with marine life as shoals of fish weave through its rusted and coral-encrusted structures.

Expect to See: Barracuda, tuna, wrasse, stingray, coral.
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate

The C-56 is a WWII gunship that originally served as the USS Knave (AM-256) in the US Navy before being transferred to the Mexican Navy in 1962. After years of service, the ship was intentionally sunk off the coast of Cancun in 2000 to create an artificial reef.

This wreck is intact and covered in vibrant coral formations, making it a beautiful site for divers. At a depth of 90 feet (27 meters), the C-56 is accessible to beginner divers when the current is mild. The ship has several entry points, allowing divers to explore its interior and view various species of marine life.

El Chairel | Isla Mujeres

Expect to See: Barracuda, snapper, lionfish, eel, sea cucumber, coral.
Skill Level: Intermediate

The Chairel was once a ferry connecting Cancun and Isla Mujeres, before being repurposed as a floating restaurant in 1990. In 2000, it was intentionally sunk to form an artificial reef. However, due to poor weather, the ship was sunk quickly and landed upside down on the ocean floor.

Despite being upside down, the Chairel is now a thriving dive site, home to a variety of marine life, including green moray eels, snapper, and sea cucumbers. The wreck sits at a depth of 89 feet (27 meters), and the current can be strong, making it best suited for intermediate and experienced divers. Exploring the exterior of the ship is the primary attraction, as divers are not permitted inside.