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Unrecognizable person with oxygen tank emitting bubbles and swimming towards remains of sunken plane in blue sea water
📷 Maël BALLAND · Pexels

Wreck C-53

3.7 — based on 22 community signals
4.2 12 species 23 contributors

C-53 is a Mexican wreck dive accessible year-round with documented marine life and no coral stress.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
WreckShore entryPhotoFriendlyYearRound

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Marine life
Great barracuda

Top operators here

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Map

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Wreck C-53 location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4 kn
Wave
0.22 m
Water
30.4°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (27%)
Now: NE (47°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.25m

Today: High 04:00 (+0.18m), Low 11:00 (+0.01m)

+0.3 m0 m+0.0 m
▲ 04:00 · +0.18m ▼ 11:00 · +0.01m ▲ 17:00 · +0.16m ▼ 22:00 · +0.04m Now +0.1m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.25 · very high Air PM2.53 · good 06:35 18:47
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 4.7 0.24 8 3mm
09-19 6.3 0.24 8 7mm
09-20 6.8 0.26 8 10mm
09-21 5 0.26 8 30mm
09-22 6.5 0.26 8 27mm
09-23 5.1 0.22 8 15mm
09-24 4.2 0.22 7 24mm

About this spot

Wreck C-53 is a dive site located in Mexico that welcomes wreck enthusiasts year-round. The wreck offers consistent conditions and sits outside a marine protected area, making it a straightforward logistics choice for divers planning a Mexico-based trip. The site has generated substantial community interest. Twelve species observations are on record, providing baseline data on local marine life. Three community videos document conditions and layout, giving you a preview before descent. This user-generated content helps you plan your dive profile and what to expect underwater. C-53's appeal lies in its accessible wreck structure and the stable reef environment surrounding it. No coral bleaching stress has been recorded, indicating healthy hard coral coverage in the vicinity. Whether you're working on wreck navigation skills or exploring Mexico's underwater heritage, this site delivers consistent diving without seasonal disruptions. Plan your dive using the community documentation available online. Check current conditions with local operators before booking, as wreck dives require proper buoyancy control and situational awareness.

📖 Guide: Diving in Mexico: 51 Sites from Cenotes to Shark Dives

Marine life

Great barracuda

Dive types

WreckReef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 127V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8010km · ~1842kg · €33

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 96/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 1h east · 1 day recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive C-53?

C-53 is diveable year-round with consistent conditions. No seasonal closures or significant weather windows restrict access, making it a reliable choice regardless of when you plan your Mexico dive trip.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings are not published for C-53. Contact local dive operators in Mexico for current site details, required certifications, and depth ranges before booking your dive.

What marine life can I see?

Twelve species observations are documented at C-53. Community videos and local operator reports provide details on resident fish, invertebrates, and reef life. Ask your dive guide about common sightings during your visit.

Do I need permits or special access?

C-53 is not located within a marine protected area, simplifying access logistics. Standard diving practices apply. Confirm boat access and any local regulations with your chosen dive operator before your dive day.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Scuba XOC Dive Center Cozumel

3.1 km
4.9 (210 reviews) open now
Dive centre
Verified Booked 27+ times this month
Hours: Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Roberta's Scuba Shack

4.8 km
Dive centre

Scuba Life Cozumel

3.2 km
5.0 (1,233 reviews) open now
Dive centre
Verified Booked 35+ times this month
Hours: Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Paraiso Reef

4.7 km
Dive centre

Villa Blanca Wall

5.8 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

C53 Sunken Wreck Cozumel

Fly by Night Adventure Films
💬 3 top comments
  • Best wreck dive in the Caribbean. Tell me your experience!

    @BlaneHenderson · 👍 3
  • Nice video, I remember diving this wreck a few years ago. Super cool

    @colemotley6297 · 👍 3
  • Great video! Really nice overview of theC53.

    @JonMotley · 👍 3

Scuba Diving the C-53 Shipwreck in Cozumel | Epic Dive into History & Marine Life

Cozumel Live

Cozumel C-53 Felipe Xicotencatl Wreck Dive

Divemaster G
💬 2 top comments
  • Very cool

    @Tech4DadsPlus · 👍 1
  • Looking good!

    @markwoods9458 · 👍 0
wind peaks Mar-Jan-Feb, calmest Oct-Aug-Sep, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Apr (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (98/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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