The C-56 is a World War II minesweeper that was sunk in 2000 inside the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park to create an artificial reef. She sits upright on white sand with her keel at about 27 meters (90 ft) and the deck at about 20 meters (64 ft). Depth and current make it a dive for experienced divers, so we ask for an Advanced Open Water certification.
Here is her story, what you will see and what to expect from the dive.
From USS Knave to Cadete Juan Escutia
The ship was built in the United States in 1943 as the minesweeper USS Knave. The Mexican Navy acquired her in 1962 and later renamed her Cadete Juan Escutia, after one of the Niños Héroes, the young cadets who died defending Mexico City in 1847. After decades of service she was cleaned, prepared and sunk off Puerto Morelos in 2000. She is about 56 meters (184 ft) long.
What you will see
More than two decades underwater have turned the hull into a reef. Soft corals cover the structure, and the wreck attracts fish from the surrounding sand. On deck you will often see schools of bigeye trevally hunting, plus large wrasse, groupers and moray eels. Look up and out into the blue for eagle rays, and keep an eye out for the resident barracuda near the wheelhouse.
The wreck sits in clear water on a white sand bottom, which makes her outline easy to read as you descend.
Depth and current: why it is an advanced dive
Two things set the C-56 apart from a typical reef dive. First, depth: at 20 to 27 meters your no-decompression time is short, so bottom time is limited and air management matters. Second, current: it can run strong over the wreck, and your guide plans the descent, the route and the ascent around it on the day.
If you are comfortable at depth and have some experience with current, it is a memorable dive. If you are newly certified, start with the reef and come back to the wreck later.
Penetration. Going inside a wreck is an overhead environment and needs wreck training and experience. Experienced, appropriately trained divers can ask about a guided penetration into the engine room.
Logistics
Puerto Morelos is on the coast between Playa del Carmen and Cancún. The trip is a half day with two tanks. We pick you up at your hotel, or you can meet the boat at the Puerto Morelos dock. Marine park fee, dive gear, boat and guide are included.
As with every boat activity, the sea decides. If the port is closed, we move the dive to the next good day. Bring your certification card and logbook. Like all our activities, the trip is paid in advance to secure your spot. Details are on our activities page.
Related guides
- Diving Cozumel from Playa del Carmen: Ferry or Boat?
- Cenote Diving with an Open Water Certification: Cavern vs Cave
- Bull Shark Diving in Playa del Carmen
Want to dive the C-56? Send us your dates, how many divers and your certification level.
