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Mexico

C-56 (Juan Escutia) Shipwreck

Depth range
18–28 m59–92 ft
Difficulty
Advanced
Entry
Boat entry
Visibility
20–30 m66–98 ft
Water temperature
25–29°C77–84°F

Dive-site story

What makes this site worth diving

Sunk intentionally off Puerto Morelos in 2000, the C-56 Juan Escutia rests upright on sand at a depth of 28 meters. Hurricane Wilma split this 184-foot former US Navy minesweeper into two main sections, opening swim-throughs near the wheelhouse and engine area. Between November and March, squadrons of spotted eagle rays hover above the superstructure against the prevailing current.

Upright 56-meter military wreck with open swim-throughs

Winter gatherings of spotted eagle rays hovering over the deck

Large groupers and green morays inside hull fractures

Location

Find the site

Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.

Plan this dive with care

  • Strong currents along the open Caribbean coast require mooring line descents.
  • Sharp metal edges line swim-throughs, and silt accumulates quickly in inner corridors.

Seasonality

Best time to dive

  • JBest
  • FBest
  • MBest
  • A
  • M
  • J
  • J
  • A
  • S
  • O
  • NBest
  • DBest

Spotted eagle rays migrate through during these cooler water months.

Marine life

What you may encounter

Marine-life likelihood and typical months
SpeciesLikelihoodJFMAMJJASOND
Spotted eagle rayAetobatus narinariSeasonal
Great barracudaSphyraena barracudaCommon
Nurse sharkGinglymostoma cirratumCommon
Green moray eelGymnothorax funebrisCommon
Horse-eye jackCaranx latusCommon

Marine forecast

Current and next 48 hours

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Dive trips that visit this site

C-56 (Juan Escutia) Shipwreck — Mexico | DIVEROUT