C-56 wreck and reef diving in Puerto Morelos
Certified divers Puerto Morelos

C-56 wreck and reef diving in Puerto Morelos

5.0★ · 242 Google reviews

The C-56 is a former minesweeper deliberately sunk off Puerto Morelos that now works as an artificial reef. It sits inside a National Park, so life has settled without pressure: barracuda over the deck, rays under the hull and coral covering every structure. The second dive, on shallow reef, is one of the brightest on the coast.

  • 5.0★242 Google reviews
  • +8,000Divers guided
  • Since 2020Operating in Cancun
  • 12+ yearsOf instructor experience

What makes this dive different

  • Historic wreck inside a protected National Park, resting at 27 m on the sand
  • Two dives: wreck plus a bright, shallow reef
  • Far less boat traffic than Cancun — a calmer dive
  • Turtles and rays are near-guaranteed on the reef
  • National Park fees included

How the day works, step by step

  1. Meeting point. Puerto Morelos pier, 30 minutes from Cancun.
  2. Briefing. Wreck plan, depth profile and National Park rules.
  3. Dive 1 · C-56. Tour of the wreck, deck and coral-covered structure. The ship rests at 27 metres on the sand; the profile is matched to each diver's certification. You can enter the cargo hold and the exterior passageways on the upper deck.
  4. Surface interval. Surface interval on board while we sail from the wreck to the reef, with a few extra minutes of rest and drinking water available.
  5. Dive 2 · Reef. Shallow National Park reef, excellent visibility and abundant life.
  6. Return. Back to the pier and gear rinse. Total duration around 4 hours.

What you will see

  • Barracuda and rays on the wreck
  • Green and loggerhead turtles
  • Nurse sharks resting under ledges
  • Grouper, snapper and angelfish
  • Elkhorn coral and sea fans

What's included

  • 2 dives
  • Certified guide
  • National Park fees
  • Safety protocols
  • Full dive equipment

What's not included

  • Hotel transfer (quote available)
  • Photos and video (service available)
  • Gratuities
  • Meals

Requirements

Open Water certification (or equivalent) and a dive within the last 6 months, or a same-day refresher. The ship rests at 27 m on the sand: with Open Water the profile stays within 18 m over the deck and structure; with Advanced Open Water or above it can reach the sand.

This trip needs a minimum of 2 divers. If you are travelling alone you can still book by adding US$71 (MX$1,200), and you dive with a private guide dedicated to you.

What to bring

  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Reef-safe sunscreen (required inside the National Park)
  • Certification card
  • Optional underwater camera

Gallery

Verified reviews

What our divers say

Real reviews published on our Google Business Profile.

5.0
★★★★★
5.0 out of 5 · 242 Google reviews
Read all 242 Google reviews
“I had an excellent experience with Scuba & Adventours Mexico starting my PADI Open Water Diver certification. Everything was explained very clearly and all my questions were answered along the way. Instructor René has a real talent for explaining things simply and clearly.”
Alejandro CorresPADI Open Water course
“My first time in the diving world! I'm so grateful because my experience with Scuba was incredible — the support and professionalism of René, Delfina and captain Larry make you feel safe at every step. I'll definitely be back with them to certify.”
VictoriaLocal Guide · 28 reviews
“I did the Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses and it was an excellent decision. The service was great, my guide Rene was incredible — always attentive and giving me techniques to build confidence underwater. The most exciting part was diving with bull sharks and dolphins!”
Delfina FernándezOpen Water + Advanced
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the C-56?
A former Mexican Navy minesweeper sunk under controlled conditions to create an artificial reef. It is now one of the most dived wrecks on the Riviera Maya.
Puerto Morelos or Cancun for diving?
Puerto Morelos has less boat traffic, reef inside a National Park and very clear water. Cancun offers MUSA and more variety. Plenty of divers do both.
Can you enter the wreck?
Yes, in the open areas. You can enter the cargo hold, which has windows and wide exits both on the sides and above: an open space wide enough for two divers to meet head-on and carry on comfortably. You can also swim the exterior passageways on the upper deck.
How deep is the C-56 wreck?
The ship rests at 27 metres on the sand. The deck and superstructure sit higher, so an Open Water diver can tour the wreck while staying within their 18 metres, and an Advanced Open Water diver can go down to the sand.

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