Felipe Xicotencatl Shipwreck
Felipe Xicotencatl Shipwreck
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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gwscuba
Dallas, TX14 contributions
Jul 2021
Thia is always an enjoyable dive. However this year it was phenomenal. There was very little current so you could enjoy a leisure dive around the entire exterior of the ship and still had tons of air available for a complete tour of the interior. What really made it fun was our guide Milly Stewart from Dressel Divers. She knows the interior very well and we got into places that we have not discovered before, and we even got to see the massive barracuda near the bridge just hanging out like she said he would be there. Fantastic Dive !!!
Written July 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
arnie w
Texas124 contributions
Jan 2023
Dived here with our club, my first Cozumel visit. "Vis" was ~ 100' with a slight current. Lots of fish around the wreck. If you're diving here after diving Roatan, you may need more weight as salinity here is greater than off Roatan. The wreck is relatively easy to swim-through, but best to enjoy with experienced divemaster. Captivating view can. be a distraction to watching your air. Dived with Dive Paradise dive shop. Personnel here were helpful and informative.
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AMorneau
Montreal, Canada76 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
Certainly a must dive if you are ship wreck certified. There is nothing much I can add to the history of the wreck as not already provided by a previous reviewer. I would add that the depth is about 77 feet and there is a good current requiring some strength. This is definitely not a beginner dive. Buoyancy control is a must as there are some 15 to 20 feet ascends. Make sure to wear a full suit and if possible, a pair of gloves would be helpful. With time, corrosion is eating at this wreck and the rusty scaling can be sharp. What is marvellous is as the wreck was sunk, it is nicely upright giving you a real nice perspective. I recorded the dive and its on YouTube. Enjoy! And make sure to use the on-board toilets!
Written March 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lajollabob
Agoura Hills, California60 contributions
At 3:30 this afternoon of June 7, 2005 - five years and a day after she was sunk - we dived down onto the wreck of Felipe Xicotencatl, 184 feet long with a beam of 33 feet. Originally built in 1944, this minesweeper served with the US Navy for eighteen years as USS Scuffles. Purchased by the Mexican navy in 1962, she was renamed Felipe Xicotencatl and converted to a gunboat. Until 1999 she patrolled the Caribbean to run down traffickers in illegal arms and narcotics, and was intentionally sunk as an artificial reef the following year.
Starting on her deck at a depth of 72 feet, we spent 39 minutes penetrating her from stem to stern.
Unfortunately, my dive light chose this occasion to go on the fritz, but because before her sinking the ship had been cleared of all obstacles like wires and furniture, and holes had been cut in her huil to allow some light to reach into every room. I had no problem following Clara and Jordan with their dive lights all the way through her.
We were so absorbed by this fascinating and well-preserved wreck that we paid little attention to the marine life swarming around it, although eventually we did realize that the sunken ship was a haven for the host of the usual pretty but smallish tropical reef fish which surround it..
Starting on her deck at a depth of 72 feet, we spent 39 minutes penetrating her from stem to stern.
Unfortunately, my dive light chose this occasion to go on the fritz, but because before her sinking the ship had been cleared of all obstacles like wires and furniture, and holes had been cut in her huil to allow some light to reach into every room. I had no problem following Clara and Jordan with their dive lights all the way through her.
We were so absorbed by this fascinating and well-preserved wreck that we paid little attention to the marine life swarming around it, although eventually we did realize that the sunken ship was a haven for the host of the usual pretty but smallish tropical reef fish which surround it..
Written July 10, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paddyscubadivers
Callander, Canada46 contributions
Feb 2016
We recently had the opportunity to dive the C53 (aka Felipe Xicotencatl) off the coast of Cozumel. She's an awesome wreck sitting at a depth of 80 feet. I'm not sure if many people know about this wreck but after some investigation I later found out that the C53 was the USS Scuffle...a WW2 US Navy war hero in my books!
This Admiral class C53 (am298) mine sweeper was given a citation and 5 battle stars serving the pacific during world war 2. HQ was Pearl Harbor! This vessel has seen its fair share of action. Now sitting at the bottom of the sea in a very peaceful state. Sold to the Mexican Navy in 1962. Decommissioned in the 90's and sunk for rec diving. It was an honor and privilege to have gone through her hall ways, hatches, engine room and more! do yourself a big favor and visit this war hero!
This Admiral class C53 (am298) mine sweeper was given a citation and 5 battle stars serving the pacific during world war 2. HQ was Pearl Harbor! This vessel has seen its fair share of action. Now sitting at the bottom of the sea in a very peaceful state. Sold to the Mexican Navy in 1962. Decommissioned in the 90's and sunk for rec diving. It was an honor and privilege to have gone through her hall ways, hatches, engine room and more! do yourself a big favor and visit this war hero!
Written March 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Captain_Glen_D
Fenwick Island, DE20 contributions
Jan 2020
One of my best dives of my life DO NOT MISS THIS DIVE.
Now at 66 years and started at 18 years old I have dove a lot of places over the years. Worked as a dive instructor for a few years so I got around. Yes, the reefs are beautiful BUT if you only have time for one dive while here in Cozumel, this is the one. The wreck sits on the bottom fully in-tacked at 80 feet and sitting perfectly balanced as if she is in dry-dock. The ship has been made ready for divers with all hatches dogged open or removed. All hazards like electrical lines have been removed. Extra hatches (entry points) have been cut into the deck and bulkheads making for safe egress and very easy to experience the entire wreck with safely. On a sunny day, you will not even need to carry a light. You will experience areas of brief darkness but always be able to see an exit point. Marine life......! Wow. Better than my last two reef dives by a factor of 10 times. Wrecks seem to always have lots of life hanging around. BIG Eagle ray, giant Dog Snapper fish, lots of lobsters on the bottom, King crab and hundreds of fish and different verities. On this trip, we saw the white submarine (a tourist sub that gets towed to the wreck) ascend to about 60 feet to see the wreck and it had three Bottle nose dolphins zipping around playing with it and giving us and the people in the sub quite a show..... Amazing.
The wreck is an easy 5-minute ride from the pier at the Money Bar and Landmark hotel... Get picked up there if you can. I know the wreck as the C53 wreck of Cozumel. Google it and check it out. There are several videos to view
Not sure you are up for a great wreck dive like this? My daughters first dive after certification when she was only 14 years old was this wreck. You can do this even if you are just average at best.
I can go on and on but the sun is shining and the crystal-clear waters are calling me here in Cozumel.
Now at 66 years and started at 18 years old I have dove a lot of places over the years. Worked as a dive instructor for a few years so I got around. Yes, the reefs are beautiful BUT if you only have time for one dive while here in Cozumel, this is the one. The wreck sits on the bottom fully in-tacked at 80 feet and sitting perfectly balanced as if she is in dry-dock. The ship has been made ready for divers with all hatches dogged open or removed. All hazards like electrical lines have been removed. Extra hatches (entry points) have been cut into the deck and bulkheads making for safe egress and very easy to experience the entire wreck with safely. On a sunny day, you will not even need to carry a light. You will experience areas of brief darkness but always be able to see an exit point. Marine life......! Wow. Better than my last two reef dives by a factor of 10 times. Wrecks seem to always have lots of life hanging around. BIG Eagle ray, giant Dog Snapper fish, lots of lobsters on the bottom, King crab and hundreds of fish and different verities. On this trip, we saw the white submarine (a tourist sub that gets towed to the wreck) ascend to about 60 feet to see the wreck and it had three Bottle nose dolphins zipping around playing with it and giving us and the people in the sub quite a show..... Amazing.
The wreck is an easy 5-minute ride from the pier at the Money Bar and Landmark hotel... Get picked up there if you can. I know the wreck as the C53 wreck of Cozumel. Google it and check it out. There are several videos to view
Not sure you are up for a great wreck dive like this? My daughters first dive after certification when she was only 14 years old was this wreck. You can do this even if you are just average at best.
I can go on and on but the sun is shining and the crystal-clear waters are calling me here in Cozumel.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Max B
Fredericksburg, TX33 contributions
Aug 2019
I was lucky enough to see this ship go down. I have made several dives since & enjoyed every one. For some reason which i don't know, many of the dive shops are reluctant to dive here.
Written September 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JoeTheDiver
Waterloo, IA116 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
We don't get many chances to go to this dive site, but on our last trip we had a small group and it was amazing. Our dive master, Jose, took us deeper into he wreck that we had ever been before.
Written March 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
phil0859
Grand Junction, CO60 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
While I'd expected a dive on just the exterior, which would have been spectacular enough, the wreck is set up well to offer safe passage inside several decks. We also enjoyed the opportunity to swim through large, swirling balls of bait fish. What a remarkable experience.
Written June 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Carol8131111
Hamilton, Bermuda72 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
My husband and I were told about this wreck from friends who had dove it. It seems to be the only wreck in Cozumel, so no one calls it by name and it is just known as the "wreck".
As we both love wrecks, we went with Scuba Club Cozumel (SCC) who have a charter there every afternoon at 3pm (as long as they have 4 people or more going). One guide for every 4 divers was perfect, as there were 12 guests going out that day. Scuba Club Cozumel seem to be the only operation that have a dedicated dive to this, as all the other dive shops say they'll go, but only by request and if there are enough people who want to do it. Well, that will never happen with boats of 10+ people on these boats sometimes, so going with SCC is the best chance to go. The Aldora dive shop also said they would do it with advance notice so that might be an option too, but SCC was just fine for us.
The deepest part is around 70 feet, which makes for plenty of time to penetrate and work your way all around the ship. There are some tight turns which is why I feel it's good to go if you have a few dives under your belt and aren't claustrophobic. The best advice if you do it if leave plenty of space in front of you as this will make it easier to take your time around the tight corners. For most of the dive, the space is fine, and if you're enthusiastic about wreck diving, it's a fantastic time!
There are three levels, 2 engine rooms, and the famous bathroom with four stalls which is a great picture opportunity. You start on the bottom and work your way up. There are many rooms, and also 2 lines leading up to the buoys on the surface so going up/down from the wreck is usually not a problem. There were some other divers just leaving the wreck when we got there, so we descended freely then used the line to go back up. There wasn't much current so it wasn't an issue even without using the lines. Also, you probably don't need nitrox for the dive but it's an option. We had done two morning dives earlier that day and it wasn't an issue for us.
In the end, I would do it again as it was a very enjoyable and one of the better wrecks I've done. It's always more fun when you can actually penetrate it and I felt we went through the whole ship, which was awesome!
As we both love wrecks, we went with Scuba Club Cozumel (SCC) who have a charter there every afternoon at 3pm (as long as they have 4 people or more going). One guide for every 4 divers was perfect, as there were 12 guests going out that day. Scuba Club Cozumel seem to be the only operation that have a dedicated dive to this, as all the other dive shops say they'll go, but only by request and if there are enough people who want to do it. Well, that will never happen with boats of 10+ people on these boats sometimes, so going with SCC is the best chance to go. The Aldora dive shop also said they would do it with advance notice so that might be an option too, but SCC was just fine for us.
The deepest part is around 70 feet, which makes for plenty of time to penetrate and work your way all around the ship. There are some tight turns which is why I feel it's good to go if you have a few dives under your belt and aren't claustrophobic. The best advice if you do it if leave plenty of space in front of you as this will make it easier to take your time around the tight corners. For most of the dive, the space is fine, and if you're enthusiastic about wreck diving, it's a fantastic time!
There are three levels, 2 engine rooms, and the famous bathroom with four stalls which is a great picture opportunity. You start on the bottom and work your way up. There are many rooms, and also 2 lines leading up to the buoys on the surface so going up/down from the wreck is usually not a problem. There were some other divers just leaving the wreck when we got there, so we descended freely then used the line to go back up. There wasn't much current so it wasn't an issue even without using the lines. Also, you probably don't need nitrox for the dive but it's an option. We had done two morning dives earlier that day and it wasn't an issue for us.
In the end, I would do it again as it was a very enjoyable and one of the better wrecks I've done. It's always more fun when you can actually penetrate it and I felt we went through the whole ship, which was awesome!
Written November 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike R
Thornton, CO52 contributions
I went with Tank Ha - they are located in playa del carmen - excellent people !
Felipe Xicotencatl Shipwreck (Cozumel) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Felipe Xicotencatl Shipwreck
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- Hotels near Felipe Xicotencatl Shipwreck:
- (0.14 mi) Lugar de descanso Estrella
- (0.19 mi) Anita's house Cozumel
- (1.38 mi) Baldwin's Guest House Cozumel
- (1.51 mi) Casita de Maya Boutique Hotel
- (1.81 mi) Los Alcatraces
- Restaurants near Felipe Xicotencatl Shipwreck:
- (0.26 mi) El Jabali
- (1.13 mi) Restaurant El Moro
- (1.34 mi) El Billy Asados Al Carbon
- (1.45 mi) Pescaderia San Carlos
- (1.39 mi) Casa Mission Restaurant