Dive-site story
The ARM General Vicente Riva Palacio (C-50) is a decommissioned World War II-era minesweeper scuttled in 2000 to create an artificial reef within the Veracruz Reef System National Park. Resting upright on a sandy seabed near Isla Verde, the intact hull features accessible hallways, companionways, and cargo holds that invite exploration by trained wreck divers. Over the decades, encrusting corals, sponges, and marine growth have blanketed the superstructure, attracting schooling fish and resident predators.
Well-preserved World War II-era naval vessel resting fully upright
Multiple swim-through options through wide cargo spaces and upper decks for certified wreck divers
Frequent encounters with schooling pelagics and large predatory fish circling the superstructure
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Summer offers the calmest seas and best underwater visibility, avoiding the strong northern wind storms common from autumn through early spring.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great BarracudaSphyraena barracuda | Common | ||||||||||||
| Green Moray EelGymnothorax funebris | Common | ||||||||||||
| Atlantic Goliath GrouperEpinephelus itajara | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| French AngelfishPomacanthus paru | Common | ||||||||||||
| Horse-eye JackCaranx latus | Common |
Marine forecast
