Chairel Shipwreck Dive in Isla Mujeres
- Tracy Sharlene Gunn
- Dec 9, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: May 10, 2025
The Chairel shipwreck was a car ferry deliberately sunk to create an artificial reef. Unfortunately, the sinking was rushed due to impending weather, causing it to capsize, and the ship now rests upside down at a depth of 27 meters (89 feet). While the strong currents in the area make this dive challenging, the site is still teeming with marine life, making it an adventurous dive for those with experience.
The Chairel was originally brought down from Tampico to serve as a car ferry between Isla Mujeres and Cancun. It operated in this capacity during the late 1980s, replacing the Frontera car ferry that was in service then. Some reports suggest that the Mexican telephone company, Teléfonos de México, owned the ferry. The ferry service was eventually discontinued in favour of a larger vessel better suited to the island's growing population. In 1990, the Chairel, now an unused car ferry, was repurposed as a floating restaurant near Cancun.
On October 18, 2000, the boat was towed 8 kilometres (5 miles) into the open sea on the Caribbean side of Isla Mujeres. The plan was to sink the boat to create a new shipwreck, providing an adventurous dive site for experienced divers and photographers and forming an artificial reef. However, unexpected weather conditions forced a hurried sinking of the ferry. Strong winds created significant wave movement, which, combined with the design of the ferry platform, caused the boat to capsize. As a result, the ferry flipped over and ended upside down on the ocean floor.
Because the shipwreck is upside down, it is not possible to enter it. However, divers can still engage in a variety of exciting activities around its exterior. The debris from the helm and the small rock piles create an ideal environment for discovering marine life. The wreck's surrounding area has flourished, turning it into a captivating underwater site rich with diverse sea creatures, including green moray eels, snapper, and barracuda. It's a fantastic location for observing schools of spotted eagle rays.
Due to the strong current and considerable depth, diving at the Chairel Shipwreck is considered an advanced dive for experienced divers. A strict screening process ensures the safety of both divers and guides.
Depth
27 meters / 89 feet
Boat Ride
30 min
Dive Type
Drift -Strong Currents
Deep Dive
Artificial Reef - Wreck
Experience Level
Advanced Open Water, Experienced Diver
Recent Dive Experience
Average Visibility Underwater
20 mt / 65 feet
Average Water Temp
26 C°/ 79F°
Dive Time
30 - 35 min
Photo credits: Denni Elgueta and Ana de Benitos
Tracy Gunn is the founder and owner of Pocna Dive Center on Isla Mujeres, Mexico. A former banker turned adventurer, Tracy left a decade-long corporate career to pursue her passion for diving and island life. With over 35 years of diving experience and 24 years of living on Isla Mujeres, she now serves as a PADI Course Director, training the next generation of divers at her dive school. When she’s not underwater, Tracy shares her love for the island and the ocean through engaging blogs about diving, marine life, and Isla Mujeres culture.
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This article does an excellent job of capturing both the adventure and historical significance of the Chairel shipwreck dive. The detailed explanation makes it accessible even to readers who are new to diving. I appreciate how you balanced technical details with the sense of wonder that comes from underwater exploration. I came across a related travel and wellness discussion on https://www.rosedalewellness.com/ recently, and it’s fascinating how experiences like diving are increasingly viewed as both adventurous and mentally rejuvenating. Great read overall.
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