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Ana Cecilia

Wreck · West Palm Beach

26° 47.087' N 80° 00.953' W

Advanced Open Water Advanced Open Water Max 85 ft Avg 62 ft Hot Drop Today AMPoor

Details

Advanced Open Water
Minimum recommended certification
Max depth
85 ft
Average depth
62 ft
Access
Hot Drop
Sea state today
AMPoor PMPoor

Video

🎥 The Palm Beaches

Pictures 2

Where it is

26° 47.087' N 80° 00.953' W

Next boats to this site 5

Operators that dive here

Best Gas

atm
atm
Overlay Image
Gas prices
Aluminum 80 $10
Steel HP 100 $10
Steel LP 85 $10

Wreck Details

Sunk July 13th, 2015
Freighter
170 ftLength
30 ftBeam

Site description

The Ana Cecilia, resting on the ocean floor, has become a thriving ecosystem. Its submerged hull now teems with marine life, creating a vibrant underwater community. Marine Growth and Fish Populations: The Ana Cecilia serves as an artificial reef, attracting a diverse array of species. From tiny plankton to majestic Goliath Groupers, life flourishes around its rusted edges. During the late summer and early fall (August through October), the ship hosts a remarkable event: the Goliath Groupers’ spawning season. These massive fish gather around the wreck, their presence both awe-inspiring and critical for maintaining healthy fish populations. But it’s not just the Groupers—the ship’s nooks and crannies shelter schools of Blue Runner, darting through the water like silver arrows. Conservation Efforts: The Ana Cecilia contributes to reef conservation. By providing a solid substrate, it encourages coral growth and offers shelter to countless organisms. Soft corals cling to the ship’s metal surfaces, their delicate fronds swaying in the currents. Sponges, too, find a foothold, creating a colorful mosaic. Divers marvel at this symbiotic dance of life and decay. The ship, once a vessel of commerce, now plays a vital role in preserving the marine environment. Diving Adventures: Scuba enthusiasts flock to the Ana Cecilia. Its intentional modifications—large cutouts in the decks and companionways—invite exploration. Imagine gliding through these openings, sunlight filtering down, illuminating the interior. Schools of fish scatter, and you feel like an explorer in an ancient ruin. Underwater photographers revel in the play of light and shadow. The wreck’s contours provide striking compositions, and the ambient glow creates ethereal scenes. Adding to Your Gallery: If you’re passionate about underwater photography, the Ana Cecilia deserves a spot in your portfolio. Capture the interplay of rust and life, the juxtaposition of decay and renewal. Frame the Barracuda against the ship’s skeletal remains, or focus on the intricate patterns etched by coral growth. Each visit reveals new details—a dance of time and tide, frozen in this submerged tableau. So, whether you’re a diver seeking adventure or an artist capturing beauty beneath the waves, the Ana Cecilia beckons—an underwater wonder waiting to be explored.

Route & typical conditions

Route

This dive is always conducted as a drift dive. The Ana Cecilia is the first stop on the so called "The Corridor" which includes the Mizapah and Amaryllis north to the Ana Cecilia. North will determine much of the route, but once divers get to the wreck look for shelter inside the cargo holds on the wreck or the superstructure. This wreck offers a lot of penetration opportunities - if qualified. The engine room is probably one of the best conserved spots in the wreck. Given its relatively short time underwater, coral is growing but there are still spots where the original paint can be seen.

Typical conditions

The Ana Cecilia, located off Palm Beach, boasts ideal diving conditions throughout the year. Known for drift diving and impressive marine life migrations, this area promises exciting underwater adventures. During the summer months, the ocean surface remains calm, providing excellent visibility below. Occasional upwellings bring forth a diverse array of marine creatures. In winter, the water turns warm and crystal clear, creating a perfect backdrop for exploration. Thriving Marine Life: The Ana Cecilia, like other wrecks in The Corridor, is rapidly becoming a hub of growth and life. Resident sea turtles gracefully glide through the water, while tropical fish populations thrive. Dynamic sponge and soft coral growth adorn the wreck, adding vibrant colors to the underwater landscape. Look Up, Discover More: As you explore the Ana Cecilia, remember to glance upward occasionally. Sailfish might streak by, their sleek forms catching the sunlight. And keep an eye out for schools of African Pompano cruising through the depths. Every dive reveals new wonders—a testament to the ship’s transformation from vessel to thriving ecosystem.

Wreck history

Ana Cecilia historic photo
The Ana Cecilia found her final resting place on July 13, 2016, approximately a mile from Singer Island. Her main deck lies at a depth of 62 feet, while the ocean floor reaches 85 feet—an ideal depth for divers seeking an unforgettable wreck experience. This sunken vessel is part of a captivating wreck trek known as The Corridor, which also includes the Mizpah, China Barge, Amaryllis, and the Brazilian Docks. The Ana Cecilia, measuring 170 feet in length and weighing 629 tons, has a storied past. Originally, she served as a cargo ship, transporting humanitarian goods from Miami to Havana. Her holds carried clothing, hygiene products, food, and other essential supplies. Notably, she was the first vessel to make a direct US-to-Cuba voyage since the tense Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. However, the Ana Cecilia’s role shifted dramatically. After the transport operation ceased in April 2013, the ship changed ownership and embarked on a new chapter. Unfortunately, she made headlines once again—this time for illicit reasons. In September 2015, the US Government seized her for smuggling 413 kilograms of cocaine from Haiti, as reported by the Palm Beach Post. Today, resting silently beneath the waves, the Ana Cecilia continues to intrigue divers and tell tales of both commerce and controversy

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