Diving in Mar del Plata

Explore 445 dive sites in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Mar del Plata

The warmest water temperatures in Mar del Plata occur in January, averaging 26.7°C. The coolest conditions are in July at 11.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.7°C
  • February: 25.8°C
  • March: 24.1°C
  • April: 20.3°C
  • May: 16.3°C
  • June: 13.0°C
  • July: 11.0°C
  • August: 12.2°C
  • September: 14.8°C
  • October: 18.2°C
  • November: 22.3°C
  • December: 24.8°C

Marine Life in Mar del Plata

Home to 33 recorded species including 19 reef fish, 7 sharks & rays, 3 whales & dolphins, 2 other, 1 crabs & lobsters, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Recommended Packing List for Mar del Plata

Based on average water temperature of 19.1°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Mar del Plata

  • Golfo San José - Tourist Nature Reserve (IUCN Category II)
  • Punta Bermeja - Protected Nature Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Caleta de los Loros - Multiple Use Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Bahía Laura - Intangible Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
  • Ría de Puerto Deseado - Intangible Nature Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Cabo Blanco - Intangible Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
  • Punta Tombo - Tourist Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
  • Punta León - Tourist Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Complejo Islote Lobos - Scientific Nature Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Punta del Marqués - Tourist and Scientific Research Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
  • Mar Chiquita - Multiple Use Nature Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Bahía de San Antonio - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category V)
  • Parque Atlántico Mar Chiquito - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Península Valdés - World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Isla Leones - Limited Use Area Under Special Protection (IUCN Category VI)
  • Isla Pinguinos - Provincial Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Arroyo Zabala - Multiple Use Nature Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Bahía Blanca, Bahía Falsa y Bahía Verde - Multiple Use Nature Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Bahia San Blas - Multiple Use Nature Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Puerto Lobos - Protected Landscape (IUCN Category V)
  • Barco Hundido - Provincial Reserve (IUCN Category III)
  • Humedal Caleta Olivia - Provincial Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Isla Cormorán y Banco de Justicia - Limited Use Area Under Special Protection (IUCN Category VI)
  • Bahía San Julián - Limited Use Area Under Special Protection (IUCN Category V)
  • Playa Larga - Nature and Cultural Reserve (IUCN Category V)
  • Pehuen Co-Monte Hermoso - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
  • Patagonia Austral - Interjurisdictional Coastal Marine Park (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Isla Pingüino - Interjurisdictional Marine Park (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Makenke - Interjurisdictional Marine Park (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Restinga del Faro - Provincial Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
  • Caleta Olivia - Provincial Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Valdés - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Patagonia Azul - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Namuncurá - Banco Burdwood II - Marine Strict Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Namuncurá - Banco Burdwood II - Marine National Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Yaganes - Marine National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Yaganes - Marine Strict Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Yaganes - Marine National Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Namuncurá - Banco Burdwood I - Marine National Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
  • Namuncurá - Banco Burdwood I - Marine National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Islote Lobos - National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Isla de los Pájaros - Natural Tourist Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Punta Delgada - Natural Tourist Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Punta Norte - Natural Tourist Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Punta Pirámides - Natural Tourist Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)

Getting to Mar del Plata - Nearest Airports

  • Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), Buenos Aires - 26 km away, approx 44 min travel time
  • Ezeiza International Airport - Ministro Pistarini (EZE), Buenos Aires (Ezeiza) - 51 km away, approx 70 min travel time
  • Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport (MVD), Ciudad de la Costa - 196 km away, approx 229 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres