A R A LAPATAIA - Mar del Plata

The A R A Lapataia is a shallow dive, just seven metres down, but it’s packed with character. We love how accessible this wreck is, perfect for knocking out a couple of dives without a huge deco commitment. You're exploring the bones of an old transport vessel, and it really feels like stepping back in time. What you'll find here is a robust frame, not delicate, but wonderfully colonised by local marine life. Look closely and you’ll spot crabs scuttling over the rusting plates and schools of small fish darting in and out of the openings. The visibility can be a bit variable, so we always suggest checking local conditions before heading out, but on a good day, the light plays beautifully through the superstructure. It’s a photographer's dream, especially when you catch a glimmer of the sun bouncing off a school of silversides. This site is fantastic for newer wreck divers or anyone who just wants an easy, engaging dive with some local history to chew on. Expect to spend a lot of time just hovering, taking in the scale of it all.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.665000, -58.003334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
7m

Wreck History - A R A LAPATAIA

Year Sunk
1967
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
scuttled

The A.R.A. *Lapataia* served the Argentine Navy (Armada de la República Argentina) as a transport vessel for many years, plying the coastal waters and supporting naval operations. Rather than being lost to storm or conflict, the ship was given a new purpose after its decommissioning. In 1967, the *Lapataia* was deliberately and carefully scuttled off the coast of Mar del Plata to create an artificial reef, one of the first in the region's pioneering underwater park.

Lying in just 7 meters of water, the *Lapataia* is an outstanding site for novice divers, training dives, and snorkelers. Its shallow depth allows for long, relaxed bottom times and excellent light conditions. The vessel rests upright on the sandy bottom, its main structures still recognizable. Over more than half a century, it has transformed into a bustling marine metropolis, offering shelter to a dense population of fish, anemones, and other invertebrates, proving a successful transition from a naval workhorse to a thriving underwater ecosystem.

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Mar del Plata

Nearest Dive Centres to A R A LAPATAIA

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for A R A LAPATAIA

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