A.V.H.R NO6 - Mar del Plata
The A.V.H.R NO6 wreck sits shallow, a mere two metres down in Mar del Plata. We’ve found it’s a site often overlooked for deeper dives, but honestly, that’s a mistake. This isn't a coral garden, it’s a piece of history you can practically touch. The wreck itself is quite broken up, but its skeletal remains create a fascinating structure. You’ll be swimming amongst rusty beams and twisted metal plates, feeling the tug of the surge if the swell is up. What makes this wreck special, for us, is how the local marine life has utterly taken it over. Schools of silversides dart in and out of the crevices, creating shimmering clouds. We often spot small scorpionfish camouflaged against the rust, and the anemones here are particularly plump, swaying gently with the water movement. Our favourite tip for this site: go at slack tide if you can, the visibility improves dramatically without the current stirring things up, letting you really appreciate the textures of the wreck and the surprising amount of life it supports. It’s a photographer’s dream for wide-angle shots showing the wreck against the surface light. This site is perfect for newer wreck divers or anyone who loves exploring history without the pressure of depth or complex navigation.
- Location
- Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
- Coordinates
- -34.608883, -58.300278
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 2m
Wreck History - A.V.H.R NO6
- Vessel Type
- barge
- Cause
- unknown
Like its nearby sibling, the A.H.V.R No.4, the wreck of the A.V.H.R No.6 is a shallow water mystery off Mar del Plata, Argentina. Resting in just 2 meters of water, its name strongly suggests it was part of a series of numbered harbor vessels, likely a barge or another piece of support craft. Its official classification as a 'dangerous wreck' is a clear warning that the structure is broken and potentially hazardous, a result of its exposure to constant wave action. For the prepared diver or snorkeler, the site offers an easy-to-reach glimpse of maritime wreckage. The remains, though scattered, form a small artificial reef, attracting marine life and providing an interesting contrast to the natural underwater topography of the region. It's a dive into the functional, unseen side of a busy port's history.
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
- 192 - B - 4m (wreck)
- 201 - A - M.O.P. - 8m (wreck)
- 245 C - 7m (wreck)
- 252-C - 5m (wreck)
- 256 B - 3m (wreck)
- 325 C - 6m (wreck)
- ABucear - Centro de Buceo
- ABucear - Scuba Diving Center
- ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE - 8m (wreck)
- A.H.V.R NO.4 - 3m (wreck)
- ALBA - 5m (wreck)
- ALDOSIVI - 2m (wreck)
- Aldykir II - 1m (wreck)
- Alejandro Marcos B - 7m (wreck)
- ALFA II - 1m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to A.V.H.R NO6
- ABucear - Centro de Buceo
- ACUATIKOS
- Alfa Buceo - ["PADI"]
- AM DIVE
- Amphibio
- Aquabaires Buceo - ["PADI"]
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
- South Atlantic Elephant-seal (Mirounga leonina) - Whales & Dolphins
- Bluewing Searobin (Prionotus punctatus) - Reef Fish
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Porgy (Pagrus pagrus) - Reef Fish
- American Elephantfish (Callorhinchus callorynchus)
- Bangamary (Macrodon ancylodon) - Reef Fish
- Elf (Pomatomus saltatrix) - Reef Fish
- Silverside (Odontesthes incisa) - Reef Fish
- Filetail Fanskate (Sympterygia lima) - Sharks & Rays
- Atlantic Lookdown (Selene vomer) - Reef Fish
- Blueback Mullet (Mugil liza) - Reef Fish
- Smallnose Fanskate (Sympterygia bonapartii) - Sharks & Rays
- Kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus) - Reef Fish
- American Harvestfish (Peprilus paru) - Reef Fish
- Ronco (Micropogonias furnieri) - Reef Fish
- Chilean Angel Shark (Squatina armata) - Sharks & Rays
- South-American Silver Porgy (Diplodus argenteus) - Reef Fish
- Apron Ray (Discopyge tschudii) - Sharks & Rays
- Eyespot skate (Atlantoraja cyclophora) - Sharks & Rays
- Moray (Muraena helena) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for A.V.H.R NO6
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