ANNA BLANCA - Mar del Plata
The Anna Blanca isn't about deep dives or big pelagics. It’s about history, atmosphere, and the sheer joy of a shallow wreck. This pilot boat sits upright in just seven metres of water, perfectly preserved by Mar del Plata's cool, calm currents. We love gliding over her deck, imagining the last moments before she found her final resting place. The wheelhouse is still largely intact, and it’s a real thrill to peer inside, the faint light filtering through the portholes. Over the years, the wreck has become a home. We’ve spotted conger eels peeking from beneath plates of rusted metal, their eyes following us with an almost curious gaze. Patagonian blennies dart in and out of every crevice, while small schools of silversides shimmer around the mast. The shallow depth means fantastic bottom times, so you can really take your time exploring every nook and cranny. Our favourite part is lingering on the bow, watching the light play across the encrusting sponges and anemones. It’s a gentle dive, best suited for those who appreciate the quiet beauty of an artificial reef and a tangible connection to the past.
- Location
- Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
- Coordinates
- -34.870000, -56.596670
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 7m
Wreck History - ANNA BLANCA
- Vessel Type
- pilot boat
- Cause
- unknown
Resting in the shallows off the bustling port of Mar del Plata, the Anna Blanca is an accessible but mysterious wreck. Little is known about the history of this former pilot boat or the circumstances of its sinking. Lying at a maximum depth of just 7 meters, its remains are scattered across the seabed. Its designation as a 'dangerous wreck' means divers should exercise caution, as the broken structure presents potential hazards like sharp metal edges and entanglement risks. Despite this, the shallow depth makes it an interesting site for novice wreck divers or as a second dive of the day, offering a glimpse into the past and a habitat for the local marine life accustomed to coastal waters.
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 ANNA BLANCA
- 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 ANNA BLANCA
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