ARECERNO NO.22 - Mar del Plata

For a wreck that sits just five metres deep, the ARECERNO NO.22 sure packs a punch. It's not some grand ocean liner, but a smaller lighter vessel, and that’s what we love about it. This is a proper hands-on wreck, scattered and open, rather than an intact hull. You can really get a sense of its working life before it went down. The ARECERNO feels more like an archaeological dig than a museum piece. We've spent hours poking around the ribs and plating, finding all sorts of local nudibranchs, and sometimes a grumpy octopus hiding in a crevice. It’s perfect for new divers getting their first taste of a wreck, or for experienced photographers who want to spend an entire dive on a single frame. Conditions can get a bit choppy here, especially with the prevailing southerlies, so we'd suggest picking a calmer morning for the best visibility. Go slow, look closely, and you’ll find the wreck's character.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.595000, -58.079166
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Wreck History - ARECERNO NO.22

Vessel Type
barge
Cause
unknown

The Arecereno No. 22 is an intriguing and highly accessible wreck located in the busy waters of Mar del Plata, Argentina. As a 'lighter' vessel, it was a type of flat-bottomed barge used to transfer cargo to and from larger ships in the port. While the specific details of its history and sinking are lost to time, its presence on the seabed offers a fascinating dive. Lying in just 5 meters of water, this wreck is perfect for novice divers, training dives, and even snorkelers. Its shallow depth ensures long bottom times and excellent light penetration on clear days. The wreck's structure provides a habitat for the local marine life of the South Atlantic coast, making it a lively and interesting site to explore. Its classification as a 'Dangerous Wreck' is due to its shallow depth, posing a risk to surface navigation, but for divers, it represents a fantastic opportunity to easily explore a piece of local maritime 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

Nearest Dive Centres to ARECERNO NO.22

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 ARECERNO NO.22

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