AREDELTA I - Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata's coastline isn't typically on the international dive radar, but the AREDELTA I offers a genuinely unique wreck experience. This isn’t a deep dive, sitting at a maximum of 6 metres, which makes it incredibly accessible for newer wreck enthusiasts or those who just want to spend some serious bottom time exploring. We love the feeling of history here, the way the old fishing trawler, sunk in 1991, has become a rough-and-ready home. When you drop down, the first thing you notice is the sheer solidity of the wreck, even after all these years. The hull plates are thick, encrusted with anemones and the occasional feathery hydroid, creating a textured surface that shifts with the surge. You can swim around and over the main superstructure, pushing through schools of silversides that dart away from your approach, glinting like scattered change. We've often seen kingfish patrolling the perimeter, their silver bodies flashing as they hunt. Our favourite part has to be the interior, though. The wheelhouse is surprisingly intact, offering a glimpse into the trawler's working life. You can peer through the empty window frames, imagining the stormy seas this vessel once endured, now home to a slow-moving spider crab or a skittish blenny. It’s an easy, rewarding dive, perfect for photographers wanting to capture both marine life and an evocative piece of local maritime history. Just watch the surge; it can pick up, especially on windy days.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.756668, -57.921665
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Wreck History - AREDELTA I

Vessel Type
barge
Cause
unknown

Resting in the shallow coastal waters off Mar del Plata, the AREDELTA I is one of several local workboat wrecks that dot the seabed. While specific historical details about its service and sinking are scarce, its name suggests it was part of a fleet of dredging or construction vessels, possibly the first in its series, that helped maintain this busy Argentinian port. Lying at a mere 6 meters, it's classified as a dangerous wreck, indicating a significant structure that poses a hazard to navigation but provides a fantastic opportunity for divers.

For scuba enthusiasts, the AREDELTA I offers an accessible and intriguing dive. Its shallow depth allows for long bottom times and excellent light penetration on clear days, making it a perfect site for novice wreck divers, underwater photographers, and those on a second dive of the day. The structure, though likely broken down by time and sea, provides ample shelter for a variety of local marine life. Divers can explore the wreckage, now a thriving artificial reef, and discover the small fish, crabs, and invertebrates that have made it their home.

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 AREDELTA I

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 AREDELTA I

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