Báltico - Mar del Plata

The *Báltico* wreck just off Mar del Plata is a personal favourite. We love a good shipwreck, and this one, a former fishing vessel, is surprisingly intact for its age and the tough South Atlantic conditions. At a shallow 13 metres, it’s accessible, making for a relaxed dive where you can truly take your time poking around. What makes it special? The *Báltico* has become a vibrant artificial reef. We’re talking about schools of silversides darting through the superstructure, conger eels peeking from shadowy corners, and massive spider crabs clambering over the deck. The light filtering through the hull on a sunny day is just magical, casting these shifting patterns that really bring the wreck to life. We always find something new here, a different angle, a new creature tucked away. It’s perfect for wreck lovers and photographers who appreciate atmosphere and history.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-33.940712, -58.417095
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
13m

Wreck History - Báltico

Vessel Type
warship
Cause
unknown

Historical records link this site to the Spanish battleship Alfonso XIII, the second of three España-class battleships built for the Spanish Navy in the 1910s. Construction was delayed by material shortages due to World War I, and she was not completed until 1915. The España-class ships were part of a major naval program to rebuild the Spanish fleet after the Spanish–American War, and were designed to support the French Navy in a potential European conflict. However, Spain remained neutral during WWI, and the battleship's early career involved routine training, assisting civilian vessels, and suppressing civil unrest.

Today, the wreck known locally as the Báltico lies in the shallow, accessible waters off Mar del Plata. At just 13 meters deep, the site is classified as a dangerous wreck, suggesting a scattered and broken structure that demands careful navigation from divers. Its shallow depth makes it suitable for divers of all levels, but the 'dangerous' classification means that penetration should be avoided and divers should be mindful of potential entanglement hazards like twisted metal and old fishing nets.

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 Báltico

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 Báltico

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