Balsa 602 - Mar del Plata

The Balsa 602 is a site we keep coming back to, not for deep exploration, but for a unique brand of shallow wreck diving right off the Mar del Plata coast. This isn't your typical coral reef dive, obviously. We’re talking a maximum depth of just one meter, maybe a touch more depending on the tide, but don't let that fool you. It’s a historical wreck, the remains of a lighter vessel, and it’s been there long enough to become a proper underwater structure. What we love here is the sheer accessibility and the way it’s colonised by life. You wade in, often with waves breaking gently over your head, and suddenly you’re hovering over rusted metal beams and hull plates. Schools of silversides dart between the wreckage, their scales catching the sunlight that punches right through the shallow water. We’ve spotted crabs scuttling in crevices, and anemones clinging to the darker nooks. It's a fantastic spot for snorkelers or freedivers, too, offering an intimate look at a wreck without any heavy gear. The Balsa 602 is our pick for a quick, interesting dive when you want something different, a real taste of Mar del Plata's underwater history.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.475166, -58.470768
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - Balsa 602

Vessel Type
barge
Cause
unknown

The Balsa 602 is an unusual and extremely shallow wreck located near the port of Mar del Plata. This former lighter vessel, a type of cargo barge, rests in only one meter of water, making it more of a snorkeling spot than a scuba destination. Its history is obscure, but its classification as a "Dangerous Wreck" highlights its role as a navigational hazard. For those exploring the surface, the Balsa 602 offers a unique opportunity to see the skeletal remains of a working vessel, now encrusted with life and sheltering small marine creatures in the sunlit shallows.

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 Balsa 602

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 Balsa 602

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