Balsa 602
Why dive here
With 33+ marine species recorded in the area - including sperm whales - Balsa 602 offers some of Mar del Plata's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-21°C, warmest January, February, March.
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.
Typical Balsa 602 Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 14°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Balsa 602 Wreck History
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to Balsa 602
Dive shops near Balsa 602
CEB Escuela de Buceo
IN ACQUA BUCEO
Aquabaires Buceo
Baires Buceo
Diving Center - Centro Integral de Buceo
OKI-PIOKI DIVERS
Reviews for Balsa 602
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Balsa 602
Balsa 602 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Balsa 602, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-38.05, -57.5) (0km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
14°C
56°F · Range: 11.1–16.9°C
Current Speed
2.83 cm/s
Direction: SE (135°)
Salinity
0 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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