BASILEA - Mar del Plata

Okay, so Basilea. Mar del Plata isn't exactly a global dive hotspot, but this site has a certain gritty charm. We’re talking about a wreck, a fishing trawler, that ran aground right on the city beach back in the 1950s. It’s shallow, like, two meters shallow at high tide, so more of a snorkel and free-dive spot, really. You can still make out the bow and stern sections, even the wheelhouse frame, though it’s pretty broken up now. The real draw here isn’t the structure itself, which is decaying fast, but how it's become a little artificial reef. Shoals of silversides shimmer through the gaps, and we’ve seen crabs scuttling amongst the rusted plates. It's really cool to see how nature reclaims things, and this wreck is a prime example. For us, it’s a brilliant afternoon activity if you're already in Mar del Plata and fancy something a bit different than just lounging on the sand. Just keep an eye on the tide; at low tide, it's barely submerged.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-33.683334, -59.633335
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Wreck History - BASILEA

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown

The history of the Basilea is shrouded in mystery, its identity and the story of its sinking lost to time. Located in the shallow waters of Mar del Plata, this wreck lies at a mere 2 meters, making it accessible but also a potential hazard to navigation, earning it a "dangerous wreck" classification. For divers, the Basilea offers a unique shallow-water exploration. While details of its past are scarce, the wreckage provides a fascinating habitat for local marine life, and its enigmatic nature adds a sense of discovery to any dive. Exploring its remains invites speculation about its final, dramatic moments so close to shore.

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 BASILEA

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 BASILEA

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