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Log This Dive

BENITO GRONDONA

The Benito Grondona wreck isn't about depth, it's about history you can touch. At a maximum of three metres, this is truly a shallow dive, and while it might not be the poster child for Mar del Plata diving, we love its defiant character. This isn't a delicate reef; it's a hulking skeleton of steel, the remains of an old dredger that met its end in a storm way back in 1957. You’re not going to see huge pelagics here, but it’s a brilliant spot for macro life and just pottering around. Look closely and you’ll find nudibranchs clinging to the rusty beams, their vibrant colours a stark contrast to the muted steel. Juvenile fish dart between the twisted metal, finding shelter in the wreck's many nooks. We often see small schools of Patagonian pejerrey glimmering above the deck plates, and if you’re patient, you might spot an octopus tucked away in a shadowed crevice. It’s an easy dive, perfect for photographers wanting to practice their wreck composition, or for anyone who enjoys a gentle exploration of a piece of maritime history. Conditions can vary, but generally, when the ocean is calm, visibility can reach 8-10 metres, giving you a decent view of its entire structure. Our favourite time to dive it is on a sunny morning; the light filtering through the water and bouncing off the wreck creates some really dramatic shadows.