CACHETAZO

Best months: Jan–Mar

Why dive here

With 33+ marine species recorded in the area - including sperm whales - CACHETAZO offers some of Mar del Plata's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-21°C, warmest January, February, March.

Best timeJan–Mar

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeSperm Whales · 33+ species recorded

Water10-21°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterWreck dive · max 2m

Cachetazo, sitting in the chilly waters off Mar del Plata, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. At a paltry 2m, it’s not about depth or drift diving here, it’s about slow, deliberate exploration. This 19.8m yacht, now broken into several large pieces, offers surprisingly intricate swim-throughs and plenty of nooks to poke your head into. We often find ourselves just hovering, watching the small schools of anchovies dart in and out of the rusted hull, or spotting a grumpy Patagonian blenny peeking from a crevice. The real joy of Cachetazo is how accessible it is, even for newer divers getting comfortable with wreck penetration. Visibility can be a bit hit-and-miss, but on a good day, when the sun cuts through the green water, the effect of light shafts playing on the metal is mesmerizing. We always recommend going at high tide to maximize the water column over the wreck. It’s an easy, rewarding dive, perfect for honing buoyancy and getting a close-up look at how quickly a wreck becomes a vibrant, if temporary, home for marine life.

Typical CACHETAZO 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.

Today05:1017:5612h 45m daylightGolden hour 17:22

CACHETAZO Wreck History

Vessel Type

yacht

Cause

unknown

Resting in the shallows off Mar del Plata, the Cachetazo is an accessible and intriguing site for novice divers and snorkelers. This 20-meter yacht met its end under unknown circumstances, and its remains now lie in just two meters of water. Its classification as a 'dangerous wreck' means it's a known hazard to navigation, but for divers, it represents a fantastic opportunity to explore a complete, albeit small, vessel without the need for deep diving certification. The shallow depth allows for long bottom times and excellent light penetration, illuminating the wreck's structure and the marine life that has begun to colonize it.

Nearest Dive Centres to CACHETAZO

Dive shops near CACHETAZO

Montevideo Diving

28km away

Web

Phone

View all dive centres in Mar del Plata

Reviews for CACHETAZO

Conditions

Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CACHETAZO

CACHETAZO Ocean Conditions

Monthly averages for CACHETAZO, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-38.05, -57.5) (0km away)