CACHETAZO - Mar del Plata

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.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.765000, -56.346670
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Wreck History - CACHETAZO

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.

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 CACHETAZO

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 CACHETAZO

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