CATALINA PAINO - Mar del Plata

The Catalina Paino isn’t a deep dive, not even close, but it’s a brilliant one for what it is. Sitting in just two metres of water, it’s less a dive and more a snorkel, but don’t let that put you off. This old fishing trawler, reportedly sunk intentionally in the 1960s to create a breakwater, now acts as an artificial reef right off the coast of Mar del Plata. We love how accessible it is, literally a few fin kicks from the shore. What you get here is pure, unadulterated wreck exploration, albeit in miniature. The hull is still surprisingly intact, forming crevices and overhangs that are now home to a surprising number of critters. We’ve seen blennies darting between the rusted plates, tiny crabs scuttling over the kelp-covered deck, and even small schools of silversides shimmering in the shafts of light that pierce the surface. It’s a great spot for macro photography, especially on a calm day when the water is clear and the sun is high. We’d suggest going early in the morning before the beach gets too busy; the light is softer then, and you’ll often have the whole wreck to yourself. The shallow depth means you can spend ages just floating, observing the life that has claimed this piece of history.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-33.253117, -58.418850
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

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 CATALINA PAINO

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 CATALINA PAINO

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