CERRO CORA - Mar del Plata

Cerro Cora is a quirky wreck, tucked away just off Mar del Plata. We love it because it’s so approachable, sitting shallow at only 11 metres. This makes it a perfect first wreck dive or a nice multi-dive day if you’re keen on photography. The wreck itself is an old barge, sunk back in ‘76, though some records say it went down in Buenos Aires. Either way, it’s been on the seabed long enough to feel like part of the furniture. The structure is quite broken up now, but that just means more nooks and crannies for life to hide in. You’ll find plenty of small crabs scuttling over the plates and schools of silversides shimmering through the gaps. Look closely and you might spot a blenny peering out from a crevice. We’ve even seen a small conger eel tucked away in a shadowed corner on a few occasions. Visibility can be a bit hit-or-miss here, so we’d suggest going on a calm day, especially after a few days without strong southerly winds. That’s when you’ll get the best light filtering down onto the old metal, really bringing out the rust colours and the green algae bloom. It’s not a dramatic drop-off, more of a gentle exploration, but it’s an honest, rewarding dive.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.633335, -58.350000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

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 CERRO CORA

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 CERRO CORA

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