CHATA GALLERETTA - Mar del Plata

Chata Galleretta isn't a deep dive, but it's one of Mar del Plata's most characterful. This isn't some pristine, untouched wreck; it's a working art installation, deliberately sunk and then colonised by a thriving ecosystem. We love how the artists have integrated the wreck into the environment, shaping it for divers. You drop onto the deck, usually in decent visibility, and the first thing you notice are the huge, colourful anemones covering nearly every surface. They pulse gently in the surge, and we’ve seen so many different nudibranchs here, patiently grazing. Keep an eye out for octopus tucked into crevices; they're masters of camouflage against the rust-coloured hull. The wreck itself is quite broken up, but you can swim through various sections, ducking under beams and exploring the open holds. We’d suggest going at slack tide if you can swing it; the currents here can get frisky, but that’s also when the schooling fish, like silversides, are at their most dense, flashing around the superstructure. It's a fantastic site for photographers looking for something a bit different, and we think it's perfect for divers who appreciate a wreck with a story, even if it's one recently written.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.473970, -57.840965
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

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 CHATA GALLERETTA

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 CHATA GALLERETTA

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