wreck

Log This Dive

CHATA GALLERETTA

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.