wreck

Log This Dive

Ciudad de Asunción

The Ciudad de Asunción is one of our favourite Mar del Plata dives, mostly because it’s so approachable. At only 8 metres, it’s a comfortable depth for pretty much everyone, and the wreck itself is a great introduction to exploring inside a sunken vessel. She’s a motor vessel, which went down in 1963 after hitting the wreck of the Marironga J. Cairi. That impact holed her, then she caught fire – a proper maritime drama. When you drop down, you’ll find the wreck largely intact, though time and the Atlantic have certainly left their mark. Penetration is relatively easy here; we’ve navigated through the engine room and cargo holds, feeling that cool, slightly silty air shift around us. Schools of silversides often shimmer through the open sections, catching the light. We usually spot king crabs clambering over the bow and stern, and the occasional octopus tucked into a shadowy nook. It’s not a huge wreck, so you can really take your time, soak in the history, and still have plenty of bottom time left.