Ciudad de Gualeguaychú - Mar del Plata

The Ciudad de Gualeguaychú, just off Mar del Plata, is a real favourite of ours for a quick wreck dive. At a shallow 12 metres, it’s a site that feels accessible to most divers, and it’s a brilliant introduction to wreck diving in the area. We love how much of the old transport vessel is still intact; you can really make out the superstructure and the cargo holds, even after all these years. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the way the light filters through the waves, dappling across the metal hulk. It’s got a wonderfully eerie, almost ghostly feel. The wreck itself is covered in a surprisingly thick carpet of mussels and anenomes, which makes for some vivid texture against the rust. Keep an eye out for the shoals of silversides that often hover above the deck; they flash like quicksilver when you swim through them. We’ve spotted conger eels tucked into crevices, too, and on a good day, the visibility lets you appreciate the sheer scale of the vessel. Our pick for an insider tip? Dive this one in the morning. The currents are often calmer, and the light penetration is just beautiful.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.245983, -58.732315
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

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 Ciudad de Gualeguaychú

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 Ciudad de Gualeguaychú

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