Don Agustín - Mar del Plata

Don Agustín isn’t about big pelagics or colourful coral; it’s about history, about a ghost from another time. This old fishing trawler, sunk deliberately in the 1990s to create an artificial reef, now lies upright at a comfortable seven metres. It’s an ideal spot for anyone looking for an easy, shallow dive with plenty to poke around. We love dropping onto the wheelhouse first, then slowly circling the entire vessel. The stern section is particularly interesting, with the propeller and rudder still largely intact. Schools of hake often hover near the deck, and we've spotted plenty of king crabs scuttling amongst the growth, along with anemones clinging to the metal. Visibility can vary, like much of Mar del Plata, but on a good day, the light filters beautifully through the superstructure, giving the whole wreck an ethereal glow. Our tip? Go at slack tide to avoid any surge, and bring a good torch to peer into the darker corners. It’s not a deep dive, but it’s a dive with real character.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.787700, -57.865883
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
7m

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 Don Agustín

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 Don Agustín

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