wreck

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DON ERNESTO

Don Ernesto is a wreck that really delivers, a proper freighter resting in about 10 metres, right outside Mar del Plata. We love it because it’s so accessible and still has plenty of character. She sank back in the 1950s, a fishing boat called the “Don Ernesto” that ended up being intentionally scuttled to create an artificial reef. Diving it is like stepping into a time capsule. You’ll find the hull largely intact, with the stern section still very recognisable. We often descend to find king crabs scuttling across the deck plates, and shoals of hake darting in and out of the holds. Visibility can be a bit hit-or-miss here, honestly, especially after strong winds, but on a good day, when the sun filters through the surface, the rusty reds and browns of the wreck just glow. Our favourite part is navigating the interior, though you need to be cautious about silting and have good buoyancy. Look out for the conger eels peeking from beneath the collapsed superstructure. This site is brilliant for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a low-visibility challenge. Best to dive it mid-week to avoid the weekend boat traffic.