Dong Bang Nº 59 - Mar del Plata

The Dong Bang Nº 59 in Mar del Plata is one of those wrecks that just hits different. It’s not about insane depth or crazy pelagics here, it’s about the sheer presence of the thing, especially given its history. Sunk deliberately in 1982 after being seized for illegal fishing, this Korean trawler is an artificial reef for the ages, sitting upright on the seabed at a comfortable 10 meters. We love how accessible it is, making it perfect for newer wreck divers or those just wanting a relaxed dive. The structure itself is pretty impressive. You can clearly make out the bridge, parts of the holds, and the stern, now draped in green and brown algae, moving gently with the surge. Visibility can be a bit variable, typical for coastal sites, so picking your day is key. Look for calm conditions and a rising tide if you can, it usually helps clear things up. We’ve seen conger eels poking their heads out from darkened corners, schools of silversides darting through open sections, and crabs scuttling across the decaying metal. It’s an honest, gritty wreck dive, a real piece of history colonised by the sea, and we’d pick it any day for a solid, atmospheric exploration.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.249300, -58.713055
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

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 Dong Bang Nº 59

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 Dong Bang Nº 59

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