DR. ALBERTO MAGGI - Mar del Plata

The *Dr. Alberto Maggi* isn't a deep dive, sitting at a comfortable 9 metres, but it offers a real taste of history. This old steamship, built in 1899 and sunk by heavy weather in 1954, is remarkably intact for a wreck of its age. We love how the bow points north, still quite defined, allowing you to trace the vessel’s original lines despite the passing decades. Swimming along the deck, you'll spot the massive boilers, now home to a bustling community of local fish – think schools of snappers darting between the rusty plates and the occasional octopus tucked away in a crevice. The wheelhouse section is mostly gone, but the engine room offers some fun penetration for those comfortable with overhead environments; it’s dark, silty, and a good torch is essential here. The Maggi provides a genuinely atmospheric experience, a dive into Mar del Plata’s maritime past, best enjoyed on a calm day when visibility pushes past the usual 5 metres. Bring a good camera, the light filtering through the superstructure can be quite dramatic.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.605278, -58.283054
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m

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 DR. ALBERTO MAGGI

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 DR. ALBERTO MAGGI

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