Draga "C" 251 - Mar del Plata

The Draga "C" 251 isn’t your typical deep-water wreck. This dredge, sunk deliberately as part of a reef park initiative, sits right off the coast of Mar del Plata, practically begging for a visit. We love that it’s accessible to so many divers, even those just starting out, thanks to its shallow depth. You’ll spend most of your time around the 10-12 metre mark, which means long bottom times and plenty of light to illuminate the twisted metal and emerging marine life. What really gets us about the Draga "C" is its transformation. While it hasn’t been down for decades, the structure is already a magnet for life. We’ve seen schools of Argentine hake hovering like silver clouds around the superstructure, and the occasional rockfish peering from a crevice. The sheer scale of the dredge means there are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, from the exposed deck areas to the massive dredging arm that still reaches out into the sandy bottom. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, especially around the growth on the internal machinery. It's a great spot for photographers keen on artificial reef progression, or anyone who enjoys the calm, shallow exploration of a relatively intact wreck.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-33.651830, -59.252155
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

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 Draga "C" 251

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 Draga "C" 251

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