ELGAR - Mar del Plata

Dropping onto the ELGAR, you're immediately struck by the sheer scale of the wreck. This isn't some scattered debris field; it’s a substantial steamship, resting upright at 20 meters, still very much a ship. We spent our last dive exploring the stern, the propeller long gone, but the rudder still in place, encrusted with anemones and hydroids. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, sometimes twenty meters, sometimes half that, but even on murkier days, the ship's outline is impressive, a dark silhouette against the greener water. It’s an interesting wreck, particularly if you appreciate the history and structure of these old vessels, and the way crabs and small scorpionfish have made it home.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-33.609165, -59.693054
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

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 ELGAR

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 ELGAR

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