Elizabeth - Mar del Plata

Elizabeth is a proper old girl, a steam trawler that ran aground in 1993. Now she sits upright in about 10 meters of water, not far from the coast. We love this site for its accessibility and the way it really lets you explore a genuine wreck without the usual depth challenges. When you drop down, the first thing you notice is the ship’s structure. It’s still remarkably intact in places, with the wheelhouse and parts of the deck offering plenty to poke around. Light filters through the broken sections, illuminating schools of silversides darting between the corroded metal. Look closely and you’ll find rockfish nestled in the crevices, their camouflage almost perfect against the rust. On the sand around the wreck, you often spot skates or rays. This is a brilliant dive for those who enjoy the history of a wreck, offering a real sense of what this vessel once was, now transformed into an artificial reef. Our favourite part is navigating through the engine room area, seeing how the machinery has been taken over by anemones. Just watch out for the occasional stronger surge, especially if there's been a storm; it can kick up the silt.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-35.747230, -56.986343
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 Elizabeth

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 Elizabeth

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