Hillstone - Mar del Plata

The Hillstone isn't your average Mar del Plata dive. For a start, it’s a genuine, honest-to-goodness piece of history, a steamship that met its end right off the coast. At just 7 metres deep, it's incredibly accessible, making it a fantastic option for newer wreck divers or anyone looking for a relaxed, longer bottom time. We love how the shallow depth paints the wreck in natural light, often creating dramatic shadows and highlighting the ship’s skeletal remains. Visibility can be hit or miss in Mar del Plata, but on a good day, the Hillstone is a joy. You can easily spend your entire dive exploring the broken stern, the scattered hull plates, and the machinery now encrusted with mussels and anemones. Look closely, and you’ll spot a surprising number of small critters – crabs scuttling amongst the metal, blennies peering from crevices, and small schools of fish darting in and out of the structure. It’s a quiet, reflective dive, perfect for photographers keen to capture the interplay of light and history. Our top tip? Go on a weekday morning to avoid any boat traffic and catch the best light.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.699383, -57.831300
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
7m

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 Hillstone

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 Hillstone

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