Malvinas II - Mar del Plata

Malvinas II sits in the relatively shallow waters just off Mar del Plata, a stern reminder of the Falklands War. We love this site for its accessibility and the immediate sense of history you get as you descend. At just 7 meters, it’s a perfect wreck dive for those looking to explore without deep decompression limits. The wreck itself is a former fishing trawler, sunk deliberately to create an artificial reef. It’s pretty broken up in places, but you can still make out the superstructure and parts of the hull, especially the bow. What really makes Malvinas II for us is the way marine life has absolutely taken over. You’ll find schools of hake darting through the rusted metal, conger eels peeking out from crevices, and the whole structure is draped in an orangey-red growth of anemones and sponges. Visibility can be a bit variable here, so we always suggest diving on a calm day, ideally after a few days without strong winds. Look for the small octopuses that often hide amongst the wreckage – our favourite find here. It's a dive that offers a quiet moment of reflection, paired with plenty of invertebrate action.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-35.979317, -57.117634
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 Malvinas II

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 Malvinas II

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