wreck

Log This Dive

Maria Angelica

The Maria Angelica, just off Mar del Plata, isn’t about big pelagics or colourful reefs. This is a cold-water wreck dive, a completely different beast, and we love it for its sheer character. Lying at a shallow 8 metres, the stern section of this fishing trawler is remarkably intact, sitting upright on the sandy bottom. You can peer into the engine room, or rather, where the engine room *was*, now a shadowy haven for king crabs and schools of hake. What truly sets the Maria Angelica apart is its history, and how the strong currents here have shaped it. It’s an exposed site, so pick your day carefully – we’ve seen visibility drop to a few metres in a surge. But when it’s calm, the light filters down, illuminating the rusty plates and the surprisingly robust growth of anemones and sponges. Our favourite part? The wheelhouse. It's partially collapsed, but you can still make out the outline, and it’s a brilliant spot to find conger eels tucked away, their heads poking out from the shadows. This wreck is a photographer’s dream if you’re into atmospheric, moody shots rather than bright colours. It’s definitely not for beginners; the currents can be tricky, and you need good buoyancy control to navigate the interior safely. Come prepared for a proper Argentine wreck experience, not a Caribbean cruise.