Maria Angelica - Mar del Plata

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.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-33.891407, -59.247833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
8m

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 Maria Angelica

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 Maria Angelica

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