MARIA CELIA - Mar del Plata

The Maria Celia is one of those wrecks that really feels like a piece of history, just sitting there at a shallow 12 meters. We love diving this one because it’s surprisingly intact, despite the "dangerous" classification – that’s more about its age than any immediate hazard, in our opinion. You can easily spend an entire dive exploring the holds, peering into the engine room, and tracing the deck structure. It’s got a ghost ship vibe, especially on a day with a bit of a swell, when the light plays through the water and the shadows dance inside the wreck. On a good day, visibility can push 10 meters, letting you appreciate the scale of this old cargo ship. We’ve seen quite a few cusk-eels tucked away in crevices, their eyes reflecting your torch beam, and the occasional king crab scuttling across the seabed nearby. The wreck itself is a fantastic canvas for growth – hydroids, anemones, and colourful sponges coat almost every surface, making it feel alive even without a parade of big fish. It’s a great site for photographers who enjoy macro and wide-angle wreck shots, and for anyone who appreciates a bit of maritime history you can actually swim through.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-33.420750, -58.430250
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

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 CELIA

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 CELIA

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