MARIA MONDELO - Mar del Plata

The *Maria Mondelo* isn't a deep dive, that's for sure. At a maximum of two metres, this is more of a snorkel and free-dive playground, but don't let the shallowness fool you. We love this wreck precisely because it’s so accessible and tells a great story. The *Maria Mondelo* was a Spanish fishing trawler, shipwrecked in 1936. She’s now a skeletal remains, her ribs exposed to the sun just beneath the surface, sitting about 300 metres offshore from Mar del Plata. What you get here is pure history, battered by the Atlantic. You can spend ages just finning around the broken hull, imagining the storm that drove her ashore. We’ve seen small schools of silversides darting in and out of the rusty framework, and surprisingly large crabs scuttling across the seabed below. Visibility here can vary; aim for a calm, sunny day to really appreciate the light playing through the remaining structure. It's a fantastic spot for photographers looking for interesting silhouettes, or for anyone wanting a relaxed, shallow exploration with a tangible piece of the past right there.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.596943, -58.360832
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

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 MONDELO

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 MONDELO

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