wreck

Log This Dive

MATADOR

The Matador, an old tug, rests in just 11 metres of water off Mar del Plata. We love it because it’s a proper piece of history, sunk in ’75 after a tow rope snapped while assisting a tanker, a tragic accident claiming four lives. You feel that weight when you descend; it’s a sombre site. It’s completely colonised now, a fantastic artificial reef. We always see conger eels poking out from every crevice, sometimes a bit shy, sometimes bold enough to really check you out. The prop is still there, impressive and green with growth, and we often find good-sized hake sheltering around the stern. Visibility can be a bit challenging, typical for the area, but when it’s good, the natural light filtering through the slight murk gives the whole wreck an atmospheric glow. Our favourite part is navigating the small wheelhouse, a tight squeeze but incredibly rewarding, especially if you catch a few wrasse darting through the portholes. It’s a dive for those who appreciate wrecks with a story, and who don’t mind a bit of a hunt for the marine residents.