NUEVA VILLETA - Mar del Plata

Nueva Villeta isn't about deep blue drifts or pristine coral; it’s about history, cold water, and the strange beauty of a wreck reclaimed by the Atlantic. This old dredge barge, sunk intentionally back in 1954 to form a breakwater, now sits upright in just 8 meters of water. We love how accessible it is, even for newer wreck divers, though that Mar del Plata chill will always keep you honest. The structure itself is pretty broken up these days, but you can still pick out the hull and some of the machinery. What really makes Nueva Villeta stand out for us is the sheer number of critters that have moved in. We've seen so many anemones, sea stars, and crabs tucked into every crevice, plus schools of local fish darting through the rusted metal. It’s a proper artificial reef, buzzing with life, and seeing it shift with the slight surge in the shallows is always a treat. Our favourite time to dive it is on a calm, sunny morning; the light piercing the shallow water really brings out the colours of the encrusting life. Bring a good torch to peer into the darker corners.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.622223, -58.313610
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 NUEVA VILLETA

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 NUEVA VILLETA

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