PINBALL CALIFORNIA - Mar del Plata

We’ll be upfront: Pinball California isn’t a deep dive. At a maximum of four metres, it’s more of a shallow exploration, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not worth your time. This isn’t a beautiful, intact wreck, this is a dangerous wreck, an honest wreck that feels like a genuine piece of history. The *Pinball California* was a fishing trawler that ran aground in 1993, and over the years, the strong Atlantic waves have really broken it up, scattering its components across the seabed. What you get is a fascinating collection of twisted metal, boilers, and engine parts, all heavily encrusted and colonised by surprising amounts of life. We’ve spotted crabs scuttling amongst the wreckage, small schools of fish darting in and out of the crevices, and an abundance of anemones clinging to the corroded steel. It’s a photographer’s dream if you like abstract, atmospheric shots – the way the light filters through the shallow water and plays on the broken structures is really something. Our pick for timing is a calm day, early morning, when the visibility tends to be at its best and the sun is lower, casting those long, dramatic shadows. It’s perfect for newer divers looking for their first wreck experience without the intimidation of depth, or for experienced divers who appreciate the raw character of a working vessel reclaimed by the sea.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.375084, -58.523266
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
4m

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 PINBALL CALIFORNIA

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 PINBALL CALIFORNIA

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