TIEN CHEE - Mar del Plata

The Tien Chee wreck, sitting in Mar del Plata’s often-chilly waters, isn't for everyone, but we love it for its sheer character. It’s an old freighter, sunk deliberately in the 1970s, now broken into several large sections. Dropping down, you feel the chill of the Atlantic, but the wreck quickly takes over. It’s pretty shallow, around 10 meters, so you get plenty of bottom time to poke around. Our favourite part is the engine room, surprisingly accessible if you know where to look. It’s dark inside, naturally, but your torch picks out the gauges and machinery, all encrusted with the thick, fuzzy growth that thrives here. Outside, we’ve found conger eels peering from dark corners and schools of silversides swirling through the main holds. Visibility can be a bit hit-or-miss – best after a few days of calm weather – but when it’s good, the light penetrates the broken decks, giving the wreck a moody, almost ghostly feel. It suits divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a scramble; definitely not a pristine coral garden, but a proper adventure.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.745000, -57.808334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

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 TIEN CHEE

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 TIEN CHEE

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