VALONA - Mar del Plata

The Valona isn't your typical wreck dive, and that's precisely why we love it. Forget deep blue walls and vast coral heads; this is an exercise in appreciating the small, the subtle, and the surprising resilience of life. Sitting in just four metres of water, the old barge is a perfect spot for divers of all levels, especially those looking to refine their buoyancy or get comfortable exploring an overhead environment without the usual depth pressures. What you'll find here is a tapestry of temperate water life taking hold on the steel. Green algae coats much of the structure, providing a home for tiny nudibranchs and a surprising number of small crabs tucked into every crevice. We've seen schools of silversides flickering around the more intact sections, and sometimes, if you're patient, a curious Patagonian blenny will peek out from a hole. The best time to visit is often early morning before boat traffic picks up, when the light filters through the shallow water, giving the wreck a greenish, almost ethereal glow. It’s a gentle, contemplative dive, a quiet exploration of history and the ongoing story of colonisation.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.355713, -57.961690
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 VALONA

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 VALONA

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