VIZCAINO NO.17 - Mar del Plata

The Vizcaino No. 17 is something special, truly. Not because of depth – you’re barely getting wet, a maximum of 3 metres here – but because it’s a living history lesson, right off the coast of Mar del Plata. This isn’t some deep, dark ghost ship; it’s a hulking, dangerous wreck, a freighter that ran aground way back in 1916. What we love about it is how accessible that history is. You’re exploring huge metal plates, giant beams, and what’s left of the superstructure. It feels immense, even in such shallow water. Visibility here can be a bit of a mixed bag; sometimes it’s 5 metres, other days it’s closer to 2, especially after some swell. Our favourite time to dive it is early morning on a calm day; the sun slanting through the surface ripples really brings the metal to life. The marine life here isn't the colourful reef fish you might expect from a tropical wreck. Instead, expect shoals of silversides darting between the rusty plates, crabs scuttling into crevices, and thick anemones covering huge sections of the hull. It’s a photographer’s dream if you’re into atmospheric shots of steel and shadow. This dive is perfect for anyone keen on wreck penetration in a controlled, shallow environment – a truly unique Mar del Plata experience.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.441550, -58.046833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

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 VIZCAINO NO.17

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 VIZCAINO NO.17

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