Y.P.F.D.G. NO.1 - Mar del Plata

Forget everything you think you know about wreck diving. The Y.P.F.D.G. NO.1 isn't some deep, dark behemoth. It's a launch vessel, right in the surf line at Mar del Plata, sitting at a comical one metre depth. We love this site because it’s so accessible, a truly unique beach dive that often gets overlooked. Wading in, you’ll feel the surge tugging at your fins, but once you’re over the wreck, the current mellows enough to poke around. The hull is well broken up, scattered steel plates and ribs forming mini-canyons and overhangs. Look closely and you’ll spot a surprising amount of life hunkered down. Crabs scuttle from under barnacle-encrusted metal, and small shoals of fish dart through the shadows. It’s not a site for spotting megafauna, but for experiencing a wreck in a completely different, almost tactile way, it's our pick. It's an excellent spot for photographers wanting to play with ambient light and wide-angle shots of structure, and it’s a brilliant way to spend an afternoon when the bigger boat dives are weathered out.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.841667, -57.916668
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

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 Y.P.F.D.G. NO.1

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 Y.P.F.D.G. NO.1

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