Sea Tour in Mar del Plata

We took the Av. Peralta Ramos heading southwards and went straight to the harbor.

As we were going along the seafront, the city dazzled us once again with its particular architecture: its high buildings lying on the waterfront give the city the special touch of international metropolis.

We arrived in the harbor just in time for embarking. This huge site is the main fishing harbor in the country. It was built by a French company with Pedro Luro’s capital and it was officially inaugurated in 1922.

We promptly got ready in the access to the Anamora cruise and, after asking for permission to get on board, we made ourselves comfortable on our seats to enjoy a different Mar del Plata -Mar del Plata from the sea.

The main characteristics of the Anamora are its 30 m length, 6 m windsock, the steel hull and its powerful 560 HP, which grant maneuvering looseness to operate safely both in the harbor and in the open sea. Apart from having all the nautical safety devices to perform this kind of voyages, it has an exclusive snack bar to delight your palate with cakes, cookies and meals on board.

The ship starts to move and, as she does, the look on the tourists eyes, as in ours, are triggered in all directions.

The departure from the harbor was an experience hard to be forgotten. The picturesque fishing boats, painted in yellow, gave the scenery movement and aroma. Men emptying their nets with what they had fished during the day waved at us when we passed by.

Soon afterwards, we passed by the cabotage dock, where Mar del Plata’s deep-sea fishing plant is moored. At present, it contains 350 boats which are supposed to catch, process and freeze different fish species, such as hake, pollack, squid, whitemouth croaker, sole, anchovy, cornalitos and sea breams, among others.

Then, we bordered the silos belonging to the Junta Nacional de Granos, where the different exportation cereals are stored. These are transported by boats reaching a length of up to 240 m.

When we crossed the northern breakwater, where the most important fishing contests in the country are made, the magnificent and endless Argentine Sea welcomed us. It is important to point out that the largest overseas dock in the country stands on this breakwater and is used by transatlantic ships.

The postcard is unforgettable. The splendor of the city may be appreciated only from this perspective or from the air. From the water, it looks silent, slow and tranquil. The Sheraton International Hotel building, the legendary Marales and the most ancient constructions in the place rise like the protectors of the seaside resorts washed by the at their feet.

The National Institute of Fishing Research and Development, which was inaugurated in 1938, lies in the area of Playa Grande. This institution studies the different sea species and performs rescues when such species are stuck or astray in these latitudes.

Soon afterwards, we reached cape Corrientes, the most outstanding point of land into the sea in the whole territory of the Republic of Argentina, as it is part of one of the last mountain prominences of the Tandilia and Ventania systems in the province of Buenos Aires. According to historians, Admiral Brown dropped anchor right in front of cape Corrientes when there was not a stable settlement in Mar del Plata yet.

We passed by Varese beach and the boat started to turn round. Agile seagulls escorted our path along the blue waters of the ocean. At times, some seals approached the boat and filled us with fascination as we could watch them from such close a distance.

We entered the harbor through the southern breakwater, where the Redeeming Christ statue opens its arms and seems to welcome sailors as they come to the shore.

Then, the Anamora headed for Mar del Plata Naval Base. To port, we could see its facilities, and the three patrol corvettes which function is to watch the Argentine sea space. Apart from other military ships that are equipped with multipurpose missile units, the fleet of submarines of the base captivated our attention.

Another turn of the Anamora led us to the inflammable breakwater, where the most important petrol ships in the country unload fuel.

Afterwards, we passed by the facilities of the Prefectura Naval Argentina, and before our voyage ended, we were taken to the South American sea lion reservation to appreciate the specimens.

The purpose of this reservation is to protect the species, which in 1984 was declared Mar del Plata Natural Monument, due to its historical and scientific interest.

After a few minutes of beholding this place where man and nature have worked together for this species to survive in the area, we started our return.

This experience has given us sensations, aromas and colors, as well as relaxation and harmony transmitted by sea water. All this makes this expedition an ideal plan for the whole family.