SCUBA Diving in Puerto Madryn

For many people Patagonia starts under the Colorado River, but for divers, the frontier is beyond the Negro River, as from that point southwards, the gulfs and shores treasure the best sites on the Atlantic littoral to practice this sport.
Staying at Puerto Madryn, Mecca of Argentinian scuba diving because of the variety of proposals and the quality of service, we did not hesitate to dive into the crystal-clear waters and discover a new submarine paradise.

There are multiple and varied sites for diving, as well as a large number of operators organizing this activity. We received several invitations but did not wish to use them all on one trip; therefore, we resolved to accept Lobo Larsen’s and Master Divers, and leave the ones made by Aquatours Buceo, Madryn Buceo, Hydrosport, Botazzi and Golfo Azul for another opportunity.
Once the corresponding explanations were given, we met Marcelo Corral and his team very early in front of the Prefectura Naval Argentina building.

The day began quietly. The sun on the horizon was still painting the waters of the Argentinian Sea pink.

On board the motorboat, with a pleasant ocean and the comradeship typical of divers, we left towards the immersion site. Our destination was Punta Cuevas, in the Parque Nuevo de buceo, located in front of the shores of the Ecocentro.
We got the diving equipment ready and the instructor checked up the two most critical elements: the tank and the regulator.
We abandoned the ship and got on the floating raft. We threw a rope and gradually began to descend. This way, we ensured a good compensation.
When we were ten meters deep, a new world, full of life and color opened up before us. We quickly understood the reason for the name given to that place: Punta Cuevas (Caves Point).

This spot is a very good site for beginners. It is made up by a natural small rock formation only 200 meters away from the shore.
Among the caves and under the typical eaves of the ledges we found lots of fish. The naive groupers were willing to accept a cholga mussel from our hands.
The sea fauna that dwells this area includes cocheros, chanchitas, breams, turcos, salmons sea anemones and crabs, among the most desirable.
It was very amusing to see how the sea anemones would automatically disappear once they touched our fingers.
Suddenly, an elastic figure of great size was there watching us in the bottom and, before we could notice, it approached us at great speed. The brief fright was over when we realized it was a playful sea lion offspring doing some tricks around us. After a few seconds, it seemed to get tired of the strange visitors and left.

We continued diving, rejoicing with every discovery. It is difficult to describe the feeling of diving in low temperature waters. Everything is slower and brighter; the algae are greener and everything is translated into so much peace and harmony that it is hard to leave this place.

After 45 minutes of diving, we got back to the surface feeling extremely satisfied.
Although it was already noon and a spectacular barbecue was expecting us in the city center, we refused to go back to solid ground. Thus, Marcelo Corral invited us to make a new diving excursion: the Antonio Mirages shipwreck, located 27 meters deep. But that is a different story…