Ushuaia is the capital city of the Tierra del Fuego province in Patagonia, commonly referred as the southernmost city in the world, being also an important naval base. It is located in a wide open bay, on the south coast of Isla Grande de Terra del Fuego and bordered in the north by the Martial mountain range.
Ushuaia has subpolar oceanic climate with warm summers and cool winders. The city is surrounded by Magellanic subpolar forest rich in flora and fauna with several recreation activities. However, Patagonia in not only about mountains and forests. The cold waters at “the end of the world” hide mysteries, waiting to be discovered and diving can be a real challenge.
Monte Cervantes was a 500 ft/150 m passenger boat, that cruised the South American Route. At the beginning of the 1930’s, it sank near Tierra Del Fuego, because it struck some submerged rocks. All the passengers and crew were saved, except the captain. The shipwreck was discovered recently, in September of 2000, where a film team used an underwater robot and found it.
The ship is located next to the Eclaireus lighthouse, accessible by boat. It is divided in two parts, where the hull is sunk at 100 m/330 m deep and the rest of the boat such as the deck and cabins, are located at 40 m/130 ft. The water visibility is good but it gets better during winter. You will find yourself diving through kelp forest, jellyfish, corals and king crabs and explore an amazing shipwreck.
This dive is recommended for advanced divers only. It is best to book an organized dive, because the weather conditions are unpredictable with high winds and strong currents. Scuba diving in Tierra del Fuego gives you the opportunity to discover a hole new world hidden underwater, in a place like no other in the world. Drysuits are necessary for this dive.
