Mar del Plata - Clearance
For full details on clearing into and out of the country see Argentina Formalities.
Clearing in:
Prefectura Naval require notice of ETA on VHF Ch.16 prior to arrival.
Yachts arriving for international clearance must not proceed to their chosen marina/yacht club, but instead must use the waiting buoys outside the bridge and communicate with their chosen club to organise clearance.
Yacht Club Argentino and Club Nautico can assist with formalities.
Health, Immigration, Customs and the CoastGuard will attend to complete clearance and come to the boat in a small launch. The control includes a visit from the K9 brigade (with a dog that detects drugs).
Health checks incur a small charge which must be paid at the yacht club.
The Prefectura Naval has a list of very strict safety regulations and requirements. See the Documents section for more information.
Clearing out:
When clearing out, the captain must visit the Prefectura Naval office. Be prepared to have your boat inspected again to ensure it complies with the safety regulations.
The Coast Guard (Prefectura Naval), Customs (Aduana) and Immigration are all housed in the same street (turn left out of YCA or Club Nautico, follow curved road, bear left at end of truck park, pass entry to fishing dock, and buildings you need are about 300m on the right).
Last updated: October 2023
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at [email protected]. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
Next Section: Profile: Docking
Related to following destinations: Argentina, Mar del Plata
Port Navigation
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comMain Ports - Argentina
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.com
We stayed at YCA Mar del Plata in November 2018 and were offered 2 days for free. The other days it was about USD 50 per day for our 14m boat. We understand there is some negotiating room, especially after asking a quote from Club Nautico.
The town is good for buying long lines for Patagonia (e.g at Jose Moscuzza, corner of Av. de los Trabajadores and Av. de los Pescadores). The more you buy, the larger the discount, so go together with other boats, if possible. To buy galvanised chain, go to La Esquina de los Cadenas y Poleas (corner of Moreno and Jara, taxi or bus 554). Gas bottle refill, many different kinds, incl. French, Dutch, US bottles: ferreteria on the corner of 12 de octubre and Rondeau. Laundry also available in that part of town, on the way from the marinas to 12 de octubre.
Before leaving, the prefectura checked our boat. They went over a large part of their list, but not all. Mostly safety equipment (including certificates and expiration dates), lights, bilge pump.
Dredging works are completed, there are now at least eight meters in the harbour mouth.
Omar Sanchez, Wetdoc, from Buenos Aires.
In the coming months: dredging the port access.
Passing vessels are released every three hours, prior call to Naval Prefecture (L2U)
Omar Sanchez, Wetdoc, from Buenos Aires.