Mar Chiquita Lagoon

Information

It is a lagoon that is located in the province of Buenos Aires on the coast of the Argentine Sea, whose main access is about 33 km from the centre of the city of Mar del Plata. It is within a biosphere reserve that also protects the surrounding area.

It is approximately 25 km long, and varies in width from 100 metres to 4-5 km. It is an coastal lagoon, which is a body of water separated from the sea by dunes, which in turn has a mouth where it connects to the ocean. Its water presents salinity gradients, since its northern part receives fresh water from streams and canals, while the mouth at its southern end is in contact with salt water from the sea.

It can be reached from Mar del Plata by travelling 32 kilometres along Provincial Route 11, where at a fork you take San Martín Avenue to the right to enter the locality called Balneario Parque Mar Chiquita. After 800 metres along this avenue, you can turn left and access the waterfront of the Vivorata Stream (a tributary of the lagoon). Or you can continue straight on for 1.6 kilometres and take the road on the left that first goes along the El Cangrejo Stream (also a tributary) and then the lagoon.

The waterfront of the lagoon can be walked along, and has seats and different viewpoints with signs informing about the ecosystem and the species of flora and fauna. There are boat ramps and it is normal to see boats sailing.

It is undoubtedly a great place for wildlife watching. Along the shores of the lagoon and its tributary streams there are sites inhabited by different species of crabs. Besides, a great number of birds typical of the coastal environment can be observed.