Las Grutas and San Matias Gulf

Before entering, confirm tide phase, height and forecast, site-specific current/visibility, wave exposure, marine traffic, exit routes, buddy skill and an abort criterion. The province warns that rising tides can reach cliff bases and falling water can create outward currents. La Isla and Playa Orengo have locally documented greater currents/depth than the Tercera Bajada beginner platform. Keep wreck dives within training and authorization; do not infer permission to penetrate a vessel. DAN advises no solo breath-hold dives or pre-dive hyperventilation. For divers without decompression sickness symptoms, DAN suggests at least 12 hours after a single no-stop dive and at least 18 hours after multiple no-stop dives or multiple dive days; substantially longer after mandatory decompression, and additional buffer is prudent. Seek urgent medical advice and do not fly if decompression sickness is suspected.

Las Grutas has Hospital Dra. Violeta Villalobos on Boulevard Buyayiski, confirmed by the provincial hospital opening record and May 2026 hospital transport notice. The provincial directory also lists Hospital Dr. Anibal Serra in San Antonio Oeste. The municipal health-contact list retains an older Pilcaniyeu/General Roca location, so confirm the current receiving facility and entrance when arranging care. These are the locally documented medical contacts, not independently verified hyperbaric treatment centers. No current operational recompression chamber, on-site oxygen stock or assured transfer time was established for this sector. Ask your provider to demonstrate a written emergency plan including oxygen, vessel communications, local ambulance response and how recompression treatment is reached. In a life-threatening emergency call 911; for nautical emergency call Prefectura at 106. Confirm diving insurance covers the activity, evacuation and hyperbaric care.

Bahia de San Antonio is an officially protected area important for migratory shorebirds, including red knots. Use marked paths and lookouts and avoid feeding, approaching or harassing animals. Municipal tourism prohibits beach vehicles and pets in the bay and warns about cliffs and the restinga. A provincial legal notice states that approach to southern right whales without competent authorization is prohibited. The 2026 municipal season required licensed vessels and careful wildlife distances. Do not advertise or conduct swim-with-whales trips, and do not collect organisms from tidal pools or disturb shipwreck habitat.