Puerto Plata Province Diving

Discover the exciting drifts, plunging walls, encrusted shipwrecks and insane big fish action at Puerto Plata on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, where idyllic beaches oozing Caribbean charm is only the beginning.

Sosua

The Dominican Republic’s north coast is home to Sosúa, where eerie shipwrecks, beautiful reefs and magnificent migrating humpback whales are on offer for nature enthusiasts. 

 

Diving in Puerto Plata Province

Overall, Puerto Plata Province diving is very different to that of the south coast. The Atlantic Ocean tends is more energetic than the Caribbean Sea, and most dive sites are deep and subject to strong currents. While there are a few areas suitable for beginners, much of the scuba diving in Puerto Plata is a better match for experienced divers. Due to more challenging conditions, it’s a popular spot to take advanced dive courses, like deep, drift, wreck and cave training. Tec divers also have the opportunity to check out freshwater cave networks inland.

San Felipe de Puerto Plata, or simply known as Puerto Plata, is a lively city on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. There are plenty of dive resorts and dive centers everywhere, particularly around the tourist town of Cabarete, Sosua, Playa Dorada and Costa Dorada, where accommodation and diving to suit all budgets is widely available. Liveaboard vessels also depart fro Silver Bank from this area. 

There’s plenty to see at Puerto Plata’s dozen or so dive sites, including vibrant ecosystems of corals, colorful sea gardens, plunging walls and eerie shipwrecks that all host an array of Caribbean marine life.

Most diving takes place from speedboats, which also take divers to nearby Sosua Bay, which is the second beating heart of the Dominican north coast. Here, you can expect magnificent walls featuring swim-throughs, overhangs, tunnels, and prolific big fish action, including grouper and barracuda.

There’s no bad time of year to dive here, thanks to a year-round ideal tropical climate that maintains welcoming 26°C-28°C water temperatures. The dry and high season from December to May, promises sunnier, drier weather, though the northern coast sees rougher oceans. From December to March, you can listen to humpback whales chattering in the waters, and you may even spot the males putting on a show for the females. 

June to November is the rainy season, though downpours often pass quickly, and the north coast experiences calm oceans during this time, meaning it’s the best time to dive Puerto Plata and Sosua. June to November is also hurricane season, so consider taking out travel insurance.

Best places to dive

Highlight dives include the humpback whale experience in the Silver Banks. From December to April every year, enormous humpback whales come near the island to calve and commence their mating season. The males rear and energetically put on a spectacle to impress the females. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this is a must-see for any diver.

There's also the Zingara Wreck, which was purpose-sunk to create an artificial reef. It now sits at around 36 meters and is decorated by encrusted corals. Currents can be strong here, so it’s important to follow your guide and be aware of your surroundings. 

Airport Wall, which lies at the foot of an airport runway, is a popular site for locals and returning divers. Boasting some of the country's most diverse marine life, the wall, pinnacles and tunnels here are overflowing with tons of tropical species.

Other top dive sites include Three Rocks, Coral Gardens, Canyon, West Wall, Mini Wall and Five Rocks.