The touristic town of Sosua is on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic is situated in the Puerto Plata province. Ideally situated near the airport and only 15 minutes from the kite surfing haven of the Caribbean, Cabarete, there’s plenty to do above and below the waves. Dive centers and dive resorts are in no short supply and cater to all budgets.

Normally, the Atlantic’s conditions would create challenging scuba diving, however, the island’s unique geography allows for a protected zone where idyllic diving adventures suitable for all skill levels await. The sandy beach faces west and is surrounded by hills, forming a sheltered area that prevents winds and waves. This diving haven, Sosua Bay, is a major attraction for divers, where calm seas, excellent visibility, and around 20 dive sites offering walls, reefs, wrecks and more attract underwater enthusiasts year after year. Beginners can enjoy shallow reefs, while advanced divers can relish deep walls, reefs and wrecks. Dive courses are also popular here thanks to a range of suitable training sites.

What’s more, from December to April, the Silver Banks here plays host to migrating humpback whales, when the males put on action-packed spectacles to impress females. 

Sosua dive operators also venture to nearby Puerto Plata, where sites are better suited to experienced divers, as currents and waves can be more energetic here. Liveaboard fans can rejoice, as there are a few vessels which include Sosua’s best sites on their itinerary.

The tropical Caribbean climate promises great year-round diving, with 26°C-28°C water temperatures. The dry and high season from December to May, entails sunnier, drier weather, though the northern coast sees rougher oceans. 

June to November is the rainy season, though downpours often pass quickly. During this time, the north coast experiences calm oceans, allowing for better diving conditions. June to November is also hurricane season, so consider taking out travel insurance.

For greater chances of spotting humpback whales, visit between December and March. 

Scuba diving in Sosua promises variety, including wall, reef, wreck, cave and drift diving. Sosua Bay is perfect for those who enjoy easy reefs, while sites closer to Puerto Plata can involve exhilarating drift diving. Around two hours inland, the El Dudu Caverns are eerie cave dives in a freshwater lake hosting interesting critters. The Zingara wreck is one of the most famous shipwrecks, while Airport Wall, is a top wall site that’s so big that it consists of three dive sites.

As for logistics, boat diving is common practice in and around Sosua. All the sites are accessible by boat, and most operators use powerful speedboats to reach diving areas.

Sosua diving promises the beauty of the Caribbean Sea, which teems with diverse marine creatures. Hard and soft corals, sponges, sea fans and gorgonians decorate the reefs where vibrant fish and reef critters like eels, octopus, stingrays and more, all thrive.

If you like the big stuff, you’ll be excited to encounter manta rays, nurse sharks, barracudas, whale sharks, and of course, the famous humpback whales that come to breed and give birth from December to March.

3 Rocks & Coral Gardens boast abundant marine life, and are perfect for novices. The coral nurseries of the Sosua Bay Rejuvenation Project are also situated here for all to see. Expect kaleidoscopic corals and vibrant fish species galore.

Coral Garden Wall is another favourite, involving an extensive deep reef, featuring slopes, giant coral structures and rock formations festooned with life. 

The Zingara is an old cargo freighter, that used to transport coffee and fruit around the Caribbean. Now, it serves as an artificial reef, encrusted with corals and houses various marine critters.

Five Rocks, another top site, boasts rock pinnacles covered in life that are extremely photogenic.

Airport Wall is one of the country’s best dive sites, boasting swim-throughs, tunnels and breathtaking topography. It can be dived multiple times and feel like a different site each time. Prolific marine life and stunning seascapes here will take your breath away.

Canyon, a very popular site, features sandy bottom where an enormous ock pinnacle is based inside reef. Plenty of schooling fish swarm divers, while photographers happy-snap away at this photogenic site.
Mini Wall and Deep Wall feature hundreds of sea fans along the vibrant reef. Divers can gaze into the abyss off the wall, while experienced sea-fanatics can descend deeper. Plus, turtles and tiny seahorses are often seen here. 

Palmeras has numbers of swim-throughs along with diverse fish action, while its neighbour, Pyramids, features interesting rock formations where critters hide. 

Ray Point’s wall has a sheer drop that descends into oblivion. Here, divers can spot eagle rays, as well as beautiful corals and intense fish numbers. 

West Wall and La Puntilla, situated near the beach, have three sunken cannons from an old gallion, in addition to the reef dome structures installed by the Sosua Bay Rejuvenation Project. Lots of wrasse, snapper and grunts linger atop the wall, while crabs and eels hide under the overhangs. 

Chiquita Reef, located in front of Playa Chiquita boasts beautiful fan corals and large overhangs as a plus to its numerous stingrays and tropical fish species.