Catuan (Wreck) (★4.5)
The “Catuan“ is a tugboat sunk in 2006 with a length of about 33 meters. It lies at a maximum depth of 20 meters and is now a beautiful underwater habitat. It is suitable for beginners and advanced divers.
Explore Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic offers a unique diving experience that combines rich history with natural beauty. Known for its protected bay and La Caleta National Underwater Park, it features dive sites suitable for all skill levels. The park is home to spectacular shipwrecks like the Hickory and Limon, alongside vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Adventurous divers can explore an intriguing system of freshwater caves nearby, offering a thrilling experience for advanced and technical divers.
With calm currents and shallow, easy dives, Santo Domingo is perfect for beginners. However, those seeking more challenge can venture further south to areas with stronger currents ideal for drift dives. The variety of marine life is a major draw, with sightings of French angelfish, green moray eels, turtles, and even sharks and manatees. Most diving is done by speedboat, but there are also opportunities for shore diving, with liveaboards offering trips to the island’s top sites. Dive centers cater to all budgets, and the proximity to a major international airport makes Santo Domingo an accessible and exciting dive destination.
Dive Sites Show on map
Diving in Santo Domingo
La Caleta National Park is a popular diving area, where wreck diving, cave diving and exceptional reef diving can be enjoyed by beginners and seasoned underwater explorers alike.
Advanced and tec divers will appreciate the natural caves and tunnels, like Tanía and Roca Cueva caves, as well as the many historical wrecks, including El Limon and El Hickory.
Deep diving is also possible, especially at some of Santo Domingo’s most famous sites, such as the wreck of the Capitán Alsina and Don Quico.
The best Months to dive in Santo Domingo
The tropical Caribbean climate allows for excellent year-round diving, with water temperatures fluctuating between 24°C–28°C/75°F–82°F.
December to May is the dry season in Santo Domingo, promising ideal weather for diving and the calmest seas. What's more, from December to March, you might hear the songs of humpback whales while underwater. Book your trip early if you plan to stay during this time, as it's the tourist high season.
June to November is the rainy season, although showers normally last for a short period. Diving is still superb, with plentiful fish action and warmer summer ocean temperatures during this time. Be aware that this is also the Caribbean's hurricane season.
Statistics
Dive Activity
Top Wildlife Sightings
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
86 Sightings
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8
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9
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10
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2
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2
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8
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9
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1
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11
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9
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15
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2
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
43 Sightings
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11
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5
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2
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4
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0
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6
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4
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2
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3
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0
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6
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
252 Sightings
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24
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32
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17
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12
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4
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27
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19
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8
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16
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17
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49
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27
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
99 Sightings
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3
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16
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10
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1
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0
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21
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20
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12
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7
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8
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1
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
94 Sightings
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6
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11
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8
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5
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17
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12
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5
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11
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9
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6
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4
iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish
83 Sightings
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4
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14
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1
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1
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18
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18
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4
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11
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6
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5
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1
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
74 Sightings
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7
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2
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7
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8
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6
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4
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11
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13
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14
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
67 Sightings
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3
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6
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3
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1
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0
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14
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16
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1
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7
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9
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4
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3
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
62 Sightings
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5
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9
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0
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0
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0
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18
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16
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0
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8
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1
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5
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0
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
59 Sightings
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5
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8
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7
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0
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0
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16
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1
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0
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9
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3
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7
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3
